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This was our first visit to this campsite and we stayed in the second week of August.
The staff were friendly and helpful on arrival, giving us a rundown of what was available on site and where it was before we pitched.
The pitch sizes were good for large tents, the toilet blocks were clean, and not too far from the pitch. The kids playground and crazy golf are great and the golf is free.
The cafe is excellent, I recommend the curry! The service is quick, food is good, and it is run by friendly staff.
The shop is small but well stocked in the essentials, and not overpriced as some camp-site shops can be.
The site is in close driving distance to great beaches, we visited Looe and Newquay, and a minute down the road is a great ball park play area for the kids and a Cornish Market. There is a lovely family and dog friendly pub near to Par beach which does great food.
However.
Due to the rain during the first couple of weeks in August the campsite became progressively more muddy, boggy, slippery and dangerous as our week went on. Although the main road through the site is concrete to get to your pitch required driving over grass. On arrival we were asked to ignore the muddy part of the road and drive up the other side where it was less muddy. This was fine the first day but resulted in it becoming increasingly difficult to get up to our pitch in the days to follow, as all the drivers now using this path ended up churning the mud further.
We did have to pitch in the rain and the pitch next to us by evening had become a massive puddle. Although this soaked away once the rain had stopped, we found that when the rain started again our pitch flooded underneath the groundsheet which resulted in our tent flooding overnight on two occasions and the ground underneath our groundsheet becoming boggy to the extent you could feel the mud squelching as you walked on it.
The main road along the front our pitch was from day one extremely muddy and practically impassible. We were told that they were sorting this problem out and would be laying stones to help. Unfortunately we only saw an attempt to lay stones on some parts of the mud on a couple of days, this then appeared to stop. The stones laid near our pitch only ran along part of the road and resulted in cars slipping and wheel spinning right outside our tent as this was where the road was now directing them. The stones only covered about 10 foot of the road and then it was back to driving on mud.
We were pitched on the hill, for which we were grateful after the heaviest rain as on driving past the pitches at the bottom of the site there was one tent which was completely flooded out and sitting in the middle of what looked like a small pond.
By the end of the week some cars were unable to get to their pitches and the whole area was dangerous with cars and people slipping on the mud.
The showers, although clean did seem to be suffering from water pressure problems, with one of the showers in our block of three barely delivering water and the push button shower system meaning that the water only came out of the shower for about a minute at a time.
The pools, although supposed to be heated were cold.
The beach is a five minute walk away, but this is down 82 steps at the end. They are also renovating the beach at the moment and this means when you get down to it there are no facilities other than portakabin toilets. There are no shops or places to eat and you need to time your visit according to the tides as because a lot of the beach is shut off there are warning notices to ensure you don't get cut off on the far end of the beach when the tide comes in, and warning notices regarding getting too close to the rocks.
The facilities on site were good. The cafe is situated under cover but is still open at either end which means only some shelter from the elements.
If the weather had been better I am sure my review would have been likewise however we felt that there was more that could have been done to reduce the issues caused by the rain and that more stones could have been laid, along with using the main reception field for parking once pitched rather than have cars constantly driving up and down the mud. Unfortunately as there was no real shelter from the rain on the site itself campers were driving up and down the field in order to go out for the day.
Overall we felt that the owners were struggling to control the situation
We had a great week here. The pitches are large and mainly level. There are plenty of showers and the toilet blocks were clean. We had our four boys with us who loved this site - the pools were a particular hit - and having a whole field for ball games was great. There is a train track running behind the site but we quickly got used to the odd rumble as a train came past. The shop was well stocked and reasonably priced - fresh pasties available every day! The nearby bay has construction work going on and is covered in rather gritty sand but the boys still enjoyed playing there, and it's an easy walk from the site. Very helpful staff. The only downside was the noise level at night from older children who were left to roam around until late. Would definitely go back.
This is a wonderful site, with excellent facilities - the toilet blocks are clean and modern and the children's play areas and pools are very safe and spotless. There is a shop on site which sells the majority of day to day things you need and the cafe serves lovely food which can be eaten in or taken away. The site office is welcoming and the staff are only too happy to help with any query you might have. Just off the site, there is a chinese and indian takeaway within 2 minutes drive and in the other direction, a pub which serves meals, although we did not go there. The site is an ideal base if you plan to visit the hundreds of villages, parks and attractions of Cornwall. The only negative thing I can say about the site, is that not all of the shower blocks have a power point for hairdryer / straighteners etc, but its only a short walk to another block which has one. The site also has very few roads which, while I admit grass looks better than tarmac, when it rains excessively, leaves the whole area churned up in mud with cars driving on and off site. This however is a very small gripe and in no way lowers the standard of the site. We had a fantastic holiday here (despite constant rain!) and will definitely be returning in the future. Well done Carlyon Bay!
This was the 2nd year we had been to the site and we were definitely not disappointed. The facilities are still great, brilliant pools, shower blocks that look like they belong in a top hotel, staff that are welcoming, friendly and very knowledgeable, site kept immaculate and very happy campers (even though it rained most days). The site did suffer last year with drainage in a couple of areas but they seemed to have sorted this, although a couple of pitches did look a bit wet.Free entertainment for the kids at least 3 times a week. Free crazy golf, kiddies playground and volleyball area. Laundry room that even has an iron that is free to use. Undercover area where there is a table tennis table, table football and a cafe/take away with tables to sit at. The pitches are the biggest we have seen in the uk, they are that big you can very easily get a huge tent, car and gazeebo on, and still have room for the kids to play. We were going to go somewhere else next year but that much grief off the kids we have booked for next year - think that says it all. Local pubs serve great food (Britannia - less than mile - 1 mins walk), cornish market close by, Asda, Tesco, Aldi & Liddels all within 5 mins drive. St Austall very nice shopping centre. We caught the train from Par (10 mins away) to Plymouth only 50 mins on the train. Carlyon Bay good beach if you can ignore the development, but lots of lovely beaches near by. Def Recommend this site.
We stayed at this site during the first week of August 2008, a very wet week. Even though it rained the drainage was excellent albeit a little bit muddy.
We have a large 5 berth tent and the pitch size handled this well leaving plenty of space around our tent to park the car and for the kids to play without interfering with other campers.
Staff were very polite and helpful, always an added bonus especially when the weather is miserable. There is a small shop on site which sells everything you need from food to camping necessities. Also on site is a takeaway kitchen with excellent food cooked by a good chef.
There is a TV room, pool table, fussball table and a table tennis table all under cover. When we stayed they had a Wildlife talk with insects and reptiles, a disco and a magician and we only stayed for five nights!
On site they also have a very equipped wash room, with washing machines, tumble dryers, spin washer and iron/ironing board, all available at a small fee.
There are two great swimming pools, one heated, one not and a small baby pool. This is where we spent most of our time, even in the rain! The pools and pool area was very clean and tidy.
There are adequate shower blocks for the size of the camp, the block we used had five toilets and four showers with a cubicle especially for babies, this had a waist height baby bath and a changing table. The toilets and showers are cleaned daily and considering the amount of people using them were in excellent condition. The showers are free and warm and very welcoming.
There is crazy golf to play, at no cost and a large play area for the kids including a pirate ship!
We felt the beach was a let down and be prepared for the 82 steps down/up! The non start building works are an eye sore and something needs to be done to get the owner of the derelict buildings but into gear!
I highly recommend this campsite, especially if you've got kids.
We chose this site after my parents visited last September and they said it was great. I was not sure about booking initially as it is expensive but I am so glad that I did.
They say that first impressions are important and the site looks great as you drive down the well maintained driveway. Then on to the reception to check in. What can I say - the owners are simply fantastic. I have never come across such helpful, friendly people on a campsite before. You really get the impression that nothing is too much trouble.
We had an EHU pitch and it was huge. Plenty of space for our 6 man tent and the car and still lots of space to play. We were about as far as you can get from the toilet block but even that is not a great distance.
The toilet blocks are stunning. Really nicely done and always clean. The showers are push button type which is not ideal but the water was always hot and and the pressure good.
The site has an outdoor swimming pool (well 2 swimming and a paddling pool) and they are lovely. One of the pools is pretty cold but the newer pool is nice and warm and even managed to coax my usually reluctant other half to take a dip. There are some good children's playgrounds too.
There is a well stocked shop onsite and the prices are very reasonable. There is not a club house (a bonus for us) but they do have children's entertainment in the covered courtyard area which was excellent. There is also the Country Kitchen which does food that you can take away or eat at one of the tables in the courtyard. The food is homemade, well priced and really excellent - I can highly recommend the chilli!
The site is located very close to a beach but unfortunately it is under development and is not very pleasant. The sand is the most coarse I have ever come across and walking on it was agony!
Now for the not so brilliant bits. There are not really any downsides with the site itself however we found the general location not so great. St Austell is not really geared up for tourists (apart from the truly brilliant Eden Project). There is no cinema (for wet days) and the bowling alley has about 6 lanes which are all booked for leagues 3 nights a week!. Most of the tourist attractions are further south which always involved quite a long drive. Having said that Charlestown is lovely and has a great shipwreck museum.
All in all I would highly recommend this campsite - it now takes camping cheques too so if you can go out of the school holidays then I would grab the chance.
This is one of the best sites we have visited in the UK.
Staff were extreemly helpful and friendly not only with site but on local knowledge.
Site is kept immaculately clean. Pitches are very spacious and spread out so you don't feel cramped in. Pitches are flat and the site is landscaped with trees/shrubs which divide up the pitches nicely so you don't get that 'flat open field' problem!
The site shop is open from early til' late every day and pretty much has everything you would need including various items of camping gear.
The toilet/shower blocks were extreemly good, clean, tidy and very nice decor.
There is a free small minature golf course and kids playground. There is also a takeaway, laundrette (we didn't use these) but they looked good. There is also a small nice swimming pool, which looked clean and good with some loungers.
The only thing this site lacks is a bar, if it had that it would be perfect!
The good side is that there is a very nice beach approx 10mins from the site but currently there is development work going on, it dosn't affect access or use of the beach but it just means that at one end it dosn't look very pretty!
We are fortunate enough to live in Cornwall and spend our weekends in our Motorhome at campsites within the county.
This is our favourite campsite, we are staying here again in August and September, and if it wasn't fully booked in August we would probably be there every weekend, there is something very special about this campsite.
The showers are the best I have ever used on a campsite, the pool is great, food superb, pitches beautifully laid out, a great welcome from the owners, the staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble.
Enjoy your holiday at this great campsite, its one of Cornwall's hidden delights
Site is well laid out,both for tents and vans etc. Drainage is perfect,and we had some rain!
Even noah could not complain.!
Toilets blocks are kept clean and well laid out around the site,showers hot and plenty of water.
Compliments to the courtyard eaterie. Food freshly cooked and served piping hot, eat in or take-away, good location on site, next to swimming pool for snacks etc.
Staff here are excellent,really go out of their way to make you welcome and look after you.
And they do not torelate noisy visitors who try to spoil it for others.!
Kids are able to play on site as there is plenty of room for them to be safe and let off steam in the pool and playgrounds,parents can be sure that everone keeps their eye on them when they are out and about on site.
Shopping is well catered for,with a tescos and an asda just 10 mins drive away,asda has more clothes and is bigger,so my wife says.!
Cornish market 5mins walk from site, weds, sats and suns. Open, you want it, they got it!
Pubs aplenty in the area,holmbush inn 5mins away, good food, roasts etc, very reasonable prices.
Brittania inn,real ale and bar meals also.
Great location for many sightseeing trips,eden 10 mins away,but can be a bit expensive with a family( use your tesco club card points for reductions).
All in all a brilliant stay on this site is guaranteed,a family owned and run site for families and of course couples.
Will def. Be coming back here in the early season next year. Well done to all.
The site is very pretty, flat pitches. The toilet/shower blocks were clean and up to date. We did manage to have a swim in the pool and the way it situated in a walled surround and painted it feels very Mediterranean. The weather at the time was awful (heavy rain for 10 days) but because of where the park is it didn't matter too much. Most evenings we walked to the pub (and watched Wimbledon) friendly pub. The proprietors of the camp site were lovely and helpful. We were able to walk to the Eden project very easily. Also the coastal walk is not difficult to get too either so again we did that. I would highly recommend this site if you like peace and quiet with easy access to the area.
Spent 5 nights on this site. Probably one of the best sites we've stayed on in UK. Well laid out large flat pitches. We camped in the terraced pitches which overlooked the rest of the site, and was very quiet and peaceful. Good pool complex - the new pool was heated to a good temperature while we were there. Excellent toilet / shower blocks, being clean and well stocked with soap / toilet paper. Small shop stocking basic essentials. Helpful and friendly staff. Decent restaurant - no alcohol served, but quite happy for us to bring our own to go with our meal.
The only downside being the railway line to the rear of the site, but didn't seem to be a main line and trains seemed to be quite infrequent.
The local beach which is a short walk across the golf course is still an eyesore with halted building works and fenced off areas. Would be lovely if and when it ever gets completed, but many other beaches and coves in close driving distance. All in all a lovely place to camp.
WOW! Agree with everything that others have said before. What an outstanding, excellent, superb gem of site. With excellent, happy owners to match.
We stayed whitsun week in our folding camper, with spacious pitches with small fence divide for own privacy.
Kids area well planned out and organised and view of all so you can just sit and relax without worrying. For the older kids which is undercover in the terraced area table football. Table tennis and pool table. All Free to use.
New pool area which kids loved with seating and sunbeds.
The toilet/ shower blocks are kept to the highest standards. The best I have ever seen and need an award of its own.
Good location for touring Cornwall with Tesco and Asda about 10 mins drive away. Will very definitely return back without a doubt. My only moan is I wish you was closer so I could stay every weekend! as you have spoilt me and many thanks for such a pleasant stay.
Looking for the ideal family campsite, then look no further than this site with its -: ideal location
The warmest of welcomes
Spacings between 'vans'
Kiddies play areas - swimming pools - seating area for outdoor meals at very reasonable prices - in total = nothing is too much bother for the owners and staff.
There is flat hard and grass standing - also on different plateau's for views to die for.
We cannot say more than we will be revisiting this site again, we have visited sites all over the uk and europe and this site ranks amongst the best.
What can I say what a lovely site. Brilliant for families with young kids. Swimming pools, crazy golf, football pitches, volley ball, table football, the list is end less. Local lovely beach nearby, bit of development on sea front but will be great once finished.
Plenty of toilets and showers. Basic shop, but supermarket nearby. Ideal base for Eden Project.
Spent a week here then went on to Poole, wished we had 2 weeks at Carlyon Bay now. Will go again in the future. A must for any camper or caravanner
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Common Questions
Is Carlyon Bay Camping Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Carlyon Bay Camping Park have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Carlyon Bay Camping 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 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
Freezer / Fridge 
Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar <1 mile 
No Restaurant 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <1 mile 
Wild Swimming <1 mile 
No Indoor Pool 
Outdoor Pool On Site 
No Horse Riding 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <1 mile 
No Tennis 
Beach <1 mile 
Watersports <1 mile 
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 
This was our first visit to this campsite and we stayed in the second week of August. 
