Poldown Caravan Park

Cast off from Porthleven harbour, hire a dinghy or kayak on site, take your feet around the Cornish coastal walks or make it your mission to visit as many beaches as humanly possible…and that's before even mentioning golf courses, horse riding trails, adventure parks or tin mines... But to the beach(es) first: as well as Praa Sands and Porthleven, there are several sandy spots along this stretch of coast and coves close by at Kynance, Mullion, Poldhu and Pollurian for watersports, fishing or just basking sunbaked and contented on the sand. Take the A3083 towards the Lizard to reach Kennack Sands, a family-friendly beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or go the other way towards Penzance for Longrock Beach and safe swimming. Towards Falmouth, diving tuition, shore dives and beach dives are available from Porthkerris Beach to swim among the local basking sharks or the area’s shipwrecks. Marazion is a good family beach that doesn’t get too crowded; while you’re there, take a trip to the island of St Michael’s Mount for castle tours and summit climbing. It’s managed these days by the National Trust, which also keeps an eye on the house and medieval garden at Godolphin a mile or two from Poldown and on the working harbour of Mullion Cove. Once the kids have tired themselves and you out at Flambards, the Eden Project is about 30 miles from Helston, or they can tire you out again at Newquay Zoo, Hayle’s Paradise Park and the Crealy Great Adventure Park; add some history into the mix by bringing them underground to Poldark Mine to see how the tin miners used to put in their days. As it’s Cornwall, you’ll find most other places within easy reach: Falmouth and Penzance are close by, but heading to the north coast, St Ives, Portreath and Newquay are all easily doable for a day trip. Or stick closer to home and sample the Cornish cream teas and seafood in and around the villages of the south coast: if you’re going to Cadgwith to pick up lobster and shark, you can also squawk sea shanties with the Cadgwith Singers in the local inn on Friday nights.