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We loved our bank holiday weekend stay at River Valley Holiday Camp. We used it as a perfect base for excursions around the St Austell and Mevagissey area, and it was ideal.
The site itself is immaculately clean, beautifully maintained by the staff, who are also extremely friendly and helpful.
We didn't arrive until late on our first night so they made sure we had easy access to our caravan, which is spacious and modern, and has all the modcons you could require.
It is a lovely site, with excellent shower facilities on-site for campers, and a games room, and it's very peaceful and tranquil during the evening.
It is also connected to a beautiful riverside cycle route, which we used for morning runs, and has local shops for your convenience.
Another weeks holiday comes to an end at this wonderful park.
We stayed here last September and it was faultless then so what more can I say about this beautiful park located in one of the most beautiful areas of Cornwall.
Just like last year the static caravan was spotless, number 28, 36 feet by 12 feet, brand new and all the comfort anyone could wish for.
Spotlessly clean, great swimming pool, really nice kids play area, small games room with a couple of pool tables and a few various other machines, pigs and chickens were great fun, lovely walks down to pentewan, nice dog walking area, the list goes on, read my review for September 2009 below because nothing has changed.
The second day of staying here the microwave packed up but a quick walk to the reception and Alison clemo was straight over with another one, great service and really friendly owners, always willing to help with any problem or query.
Excellent service, excellent location, excellent value, we will 100% be back here next September
Stayed here Whitsun week. First time at this site but wont be last. It was brilliant, kids loved the pool, and the rope swing, they put on bbq
The best thing though it doesn't have many touring pitches, but nicely spaced out and asda round the corner do a great and very cheap breakfast, MacDonalds too on the roundabout.
Take a trip to fowey! Pub just a mile down the road, a bit posh for my liking!
Probably the nicest site we have stayed on in Cornwall. Ideal for dog owners as you have the fantastic Pentewan Valley trail direct from the site along the river (a flat 2.5 miles) to Pentewan itself. Pentewan has a little shop selling ice creams / refreshments and the Ship Inn with small beer garden but we were a little disappointed to find they did not serve meals outside of an evening - despite it being sunny & warm! The site is handy for everything really - St Austell if you need to do a bit of shopping, and the coast. We paid a visit to our favourite beaches at Porthluney Cove (Caerhays) and Gorran Haven. Highly recommend the Polgooth Arms which is a 5 minute drive from the site - delicious pub grub, huge portions but get there at early (6pm) to get a table!
Other half loved the site's indoor pool - which during term time mid week was lovely and quiet. Shower and toilet facilities spotless, and even though only 3 loos and 3 showers in the ladies I never had to wait.
Just a couple of tiny things that could be improved on - I like a mop & bucket in the showers (to encourage to keep them clean and to make it nice for the next person after you), and also an addition of a dog poo bin at the end of the dog walk would be handy.
We stayed in a static caravan number 21 which has to be the best static caravan we have stayed in for many years of holidaying in Cornwall.
The caravan was spotless, on the table there was a small tea pot with tea bags and milk supplied after the long drive from Bournemouth, there was also half a dozen eggs left on the shelf, what a lovely touch, its this sort of caring service that people come back for.
It seems that all of the caravans have dvd players and freeview boxes, another nice touch which is not common in most places.
None of the static caravans are more than 4 years old and it seems that John Clemo is looking to replace some of the caravans with new models for next year although the one's he has are still like new.
The site which is run by John & Judith Clemo and daughter Allison has the most attractive grass between the caravans which must take a lot of upkeep, the caravans are well spaced with a picnic table outside each one, ideal if you are a smoker as all the caravans are non smoking, another nice touch.
The indoor heated swimming pool is excellent, extremely clean shower block and toilets, games room has a couple of pool tables and a few arcade machines, wireless internet is free to use either in the internet room via their own desktop pc or you can take your own laptop and plug into the mains, we found that we could use the internet from our caravan as I suspect most others do.
Kids play area is great with a cable slide, great dog walking area although some dirty people don't like cleaning up after their dogs, such a shame for such a clean site.
Although we stayed in a static caravan we did walk round the touring area which we found nice and flat with plenty of room for everyone.
No clubhouse, gerat.
The pets paddock was great fun with chickens and pigs in fact it was a nice surprise to see a few chickens walking around the site during the day,my wife, being an animal lover, put a dish of water out for them every day and they seemed to love it, they were really friendly
There is no site shop but just outside the entrance to River Valley on the other side of the road there is a small general store which has ample supplies of most things you may want, newspapers, ciggies, milk and groceries etc.
Next door to the shop there is a chippy which in our opinion sells some of the best fish and chip suppers that I have tasted for ages.
There are plenty of pubs not far from the site if you fancy a meal and a drink.
Mevagissy only 2 miles down the road, the walks along the river to Pentewan and Mevagissy are lovely.
St Austell just 2 minutes away with Tesco, Asda and Lidl.
Plenty of places to visit within easy reach, St Mawes, Fowey,Gorran Haven to name a few.
I would recommend this site to anyone and would give it 10 out of 10 for everything, during our weeks stay we could not find a single thing to complain about.
I have to agree with the review submitted by Derver in every respect. This is a site that I will be recommending to anyone who will listen to me!
We stayed there during the first week of the school summer hols and the site was full - a couple of pitches were free each evening but then they were taken up the next day etc. So it may be possible for a one-night unbooked pitch but otherwise you clearly need to book in advance. Turnarounds most days.
There was no noise late at night yet it didn't feel souless either which some small sites that we have stayed on can feel like. We don't like sites with noisy clubhouses so this was ideal for us.
There were a small number of pitches that were obviously seasonal but not so many that we felt isolated during the week and like outsiders at the weekend as has happened other places.
There is a small room for internet access. There is one PC in there that is free to use (don't have to book it) or you can just plug in your own laptop to one of about 6 sockets and get free internet access that way. Perfect for a quick catch-up with emails or to look up websites for attractions in the area.
We found the chippy opposite the site to be poor - it's only open from 5pm to 8pm and our chips were the worst we've ever tasted. Others don't seem to think so as there was a queue there waiting for it to open the following night. Perhaps we just got a duff batch - we did arrive there at 7.55pm as we didn't expect it to close so early so in it's defence perhaps that was why.
Lovely shaded level cycle path runs from the site along the river to the beach at Pentwewan - about 2 1/2 miles. Perfect!
We visited River Valley Holiday Park just after the heat wave in July. Unfortunately the weather had turned by this point and we had a mix of heavy rain and dry/ sunny/ cloudy days.
I mention this because I was a little nervous about pitching our tent on the gravel, which the campsite has put down on each pitch. You get half gravel standing (for your tent/ caravan/ etc) and half grass.
I was worried the gravel would damage the tent’s fixed ground sheets. I do use a heavy duty ground sheet under the tent, but I was nervous. I shouldn’t have worried, the gravel didn’t cause any damage to the tent’s ground sheets as it’s quite a fine gravel, but I would recommend taking a heavy duty ground sheet to put under your tent.
I would also like to point out that the heavy rain naturally flooded parts of the communal grass areas, but didn’t have the same impact where the gravel was. The water drained away much more efficiently and it prevented the pitch turning into a mud bath.
The campsite has modern, well looked after facilities, including an indoor pool. You even get piped music whilst you take a shower or do the washing up!
The site isn’t too big so it has a relaxed atmosphere and washing facilities don‘t become crowded. The pitches are well laid out and of a generous size.
The staff are very helpful and friendly too. The office puts out a notice board each day, which informs you what the weather is going to be like for that day, with suggestions of places to visit.
The location is excellent. You don’t have a sea view, but many beautiful beaches are only a short car journey away. There are many other attractions like quaint fishing towns and the Eden Project.
What a fantastic site! My family and I visited River Valley with an Outwell 4 person tent during the half-term holidays in May. We were a little apprehensive as we had not camped on an English site before having spent most of our years camping in France. We live in the Lake District and many of the local sites are poor in every way (except the views). River Valley on the other hand is without reservation excellent in every way. The main plus points are the large pitches and exceptionally clean shower / toilet blocks. The pitches all have electricity and a fine gravel base so as not to churn up the ground in bad weather. I would suggest taking a separate ground sheet although the gravel was actually an advantage given a couple of nights of heavy rain. The main of the pitch is grass with ample space for parking. The site is quite small and ideal for young families with a well equipped playground and a super clean swimming pool. St.Austell is not impressive but the site is within 10-15 minutes of the Eden Project which is very impressive. Staff/owners of the campsite were very friendly and helpful giving us advice on local walks and places to visit; Fowey was a gem. Travelling around Cornwall we saw many other campsites many of them sprawling off into the distance and felt we had been very lucky indeed to have picked such a splendid site - it had been recommended to us. It also equalled and bettered many of the French site which are of an exceptionally high standard.
Just had the hottest two weeks of year at this little gemstone of a site.
Facilities are immaculate and other than two of my fourteen days I had the executive bathroom. Excellent pool and more so brilliant dog walks. Technically 3. One short and two long ie all the way to Pentewan Sands or St Austell.
They sell nothing at reception but there is a small general store across the road including a chippy.
I liked the daily blackboard weather report and suggestions of things to do.
I didn't like the almost everyday cutting of the grass. The drone from the mower hour after hour is just a little much.
Leaving the site is dangerous. There is a B&B sign on the right that completely obscures your view of traffic coming from St Austell.This makes leaving the site quite dangerous in my view.
River Valley is a small family run site. The family and staff are all friendly and very helpful, nothing is too much trouble for them. The toilet block is immaculate, with fresh flowers and music playing. The grounds are looked after as though they were gardens, grass well cut, flowers and shrubs. There is a play area with several items for children. There is an indoor heated pool with shower and changing rooms, weather permitting the roof can be rolled back and sun loungers are available. All pitches are spacious,level and well protected by trees and hedges. We have been visiting Cornwall for the past ten years and would not wish to stay at any other site.
This is probably the best site that we have used in the UK. The site is immaculate and the swimming pool is terrific. All the pitches for Caravans, Motorhomes and Tents are on hard standings; might be a bit hard on a tent ground-sheet though.
There are lists for most of the local attractions in the reception office and the site owners have good local knowledge as well.
The site also has a good dog walk* alongside the river
There is a small shop opposite and the prices are very good compared to most small businesses. Also, alongside the shop, is a 'Chippy' and they certainly give generous portions.
The site is very well placed if you want to tour round being only a couple of miles from St Austell. St Austell being the site of Cornish Market World. This place has the usual collection of tools, curtains and size XXXXXXLLLLL clothing. It also has the 12volt shop and that has loads of goodies for the likes of me and thee!
Mevagissey is worth a visit. Take the ferry from there over to Fowey and spend a few hours in the Town. It's Tenner return in 2008 and takes about 40 to 50 minutes: Excellent value for money compared to some of the other boat trips on offer
Obviously Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are worth a visit.
Some of the beaches are 'dog friendly' and the site has a list of the ones that are.
The Screech Owl Sanctuary at Ruthvoes near Indian Queens is worth a visit. They have a good Falconer there and he puts on an excellent display and gives an excellent commentary. Combine that with a visit to Padstow and you've got a good day out.
St Austell, the town, is very disappointing. The heart of it has been torn out and there is a 'Mall' type shopping area being built. No doubt, the rent and rates will be too high for any local trader and it will only be the usual suspects who will be able to afford to take a shop in there. Then it will be abandoned to feral youth and become a no-go area.
A great shame and another example of the appalling town planning that we suffer in the UK. The French are much better in this respect. They keep all the big companies on the outskirts of their towns on dedicated retail parks and only allow the small traders to have shops in the centres.
*There must be something wrong; nothing can be that perfect, can it? Well, yes there is something wrong but it's not the fault of the site.
River Valley go to the trouble of providing a dog walk and it's very pleasant alongside the River. Why don't dog owners clear up after their animals?
This is the best holiday destination in the uk. The site is everything you could ask for from family holiday perspective.
The only thing they don't guarantee is the weather.
The site as many have said is flat the owners very friendly we even get Christmas cards from them.
Not far from mevagissy and St Austal there are two supermarkets within a ten minuet drive. There is a great pasty shop across the road and a general store for all your 'oh lord I forgot ****' moments.
The pool is clean and well maintained. The site is looked after like a garden. There is an internet room where you can log on for a small fee but it does have a time limit so working form the site might not be viable.
Local pubs the polgooth inn serves fantastic real home cooked food. When I asked my son where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner he asked to go back there what more can I say.
Facilities are very modern and very well cared for.
The only negative thing really is that the road into the site is very busy ( Main road from St Austal to Mevagissy) and footpaths are not great but the site cant really do anything about that
The site itself is small about 40 static vans and about 40 pitches Its very child friendly witha large field for the kids to play in the play park is great it even has a sand pit and a death slide.
I know this site is not the cheapest but its value for money in my books so much so we are going back next summer.
If there is a better run, family site in Cornwall, then I have yet to find it. Excellent location at the side of a small river with cycle track and walks either to St Austell, or the sea at Pentewan. Very friendly owners and very well maintained site. Spotless facilities with a covered swimming pool. All pitches are now pea gravel covered which cost me a few tent pegs, but once in the ground they held firm with no problems, and the rest of the site more than makes up for this. If you are in Cornwall then this is the place to go, you wont be disappointed.
We have just returned from River Valley and just had to give a review on the site as it was excellent. Shower block and toilets spotless, washing up area also spotless. It is in a lovely sheltered spot, every morning we woke up to the sound of the birds singing. Everything was well maintained with lovely spacious flat pitches. The owners were very friendly and helpful, in reception lots of leaflets on the area, takeaway menus and everyday a blackboard with daily weather report and suggestions on what to do according to forecast. Many of the people I spoke to have been several times which says it all and I would recommend it to anyone.
Having just spent a week at this site we have no doubt that we will return.
We received a very friendly welcome and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
The swimming pool was good and managed a few swims with the pool all to ourselves!
Large marked out pitches - all the pitches were gravel but this didn't seem to put off the tenters!
The showers were very clean and big, with two of the three ladies showers also having a toilet and sink in the same room.
Beware that there isn't a great television signal, however the site kindly lent us an extension lead in order for us to plug straight into an aerial point on our pitch.
Lovely cycle ride to Pentewen and well situated for Mevagissey as well as only being a 40min ish drive from Newquay and Padstow (where there's more cycling to be done!)
All in all a great site - we will be back!
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Common Questions
Is River Valley Holiday Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does River Valley Holiday Park have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to River Valley Holiday Park? 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
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar <5 miles 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <10 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
Indoor Pool On Site 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
Cycle Hire <5 miles 
Golf <5 miles 
Tennis <5 miles 
Beach <5 miles 
Watersports <5 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <5 miles 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
We loved our bank holiday weekend stay at River Valley Holiday Camp. We used it as a perfect base for excursions around the St Austell and Mevagissey area, and it was ideal. 
