You don’t have to be good at maths to know that 30 pitches on a 27-acre campsite means almost an acre of space for everyone. It’s an impressive ratio and one that belongs to Lamanva Camping in Cornwall — a county where space in summertime usually comes at a premium. Not here, though. Lamanva is a good-value, back-to-basics campsite with views of nearby Argal Lake. This peaceful rural setting is no more than four miles from sandy coves, turquoise waters, subtropical gardens, and the harbour town of Falmouth. Go this July and the numbers are further in your favour, as the campsite is operating a soft launch with just ten pitches in this vast and lovely lakeside spot.
The space and the pitch-where-you-please policy of Lamanva Campsite lend it a wild camping feel, that will appeal to self-sufficient campers who know how to pitch their own tents and cook on their own campfires. Out here in this sleepy backwater, there’s no electricity and only simple facilities, but it’ll be just enough for those who like what’s referred to as “proper camping”. There’s a water supply, compost loos, washing-up sinks, and hot-water showers. Campfires and barbecues are allowed, but only in off-ground fire pits which campers must bring themselves. Owner Rob — who’ll either meet you at the gate or pop by to see you later — will sell you logs and let you in on local secrets, like when’s best to get a parking space at nearby Maenporth Beach (spoiler alert: it’s not 11 am on a Saturday).
Lamanva is near the South Coast, just North of the Helford River. The site’s 27 acres are spread across seven fields with cars parked in one, campers in another, and the rest free for campers to explore. The land slopes away to the north with a vista across Argal Lake to rolling farmland, beyond which the sun sets. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy peaceful evenings by the campfire but, let’s be honest, the big attraction here is the beach.
Maenporth is a ten-minute drive or an hour's walk away and a lovely safe place to swim, kayak, or paddleboard. A similar distance are the family-friendly beaches around Falmouth, Gyllyngvase and Swanpool among them. Further south is beautiful, secluded, woodland-backed Grebe. Take your pick but if sunbathing is not for you, there are other things to do, too. Hop over the fence at the bottom of the campsite for the two-mile walk around the lake, hike the South West Coast Path or explore subtropical gardens. There’s a recommended farm shop just up the road and three good pubs within a short drive. You don’t need to be good at maths to recognise that all this added together makes for a pretty perfect summer holiday in Cornwall.
The site is on the shores of Argal Lake which has a circular two-mile trail around it if you fancy a walk with, perhaps a stop at the Wild Vibes Café along the way. The lake is also popular with anglers and you can find out about permits and day tickets from the South West Lakes Trust. One of the closest beaches is Maenporth, a ten-minute drive (about four miles) from site, half that distance if you walk cross-country. It's ideal for families as it has soft sands and shallow water in a beautiful bay that's sheltered from the wind by coastal headlands. There are kayaks and paddleboard for hire from Arvor Sea Kayaking (07990 515263). You are advised to arrive early for parking, though. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can even hike directly from the campsite. The attractive, creative harbour town of Falmouth is just four miles away. The South West Coast Path offers great walking along the coast and a recommended route for keen walkers is the stretch west from Maenporth to Helford Passage. Trebah (01326 252200) and Glendurgan Gardens (01326 252020) are both about four miles away (almost next door to each other) and well worth a visit, the latter has an outdoor maze that's popular with kids.
For a morning coffee or breakfast, stroll around the lake to The Wild Vibes Café (01326 702105). There's good food on offer by the water's edge at The Cove (01326 251136) in Maenporth or at The Ferryboat Inn (01326 250625), in Helford Passage, four miles away. Other recommended pubs within a short drive away from the site are The Red Lion (01326 250026) in Mawnan Smith and The Trelowarren Arms (01326 372264) in Budock. For local supplies, Argal Farm Shop (01326 372737) is just half a mile down the road and there's an Asda supermarket a ten-minute drive from the site. The towns of Penryn (three miles away) and Falmouth (four miles) have plenty of places to eat and drink and stock up on supplies too.
