Family mini-adventures in Cornwall - Chapel porth

Another family mini-adventure by the sea. 

Tides were important on this one, as Chapel Porth is definitely best at low tide. We headed for Perranporth and had lunch at The Watering Hole first. For future reference, the nacho portions are massive so one portion of those and a portion of cheesy chips is plenty for lunch for a family of four. 

Next we headed a few miles west to Chapel Porth, which is between St Agnes and Porthtowan. At high tide there isn't much beach, but when the tide is out there's an expanse if golden sand, little coves and big caves. It was quite blowy and the waves were big so we all had coats on and decided not to go for a swim.

However, after a rogue wave washed across the beach and got everybody's feet wet, suddenly the idea of swimming in the invitingly deep pools on the beach seemed quite appealing. Miss Busy got into her swimmies first and was quite the mermaid, bouncing from pool to pool. Doggo was also bouncing, swimming and running in circles. Mr Build-It decided that since his trousers were now wet, he may as well just get wetter, and travel home in dry swim-wear, so he bounced around running in and out of pools. I wasn't going to swim, since the sea was too rough, but the pools just looked so tempting... as we neared the end of the beach, there was no-one around at this end, and nobody could see from the coast-path, so I couldn't resist taking off a few clothes and having a dip. It was fabulous and I felt loads better for it!

Back at the car-park a hot chocolate and flapjack from the cafe warmed us through, and we headed home happy from our mini-adventure.

Family Mini-Adventures in Cornwall - Tintagel and Boscastle

Another weekend - another mini-adventure!

This time we made the most of the beautiful autumnal light and headed to north Cornwall, to Tintagel and Boscastle.

We parked at the large car park in Boscastle and caught the 95 bus to Tintagel (there are only four buses per day, so it's important to time your arrival carefully if you're planning to do this walk).  In Tintagel there are plenty of little magical and crafty shops to explore.  Our timing made this the perfect time to stop for a pasty and coffee at The Cornish Bakery, situated just above the path down to Tintagel Castle.

Suitably fuelled, we hit the coast path for the five-mile walk back to Boscastle:

Google Maps

It's a stunning bit of coastline with some amazing rock formations to marvel at, the turquoise sea, stacks, arches, caves and birds (we saw Gannets, a kestrel and a Peregrine).

If you're new to coast path walking, I should warn you, it does go up and down a bit, but every turn gives a new and breathtaking view.

I think our favourite bit had to be the section where we dropped down into Rocky Valley.

Back in Boscastle we refuelled with cake at The Good Stuff Cafe at Harbour Light before driving home.

Family Mini-Adventures in Cornwall - Nanjizal and Land's End

 

This was an adventure we had been hoping to do when we were in Cornwall in May half term, but we were defeated by staff shortages for public transport at the time, so were delighted to revisit it in August, not long after we moved to Cornwall.

First, we walked down to the station and caught the train from St Austell to Penzance (not at all expensive with our family railcard).

In Penzance the bus station and the train station are right next door to one another.  We hopped on to the next available "Land's End Coaster" bus - an open-topped service which goes around the coast in both directions between Penzance and Land's End.

We hopped off the bus (not literally) just as it makes the turn down towards Porthcurno (not far from Polgigga), and walked cross-country to Nanjizal beach,

Image from Google Maps

Nanjizal beach has some sand and some rocks.  I went for a swim, but we had an ulterior motive for being here...  There's a wonderful pool in a cave that you can access at low tide!  We clambered over quite a lot of boulders, some of which were pretty slippery.  I was glad I had my trainers on.  There were certainly a few skinned shins and grazed ankles from others doing the same thing.  It was well worth it though - you drop into a long thin pool - those with children, it's worth noting that the pool gets deep quite quickly - and you can swim through this deliciously cool turquoise water right to the arch at the end where you can feel the suck and pull of the Atlantic beyond.

This lovely photo is from "We are Cornwall"

This pool, known as The Song of the Sea (what an evocative name) was a truly magical place to swim and we all came out feeling fantastic.  It's just a short walk (half an hour) from there to Land's End along the Coast Path. At Land's End you can find something to eat or drink while you wait for the next Land's End Coaster bus back to Penzance.

Google Maps

If you fancy doing this trip yourself, you do need to check the tide times and the times of the buses.  The Song of the Sea is best accessed at low tide (when you'll also get some beach at Nanjizal), and you also need to leave yourself enough time to walk there, swim and then walk along to Land's End to get the bus.  You really don't want to miss the last bus from Land's End - it wouldn't be a cheap taxi ride.