Best Places to Hammock Camp in Cornwall
Cornwall might be better known for its beaches and surf than its forests, but look inland and you’ll find some genuinely spectacular hammock camping terrain. Ancient oak woodland, steep wooded river valleys, and sheltered coastal combes make the county one of the most underrated hammock camping destinations in the UK.
Whether you’re a seasoned hammocker or just getting started, here’s a guide to the best spots — and everything you need to know before you hang.
Know the Rules First
Before we get into locations, a quick word on legality. Unlike Scotland, England and Wales don’t have a universal right to wild camp. In Cornwall, that means you’ll need either explicit permission from the landowner, or you’ll need to camp on designated wild camping or backcountry sites.
The good news is that responsible camping is increasingly tolerated in many areas — particularly on Dartmoor (just over the county border), some National Trust land, and sites that specifically permit it. Always follow the Leave No Trace principles, use tree-friendly straps (2” wide minimum), and leave no marks on the bark.
If you’re using a Grand Trunk Double Deluxe hammock, you’re already covered — the included 2” tree-friendly straps are approved for use in nature reserves and protected woodland.
Top Hammock Camping Spots in Cornwall
1. Fal Valley Woodlands
The Fal Valley is one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and least-visited areas. The steep-sided valley is draped in ancient sessile oak woodland — exactly the kind of mature, widely-spaced trees that hammockers dream about. The area around Trelissick and the Fal Estuary offers sheltered, wooded terrain with stunning views over the river.
Much of the woodland here is managed by the National Trust, so always check current access guidance before visiting. The trees are typically well-spaced and mature — ideal for a TrunkTech double hammock setup.
2. Tehidy Country Park, near Camborne
Tehidy is Cornwall’s largest area of woodland — 250 acres of mixed woodland managed as a country park. While overnight camping isn’t officially permitted, the park gives you a sense of the tree cover available across north Cornwall, and there are nearby private glamping and camping sites that permit hammock camping in the surrounding area.
3. The Helford River Valley
The Helford is lined with ancient oak woodland on both banks, and the area has a genuinely wild, remote feel despite being relatively accessible. The woodland around Frenchman’s Creek (yes, that one — Daphne du Maurier’s inspiration) is particularly atmospheric. Check with local landowners for permission — some private woodland in this area is accessible with prior consent.
4. Golitha Falls National Nature Reserve, Bodmin Moor
Golitha Falls on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor is one of Cornwall’s most magical woodland spots. The River Fowey cuts through ancient oakwood, creating a mossy, damp, deeply atmospheric environment. The reserve is managed by Natural England — overnight camping isn’t permitted within the reserve itself, but the surrounding Bodmin Moor moorland and private woodland nearby offers options for those who do their research in advance.
5. Cardinham Woods, near Bodmin
Cardinham is a Forestry England woodland with well-established trails and a great mix of conifer and broadleaf planting. It’s a popular day-visit spot, but the surrounding area has private woodland and farmland where hammock camping can sometimes be arranged directly with landowners. The tree cover here is excellent — mature, well-spaced, and genuinely hammock-friendly.
6. South West Coast Path Wooded Valleys
The South West Coast Path runs 630 miles from Minehead to Poole, with a significant stretch through Cornwall. Several sections dip into steep, wooded coastal valleys — particularly around the Roseland Peninsula, the Helford, and between Fowey and Looe — where mature trees grow right down to the cliff edge. Backpacking this stretch with a TrunkTech Single hammock in your pack is a genuinely lightweight way to tackle it, provided you have landowner permission to hang overnight.
What to Pack for Hammock Camping in Cornwall
Cornwall’s weather is mild but unpredictable — you’ll want kit that handles warmth and rain with equal competence. Here’s what we’d recommend:
- Hammock: A Grand Trunk TrunkTech hammock for backpacking (425g, packs to water-bottle size), or a Double Deluxe if you’re car camping or camping with a partner
- Underquilt or sleeping mat: Essential in Cornwall even in summer — cold air beneath the hammock will chill you faster than you’d expect
- Tarp: Cornwall gets rain. A lightweight tarp rigged above the hammock is non-negotiable for anything more than a night in settled weather
- Tree-friendly straps: 2” minimum width — included with the Double Deluxe, or available separately for the TrunkTech range
- Headtorch and guy lines: Setting up in the dark under trees is significantly easier with both
The Golden Rule: Leave No Trace
Cornwall’s woodlands are irreplaceable habitats. Always use wide straps to protect bark, avoid hanging from young or damaged trees, pack out everything you bring in, and if you’re not sure whether you have permission — don’t hang. The long-term future of accessible wild camping in the UK depends on those who do it doing it right.
Browse our full range of Grand Trunk hammocks — built for exactly this kind of adventure, and in stock now at Newquay Camping Shop with UK delivery available.
