Arthur's Field

Treloan Lane, Gerrans, Nr Portscatho, Roseland Peninsula, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5EF

We say
You say
Photos
Getting there
Contact

We say

Teaser text:

Beautiful homely campsite, just a beach-ball throw away from some fantastic coastal scenery.

This is based on a review from:

Cool Camping KidsFind out more

Cool Camping campsite review:

You could call site-owners Debbie and Richard Walker's relationship with Arthur's Field something of a love affair. And a pretty passionate one at that. When they first visited the site with their two young sons, to surf and explore the south coast at the point where Cornwall dips her heel into the dazzling waters of Falmouth Bay, the field was run by Victor Barry. He's an inspirational local legend who harvested his crops using shire horses pulling vintage machinery. The site is low-impact; hardly surprising since Victor was pushing organic farming decades before Jamie Oliver was even a twinkle in his mum's eye. One visit, and the Walkers were in love and moved in. Sitting on the cliff-top just above Treloan Cove, and within strolling distance of postcard-pretty Portscatho, Arthur's Field is a site that stressed-out urbanite campers can only dream about. Victor can boast of producing a loaf from his own crops with absolutely no carbon footprint, so it seems only right that once you have pitched your tent, there's really no need to get into your car again until going-home time comes around. Problem is, you'll probably never want to go home at all. Just like Debbie and Richard, you'll end up wanting to live the dream.

The upside:

A hop and a skip across a field and you can jump straight into the sea, with fantastic walks along the South West Coastal Path.

The downside:

The site isn’t huge and can get cramped peak season.

The facilities:

57 pitches, all with hook-ups, are spread over 1 field. There are 11 showers, including 3 family, and 6 sinks, including 1 at kid-height, so Junior has no excuse for not washing up his hot-chocolate mug. BBQs permitted in trays.

Onsite fun:

Every morning Debbie rings a bell, Pied Piper-like, and children come running to help her collect eggs and feed the rabbits. In summer the cow’s field is mowed to create a football pitch, and there are cricket stumps, too. Unsurprisingly, children are devoted to Arthur’s Field and tantrums at going home time are not uncommon

Offsite fun:

There’s private access to 3 secluded beaches, all great for swimming, fishing and diving, especially Treloan Cove and Peter’s Splosh. Slightly further are Carne and Towan beaches, but worth it for the sand. Porthcurnick beach is walkable from the other side of Portscatho, and seals are regular visitors – both beaches often seem empty after the heaving crowds of Polzeath and Padstow. Portscatho (01872 580989) is a lovely place to spend the afternoon fishing or rock-pooling; if you’re lucky you might spot the distant flipping tails of dolphins. Wander along the coastal path from the site and you may see buzzards, badgers and foxes.

Food & drink:

The Walkers organise a family evening twice a week. An Italian lady cooks, or the Walkers knock up old favourites like jacket potatoes and chilli. Tesco will deliver and the Plume of Feathers and the Royal Standard are within walking distance. Locally caught fish lifts their menus above standard pub grub. The Boathouse (01872 580326), in the village, is nice for cream teas, and you can buy fantastic seafood from Ralph’s Shop. Down the road is the Blue Carrot (01872 580942), where you can buy just-picked goodies.

If it rains:

Don waterproofs and take a ferry from Portscatho to St Mawes. Catch another to Falmouth. The National Maritime Museum (01326 313388) will keep kids amused for hours. The city’s not bad for quirky shopping, especially in charity shops, if you or your teenagers are in urgent need of retail therapy. Local castles include Caerhays Castle (01872 501310), Pendennis Castle (01326 316594) and St Mawes Castle (01326 270526).

Nanny state alert:

The site is within walking distance of the cliffs, so little ones should be accompanied.

The damage:

From £13 (Oct–March, excluding Christmas week), up to £20.50 (late July–3 Sept).

Open:

All year.

Visiting Falmouth? Spend less time planning your trip and more time enjoying it. Download Cool Places Falmouth, for the iPhone and iPad, and discover the best places to eat and drink, plus what to see and do when you get there.

You say

Reviews:

Arthur's Field

norwood

- Visited on: 08/11

1

Myself, my wife and three young children stayed here for 9 nights over August bank holiday and left with mixed feelings about the site although the location is second to none, safe sheltered coves ideal for swimming and crabbing with Portscatho a 5 minute walk away. The campsite was VERY busy and we were very boxed in and didnt really feel like cool camping. We arrived and were given our pitch by a member of staff so we pitched up, no mean feat with 3 small children, only to be told that we were in the wrong place the next day by an irate campsite owner, as a consequence we were left fighting for space.There was also an issue with some roaming dogs whilst staying there which our children didnt really appreciate.

Having said the above, the Wednesday night BBQ was good for the kids and feeding the animals in the morning.

The general vibe amongst the true campers on site was friendly but not subscribed to by all.

We had a good time from a location / base point of view but not sure if we will be staying again or not, didnt really feel like "cool camping"

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 06/09/11
Arthur's Field

dannynjodes

- Visited on: 07/11

5

FANTASTIC! We went as 2 young couples together...lovely atmosphere, quiet campsite and perfect for couples and families. Campsite is very clean, especially the toilets and showers which look like they have just been refurbished. Owners are lovely and introduced themselves and showed us around the site where everything was. Just through one and a half fields is a stunning clifftop overlooking the sea...if you don't mind a bit of climbing then you can get to a mini provate beach which is gorgeous! Also horses are along the clifftop which was really nice. Highly recommend this campsite and we will all definatelty be back soon! Thanks Arthur's Field ;-)

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 28/07/11
Arthur's Field

reedandponder

- Visited on: 07/11

5

Stayed here beginning of July 2011 for a week (7ngts). Glorious view across the sea below.

Pitches are gently sloping and there was a mixture of campervans, caravans and canvas with the glamping corner consisting of a "snug" and a yurt, we were under canvas. The site is big enough to have enough people to make it have a nice buzzy atmosphere without feeling too over-run or busy. All other campers were polite and a delight in small bits of conversation and our week proved popular but by no means crowded with families with pre-school children not yet bound by school holidays and they had plenty of space to play and around 10am would follow owner Debs to feed the chickens, sheep and guinea pigs and collect freshly laid eggs. It is simple camping, but what more do you need? There are plenty of electric hook-ups for those who need them. The shower,loos, wash basins and wash-up areas were cleaned and kept clean several times throughout the day. There are family spaced shower rooms at either end of the campsite. There is a freezer for freezing blocks, a small library and tourist information area. My concerns about camping on a cliff top were eased as there was a large non-camping field or two where peak season they hold campfires and where children can play, fly kites etc, and then the coastal path seperating us fron any drop so it felt very safe. But the wind did blow at times and I second the advice to take good windbreaks... we didn't, but next time we will.

Easy access to the coastal path and any number of small coves either way from the campsite pleased all who were there. Those who fished came back having caught sea bass, mackeral and pollock. An easy and beautiful coastal walk to the nearest seaside village Portscatho which had a sandy beach, rockpools, an icecream kiosk and then a pub, store and restaurant "The Boathouse" great for fresh crab sandwiches and an introduction to the music of the local seaman's choir with a quality CD of their music available to purchase if requested.

The wider area, the Roseland Peninsula is just stunning and has lots to explore with the pretty port of St Mawes, and a lovely bird lookout from St Anthony's Head and access to the King Harry Ferry for exploring the South West of Cornwall with all manner of fisherman's coves, ports, National Trust properties, gardens and beaches and other gardens and places of interest. Not too far in the other direction to places like the fishing village of Mevagissy. One family we met had a fantastic picturesque train ride from Truro to St Ives which we've made a mental note of for next time.

It really is cool camping at its best.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 11/07/11
Arthur's Field

nsnellie

- Visited on: 04/11

4

Stayed here for the Easter weekend (Thurs to Sun). If you like laid back camping in a beautiful setting this is everything you could probably want. On top of this Debs is brilliant with the kids and both my toddler and too cool for school teenager had a brilliant time helping to feed the animals every morning. There was also easter eggs for them on Sunday morning and a fete for charity on the Saturday morning. I think that there are communal campfires at least once a week too but we missed that this time. Debs was very flexible when we arrived about which spot we chose so that we were best placed for the facilities we needed for the children. The pitch was beautifully maintained so perfect for our tent - caravans and campers seemed to be on the more sloping ones at the top of the site. The showers etc were very clean but the hot water ran a little short at peak times when the site was full. Braziers are available to hire and you can swap your ice blocks in the freezer. There is one pub within very easy walking distance which did excellent food and a pretty garden. Slightly further afield in the pretty village of Portscatho down the hill (you can walk along the cliffs or down a lane to avoid the very steep hill!) has another pub and lovely tea room and a well stocked shop called Ralphs where we got lovely local burgers and pasties. The small cove beach was sandy and was fringed by rock pools to the delight of the boys and the tide was out and water very gently shelving when we were there. It was all very unspoilt but there were a few interesting shops. The peninsular itself had us spellbound! It's like a hidden corner with something beautiful around every bend it seemed. Take the King Harry ferry for the view and to head inland - St Ives and St Michaels Mount were easily reached by car. You can also take a foot ferry. St Mawes is a bit more touristy and has lots of nice looking cafes etc and a castle built by Henry VIII. There are also numerous spectacular gardens. All in all we were sorry to leave and will be back. The only slight thing is it's windy up on the cliff top so take wind breaks! Recommended - just don't tell too many people.

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 25/04/11
Arthur's Field

Cathy0536

- Visited on: 08/10

4

Good things about this site - amazing views, short walk to the beach, well maintained, Debs is great with kids and they loved feeding the animals, and our highlight was the weekly bonfire story telling and music session. The best local beach for little kids was Portscatho, getting down to the ones nearer the campsite was too difficult for our 3yo and 5yo. Unfortunately we had very poor weather and the wind does whip across the site when it gets up. There are things to do when it rains but they are all a drive away and cost lots so we packed up early and came home after a severe weather warning was issued!

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 23/08/10
Arthur's Field

Di Dicko

- Visited on: 07/10

5

What a find thanks to Cool Camping. We travelled over 400 miles with trepidation - would only 1 week's camping in Cornwall be worth the 'trek'.. Was it?! well it was Well worth it. Beautiful weather, super pitch - overlooking the field, sea & the headland & fantastic 'mien hosts'!! Great facilities, roomy site, hot water, spotless shower block avec loo roll which was replenished daily! The kids roamed safely & freely all neighbours were friendly yet not too eager to 'jump in your tent'!! or advise you how to light your brazier - (fire)!! So the chickens, kids, rabbit, guinea pigs & lambs were happy which = happy parents = happy holiday. This area was beautiful to explore or just stroll down into the little cove on our door step, saying hello to the cows & horses on the way - darling buds of Cornwall!! Lovely time had by all and what a pity it was only 1 weeks holiday - we would go back tomorrow. Highly recommended - but please dont tell everyone :o)

Stayed in: tent pitch

Review submitted on: 02/08/10

Photos

Getting there

Follow the A3078 until you reach Trewithian. Turn left at ‘Treloan Coastal Farm’ towards Gerrans and Portscatho. Stay on this road until you reach Gerrans Church square and stop beside the church, opposite the Royal Standard inn. Treloan Lane is marked on the wall and runs directly to Arthur’s Field, 300 yards down this lane on the left-hand side.

Public transport:

Catch a train or coach to Truro (about 19 miles from the campsite) then take a bus (50/51) towards St Mawes. Hop off at Portscatho and walk from there