ONE of the best camping experiences in the UK is found in a small seaside village, home to a 300-year-old pub where people meet on weekends to sing sea shanties together.
Camping is a great way to save money on holidays and if you know where to look, there are some spectacular places to spend the night.
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One site particularly worth staying at is Cadgwith Camping, in Cornwall, which describes itself as a “back to basics site on a working dairy farm”.
That description rather belies its beauty however, with its pitches found overlooking the Cornish coast from the nearby clifftops.
These views and its laidback attitude earned it top spot in a list of Nine top coastal campsites in the UK in The Times.
They said: “You can watch ships pass in the night from this gloriously green, stripped-back site on a working farm on the lee side of the Lizard Peninsula.
“The hand-built showers are hot, the loos use sawdust rather than water, dogs and campfires are permitted, and breakfast is a bargain at £6.
“There are also sensational sunrises to admire and even the cows — blonde Jerseys — are gorgeous. Fifteen minutes’ walk across fields takes you to the harbourside Cadgwith Cove Inn.”
Previous guests have labelled the site an “ideal spot to explore from” as well as praising the location in general.
One wrote: “Location is stunning, gorgeous views out to sea, so peaceful.”
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Another said: “Beautiful location, welcoming owners, spacious pitches all with views and spotless facilities.”
A third added: “Had an amazing time, so friendly, free & welcoming. Gorgeous views and an ideal spot to explore from.”
Places that can be explored from the campsite include the warmest beach in the country, Kynance Cove, which is just a ten minute drive away.
However, for a true taste of Cornish life, a trip to Cadgwith Cove is a must for any guests.
The Telegraph said it “ticks every Cornish fishing village box” and listed it in their 20 most beautiful seaside villages in Britain.
They added: “It has working boats pulled up on the shingle beach, another beach for swimming, piles of lobster pots, a tiny tin church and tight lanes of thatched cottages.
Three camping tips from an expert
David Scotland owns camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct and knows all about how to make a camping trip run smoothly.
When visiting any campsite this summer it’s important to make sure you’re not making simple mistakes that could ruin your holiday.
Check your tent
David recommends putting your tent up a couple of weeks before you’re due to travel to give you enough time to repair or replace any damaged parts.
He told Sun Online Travel: “You’d be surprised how many people turn up with broken tents.”
Test the ground
Picking a good spot to pitch your tent is difficult, with lots of things to consider.
One of those should be the condition of the ground you’re putting your tent on top of, according to David.
He said: “Once you’ve found the perfect spot, test the ground with your pegs before you commit to camping there to make sure the ground is soft enough.”
Don’t nap in your tent
It may seem the perfect place for it, but a nap in a tent could end badly, if it’s done at the wrong time of the day.
David explained: “If the sun’s shining and it’s hot inside your tent – don’t do it!
“One of our friends nodded off in his tent during a heatwave at Glastonbury and ended up at the medical tent with heatstroke.”
Instead, he recommends finding some shade outside or somewhere well ventilated.
“There’s little to do, just buy an ice cream and take it all in.”
They too were fans of the Cadgwith Cove Inn, adding: “The highlight is a night at the 300-year-old Cadgwith Cove Inn, which has renovated guest rooms and live music nights – Tuesdays for folk jams, Fridays for shanties by the Cadgwith Singers.”
Pitches at Cadgwith Camping are available from £10 for a non-electric tent.
Meanwhile, for motorhomes, stays start from £25.
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