Where Can I Go Exploring the UK and Abroad (4)
Mullion village, the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
July 17th, 2010
The village of Mullion lies just 8 miles from Helston yet is a world away from the busy town and a perfect place to base yourself to explore the Lizard Peninsula, or just relax and enjoy the surrounding beaches and coast. Mullion has a long and interesting history and relied on agriculture, fishing and mining until the eighteenth century, with smuggling and wrecking supplementing their livelihoods. Mullion is fairly large as villages go but has a real sense of community with a post office, small supermarket, art galleries, pubs, restaurants and a cricket club. We recommend the Old Inn, opposite the thirteenth century church, with its lovely outside terrace.
Close to Mullion village are the beautiful sandy beaches of Polurrian Cove and Poldhu Cove, whilst just 1.5 miles further down the road takes you to Mullion Cove from where there are spectacular views of the rugged cliffs and Mullion Island. On the road to Mullion Cove, about 0.5 miles out of Mullion, you will find Mullion Meadows which is a small cluster of shops including Trenance Chocolate, where you can view them making the chocolate in their small factory and then buy it in the shop if you wish. [...]
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The Ship, Porthleven, Cornwall
July 17th, 2010
Having heard good reports of The Ship in Porthleven, we called in for a pint of local guest ale and found a pub steeped in history. Just about a mile from Helston, The Ship Inn is perched on the edge of the port, built into the cliff, and has been the favourite haunt of fisherman since it was built in the eighteenth century. In the summer there are a few tables outside on raised terraces where you can enjoy great views of Porthleven and the coast. Inside it feels snug and the walls are decorated with local pictures. Although we did not eat there, it has a good repuation for its home-cooked food and offers a promise of 'no chips' to continue its tradition of serving hearty food. Dogs are welcome in the bar and children in the family room. As The Ship is on the coastal path it would be a perfect stop-off for those walking the south-west coastal path. [...]
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The Old Inn, Mullion, Cornwall
July 17th, 2010
The Old Inn, Mullion, lies at the heart of the village in Mullion and has been popular with both locals and passers-by since the sixteenth century. The Old Inn is a traditional, attractive pub with a thatched roof and has a lovely large outside patio area where you can relax on a summer's day or evening. Inside, there is a sense of the history of the place with all the black and white photos of Mullion and Mullion Cove hung on the walls. There are various small rooms off the bar area for drinkers or diners and our dog was welcome to join us in the bar.
Mullion itself is situated on the Lizard Peninsula and close by are superb golden sandy beaches, Mullion Cove, and a spectacular coastline. We didn't get the chance to stay at the Old Inn or to dine there but did enjoy a couple of evenings sampling the local ales. We would have no hesitation in returning there as it would make an excellent base for further exploring this relatively unspoilt corner of Cornwall. [...]
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Mullion Cove, the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
July 16th, 2010
Mullion Cove is a small, unspoilt fishing village and cove on the Lizard Peninsula and is owned by the National Trust. Built between 1893 and 1895 to compensate fishermen for the decline of the pilchard industry, it enabled them to build up a crab and lobster industry instead. To reach the cove by car, drive through the village of Mullion and follow the road down to Mullion Cove where there is a small car park. Although there is not a great deal to see at the cove itself, it is tranquil and definitely worth a visit. Have a stroll on the small harbour beach at low tide and wander up the cliff path where you can sit on one of the benches and enjoy the extensive views. From the cliff top you have sweeping views of the rugged headlands jutting out into the sea, stacks, and Mullion Island, home to seabirds. With a long history of fishing, smuggling and shipwrecks, there is now just a small fishing community and the tourist industry. On a sunny day, the sea is a beautiful turquoise colour and you can see why Mullion Cove is chosen by many artists to paint, whilst in winter the cove is pounded by the powerful waves. Perched on the cliff top, the Mullion Cove Hotel looks like a lovely place to stay and has a bistro as well as the hotel restaurant.
Mullion Cove makes an excellent starting point to begin a coastal walk: head to the south to Kynance Cove and Lizard Point, or to the north to Polurrian Cove, Poldhu Beach and Gunwalloe. There are various options of short or longer walks and there are footpaths crossing the countryside if you prefer a circular rather than a linear walk. [...]
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St Ives, Cornwall
July 15th, 2010
St Ives is renowned for its quaint harbour and town, golden sandy beaches and turquoise-blue sea. Since the nineteenth century it has attracted artists, drawn to the picturesque coastal scenery and perfect light for capturing the essence of the place. Situated on the north coast of the west of Cornwall, St Ives has managed to retain its charm and although very popular with tourists in summer, it is definitely worth a visit as it really is as beautiful as it looks. The narrow winding streets are lined with lovely small shops, bakeries and cafes, and the harbour is home to numerous small coloured boats, bobbing in the waves at high tide or perched on the sand at low tide.
We spent our day in St Ives browsing the shops, sampling a local pasty and local crab, followed by an afternoon spent on Porthmeor Beach. Once you've paid for a day's car parking you may as well make the most of it and spend time on one of the delightful beaches (weather permitting). Some only venture as far as the sandy beach adjacent to the harbour, but there are a couple of small sandy coves just around the headland and on the west side of the headland is a large expanse of golden sand, Porthmeor Beach, great for families and bodyboarders/surfers and with the reassurance of RNLI lifeguards in the summer. Further along the coast to the south of St Ives there are vast expanses of golden sandy beaches in and around Carbis Bay. [...]
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Where Can I Go Exploring the UK and Abroad