Penlee Point

Penlee Point is one of the most beautiful walks in the country. It lies on the South West Coast Path, and the views all around the headland are incredible. If you’re staying at Blue Monkey Cornwall, you’re just minutes away from this stunning coastal walk.

What Is Penlee Point?

Penn Legh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall, UK. The point lies at the entrance to Plymouth Sound, with its imposing lighthouse commanding views across the water.

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Penlee Point Walk: Distance, Time & Difficulty

Key Stats:

• Distance: 6-9.7 km (4-6 miles) depending on route
• Time: 1.5 to 3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation gain: 150-235 meters
• Route type: Circular walk on the South West Coast Path

The walk is easily achievable for families and casual walkers, though some sections involve steady climbing. The terrain is mostly on established paths, with a few steep areas. There are no major obstacles, though the path can be muddy in places, particularly near woodland sections.

How to get to Penlee Point from Blue Monkey

If you’re staying at Blue Monkey in Cawsand, getting to Penlee Point is straightforward: turn right out of Blue Monkey and keep walking – the road will take you all the way to Penlee Point. It’s a scenic walk through the village, taking approximately 20-30 minutes on foot before you reach the coastal path.

Alternatively, there’s a Penlee Point car park if you prefer to drive (PL101LN).

What To See At Penlee Point

Queen Adelaide’s Grotto

Above the point and little below the stunning Coastal Path is Queen Adelaide’s Grotto, built in 1827/1828 to commemorate the visit of King William IV and Queen Adelaide to Mount Edgcumbe.  Penlee Battery is the former site of a fort, and is now a nature reserve.

Penlee Battery Nature Reserve

A gun battery was constructed on Penlee Point in the late 1880s and used throughout both World Wars. It was initially armed with two 6-inch guns and a massive 13.5-inch gun, which weighed 67 tons and took eighty horses two weeks to haul it up a specially constructed flight of steps. On its first firing, the recoil from the gun split its concrete bed. The battery was decommissioned in the 1950s, and the buildings associated with it were demolished, but there are still enough remains to appreciate the scale of the defences. Wait around until low tide to see a private, hidden beach revealed.  This is also where nature lovers can see the Green Darner Dragonfly, first seen in Britain here.

Rame Head

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Penlee Point Walk Tips

What To Bring

• Good walking boots (the path can be muddy)
• Waterproof jacket (weather changes quickly on the coast)
• Plenty of water and snacks
• Sun cream and hat (exposed headland with no shade)
• Camera for the views

Best Time To Visit

Spring (April-May): Wildflowers in bloom, milder weather, fewer crowds

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, best for swimming at hidden beach, but busiest with visitors

Autumn (September-October): Blackberries, butterflies, and beautiful golden light; generally quieter than summer

Winter (November-March): Dramatic coastal views, fewer visitors, but shorter daylight and potentially muddy paths

Important: Stock Up Before You Go

Make sure you stock up with plenty to eat before you go. There are no facilities at Penlee Point itself, so pack a picnic lunch and snacks. You can grab supplies in Cawsand village beforehand.

Where To Eat In Cawsand

Try some of the great places to eat in Cawsand before or after your walk:

• The Bay Bar and Restaurant – Located on Cawsand Beach with sea views
• The Old Bakery – Traditional village spot

You can check what’s open here.

Where to stay: Blue Monkey Cornwall

Penlee Point is one of the most accessible coastal walks from Blue Monkey Cornwall, our luxury 5-bed self-catering holiday cottage in Cawsand. You can literally turn right out of the cottage and walk straight to Penlee Point – no car needed.

Blue Monkey is perfectly positioned as your base for exploring the Rame Peninsula, with easy access to:

• Penlee Point and Rame Head walks
• Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
• Three sandy beaches (Cawsand, Kingsand, The Cleave)
• Whitsand Bay (just a short drive)
• Village restaurants and shops

Book Your Penlee Point Adventure

Ready to explore one of Cornwall’s most beautiful walks? Blue Monkey Cornwall is your perfect base.

Contact us to book:

Call: 07845 468 487
Email: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

The post Penlee Point and the Rame Peninsula first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

The post Blue Monkey Suggested Itinerary first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

The Rame Peninsula Micro Climate

Christmas at Blue Monkey is truly relaxing.  The twin fishing villages of Kingsand and Cawsand seem undisturbed by the chaos of modern life and even have their own mild micro climate, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind by the sea.  Here is how I would spend a seaside Christmas on the Rame Peninsula…

The Coastal Path to Mount Edgcumbe

A magical walk along the West Coastal Path, with strange shaped trees and fabulous views.  You and your dog will feel very well exercised by the end of this 5 mile walk, so make sure you take a bottle of water with you.  Along the walk you will come across eighteenth century follies, seats and fountains to lead you to the fabulous Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens where you can collapse in the cafe and have a cup of tea.  You will go back home feeling that you have captured the very essence of Christmas on the Rame Peninsula.

Beautiful Local Beaches

Beaches-Rame-Peninsula

There are many beaches within a stone’s throw from Blue Monkey and you only need to step outside the house to hear the sea, and walk a few yards to the end of Garrett Street to see it.  There are many more secret beaches like this one, along the shoreline of the Plymouth Sound.  Dogs are allowed to run around off their leads on the beaches from the beginning of October – that’s why dogs love to spend Christmas on the Rame Peninsula!

Watching the Boats

Situated just across the water from the naval base at Plymouth, there are always lots of fascinating boats to watch sailing around the peninsula.  If you’re feeling brave and the water is warm enough, we have 2 paddle boards and 2 kayaks FREE for our guests to use.

 

 

The post Seaside Christmas on the Rame Peninsula first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

Here at Blue Monkey…

…we’re excited to see that the sun is beginning to shine and the daffodils are already carpeting the forests!  So if you’re feeling the need for a fortifying breath of sea air, why not take a March mini break in Cornwall?  Life is beginning again down here as castles dust off their cobwebs, pigs are racing and even the birds are up to something…

The Devon Bird of Prey Centre

Just over an hour’s drive from Blue Monkey you can book in for an experience day and learn to fly a falcon!  You can try a 1-hour taster session, book a day with a falconer and learn how to fly the birds yourself, or you can just spectate.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

Just over the border in Devon, this castle was built in the 1560s and was intended to be a huge and wonderful place – Devon’s answer to Longleat.  But the project was never completed, and it is now a famously haunted romantic old ruin.  Definitely worth adding to your mini break in Cornwall schedule!

Pig Racing at Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm has opened up its gates for the Spring, and as horse racing doesn’t start until Easter, the pigs have decided to take the limelight with their own special Races.  This is a day out for families and the farm runs activities, free rides and different displays every half hour.  The farm is a very healthy way to entertain your children on a mini break in Cornwall.

Staring out to Sea

They say the best things in life are free… and maybe the best thing to do on a mini break in Cornwall is just to sit and enjoy the wonderful views of the Rame Peninsula.

Availability

Please check out our availability page here or email us at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

The post March Mini Break in Cornwall first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

We’ve compiled just three of the best pram friendly walks in Cornwall, that are near to us at Blue Monkey Cornwall:

1. MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS

The waterside perimeter of the estate provides an uplifting  pram friendly walk, with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound and a host of eighteenth century follies, fountains, seats and shelters for you and your pram to rest along the path.  The route travels through the parkland and woodland of the historic family seat of the Earls of Edgcumbe, who built the house at the heart of the estate in the mid-sixteenth century.

The house, gardens, tea-room, restaurant and shop are open to the public during the summer season but the South West Coast Path, passing through the estate, is open throughout the year.  A pram friendly walk for all seasons!

Top Tip: An especially inspiring walk in early spring, when the National Camellia Collection is in full bloom, and in autumn, when the leaves in the woodland start to turn.

2. PLYMOUTH WATERFRONT WALKWAY

A gentle walk, mainly on pavement, this pram friendly walk is a breeze!  Walk around the Hoe, the Barbican and Mount Batten breakwater and enjoy the seaside views.  This unique section of the South West Coast Path is an entertaining and enlightening journey with plenty to learn along the route about the city’s history and heritage.

Top Tip: you will find toilets and a car park at Admiral’s Hard (postcode for sat navs PL1 3RJ) and refreshments dotted along the path.

3. PLYMBRIDGE WOODS

This pram friendly walk is also a must for cyclists as it follows the route of an old Great Western Railway track.  Leave Plymouth behind, push your way through glorious oak woods and emerge into peaceful open countryside.  Breathe!!  This exciting and pram friendly trail leads you past dramatic industrial remains, over towering quarry faces, and across breathtaking viaducts. 

Top Tip: Take your bird book!  In season these woods are famous for spotting nesting wild peregrines.

Are you looking for accommodation in Cornwall that caters for babies and young children? At Blue Monkey we have everything you will need to make your trip stress free! Find out more about our baby friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall.

The post Pram friendly walks in Cornwall first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

Kingsand in Cornwall is a really special place. Here at Blue Monkey we just love our local area, and we wanted to tell you why! So here goes:

1: The Local Beaches

The small pebbly beaches of Kingsand and Cawsand are typical of an old fishing village.  Kingsand Beach has rock pools for your children to explore with their shrimping nets and Cawsand beach has canoes and kayaks for the more adventures to hire during the summer.  There are three pubs near the beaches:

• The Devenport on The Cleave,
• The Rising Sun on The Green; and
• The Halfway House Inn on Fore Street
• The Cross Keys Inn, The Square, Cawsand

…and three cafes within five minutes walk:

• the Old BoatStore cafe on the cleave
• The Old Bakery on Garrett street; and
• The Shop in the Square

Top Tip: You can supervise older children playing on Kingsand beach whilst you relax at The Devonport. 

The villages of Kingsand and Cawsand are typically Cornish but not commercialised. 

2: The Coastal Path

Turn right out of the front door of Blue Monkey and you can follow the coastal path along the Rame Peninsula all the way to Pen Leigh Point and beyond!  Penn Leigh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall at the entrance to Plymouth Sound.  Rame Head is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Top Tip: Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy the amazing views over lunch.

3. The Plymouth Ferry

After a lovely walk from Kingsand through Mount Edgecombe, across the ferry at Cremyll and a walk into the city centre via the lovely Barbican, it is an absolute treat to catch this long serving ferry service and cross Plymouth sound back to the beach at Cawsand, step off the boat and be back at your accommodation, or nearest pub in 2 minutes.

Top Tip: The fare is very reasonable for the half hour trip, the view superb and if you’re lucky you may encounter dolphins.  (NJC, Trip Advisor)

Are you visiting this area and looking for accommodation in Kingsand, Cornwall? Blue Monkey Cornwall is luxury self catering accommodation perfect for your families next holiday in Cornwall. Find out more about our Kingsand accommodation or check out our availability here.

The post Top Three Reasons We Love Kingsand first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..

We know that many couples would like to get married in Cornwall, with it’s beautiful scenery and romantic history, so I’ve compiled a list of 3 of the best wedding venues within 10 minutes of Blue monkey.

Mount Edgcumbe House

Mount Edgcumbe House is one of the most beautiful venues the South West has to offer. With over 600 years of history, set in stunning grounds overlooking Plymouth Sound, this venue is the thing that dreams are made of. 

The House has three licensed rooms for civil ceremonies, accommodating from 2 to 120 guests plus the outdoor option of the elegant Summer House overlooking the delightful Earls Garden. 

With 2 stunning venues in the park for your reception, you are spoilt for choice. 

The historic Orangery overlooking the Italian Garden can seat up to 120 guests for a sumptuous reception before dancing the night away in this delightful setting. 

The second option is combining the new with the old; a state of the art marquee nestled in the exclusive Earls Garden gives you the modern comfort of a reinforced glass structure with the private gardens for your guests to enjoy throughout the evening. 

Whitsand Bay Fort

Whitsand Bay Fort delivers a distinctive and versatile venue with stunning scenery and luxury accommodation. Set in a 19th Century Napoleonic Coastal Fort, we are a designated English Heritage Ancient Monument with far reaching beautiful coastal and rural views.

From the elegantly classic to the stylish contemporary, the fort works together with you to design a day that is unique. You can nestle away inside the Napoleonic Vaulted chambers, simply oozing with original character and charm. Or extend into the Vaults Suite with its fusion of contemporary lines and traditional architecture. Our seating capacity allows for 20-150 guests, so you can bring your nearest and dearest or extended family and friends to the celebrations. 

Menu options include: a formal 1-5 course wedding breakfast, hot or cold buffet, hog roast or BBQ with a choice of arrival and toast drinks, as well as an extensive Wine menu. If you’re looking for something a little different, the in-house Chef can tailor make a menu for your special day. 

Polhawn Fort

A cliff-top fort in the South West of England standing tall among sweeping lawns. A secluded beach, Polhawn Cove, sits below, with exclusive access. Stunning sea views lie beyond, as if straight from the pages of a magical romantic novel.

You can tie the knot in the grandest splendour inside the Fort or go for a more bohemian vibe out in the Summerhouse, with its endless coastal views. You’ll get your dream wedding, however you roll.

Polhawn Fort is on the south coast of Cornwall, just around the corner from Plymouth and within really easy reach of Devon and the West Country. Choose a whole weekend or a midweek break, it’s your call. Either way, the place is all yours for the duration.

If you would like to book Blue Monkey for you or your wedding party then please book here online.

The post 3 Wedding Venues near Blue Monkey Cornwall first appeared on Blue Monkey Cornwall..