CLUB SITES Merrose Farm and Threeways February 09.Pdf
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CLUB SITES MERROSE FARM & THREEWAYS INFORMATION CYCLING National Cycle Network Route 3 runs close to both sites. Also known as the Cornish Way, the route incorporates the popular Camel and Clay Trails. See sustrans.org.uk for more information TWOTWO OFOF THETHE BESTBEST ANDY STOTHERT CAN’T DECIDE WHICH ONE OF A PAIR OF SITES IS BETTER SUITED FOR A CARAVANNING TOUR OF CORNWALL O BE frank I’m not completely poking out into the wrath of the Atlantic Threeways is the nearest Club madly, deeply about Land’s End and the Farm, in that lovely green fold in the comfortable doing these double Ocean. Here, the world is a big, bad, (owned/run) site to the astounding sights Lizard, a quick trip back to Merrose Farm countryside, you get results as well, and INFORMATION SITES T sites reports because inevitably you exposed place of calamitous declivities of the Penwith peninsula (aka Land’s End) will even things up. Yes, Threeways is your feet can have you on the coastal tend to have a preference for one site over and bare rock, interspersed with shining and the similarly spectacular promontory within easy reach of Cornwall’s most path in less than 10 minutes. Or the Full details can be found on p78 (Threeways) and p81 (Merrose Farm) of the Sites Directory & Handbook 2009/10 the other. Then, knowing that we all have surf-washed beaches. In contrast, the of the Lizard. It is also a lovely couple of astonishing scenery, but you have to get beach in 15, a bit farther to Portscatho a different take on life, I get all ‘angsty’ sheltered south-east is a scene of lush miles’ stroll down the lane away from that into your car/motor caravan to get there. and a bit farther still to the ferry for St about whether I’ve shortchanged one of green fields, low cliffs, wide river estuaries iconic Cornish spectacle of St Michael’s There is also an endless supply of Mawes. Then ultimately another ferry to ❖ the two, or egged-up the one I liked too and quaint thatched cottages. Mount. I stuffed myself relentlessly with intriguing, beautiful and scenic places to Falmouth. There are circular walks in all much. Well there was no such problem Merrose Farm hides in a beautiful little wild blackberries on the way back in drive to from Merrose Farm, but if you directions (most including the seaside), Ordnance Survey Landranger Maps here, as I still can’t decide which one suited fold of that lush green countryside on the September, had them for tea too and it possess that obsession for self-propulsion bike rides along the lanes and, if you 203, 204 my touring tastes best. sheltered side of the county, while would be fair to say that Threeways now you can settle yourselves in here for a mega can’t be bothered with all that strenuous However, although this feature is about Threeways sits at Mount’s Bay, where the has a special place in my culinary travels. session of walking and cycling without the marching and pedalling, there are a MAIN IMAGE: the sites, what really matters is Cornwall. worst of the Atlantic gales don’t quite This is beginning to shape up as a need to get behind the wheel. couple of very good hotels and Falmouth In the north, some of the loveliest seaside penetrate but the coastal fringe has a ringing endorsement for Threeways isn’t Walking and cycling are justifiable as restaurants within ambling range. As a Merrose Farm Threeways scenes in Europe line this tiny peninsula rougher look than the southern shores. it? So perhaps before eulogising truly, an end in themselves, but from Merrose more usual fan of the rough and tumble >> 22 THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2009 THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE 23 CLUB SITES MERROSE FARM & THREEWAYS INFORMATION TOURISM I Falmouth TIC, 11 Market Strand, Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth TR11 3DF. Tel 01326 312300 or email [email protected] I Penzance TIC, Station Approach, Penzance TR18 2NF. Tel 01736 362207 or email [email protected] I St Mawes TIC, The Millennium Rooms, St Mawes TR2 5AG. Tel 01326 270440 I Useful websites – visitcornwall.com; cornwall.gov.uk; thisiscornwall.co.uk; lizard-peninsula.co.uk; roselandpeninsula.info Roseland peninsula. Never exciting, but always soothing. Threeways is totally different – for starters there is no toilet block. Additionally, while this does turn out to be a wonderful walking base, it isn’t obvious, as the sea is over two miles away and the strolling is mainly rural rather than coastal. But (and this is a big BUT) for caravanners some of the most handsome scenes in Cornwall are more accessible from here than any other site in the county. For those who haven’t explored the wild and slightly melancholic lands of Penwith “For those who haven’t explored the wild lands (besides the carbuncle of Land’s End itself), this is the perfect base. The Lizard of Penrith, Threeways is the perfect base” is, in effect, a summary of Cornwall’s contrasts – a fantastic display of awesomely-rugged scenery on one side of ABOVE: of walking and surfing on the Atlantic that during the school holidays this site is the peninsula is instantly transformed into Portscatho’s tiny coast up north, it never ceases to amaze very much in demand from caravanning the softer more soporific scenes of the harbour me just how agreeable and salubrious families, so it’s a case of booking well in south once Lizard Point is rounded. Merrose Farm makes me feel. advance for the peak periods. So, how do you make up your mind Merrose Farm has excellent facilities, So that is Merrose Farm – well equipped, about which site suits your Cornish needs? plenty of hardstandings (but also a large peaceful in low season, suitable for those The nearest one to a pasty shop is number of green pitches), a good children’s who want to unwind and forget the Threeways and the closest to the beach is playground, plus all the usual family mayhem of motoring, and surrounded by Merrose Farm. Beyond that I haven’t a clue washrooms and stuff. If there is a rub, it is the beautiful coast and countryside of the about how you arrive at a decision. I INFORMATION ATTRACTIONS I Geevor Tin Mine, Pendine. Open all year. Tel 01736 788662 or see St Michael’s Mount geevor.com I Minack Theatre, Porthcurno. Open all year. Tel 01736 810694 or see minack.com I St Michael’s Mount, Marazion. Open mid March to early November. Tel 01736 710507 or see stmichaelsmount.co.uk I Trengwainton Gardens, Penzance. Open February to November. Tel 01736 363148 or see nationaltrust.org.uk I Paradise Park, Hayle. Open all or see flambards.co.uk I National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek. year. Tel 01326 313388 or see year. Tel 01736 753365 or see I Poldark Mine, nr Helston. Open all year. Tel 01326 221361 or nmmc.co.uk paradisepark.co.uk Open March to early November. see sealsanctuary.co.uk I Eden Project, St Austell. Open all I Flambards Theme Park, Tel 01326 573173 or see I National Maritime Museum year. Tel 01726 811911 or see Helston. Tel 01326 573404 poldark-mine.co.uk Cornwall, Falmouth. Open all edenproject.com 24 THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE.