Write your own Review to win £150 of Amazon Vouchers!
If you've ever visited this campsite please submit a review for your chance to win! Each month one lucky person will have their review picked at random and will win £150 of Amazon vouchers. Leave as many reviews as you can for more chances - it only takes a few minutes
Spent a very happy 2 weeks here during some poor summer weather. The site is ideally located for access to the beautiful Fowey River by boat, kayak or walking.
The site was full when we went and the facilities coped well. Toilets are clean and satisfactory, but sometimes crowded and showers not great with shower curtain and poorly directed sprays.
The shop facilities are probably the best we have seen with internet access and great information. As has been said in previous reviews, the site would benefit from a dedicated children's playground.
The staff were always helpful and kept the site and grass very tidy. Pitch sizes are ample with good grass and largely level.
I would recommend this site, especially for walking/dog walking and watersport enthusiasts with a launching slipway and boating facilities a steep 10 minute walk away.
The site does somehow lack character, perhaps because the 2 fields have not yet got mature pitch boundaries, but in summary is a quality site
This site is a gem on the Cornish coast! Beautiful setting, extremely well maintained, family friendly, comfy, quiet, cosy and peaceful. An ideal base to explore the beauty of Cornwall. We stayed for ten days and had no issues whatsoever. If you're into sailing, this site is a must. We're not but it's sparked an interest! Yes, there are steep inclines to walk, but then we come from Lincolnshire so anything above flat is a hill!
Didn't make use of any local hostelries so can't comment. Brilliant coastal path from Polruan to Polperro (5m) c/o National Trust so walkers will love this area and easy access to English Heritage, Eden Project and so much more. The Boddinick ferry is great to access yon side, (Fowey) but don't consider taking a caravan on it! Especially when the tide is out!
Excellent friendly team on site and great encouragement for all campers to muck in together ie keep it clean. Occasional queue for showers in the ladies but nothing another cup of tea won't cure.
Petrol prices vary considerably in this area so make a note as you travel around.
There isn't a children's play area on site but my kids loved the walk down to the jetty every evening to watch the boats - even the local river police call into the jetty cafe for a cuppa! The beauty here is the freedom to go out and walk.
Disappointed at the apparent lack of fishmongers given the area. Local convenience stores are a bit pricey so worth a trip to St Austell for Tesco/Asda to stock up. On site shop has all the essentials you need including camping/caravan equipment bits and pieces and very reasonably priced.
Site was well laid out, with the pitches clearly marked. Plenty of room on each pitch, and in the lower field, it's not far to any of the electric points.
Toilets/showers were very clean and there was never more than a 5 minute wait even at peak times.
The shop had just about everything that you could ever need whilst on-site, including their own free-range eggs.
Good location, but it could get expensive if you keep going over the ferry into Fowey.
Negatives (well, just the one really):
The children need to have somewhere to play. We were in the lower field and I swear my tent & car were hit by more balls and frisbee's than there were flies/birds in the air.
Sometimes you get an instantly good feel about a site, and the warm welcome here really set out what was to become a lovely stay on a really nice small site. Situated just outside the small village of Bodinnick in South Cornwall, this small site sees a mixture of caravans tents and motorhomes spread around it's 2 fields.
The site has a particularly friendly feel to it, one which started from the warm welcome at the reception and continued to the many fellow campers we spoke with.
The site does not pre-allocate pitches so if you have a particular one in mind, make sure you arrive as early as possible after 12.
Facilities-wise, the loos and showers are clean and modern and with plenty of hot water, however the gents showers really could do with some adjusting to give the water a fighting chance of not escaping. Other than that there is a packed shop (with v good prices and lovely local beers on sale), and a laundry block which whilst expensive at £4.50 was good quality (I'm reliably told by the boss).
Another bonus on site is it's proximity right next to a slipway/boat launch, so this site would be excellent for anyone planning on sailing on the River Fowey. Speaking of Fowey, the town of the same name is close by and accessible via ferry from Bodinnick (only a few minutes crossing), but watch out for the steep walk back to the site on the way back.
All in we really liked this site and were really sorry to only have a couple of days here. Definitely one we'll return to.
Difficult to know where start on this one, all the comments to follow are positive.
Access is wide and easy to get to, no matter how big your unit. But don't try to get there from the Fowey side via the ferry, that's a no no!
The site is divided into two parts one flat and sheltered the other slightly slopey but with some great views. If you want electric hook-up you may need a fairly long lead.
The shop and reception, well, all I can say is that it was like walking into a Tesco minimarket stocking everything you could ever need and more.
Dogs: This is the most friendly dog site I've ever visited in over 30 years ( the owner has two himself) and as for walkies a lovely stroll down to the quay and back. From a previous review, don't be put off by the steepness of the hill, I'm an old wrinkly and a smoker and I made it without trouble albeit slowly.
The staff and owner are superb and could not be faulted, nothing was too much trouble and all served with a great sense of humour and enthusiasm. While we were there a big storm hit us. The owner Marcus and his team were out on site soaked to the skin rescuing peoples awnings. Now that deserved medals all round.
Facilities, Nothing to say just five star ten out of ten.
All in all highly recommended and well worth a visit
Set within four acres of woodland with spectacular countryside views, this site offers the perfect caravanning and camping experience for all ages. Grass or hardstanding pitches with optional electric. Plenty of space for the kids to play football or fly a kite while you sit back and relax. Facilities include toilets, free hot showers, baby washroom, ice pack freezing, dishwashing area, laundry and free WiFi. Secure dog run for four-legged friends, and campfires are allowed.
Shops, takeaway, pubs, post office, and a dispensing surgery are all in the village of St. Stephen. Just a short journey in the car, you are at some of Cornwall's best treasures, including the Eden Project. Four miles from St. Austell and 12 miles from the wide sweeping beaches of the north coast. This family-friendly site is an excellent base for your Cornish break. Find out more here
We have just spent a fabulous week at this site and I have to say that overall it is one of the best that we have been too.
Pitches are relatively level and even after 16 hours of torrential rain on one day not a hint of mud to be seen.
The toilets and showers are very modern and maintained to a very high standard. The site was 90% full whilst we were there and not once did I go in and not find them immaculately clean.
It was just the right size site for us and very peaceful. The walk into Boddinick is very pleasant but not advised for the very unfit as it is quite an incline coming back. As is the walk down to the quay from the site (certainly not recommended for anybody with mobility disabilities)
We found the people very pleasant and helpful and would certainly use this site again.
Brilliant site, friendly management. Very helpful, clean toilet and other cleaning area's.
Very easy to find, and a lovely view only a short walk from the site. Would not go without some form of transport or being a lot fitter than I am, as you have to walk some very steep hills to get anywhere.
Only 15 mins from the ferry across to Fowey itself. Dogs welcome which is always a big bonus.
Would be more than happy to return in fact we are planning on going back this year to stay for a few days while touring round Devon and Cornwall.
What a delightful site.The staff were so polite and helpful when we arrived and took time to recommend the best available pitch, although it was fairly quiet in June so there was a fair choice. Make sure to book well in advance for the busier periods. The showers and toilets were immaculately clean and because of the combination locks on the entrance doors did not have the problem experienced at some sites of children using the blocks as play areas. This is a common problem which usually makes the areas messy and dirty and unpleasant to use but no problem at Penmarlam!. The shop stocked all the essentials we needed and even ordered your own newspaper if required. Some people may object to the owners dogs being in the shop but it certainly didn't bother us. Make sure to note the opening hours so you don't need something only to find the shop closed.
Great local pub within walking distance of the site although walking back up the hill after a lovely bar meal and few pints of local ales was a bit of a struggle.
If you need more shops,restaurants etc. Then you can walk or drive down to the quaint little ferry and cross over to Fowey which is a lovely little town to spend the day.
Overall we thought this one of the nicest sites we have stayed at and hopefully will be returning next year.
This is cosy campsite, with a nice lay out. The shower block is clean and well looked after, we agree that more showers would be useful.
The campsite has a friendly feel and the shop is handy and well stocked.
We went to Fowey for the day via the car ferry, and that was a lovely day out. Fowey is gorgeous and the ferry is a great way to get there. We had tea at the Ferry Inn, but assumed (wrongly) that it would serve food all day.
I would recommend Fowey and this campsite, the hill is steep and would be a problem for anyone less mobile.
This campsite is well run, efficient and clean and tidy.
We stayed for 6 nights and our friends stayed for 4 nights arriving a day later. The owners were helpful when it came to pitch allocation so that our friends could pitch next door.
The electricity point seemed a far distance away but was well within the distance of our extension lead.
The toilets and showers were cleaned regularly, at times the showers were full as there is only 3. I would say more showers less sink cubicles would be beneficial.
The campsite has a quiet policy after 10pm but we didn't find this a problem and could still sit outside in a group without any issued.
The ferryman pub at the bottom of the hill near the ferry to fowey was great - good food, good beer.
There is a lot of comments about the hill to this pub but we found it no problems - if you are generally healthy its fine.
The car ferry to Fowey and back stops running at 8.45 but then a passenger boat runs until 10.30 or so.
There are a lot of shops, and pubs in Fowey - it is quite a busy little town.
I would recommend the coastal path from Polruan to Lantic Bay - about 3 miles but very nice and worth it when you get to the bay. You can return from this bay across land vai Pont and then to Boddinick.
The Hall walk from Boddinick to Polruan is lengthy but nice, a shorter version goes across the fields and not following the coast line.
All in all a good holiday, we pottered about on the beach, fished and ate well without using our car.
Previous
89 Reviews in total, now showing 51 to 60Next
Write a Review of this Site to Win £150 Amazon Vouchers
Write a review of this campsite and you could win £150 of Amazon vouchers. Each month one lucky person will have their review picked at random and will win! Leave as many as you can for more chances - submit your review here
Common Questions
Is Penmarlam Lodge Retreat child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Penmarlam Lodge Retreat? There is a shop on site View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
No Tents 
No Caravans 
No Motorhomes 
No Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
No Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
No Toilets 
No Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
No Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
No Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <1 mile 
Wild Swimming <1 mile 
Indoor Pool <5 miles 
Outdoor Pool <1 mile 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <5 miles 
Tennis <5 miles 
Beach <1 mile 
Watersports <1 mile 
Boat Launch / Mooring <1 mile 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Spent a very happy 2 weeks here during some poor summer weather. The site is ideally located for access to the beautiful Fowey River by boat, kayak or walking. 
