
During the Second World War, the army commandeered a field belonging to Treen Farm as a communications post; they constructed military buildings on the land, rendering it useless for farming - but perfect for camping. Since then, campers and cows have co-existed at Treen Farm.
The site is fantastically spacious - a field's length away from the cliff-top so it isn't overly exposed, yet you still manage to catch sea glimpses over the hedges to put your location into perspective. Being so high up does mean your shore views are slightly restricted, but you're never too far from an enviable beach.
The nearest is a 10-minute cliff-top walk and rocky scramble away: PednVounder - a tiny, isolated, golden-sanded cove. The difficult position means it's never busy, but it does get cut oft at high tide, so keep an eye out. At low tide, you can walk along the Pedn sands to Green Bay and the more widely known Porthcurno Beach. And if that's not enough sandy shore action, then it's just a 10-minute drive to Sennen on the north coast, where you'll find Whitesands Bay — a legendary Cornish surfing spot.
If you feel a bit beached out, nearby attractions include the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum - the first international telegraph system began here -and the unique, cliff-top, open-air Minack Theatre.
COOL FACTOR Stunning, spacious site near beaches galore.
WHO'S IN? Tents, campervans, dogs - yes. Croups - by arrangement. Mobile homes, caravans - no.
ON SITE A total of 100 pitches; no electric hook-ups. Shower blocks with 8 token-operated showers (25p), 11 toilets, disabled facilities, industrial washing machine (£3.60 per wash), and tumble dryer (20p per 5 minutes). Onsite shop/off licence supplies gas, free mobile- and camera-battery charging, and sells a range of fresh local fruit, veg, and meat. BBQs allowed off the ground. No campfires.
OFF SITE The Minack Theatre, cut into the cliffs west of Porthcurno, is on your tent-step (01736 810181; www.minack.com). Learn how to catch a bodacious wave at Sennen Cove with Smart Surf School (01736 871817; www.smartsurf.co.uk). There's also access to the epic South West Coast Path, and Land's End is just 3 miles away.
FOOD AND DRINK The Logan Rock Inn (01736 810495) in Treen is friendly, with St Austell ales and a wide choice of meals. Sweetly hidden in the fishing village of Mousehole is the Cornish Range (01736 731488; www.cornishrange.co.uk) - a seafoodie's paradise. Try the lemon sole fillets or the roast hake with crayfish risotto.
GETTING THERE Take the A30 south-west from Penzance, then the B3283 through St Buryan to Treen. The campsite reception is at the shop in the village.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT From Penzance train station catch a local bus to Land's End. Get off at the foot of the hill in Treen and it's a 5-minute walk to the campsite.
OPEN Easter/1 April-October.
THE DAMAGE Small tent plus 2 adults and a car from £11.50 per night. Extra adult £4; child (11 to 16 years) £2, (4 to 10 years) £1.50, under-4s free.