The Best Campsites in Cornwall for Wild Walks and Autumn Air
Autumn is when Cornwall gives back the coast path. The cream teas and beach queues of August fade, and the Lizard Peninsula turns quiet, cool and wide open for walking. If you're weighing up autumn holidays in Cornwall, this is the month locals quietly recommend, with its crisp air, thinning crowds and a sea that still holds its summer warmth.
Whether you're pitching a tent or parking a campervan, the right campsites in Cornwall put you within a short stroll of some of the finest coastal walking in the country. And this perfectly sums up Silver Sands.
Autumn on the Lizard: Fewer Crowds, Wilder Walks
By the time Autumn arrives, the summer rush along the Lizard Peninsula has properly eased. Car parks empty out, the beaches settle into something calmer, and the coast path feels like it belongs to you again. The light changes too, turning golden and low in a way that makes even a familiar stretch of cliff feel new.
For anyone planning walking holidays Cornwall in autumn, this shift is worth building a trip around, since the paths that are crowded in July become peaceful, workable routes in September. We've written before about how the Lizard changes through the cooler months, if you'd like the fuller picture.
Walking the South West Coast Path on the Lizard Peninsula
The South West Coast Path runs right along our stretch of coastline, so you can step out from your pitch and onto the cliffs within minutes. A gentle circular route towards Kynance Cove takes in some of the most dramatic serpentine rock formations in Cornwall, while the walk east to Kennack Sands stays closer to sea level and suits an easier afternoon.
For something longer, the path to Lizard Point rewards you with views towards the lighthouse and the coastline stretching away in both directions. Among campsites in Cornwall, few sit this close to the Lizard Peninsula coast path, letting you walk as much or as little as the day allows.
Wildlife and Colour Along the Clifftops
Autumn brings its own quiet cast of characters to the clifftops. You might spot seals hauled out on the rocks below Kynance Cove, or seabirds riding the updrafts along the cliff edge. Choughs, the glossy black birds with bright red beaks once almost lost from Cornwall, have slowly returned to this coastline, and September and October are good months to watch for them.
The gorse and heather that colour the clifftops through late summer are still holding on too, fading gently into the softer tones of autumn. It's this changing backdrop that makes walking holidays in Cornwall at this time of year feel different from a summer visit.
Every Beach Welcomes Dogs Again from the Beginning of September
For dog owners, September brings a genuinely useful change. Seasonal restrictions that keep dogs off certain beaches through summer lift on the 1st, so from September your dog is welcome on every beach along this coast, not just the handful open to them in August.
A walk down to Kennack Sands or along to a quieter cove no longer means leaving the dog behind. It's one of the simplest reasons to time a break for September, and among dog-friendly campsites in Cornwall, it's exactly the sort of detail that makes a stay feel easier.
The right campsites in Cornwall make the rest just as simple.
What to Pack for an Autumn Walking Break
Autumn on the coast path can turn from bright sunshine to a sharp squall within the hour, so it pays to pack with a bit of range. A few essentials cover most of what an autumn walk here throws at you:
- Layers that can go on or come off as the temperature shifts
- A decent waterproof jacket, just in case
- Sturdy, broken-in walking boots with good grip
- A flask of something hot for the clifftop
- A small backpack for extra layers and snacks
None of this needs to be specialist gear, just practical enough to keep you comfortable whatever the weather decides to do.
Touring & Camping at Silver Sands: A Comfortable Base for Walkers
If you're looking for somewhere to base a walking trip like this, our touring and camping pitches sit a short drive from Kennack Sands and the coast path beyond. Dogs are genuinely welcome here, which matters if you're after dog-friendly campsites in Cornwall rather than somewhere that merely tolerates them.
After a muddy day on the cliffs, there's an on-site launderette for getting boots and waterproofs sorted, and our refurbished shower and toilet block makes it easy to wash off the day properly before heading out again. It's a straightforward, comfortable setup, and among campsites in Cornwall, one built with walkers rather than sunbathers in mind.
Check Pitch Availability for Your Autumn Escape
Autumn on the Lizard is quiet, walkable and easy to fall for, and a pitch here puts all of it right on your doorstep. If a coast path, a dog-friendly beach and a proper flask of tea after a long walk sound like your kind of autumn, take a look at our touring and camping pitches and check what's available for the weeks ahead.
If you have questions, get in touch with us by calling +44 (0)1326 290631 or fill out our contact form online. The wilder end of the season is waiting, so why not come and see it for yourself.
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