We booked Pleasant Streams Farm near St Austell for a peaceful summer getaway in the Cornish countryside. This Pleasant Streams Farm Camping review covers our stay at this seasonal campsite, which focuses on simple camping, nature and relaxation rather than the entertainment and extensive facilities found at a large holiday park.
With spacious camping fields, streams, wildlife and a small lake, it looked like an ideal place to escape everyday life. Here is our honest Pleasant Streams Farm review.
Arrival and First Impressions
Pleasant Streams Farm is tucked away in the small rural hamlet of Lower Sticker, close to St Austell in Cornwall.
The approach immediately makes it clear that this is not a commercial holiday park. The campsite has a natural and informal appearance, with open fields, streams and plenty of wildlife.
Everything feels relaxed from the moment you arrive. There are no rigid rows of marked pitches or busy entertainment areas. Instead, you are surrounded by peaceful countryside with plenty of room to settle in.
You can find further information and check current availability on the official Pleasant Streams Farm Camping website.
Location and Surroundings
The surroundings are one of the strongest parts of staying at Pleasant Streams Farm. The site is surrounded by green fields, shallow streams and a wildlife-rich lake.
As a seasonal campsite, it has a much quieter atmosphere than many larger holiday parks. There is no constant traffic around the site, and the natural layout makes it easier to switch off and enjoy the countryside.
The lake is particularly attractive and adds something different to the camping experience. Wooden bridges, rope swings and the surrounding wildlife give the site plenty of character.
Pleasant Streams Farm is also well placed for exploring mid-Cornwall. St Austell, the Eden Project, Charlestown, Mevagissey and several south coast beaches can all be reached by car.
Facilities
The facilities at Pleasant Streams Farm are deliberately basic. This is a back-to-nature campsite rather than somewhere offering luxury washrooms, restaurants or entertainment.
Facilities available during our stay included:
- Flushing toilets
- Compost toilets
- Showers with free hot water
- Drinking water
- Mobile phone charging available on request
- Campfire rings
- Logs available to purchase
There were no electric hook-ups or dedicated washing-up sinks, so you need to arrive prepared. A washing bowl is essential, while power banks are useful for keeping phones and other small devices charged.
Although the facilities are limited, they suit the campsite’s simple and rustic character. Anyone who normally chooses fully serviced pitches or modern holiday parks may find the offering too basic.
The Lake and Family Activities
The lake is one of the most memorable features at Pleasant Streams Farm. Guests can use the rowing boat free of charge, providing a fun activity without needing to leave the campsite.
Children can also explore the wooden bridges, search for the rope swings and look for wildlife around the fields and streams.
The farm animals add to the family-friendly atmosphere. Miniature goats, pigs, chickens and ducks help make the campsite feel more like a countryside adventure than a conventional holiday park.
There is no organised entertainment, but that is part of the appeal. Children are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors, explore the site and make their own fun.
The Pitches
The camping fields are large, generally level and sheltered by the surrounding countryside.
Rather than having allocated or individually marked pitches, Pleasant Streams Farm operates a relaxed pitch-where-you-like system. This gives guests more freedom to choose an area that suits them.
The informal layout also allows campers to spread out when the site is quieter. However, the lack of defined pitches and pitch servicing means the experience is very different from staying at an organised touring park.
There are no electric hook-ups, hardstanding pitches or fully serviced pitches. Pleasant Streams Farm is therefore better suited to campers who are comfortable being self-sufficient.
Campfires and Evening Atmosphere
Campfires are one of the highlights of staying at Pleasant Streams Farm.
Fires are permitted in the designated fire rings, with logs available to buy on site. Sitting outside around a real fire creates the traditional camping atmosphere that many modern holiday parks have lost.
The peaceful countryside setting makes evenings particularly enjoyable. Once the light begins to fade, the campsite becomes quiet and feels completely removed from everyday life.
Cleanliness
The camping fields and basic facilities were kept reasonably tidy during our stay.
However, this is a rustic farm campsite, so visitors should not expect the polished presentation found at a premium touring park. The natural setting, changing weather and number of visitors can all affect how the facilities look during busier periods.
Overall, the cleanliness was acceptable for the style of campsite, although there was still room for improvement.
Value for Money
Pleasant Streams Farm is reasonably priced for a traditional countryside camping experience.
The facilities are basic, but the spacious fields, peaceful surroundings, campfires, lake and family activities all contribute to the overall value.
Whether it feels like good value will depend on what you expect from a campsite. Those looking for electric hook-ups, luxury washrooms and extensive amenities may feel the offering is limited.
However, anyone looking for a simple and affordable escape surrounded by nature is likely to feel the price is fair.
Would We Stay Again?
We would consider staying at Pleasant Streams Farm again when looking for a simple and peaceful countryside break.
It would not be our first choice when we wanted modern facilities or the convenience of an electric hook-up. However, it offers something very different from a large holiday park.
The open fields, campfires and natural surroundings create an experience that is increasingly difficult to find. It is particularly well suited to families who want their children to spend time outdoors.
Final Thoughts
Pleasant Streams Farm is a genuine back-to-nature campsite that offers a peaceful escape in the Cornish countryside.
The spacious fields, relaxed pitch system, campfires and wildlife lake are its biggest strengths. Children can enjoy the outdoors in a traditional way, while adults can slow down and appreciate the quiet rural surroundings.
However, the basic facilities will not suit everyone. There are no electric hook-ups or dedicated washing-up sinks, and visitors need to be comfortable with a more rustic style of camping.
If you enjoy campfires, wildlife and simple countryside camping, Pleasant Streams Farm is well worth considering. Those looking for luxury facilities or a fully serviced touring pitch may prefer somewhere else.
Scores
Surroundings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7/10
A quiet rural setting surrounded by green fields, streams and a wildlife-rich lake. It provides a peaceful base for exploring Cornwall, although the wider views are less impressive than those found at some coastal or hilltop sites.
Facilities:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/10
The toilets and free hot showers cover the essentials, but the lack of electric hook-ups and dedicated washing-up facilities significantly limits the overall offering.
Cleanliness:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6/10
The facilities and camping fields were kept reasonably tidy. However, the rustic nature of the campsite means presentation and cleanliness can vary during busy periods.
Pitch Quality:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/10
The fields are spacious and generally level, with plenty of freedom to choose where you pitch. However, there are no marked, hardstanding or serviced pitches.
Value for Money:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7/10
A fairly priced option for visitors seeking traditional camping, peaceful surroundings and a relaxed atmosphere. The limited facilities prevent it from feeling like an exceptional bargain.
Overall Score: 28/50
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