Best campsites for surfing in Isles of Scilly AONB

Sandy paths, wrap-around Atlantic views, and empty beaches make distant Scilly a back-to-nature beauty off the coast of Cornwall.

94% (62 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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Isles of Scilly AONB

94% (62 reviews)

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Teressa

April 2025

Tent

4 nights at Ro Dama Community Farm

This site is definitely for those who like their thrills cheap and cheerful! I was camping alone (female) and I felt very safe here. Also, looking at previous reviews I'm pleased to announce that there are still very friendly dogs and that the geese have their own kingdom behind a gate! Perks of this campsite are the secluded spots on the terraces that afford a lot of privacy and quiet. There was a firepit at my pitch and wood is available (£5 cash). It is also a straightforward 45 minute walk to St Gothian Sands through the backlanes and from there at low tide you can walk along the beaches to Hayle or follow the Coast Path at the top . My warning is to anyone who needs luxury when camping - this is not the spot! There are two compost loos, one sink and one solar shower. The facilities are functional and do the job, but they are rough around the edges! The site is a testament to the ingenuity of the people living there as the facilities are all handmade. The upside is that nature is minimally disturbed and you can wake up to the sound of bright bird song.

3 nights at Ro Dama Community Farm

A wonderful, special place. The spot was secluded and had a lovely view of the valley. I was incredibly charmed by the use of the farm land, hanging out with the animals (warning for people who don’t like geese) and learning about the different workshops and community gatherings they host here. Thank you everyone at Ro Dama for the hospitality, I felt very welcome. If I hadn’t come in the middle of January I would have extended my stay for a fair while longer. Also the water was delicious.

3 top campsites in Isles of Scilly AONB with surfing

84%

(19)

Ro Dama Community Farm

4 units · Tents9 acres · Camborne, England

Rooted in the Dowr Konor watershed and overlooking St Ives’ Bay in Kernow/Cornwall, Ro Dama invites you into our space for connection, regeneration and rewilding of ourselves, our communities, our culture & heritage and our land. On site, we have a variety of pitch types, private, communal and camper van spots. we have a couple of young pups on site who are being a bit territorial, we therefore advise that it is not suitable for dogs at this time.

93%

(71)

Ryn Gwari Farm

15 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Penzance, Cornwall, South West England

A family-friendly, 10-pitch campsite in Cornwall with big views, rustic facilities and a touch of magic

100%

(2)

Trevena Cross Glamping & Camping

25 units · Tents7 acres · Porthleven, England

Pop- up site throughout the summer in the village of Breage, just off the A394. Porthleven and Praa Sands five minutes' drive away. At the foot of Tregonning Hill; on a main bus route for easy outings. Trevena Cross Glamping & Camping is strategically placed just off the A394, it's also on the main Penzance to Helston bus route for easy outings. Not that it's all about getting off site: the place itself is rather lovely too, set back from the road surrounded by agricultural land and at the foot of Tregonning Hill (climbs of which are rewarded with views of the south coasts). The pitching area takes up four and a half acres of the seven- acre plot, with guests able to pick their own pitch and numbers limited to ensure plenty of space for all. Facilities have been kept simple here Eco Loo, Wash up area and hot showers. There is free parking on site too (although in wet weather you'll be asked to keep travel through the fields to a minimum). It's a family friendly site with a car free play area complete with a communal toy box. Dogs are welcome to take a break here too, they have a dedicated exercise area where they can run free but you'll need to keep them on a lead in all other areas, clean up after them and generally be mindful of other guests and the livestock in neighbouring fields. There is a small onsite 'essentials shop' for when you've been caught short and can't face the drive to Helston (we're talking really important items that never should have missed the list like marshmallows, baked beans and batteries!). Freezer pack re-freezing and battery pack charging facilities also available on request (subject to a small charge and availability). Those aiming to see Cornwall on foot should be pleased to note that there are plenty of countryside walks around, and lots of lovely coastal spots close by too (Praa Sands and Porthleven are both a couple of miles away, and linked by the South West Coast Path). It's also an easy 5- minute amble to Breage village centre for a top notch pub, a couple of play areas, a post office/ shop and a popular garden centre with a fab cafe.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Best campsites for surfing in Isles of Scilly AONB guide

Overview

Hopping across to the go-slow Isles of Scilly off southwest Cornwall feels like leaving England far behind, though the mainland is under 30 miles away. Some 140 islands make up this wildly beautiful and historically fascinating archipelago, and only five are inhabited. It’s a world of secluded coves, lonely lighthouses, wonderfully scenic coastal footpaths, and beachy strands that appear like magic at low tide, and there are just a few camping spots and glamping lodges sprinkled around. Outdoor adventurers delight in hiking, swimming, diving, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and seal-spotting, not to mention sleeping under blissfully clear skies.

Where to go

St. Mary’s & Tresco

The liveliest and largest island in Scilly—with all the transport links, restaurants, and shops—St. Mary’s unveils far-flung bays, windswept headlands, and meandering paths running along the coast and across the wide-open countryside. Excellent swimming, snorkelling, diving, and birdwatching opportunities abound, while boats zip over to neighbouring Tresco, with its subtropical, 19th-century gardens and powdery, Caribbean-worthy beaches.

St. Martin’s

Famous for hosting some of England’s outstanding blonde-sand beaches, the northernmost of the inhabited Scilly Isles is a delight to explore, and it even has its own tiny winery. Hike between sandy strands; go swimming, snorkelling, and diving off the sweeping bays; get the campfire going under the stars; and feast on super-fresh seafood plucked from the surrounding Atlantic.

Bryher

Tiny, rugged, and remote Bryher feels worlds away from everything, even its sister Scillies. The fun here is all about wandering the coast-hugging paths, clambering up to superb viewpoints, wandering past rustic-charm cottages, enjoying the secluded sweeping beaches and rocky coves, and stocking up on fresh local produce at street-side stalls.

St. Agnes

If camping with impossibly beautiful views across a deserted white-sand beach and rustling up meals with ingredients fresh from local farms sounds like exactly your thing, seek out the southernmost of the populated Scilly Isles. As well as secluded coves, aquamarine views, and flower-filled fields, isolated St. Agnes is known for prehistoric burial sites and the dreamy low-tide sandbar running across to the even more isolated Gugh island.