Whether you're pitching up at a busy festival site, camping on the Lizard Peninsula, or wild camping along the South West Coast Path, having a private toilet setup can make or break a trip. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right toilet tent and portable toilet for your camping style.
At Newquay Camping Shop, we stock a full range of toilet tents and portable toilets — available online with free UK delivery, or in person at our Newquay showroom.
Do You Need a Toilet Tent?
If you're using a portable camping toilet, a toilet tent is almost essential. It gives you privacy, keeps the rest of your pitch tidy, and means you're not relying on site facilities — which can be a long walk away at 3am.
Toilet tents also double as changing shelters, which makes them genuinely useful even if you're on a site with good facilities. For Cornwall's unpredictable weather, having a sheltered changing space is a bonus worth having.
Types of Toilet Tent
Pop-up toilet tents are the most popular choice for casual campers. They spring open in seconds and pack down flat — ideal if you're travelling light or pitching in a hurry. The Quest Pop Up Toilet Tent and Maypole Pop Up Toilet Tent are solid, no-fuss options at an accessible price point.
Freestanding framed toilet tents offer more stability in wind and tend to be taller, making them more comfortable for extended use. The Kampa Loo Loo Toilet Tent is a well-regarded example — compact when packed but with a proper frame that holds its shape in blustery Cornish conditions.
Comfort station shelters step things up further. The Outwell Seahaven Comfort Station Double is designed for families or longer trips, with enough room for a toilet and changing area side by side.
Bundle options are worth considering if you're starting from scratch. The Quest Toilet Tent Bundle pairs a tent with a portable toilet, saving you the hassle of matching products yourself.
What to Look for in a Toilet Tent
- Height — you want to be able to stand up comfortably. Look for 190cm+ if possible.
- Ventilation — a mesh panel or vent at the top makes a significant difference in warmer weather.
- Privacy door — a full-length zip with an inner privacy panel is preferable to a simple flap.
- Pack size and weight — pop-up designs pack flat but can be awkward to fold; framed tents pack smaller but take longer to pitch.
- Groundsheet — some include a sewn-in groundsheet, which is useful for hygiene and keeping insects out.
- Wind resistance — particularly relevant for exposed coastal and moorland sites in Cornwall and Devon.
Choosing a Portable Camping Toilet
The toilet tent is only half the equation. Here's a quick breakdown of the portable toilet options we stock:
Cassette-style toilets are the most hygienic and easiest to empty. The Thetford Porta Potti 165 is a classic — reliable, widely used, and straightforward to maintain. For a larger capacity, the Outwell 20L Portable Toilet suits families or longer trips, while the Outwell 7L and 10L versions suit couples or solo campers.
Bucket-style toilets like the Kampa Khazi and Outdoor Revolution Big Loo are simpler and more affordable — good for occasional use or as a backup option.
Don't Forget the Essentials
A portable toilet is only as good as the chemicals and paper you use with it:
- Elsan Blue Toilet Fluid 2L — trusted chemical treatment that controls odour and breaks down waste
- Elsan Blue Toilet Fluid 4L — better value for longer trips or regular campers
- Blue Diamond Chemical Toilet Fluid Twin Pack 2L — good value if you're stocking up for a season
- Thetford Aqua Soft Dissolving Toilet Roll — designed to dissolve quickly and avoid blocking the cassette
Camping in Cornwall & the South West: What to Consider
Cornwall and Devon offer some of the UK's best camping — from clifftop sites above Perranporth to sheltered valleys near Fowey. But camping in the South West comes with specific considerations for your toilet setup:
- Wind — exposed coastal sites need a stable, pegged-out toilet tent. Framed designs outperform pop-ups in strong gusts.
- Wild camping — on Bodmin Moor or along the Coast Path, a portable toilet is essential. Leave No Trace principles apply; always use chemical treatment and dispose of waste at designated points.
- Festival camping — events like Boardmasters in Newquay often have long queues for facilities. A portable toilet and tent on your pitch is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade.
- Family camping — sites across Cornwall fill up fast in summer. Having your own toilet setup removes reliance on shared facilities during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size toilet tent do I need?
For most adults, look for a toilet tent with a minimum internal height of 185–190cm and a floor area of at least 100 x 100cm. If you're using a larger comfort station toilet or need space to change, opt for a wider model like the Outwell Seahaven Comfort Station Double.
Can I use a toilet tent as a changing room?
Yes — most toilet tents are designed to double as changing shelters. Look for a full-height privacy door and enough floor space to change comfortably. The Quest Toilet Tent works well for this purpose.
How do I dispose of waste from a portable camping toilet?
Cassette toilets should be emptied at a designated chemical toilet disposal point (Elsan point), found at most campsites. Never empty into a standard toilet, drain, or natural water source. Always use an approved chemical treatment such as Elsan Blue to break down waste and control odour.
What chemicals do I need for a portable camping toilet?
You'll need a holding tank treatment (such as Elsan Blue) for the waste cassette, and optionally a flush tank treatment to keep the bowl fresh. Use only dissolving toilet paper like Thetford Aqua Soft to avoid blockages.
Are pop-up toilet tents any good?
Pop-up toilet tents are excellent for casual campers who prioritise speed and convenience. They pitch in seconds and pack flat. The trade-off is wind resistance — on exposed sites, a framed tent like the Kampa Loo Loo is more reliable.
Can I use a toilet tent at a festival?
Yes, and it's highly recommended. At busy events like Boardmasters in Newquay, having your own private toilet setup on your pitch saves significant time and discomfort. Pair a pop-up tent with a compact bucket toilet for the most portable setup.
Do I need a groundsheet in a toilet tent?
A sewn-in groundsheet helps with hygiene and keeps insects out, but isn't essential. If your chosen tent doesn't include one, a small piece of matting or a portable groundsheet works well.
Our Recommendation
For most campers, a pop-up toilet tent paired with a mid-size cassette toilet is the sweet spot. The Quest Toilet Tent Bundle is a great starting point, or build your own combination from our full range of toilet tents and portable toilets.
Browse our full range at Newquay Camping Shop — free UK delivery on orders over your qualifying threshold, or visit us in Newquay to see products in person.
