Spend a weekend in… Praa Sands
Spend a weekend in… Praa Sands
Situated within Mount's Bay on Cornwall’s south coast, within an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) Praa Sands is famous for its mile-long, sandy beach.
The beach is perfect for large families and easily keeps all ages and generations entertained. Small children will have lots of fun building sandcastles and playing in the shallows. Surfers can take on some surprisingly big waves. Grand parents will love how flat and easily accessible everything is.
Beaches
This is a romantic stretch of coast, packed full of history. West of Praa Sands lies Kenneggy Cove and beyond that Prussia Cove, a sheltered, secretive inlet, once the haunt of John Carter, Cornwall's most notorious smuggler. To the east is the high cliff scenery of Rinsey Head and Trewavas Head, with its impressive engine houses.
Surf
The beach is lapped by comparatively large waves for the south coast, and has shallow waters and seasonal lifeguards. Local experts Global Boarders Surf School have their HQ at Praa Sands. They have declared it the perfect playground for all abilities and “arguably the number 1 surfing destination on the south coast”.
Walk
Beyond the beach, on either side, the coastal paths rise up to provide spectacular views of Penzance and the Lizard Peninsula. A popular coastal path walk takes you from Praa Sands to Rinsey Head, a gentle stroll to an inspiring cove where no fewer than 23 species of butterfly have been spotted drifting above spectacular rock formations. Ruined engine houses perch dramatically on the cliffs at Wheal Trewavas, while the mine building at Wheal Prosper was used in the filming of a Poldark sequel.
Eat
A ten minute drive west to Marazion or 20 minutes east to Porthleven sees lots of really great places to eat, reflecting Cornwall’s exciting food scene.
Marazion
The Godolphin Arms is on the water’s edge of Mount’s Bay with magnificent views overlooking beautiful St Michael’s Mount. Great for families and large groups, with a good pub menu featuring family favourites such as burgers, fish and chips and a Sunday Roast.
The Guardian’s restaurant reviewer, Jay Rayner describes this family run restaurant as a “small, gloriously civilised restaurant of quiet ambition.” They pride themselves on serving excellent food using fine local ingredients, precisely executed.
Porthleven
Gaze out through glass-fronted doors at boats bobbing in Porthleven harbour, or enjoy a panoramic view from the terrace. Dine on lobster plucked fresh from the waves, or tuck into one of the famous burgers. By day an informal café bar, at night a relaxed an intimate waterfront restaurarant.
With fantastic harbour views, Rick Stein’s Porthleven restaurant offers sharing plates of local and seasonal produce all inspired by Rick’s travels as well as mains such as Singapore chilli crab, fish from the quay and rib eye steak.
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