Cornwall is one of the most popular destinations for a UK break, and it’s not difficult to see why. The South West of England boasts some of the best beaches in the country, many of which wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.
Add to this plenty of spots for surfing, miles of spectacular coastal paths, and more hours of sunshine than the rest of Great Britain, and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic family glamping holiday.
YHA offers extensive glamping accommodation across Cornwall in some of its most idyllic spots. Stay on-site at the Eden Project or enjoy a seaside break in Penzance, and choose from bell tents or Landpods for a staycation with a difference.
Read on to discover some of the best places in Cornwall for glamping.
Glamping in the South West
For family holidays, romantic trips for two, or activity breaks with friends, Cornwall is the place to be. Spend your days exploring wild moorland, challenge yourself to a long-distance hike on the South West Coastal Path, or potter around one of the pretty towns and villages that the area is known for.
Return to your glamp site in the evening to enjoy some incredible star gazing away from the light pollution of the city. Build a fire in your fire pit outside and share memories from your adventures in the South West as you toast marshmallows – dreamy!
One of the best things about glamping with YHA is that glamping guests are also welcome to use all of the hostel’s facilities, including the toilets and showers, social areas, and self-catering kitchens.
Glamping in Cornwall with dogs
If, for you, a holiday isn’t a holiday without your four-legged friend, then you’re in luck. YHA offers lots of options for dog-friendly glamping in Cornwall. With some incredible walkies on the doorstep plus dog-friendly beaches for days, Cornwall is one of the most welcoming destinations for doggies.
Pups can stay at any of our glamping accommodation with their well-behaved owners for just £5 per night, so if you want to bring your hound on holiday with you, then glamping is one of the best ways to do this.
Your furry friends will love our extensive grounds, where there are plenty of exciting smells to discover before cosying up in front of the integrated wood burner in some of our glamping options. Our bell tents and Landpods are sure to get all tails wagging!
Cornwall glamping pods
Half glamping pod, half tent, our Landpods offer a truly unique stay for an epic adventure. There’s nothing else like them! Landpods give you all the fun of camping with a lot more added comfort.
Sleeping up to four people, Landpods are ideal for small families, couples, or groups of friends. They have handy storage areas for your walking gear or bikes, solar powered LED lighting and USB charge points plus a seating area where you can relax.
We all know what it’s like when you go away in the UK! The car is packed to the rafters with all the clothes you might need for the changeable weather. Plus, for camping, you need to bring everything but the kitchen sink. In fact, you should pop that in as well!
Not so with our Landpods. Not only do you not need to bring anything for cooking (you can grab all of this in our self-catering kitchen!), but you also don’t need to bring anything to sleep on as all comfy bedding, pillows, and blankets are supplied for you.
One of the best features of our Landpods is the insulated canopy roof. The roof can be raised up on both sides so you can enjoy the warm breeze and get closer to nature. Soak in the sounds of the great outdoors as you lay in your bed, set your alarm to enjoy the sunrise, or spot constellations in the evenings.
If you want to spend more time outside, you can. There’s a bench outside the Landpods, and most have a fire pit, too, so you can light it when the temperature starts to drop. A pack of wood is included with your stay, and more is available to purchase in reception if you need it.
You can find Landpods at two of our Cornish hostels – YHA Eden Project and YHA Penzance.
Where to go glamping in Cornwall
YHA has glamp sites in some of the county’s most sought-after locations. From seafront glamping to secluded countryside sites, there’s something for everyone in Cornwall.
Enjoy seaside glamping in Landpods and bell tents at YHA Penzance
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a glamping stay at YHA Penzance. The glamp site offers the best of both worlds: it’s set in a peaceful part of town but within easy reach of everything the area has to offer.
There are some scenic walking routes right from the doorstep and stunning beaches within a stone’s throw, including Porthcurno and Portheras Cove, where seal sightings are almost guaranteed.
While you’re here, be sure to visit Land’s End, where you’ll find that famous sign, plus the Minack Theatre, a spectacular open-air theatre on the clifftops overlooking the beautiful coastline. Seeing a play here is simply an incredible experience.
If you want to explore further afield, Penzance is the departure point for sailings to the Isles of Scilly, an enchanting archipelago of unspoilt islands where you can escape the tourist crowds.
Back at the hostel, you can enjoy dinner in the restaurant and grab a well-deserved glass of wine from the licensed bar. Choose from hearty classics such as pie and mash or light bites like nachos or chicken wings. Those with a sweet tooth will love desserts like chocolate brownie sundaes or treacle tarts.
Eating out doesn’t have to break the bank either because, let’s face it, you spend enough when you go away with the kids! We know how expensive it can be to go out with the whole family, and therefore at YHA, under 10s eat for just £1 with our special offer.
YHA Penzance is home to Landpods and six premium bell tents. The Landpods sleep up to four people and provide a really quirky stay.
Bell tents sleep up to five people in a double bed, two single beds, and a single futon, so they’re great for family stays or groups of mates.
In addition to all the bedding you’ll need, each tent also has eco-friendly solar lighting for cosy nights in and comfortable bean bags where you can chill during the day. Rugs add to the snugness, and there’s a wooden storage trunk that doubles as a coffee table to keep things tidy.
An integrated wood burner inside will keep you warm when the temperature drops, and you can make a cuppa on here too.
If you really do prefer the adventurous spirit of camping, you can do that here too. Bring your own tent and make use of our extensive camping facilities, including outside washing-up sinks, plug sockets to charge your devices, and a metal table area for BBQs.
Guests staying at the glamp site have access to a separate toilet and shower block, so you won’t need to queue—even when the hostel is busy.
Stay on-site at the world-famous Eden Project
YHA is the official on-site accommodation provider for the Eden Project, one of the most visited attractions in the UK. Set in a disused quarry, this area has been redesigned to offer a close-to-nature glamping location.
From the site, there’s easy access to the Eden Project itself, where you can enjoy the iconic Rainforest Biomes, take on an adrenaline-fuelled activity, and learn more about protecting our planet.
YHA Eden Project is also an excellent base for exploring North Cornwall. Visit Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, or take surfing lessons at the famous Fistral Beach.
Although there is no hostel as such at YHA Eden Project, guests do have access to the facilities that you’ve come to expect from YHA. There is a food preparation area with fridges, freezers, kettles, hobs, and a microwave, as well as all the pots and pans you’ll need to cook up a storm.
If you don’t fancy cooking for yourself (after all, you are on holiday!) you can head to one of the Eden Project’s cafes or restaurants, or grab a bite to eat at the glamp site itself. Burgers, pizzas, and nachos are all on the evening food menu, plus there’s a continental breakfast available in the mornings to start your day off the right way.
As well as the Landpods at YHA Eden Project, you can choose to stay in one of the premium bell tents. With these tents, you can enjoy all the fun of camping without any of the stresses of setting up. Forget figuring out tent pegs and poles in the pouring rain. All of the hard work has been done for you.
There’s no shortage of glamping accommodation at YHA Eden Project. If Landpods or bell tents don’t take your fancy, try one of our American-inspired Airstreams instead or pitch up your own tent.
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