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Original poster

Porthcurno holiday -tips needed

29 replies

ChilliChoco · 02/07/2021 19:14

We are off to Porthcurno soon but no idea about where to buy food from. I don't think there are any local shops and I doubt Tesco deliver there during the holidays. Anyone know what is best to do?
We can take a few bits down with us but will need to buy food as we are self catering.
Also any other tips for the area - where to go (apart from Minack theatre!) would be appreciated.

OP posts:
PaulGallico · 02/07/2021 19:23

Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Morrisons will all deliver. Best (biggest) supermarket is Sainsburys in Penzance - it has food, clothes, homeware, holiday stuff (wetsuits flip flops etc). As to what you might do...it depends on whether you are bringing children and how old they might be. Also I am assuming you have a car.

Original poster
ChilliChoco · 02/07/2021 19:29

@PaulGallico do they deliver to Porthcurno in the summer hols?
DH thought they wouldn't be able to.
Yes we primary school age DC and a car

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 02/07/2021 19:29

Take cagoules and wellies, and things to do if it rains.
If you take them, it probably won't rain but will bucket it down if you don't. Smile

Don't assume that the accommodation will be stocked with basics like bog roll, tea bage, decent knife, teatowel.

Don't forget chargers.

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 19:30

We always go to Porthcurno and have had deliveries from Tesco and Sainsbury’s over the years in July/August, it’s no problem.

NHSisFailingMe · 02/07/2021 19:31

Porthcurno beach can have very strong waves so watch the kids. I'm fairly strong and a wave decked me...knocked me flat to the ground!

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 19:31

Closest local shop is probably the paper shop/corner shop (Spar?) in St Buryan.

Alternista · 02/07/2021 19:31

Why on earth wouldn’t they deliver during the summer, what do you think people who oive there do??! GrinGrinGrin

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 19:33

The Minack have kids shows on Monday and Wednesday I think. Book now, they will be booked out. We love squashbox theatre ones.

Whereabouts in Porthcurno are you staying?

SoddingWeddings · 02/07/2021 19:36

As per a PP, it's a bloody dangerous beach with a serious rip current and a big drop off close to shore. Also walking around to Church Cove etc at low tide is great, but make sure you know the tide times of you'll get cut off and the cliff isn't what it used to be to climb up it.

You'll be passing umpteen supermarkets on the outskirts of Penzance on the way there anyway, so stop in and get your first shop?

daisyjgrey · 02/07/2021 19:36

We aren't living in 1846, why on Earth would you think we don't get food deliveries in the summer holidays?

daisyjgrey · 02/07/2021 19:37

Also, as has been said above, learn what a riptide looks like and how to get out of them.

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 19:42

Other things to do:

Telegraph museum, obviously. You can go back as often as you like on one ticket if you gift aid it.

Depending how old the kids are (mine were 9 and 11 last time), we like to walk to Lands End and come back on the open top bus. It’s a couple of hours along the cliffs, but beautiful.

When the tide is low you can get round to Pedn Vounder which is beautiful, but you can get cut off by the tide and the cliff path is not one I would do with kids. It is a nudist beach at the far end though!

Chapel Porthcurno beach is lovely and quiet, but no lifeguards

We walk to porthgwara in the evenings sometimes. It has a red phone box which the kids think is amazing/amusing.

Get the open top bus to Penzance or Sennen. Sennen for the beach - much flatter than PK; PZ for a pasty or the Lido.

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 19:44

*Chapel Porth! (Autocorrect!)

SuperMonkeys · 02/07/2021 19:50

Of course they deliver in the summer, people live there all year round 😂

Original poster
ChilliChoco · 02/07/2021 20:04

DH figured that it's hellish for traffic in the summer hols. There are some super markets that definitely restrict where they deliver to but this is all very reassuring, thank you.

We are staying very close to the beach.
DS2 has mobility issues so though he doesn't need a wheelchair, we can't walk too far away or on too uneven ground.

I love the open air bus idea.

OP posts:
JackieJormpJormp4 · 02/07/2021 20:10

Definitely book Squashbox at Minack if you can, he is amazing, my kids love it. If you are happy driving 40mins or so, the beach at Hayle, St gwithians I think? is more child friendly than Porthcurno (although wave jumping there is fun) and there's also Paradise Park nearby which is a bird centre that also has a dreaded soft play if the weather is bad.

CinderFuckingRe11a · 02/07/2021 20:20

@ChilliChoco

DH figured that it's hellish for traffic in the summer hols. There are some super markets that definitely restrict where they deliver to but this is all very reassuring, thank you.

We are staying very close to the beach.
DS2 has mobility issues so though he doesn't need a wheelchair, we can't walk too far away or on too uneven ground.

I love the open air bus idea.

Ooh it’s quite steep down to the beach and uneven as well 😬
SoddingWeddings · 02/07/2021 20:24

Yes, mobility is difficult for West Cornwall I'm afraid - Porthcurno is basically built into a cliff. There's a bit of a walk to the beach from the car park.

Lands End is very expensive, but is at list on the flat (mostly). Sennen is gorgeous, and easier to to access from the car park. Much better beach in my opinion than Porthcurno.

Dazedandconfused28 · 02/07/2021 20:34

Are you driving? If so I would stop at Sainsbury's outside PZ en route.

I would definitely do lunch at the Gurnard's Head on one day - I love it there.

PaulGallico · 02/07/2021 20:35

Just back to the supermarket - my son is working in the holidays for Sainsburys online - lots of extra deliveries to take account of holiday makers - plan ahead and book a slot. Do your children enjoy swimming - great outdoor pool (Jubilee pool) in Penzance. Drive to St Erth station and take a train to St Ives.- big, easily accessed beach next to the station. Drive to Zennor - moomaid cafe (the icecream is the best). Mousehole village - lunch at The Ship.

Equimum · 02/07/2021 21:04

We visit Porthcurno most years. We always take the kids to one of the children’s’ shows at the Minack. We also love Mousehole. You can get boat trips from either there or Newlyn (only worth visiting for fresh fish otherwise). St Michel’s Mount is fairly close, and if you want to go a bit further, Kynance Cove and the Lizard Peninsula are just over an hour away.

As others have said, I’m pretty sure deliveries will be possible, but if not, there’s a big Sainsburys on the main road through Penzance.

MrsFriskers · 03/07/2021 00:44

Honestly, unless you are all very confident swimmers, please do not swim/padddle at Porthcurno. Very rough and out of your depth quickly, never felt so battered, and I swim miles. I have no views on shopping, but the Minack is fab, they have timed slots for vulnerable people

barnanabas · 03/07/2021 07:39

In the Sennen/Porthcurno debate (there are lots of other lovely beaches down there, but those two are the most accessible), it's also worth bearing in mind that they face different directions, so when it's rough at one, it may well be calmer at the other. Include looking at the wind when you're checking the weather forecast (apologies if that's totally obvious, but I never gave the wind a moment's thought when I lived in London, and I think about it a lot now I live in Cornwall!). Also check the tides - Sennen is massive at low tide, and quite small at high.
Both beaches have lovely sand. As do the St Ives beaches. There is sometimes a little river at Porthcurno which is fun for little kids to play in/make dams etc.
There's a really nice playground at Marazion, just off the beach. Lots of parking, and Philps pasties.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 03/07/2021 07:44

Of course you’ll get your shopping delivered. Have you tried to book a slot yet?

Original poster
ChilliChoco · 03/07/2021 12:06

Is even paddling an issue at Porthcurno?
We haven't tried to book a slot yet- a few weeks away but will see if they are open

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