by Susan | Oct 9, 2019 | Out & About
If you are looking to branch out from your luxury accommodation in the Lizard, there are all sorts of beautiful beaches to tempt you with hours on powder-fine sands. All within a short drive of our guesthouse, you can look forward to dipping your toes in cool waters, playing games by the shore or simply tucking into a picnic and watching the world go by.
For the best sand-between-toes adventures, here are our top 5 beaches near the Lizard:
Cadgwith’s Little Beach
Small but mighty, Cadgwith’s little beach is separated from the village’s working fishing beach by the ‘Todden’, a towering rocky outcrop. Particularly picturesque in summer when the beach often resembles something distinctly Mediterranean, it is a really popular spot amongst locals and visitors of all ages. Park your car in Cadgwith’s pay and display car park and wander down (there’s not much parking to speak of in the cove itself).
Kennack Sands
Around a 5-mile drive from Penmenner House, Kennack Sands is definitely one of our top 5 beaches near the Lizard. Be it a bracing winter stroll or sun-kissed summer siesta, this beach has year-round appeal and is lifeguarded between May and October. Separated by an enormous sandy dune, the beach is actually made up of two stretches of sand – the furthest one being dog-friendly throughout the year.
Kynance Cove
A beach that needs little introduction, Kynance Cove is famed for its jaw-dropping islands that soar from the water and paint the horizon. As dramatic in winter as it is serene in summer, this beach should definitely be on your list whilst staying in the Lizard. For ease, you can park in the National Trust-owned car park above Kynance or, if you’re up for a leg stretch, you can walk there from the village. Just be aware that the beach is not lifeguarded.
Poldhu Beach
Home to a popular beach café that is open 363 days of the year, Poldhu Beach just outside of Mullion is unsurprisingly popular. Manned by lifeguards in the summer and with its own surf school run by local instructor Dan Joel, it definitely has something for everyone. If you feel like exploring a little further, you can also walk round the corner to neighbouring Church Cove too.
Polurrian Beach
Just over 6 miles from our B&B, Polurrian Beach sits within a sheltered cove. Facing southwest and boasting golden sand lapped by turquoise seas, it’s a real gem yet often overlooked by beach-lovers in favour of its more well-known neighbours. While it’s a little bit of a walk in and out of the cove, the destination is well worth the effort and will reward you with hours of bliss in this little haven.
by Susan | Sep 4, 2019 | Eating OUt
A summer holiday, or any holiday in fact, wouldn’t be complete without one thing. Classic, novel, with a flake, waffle cone or in huge tubs to-go, nothing says “indulgence” quite like hearty scoops of smooth, delicious ice cream. Fortunately, that’s something we’re not short of in the Lizard, but if you really want to experience the crème de la crème, there’s one place you should go: Roskilly’s.
A family-run organic farm, Roskilly’s is the product of decades of hard work. Only using pastures that have been traditionally farmed using sustainable methods for generations, the farm rear and graze their own beautiful herd of Jersey cows in grassy fields on the Lizard Peninsular. The result? The tastiest ice creams, sorbets and frozen yogurts imaginable.
Winners of multiple awards, the success of this humble farm speaks for itself. Offering free entry, Roskilly’s encourages visitors of all generations to enjoy a memorable day out at the farm, complete with educational opportunities and, of course, the chance to discover the array of delicious flavours available.
If you would like to go, it’s about 10 miles from us at Penmenner B&B and there is a generously-sized car park a short walk from the farm itself. Comprised of a main visitors’ centre with a restaurant and ice cream parlour, gift shop and facilities, there is also an animal meet and great area, a viewing gallery and walking trails. In short, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained!
When you are ready to sit down with your ice cream of choice, there is plenty of inside and outside seating. Browse the mouth-watering variety of flavours and choose your favourite. From apple sorbet to Cornish golden fudge ice cream, and from ginger beer sorbet to dairy-free coconut ice cream, you are sure to find the perfect scoop to please the palate.
Using the purest ingredients without adding preservatives, Roskilly’s make the majority of their ingredients at the farm. As well as the delicious chewy, crunchy and nutty bits, the farm even sources their water for their sorbet collection from a local spring. Check out their website to find out more.
by Susan | Aug 7, 2019 | Out & About
Nestled in a sandy nook between Mullion and Cury, Poldhu is a fantastic family-friendly beach that has year-round appeal for those looking to refresh and revive in the clean, salty air. As welcome a sight for those hoping for a cuppa and a view as for avid surfers looking for the next barrel, it is simply a must visit for all.
6 miles up the road from us at Penmenner House B&B in the Lizard, Poldhu is a gorgeous sandy beach hugged by proud headlands and served by a great café. Boasting onsite facilities and a seasonal surf school run by local pro Dan Joel, it nimbly treads the line between being both a popular locals’ beach and a favourite amongst visitors.
If you are visiting for the first time, Poldhu beach benefits from a great location and an uncomplicated arrival. For parking, you can either leave your car in the adjacent pay and display car park or, if you are lucky, bag one of the free parking bays nearby. If you have walked to us, you can also arrive there by bus or taxi, or if you’re feeling particularly energetic, on foot, around 8 miles away on the South West Coast Path.
Once you’re there, there is only one thing on the agenda: relaxing. Lifeguarded in summer, you can spend as much or as little time as you please flitting between sea and towel and soaking up the sunshine from the comfort of your own little corner. It’s always a great idea to take a bottle of water and some snacks with you, but for extra indulgence, you can buy yourself a hearty ice cream from Poldhu Café. Why not?
Of course, Poldhu is just as appealing on bracing winter days and with the café open 363 days a year, you will be able to sup on a specialty hot chocolate and watch the tumultuous waves tussling and tumbling onto the shore well past summer. If you are a photographer, moody winter mornings provide a superb opportunity to capture some of the raw beauty and sheer power of the almighty Atlantic swells before returning to relax in your luxury sea-view suite!
by Susan | Jul 8, 2019 | Eating OUt
A holiday in Cornwall is full of promise of sun, sea, surf and… food.
Drawing foodies both locally and internationally, Cornwall is setting the standard for amazing quality, sustainable local food. It’s not all just about restaurants though; sometimes there’s nothing better than picking up some tasty titbits and taking them home with you for indulgent nibbles or an alfresco picnic on the cliffs.
Held on the first Saturday of every month at the Old Cattle Market and taking place between 9.30am and 1pm, Helston Farmers’ Market is enjoying a resurgence in the demand for locally-sourced, artisan products in Cornwall. A must-visit for foodies looking for the best of the best, it is stacked out with various stalls stocked with all manner of goodies.
From local meats to honey, and from homegrown veggies to freshly baked breads and more, there is truly something for everyone at this monthly market. Upon arrival you are immediately met with stalls spilling into the outside parking lot, overflowing with fresh produce popping with colour. Let your gaze drift over the vast array and try not to get too excited by all the delicious possibilities!
For cheese fans, a visit to Treveador Farm Dairy’s stall is a must, where samples of the farm’s award-winning cheeses are out on offer, including the irresistibly delicate Helford White. For meat-lovers, say hello to Rona from Tregullas Farm, based just down the road from us in the Lizard! Or, for mouth-watering olives, oils and jams, pop over to Sophie of Sophie’s Touch, who brings a gorgeous French twist to the market, and browse her selection of homemade goodies prepared following un savoir-faire passed on from generation to generation.
That’s not all though; top up your basket with homemade apple juice, lavender soaps, vegetarian pies, meat samosas and more. With each stall manned by the expert producers themselves, you can get to know each and every face and glean lots of fascinating information from them all. There is even the chance to purchase a huge variety of goods from the Incredible Bulk zero-waste van, run by a husband and wife duo looking to boycott the proliferation of single-use plastic packaging.
If you are staying with us at the beginning of the month, we definitely recommend paying a visit. Whether you are making a conscious decision to buy local or are simply looking to enjoy the fruits of this beautiful county from those who know it best, Helston Farmers’ Market is the place to go.
