Caravan parks in St Austell suit visitors who want south Cornwall beaches, harbour villages and major attractions without staying in one of Cornwall’s busier resort towns. The choice is spread across St Austell Bay, Par, Hewas Water, Bodinnick and the countryside between Mevagissey and Fowey, so the best park depends on whether you want beach access, fishing lakes, touring pitches or a quieter lodge stay, you can browse touring caravan parks in Cornwall here. 

Holiday parks in St Austell are useful for families because the area gives you several different days out from one base. Par Beach, Carlyon Bay, Porthpean and Pentewan Sands cover the beach side, while Charlestown, Mevagissey and Fowey give you harbours, places to eat and coastal walks within sensible driving distance.

The mistake is assuming St Austell itself is the holiday resort. It is better understood as the practical hub for this part of south Cornwall. Choose Par Sands if beach access matters most, Meadow Lakes if you want countryside space, fishing and family facilities or Penmarlam Lodge Retreat if you want a lodge holiday closer to Fowey and the river.

How to choose a caravan park in St Austell

Choose a beachfront holiday park around Par if you want the simplest beach days. Par Sands Coastal Holiday Park is the clearest option, with direct access to Par Beach, an indoor pool, sports courts, mini golf, a play area and café facilities on site.

Choose a countryside caravan park near St Austell if you want more space and a stronger family activity base. Meadow Lakes works well for this because it combines caravans, lodges, touring pitches, glamping cabins, fishing lakes, an outdoor pool, play areas and access to the beaches around St Austell Bay.

Choose a lodge park near Fowey if the stay is more about quiet accommodation than holiday park facilities. Penmarlam Lodge Retreat is better matched to couples and families who want self catering lodges, hot tub options, river scenery and trips into Fowey, rather than a full entertainment style park.

For touring caravan parks near St Austell, check the location carefully before booking. Some sites are inland, some are closer to Par and the A390 and others sit nearer Fowey or Mevagissey. That difference affects beach access, evening meals, road journeys and whether you can walk anywhere useful from the park.

Things to do near St Austell holiday parks

St Austell works well because the days out are spread in different directions. The Eden Project sits just outside the town and remains the headline attraction, with its rainforest and Mediterranean biomes, outdoor gardens and large visitor site. Charlestown is closer to the coast, with a Georgian harbour, tall ships and places to eat around the water.

For beaches, the area gives you more choice than people often expect. Par Beach is the practical option if you are staying at Par Sands, while Carlyon Bay gives you a broader open coastline for walking. Porthpean is smaller and sheltered, Pentewan Sands is one of the strongest family beaches nearby and Polkerris works well for food by the water.

Mevagissey and Fowey are the two strongest harbour trips from St Austell. Mevagissey feels more traditional, with narrow streets, fishing boats and a compact harbour. Fowey is smarter and more estuary focused, with ferries, restaurants and walks around Readymoney Cove, Polruan and the lower Fowey river.

This is why St Austell caravan holidays are usually about the surrounding area rather than the town centre. The best stays use St Austell as a base for St Austell Bay, the Eden Project, Charlestown, Mevagissey, Fowey and the south Cornwall coast.