Campsite in Cornwall among best in UK on Pitchup.com

Wheal Vreagh Farm, close to Breage near Helston, scored 9.9 out of 10 based on more than 160 customer reviews on the website, making it one of the UK’s top rural retreats.

Visitors praised the warm welcome from the site owners, the cleanliness of the facilities, and the location of the campsite, which is just ten minutes by car from the beach at Praa Sands and 25 mins from The Lizard, the UK’s most southerly point.

Others mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere, big open spaces and the large pitches.

Site owner Annette Chessun confesses she set the campsite up nearly 15 years ago because she is “nosey” and loves to meet and greet people.

She runs it alongside a car hire company aimed at residents of the Isle of Scilly who don’t want to travel in their own cars when visiting the mainland.

Annette said: “I just love people. I used to run a car sales business and had to meet and greet people all the time. I’ve brought that same approach to the campsite.

“About 75% of the people who stay with us are regulars. They rebook when they leave and even request specific pitches depending on what they want.

“Some want to see the sun rise in the morning, others prefer to see it set at night. If I can, I always try to give them the pitch they want. Most of our visitors book through Pitchup.”

An aerial view of Wheal Vreagh Farm campsite (Image: Pitchup.com)

The site includes a shower and toilet block, laundry, washing up area, and free WiFi.

Annette, who runs the site along with her partner Mark, used to open just for the six-week summer holidays, but since Covid now opens from May to September as the boom in staycations continues.

She said she felt the secret of the site’s success was the location and the personal touch she tries to provide.

Annette added: “We’re in the middle of nowhere but in many ways in the middle of everywhere – we’re in easy reach of the local beaches and towns as well.

“I also would like to think people come back because of us. I always try to give a personal touch and welcome everyone to the site personally.

“People love the atmosphere, and peace and quiet, and the fact we’re pet-free. I think we give people the opportunity to relax and that’s what they want to do.”

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Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, described Wheal Vreagh Farm as a textbook caravan and camping site offering people exactly what they wanted from their rural retreat.

He said: “Wheal Vreagh Farm is a credit to owners Annette and Mark and offers exactly the type of experience and atmosphere people look for in a rural holiday.

“It is exceptionally located with fantastic access to the coast, local towns, the countryside, and local facilities.

“But it is the extra attention to detail that Annette and Mark bring that really puts it among the top campsites on Pitchup. So many reviews picked up on their warm welcome and friendliness and the cleanliness of the facilities, all of which are vital to a really top class stay.

“The site has attracted more than 160 reviews with barely a negative comment among them. That’s a real achievement.”

Although Wheal Vreagh Farm is no longer a working farm, many are turning to camping and other forms of agri-tourism as a form of diversification.

Pitchup said even the smallest farm campsites operated under Permitted Development Rights make on average around £13,000 per holiday season, with others making in excess of £100,000.

Dan added that they were also one of the most flexible types of farm diversification.

He said: “The great thing about campsites is that you can choose at what level to get involved.

“A small campsite is very easy to run around day-to-day farming activities and can still generate a healthy return to bolster farm income.

“Or you can invest in facilities, apply for planning permission or join an exempt organisation, and create a more dedicated campsite that will lead to greater returns. You really can choose how far you want to take it.”