Notes from the host
Godolphin Cottage
Godolphin Cottage provides everything you need for a great holiday; fabulous accommodation, large child and pet-friendly garden and it’s just a short trip to a variety of local attractions. Located in beautiful Praa Sands, just a five minute walk from a long sandy beach, the cottage makes a perfect family getaway where you can breathe in the sea air and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding coast.
The cottage comfortably sleeps 8, has private off-road parking for four cars, and contains everything you will need for a comfortable, relaxing stay: Superfast Broadband Wi-Fi throughout, central heating and a SMART TV. There are two bedrooms with king size beds, two with twin beds as well as three bathrooms; a central lounge/dining room, kitchen, utility room and conservatory.
You can relax and unwind after a day at the beach in the enclosed gardens around the house or have a drink watching the waves on the raised decking area with its beautiful sea views.
Your pets are welcome to stay for a small extra fee (£15 per dog and a maximum of 2 dogs) and dog sitting may be arranged on request. Please note: dogs are welcome on the nearby beach except between Easter Sunday and 30 September (07:00am - 07:00pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place. They are, however, welcome at nearby Prussia Cove all year round.
With its four bedrooms, the cottage provides a fantastic location for large or extended families, or groups of friends. Although not wheelchair accessible, the north west and east bedrooms, along with the bathroom and the lounge/diner, are all on on the same level. There are two 15cm steps down to the kitchen, one 15cm step down to the sun parlour, and three 20cm steps down to the two southerly bedrooms and the walk in wet room. The north west bedroom has a large walk in shower in the ensuite. For your little ones there is a cot, highchair, toddler bed guard and a step up stool and toddler seat in the bathroom. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you will need during your stay.
A wonderful destination if you have kids to entertain. They’ll love the beach which is great for sand castles and the shoreline is great for splashing about. Either end of the beach are rock pools with crabs, anemones, shrimps etc, some even big enough for small children to snorkel in. You can rest assured with lifeguard cover during weekends in April and full lifeguard cover from the beginning of May to the end of September. Out of season there is weekend lifeguard cover in October and during the half term week. .
Situated in the south west-facing bend between the Lizard and west Penwith, Praa Sands' mile-long sandy beach is backed with sheltering sand dunes and its easily accessible position is enjoyed by families having fun in the shallows while further out the surf brigade take on some surprisingly big waves.
Praa is a popular surfing beach and is well known for its powerful waves. When the surf is big and blown out on the north coast you will often find a better wave here. When it's good here, it's as good as any beach in Cornwall; the problem is when the surf is good the water gets very busy, particularly around high tide but the lifeguards separate the swimming area from the surfing area. There is a surf school, board and wetsuit hire if you fancy trying to catch a wave yourself, plus kayak and paddle board hire.
You can take the family for unforgettable daytrips to nearby Flambards, St. Michael’s Mount, or for a splash in the UK’s largest lido pool in Penzance. Nearby are sailing at Newlyn and Marazion, and fishing and scenic tours from Penzance. For those that like walking, the south west coastal path takes you along stunning cliff tops, westward to Perranuthnoe and eastward to Porthleven. Further afield the Lizard peninsula boasts an array of fine coastal walks passing unspoilt villages and sheltered coves and beaches.
Minutes from the house you’ll find a lively pub right on the beach front, general stores, a surf shop, a beach café, a golf club and a garage with a convenience store.
There are also some interesting geological features along the beach and it has recently been recognised as a Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphical Site. For example, about a third of the way along the beach is a black platform at the base of the dunes which is in fact a 1,300 year old peat bed made up of the remains of a forest that once covered this area.
Those looking for a bit of history won’t be disappointed - just inland from the middle of the beach is Pengersick Castle. Built for refuge and defence, its four-storey tower dates back to the 16th century and was part of an extensive fortified Tudor mansion that no longer exists. It has some of the interesting features you would associate with this kind of building including facilities for pouring burning oil on your enemies!
Pengersick is also rumoured to be haunted. It's possible this reputation was spread by local smugglers to discourage visitors. However, the bedroom in the tower is said to be Britain's most haunted and is a favourite with ghost hunters. It is said that the ghost of a black-robed monk wanders the grounds. Its possible to arrange tours around the castle and its beautiful grounds. It is also registered for small weddings.
There are ties with smuggling and wrecking and the house at Pengersick is said to have been the birth place of John Carter, also known as the King of Prussia. Contraband was landed at Praa Sands and apparently unloaded at the west-end of the beach into a tunnel that once led to the house at Pengersick.
Flambards Theme Park - https://www.flambards.co.uk/
Visit Cornwall guide to Praa Sands and the surrounding area - https://www.visitcornwall.com/about-cornwall/blogging-cornwall/spend-weekend-%E2%80%A6-praa-sands
Local surf/kayak hire - https://globalboarders.com/
The Godolphin Arms - https://www.godolphinarms.co.uk
St Michaels Mount - https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/st-michaels-mount.htm
The Minack Theatre - https://www.minack.com/
Paradise Park - https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/paradise-park-wildlife-sanctuary.htm
Godolphin House and Gardens - https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/attractions/godolphin-house-and-gardens.htm
Jubilee Pool - https://jubileepool.co.uk/
Day Out With The Kids guide to the area - https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/south-west/cornwall/praa-sands
West Cornwall Golf Club - https://wcgolf.co.uk/
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Hosted by Peter Thomasson
