The Old Coastguards Campsite

The air tastes of salt here, and on clear evenings the beam from Pendeen lighthouse sweeps across the tents like clockwork.

This is proper coastal camping for anyone drawn to the wild edge of West Cornwall — tent campers and campervanners who don't need frills, just a pitch near some of Britain's most dramatic coastline. Pendeen sits on the rugged stretch between St Ives and Land's End, where the South West Coast Path clings to granite cliffs and old engine houses from the mining days frame every view. It suits walkers tackling the path in stages, couples after windswept sunsets, and anyone happy to fall asleep to the sound of the Atlantic.

Facilities aren't specified, so expect a back-to-basics setup — worth checking what's available when you book. Dogs may be welcome but ask first. Campfires might be allowed depending on conditions, so confirm on arrival. The vibe is low-key and exposed in the best way, the kind of place where the landscape does all the talking and you remember why you started camping in the first place.