In another corner of Cornwall here’s another fantastic beach with another fantastic little campsite to go with it. The Old Farm site at Praa Sands is run by friendly Wendy with a lovely Cornish accent, and consists of just 14 pitches dug into a sloping garden above the farmhouse — all just a short walk away from the strip of Praa Sands.

It’s said that ‘praa’ is an ancient Cornish word for a witch’s cove, which is a bit of a worry if you’re at all bothered by such things. Add in the fact that Pengersick Casde, just up the road, is supposedly one of the most haunted places in the kingdom, and you might find the place downright spooky. What’s more, this little strip of Cornwall nestles between Penzance and the Lizard Peninsula, which has its own fair share of weird goings-on, with the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station lurking there, once the largest satellite station in the world. In keeping with Cornish tradition, its dishes were named after characters in Arthurian legend, the largest, Arthur, being over 25 metres in diameter.

But you needn’t worry about all that when the sun’s shining and you’re lounging on Praa Sands trying to finish your ice cream before it melts.
Now, before you say anything you might later regret, yes there are three large static caravans stacked up like Lego on one side of the site.

They’re not ideal, but in the spirit of‘you say tomayto, I say tomarto’ and all that kind of love- thy-neighbour stuff, you’re just going to have to accept them. After all, they’re the only blemish on an otherwise cracking little campsite.



COOL FACTOR Neat and tight little site in a great location, just up the road from a marvellous sandy beach.

WHO'S IN? Tents, standard VW-sized campervans, caravans (up to 14 feet in length) - yes. Dogs, large motorhomes, big groups - no.



ON SITE Fourteen pitches spread across a garden-like area. One loo and a shower for fellas; 2 loos and a shower for gals. There are a couple of sinks for dishes and plenty of hot water. No electric hook-ups and no campfires.

OFF SITE Head down to the beach where there's a hire shop for all your watery activities, as well as plenty of sand to play with. If you fancy a bit of ghoul hunting you can sign up for a ghost night at Pengersick Castle at www.ghosthunting.org.uk.

FOOD AND DRINK Down by the shore there’s a fish-and- chip shop, a cafe, and a pub (the Sandbar-01736 763516).
Up in the village there’s a post office and garage (Newtown Services - 01736 763894) selling basic provisions. For something fancy, there's The Bay (01736 366890) in Penzance.



GETTING THERE The Old Farm lies on a loop of road off the A394 between Penzance and Helston. Whichever direction you come from, turn off at the sign for Praa Sands and follow the road down the hill. From Penzance the site’s on the right near the bottom of the hill. From Helston come round the loop, past the beach, and head back up the hill and you'll see the site on the left.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Bus no. 2A runs between Helston and Penzance (where there's a handy train station), passing the campsite roughly every hour.

OPEN Late May-early September.

THE DAMAGE Tent, caravan, or campervan plus 2 adults costs £ 12 per night in low season and £ 17 after 1 st July. Child £3.50, under-3s are free.