The affordable Cornish holiday park with playgrounds, scone hampers and kid-friendly beach
CORNWALL will be one of the best places in mainland Britain to see the solar eclipse on Wednesday.
Ahead of the big day, my husband Paul, our daughter Lexi and I headed down in search of a quiet place to stay.
We found it half an hour along the coast at Silver Sands Holiday Park in Gwendreath — small, beautifully landscaped and far enough off the beaten track to ensure some much-needed peace.
After an easy check-in, we made our way around the park to our new Signature Cove Lodge.
It occupied a corner plot and had a large private garden, with enough room for a hot tub and hammock.
The two-bedroom lodges can comfortably accommodate a family of four.
While the mezzanine room was pretty tight for our particularly tall 12-year-old, it would be ideal for smaller children.
The lodge was full of all the mod cons you’d hope for, including a fully equipped kitchen, TVs in the master bedroom and sitting room, and super-fast wifi.
There was also a wicker hamper with scones and jam on the kitchen counter, and robes and slippers in the bathroom.
As well as the lodges, you can book a static caravan and camp.
There is also a children’s play park that is suitable for under-14s, as well as another play area for younger kids, with outdoor kitchens and a large sandpit.
We spent many hours in our hot tub, where the only sounds were the birds and the occasional laugh from the children playing.
It’s the sort of spot where you could sit out on eclipse night with a drink and not have to share the view with anyone.
And while we could have stayed there all day, it was nice to get out and explore the area.
Kennack Sands is an easy ten-minute walk through woods from the site.
It’s a lovely beach for children as it’s sandy, nicely sheltered and there are endless rock pools to explore.
And you are in safe hands there, as RNLI lifeguards are on duty from mid-May to the end of September.
We had a lovely walk and sea dip and, as the water is so warm right now, it was like being in the Mediterranean.
There are also two cafes on the beach, in case you haven’t brought your own snacks and drinks.
A 20-minute drive took us to the Lizard Peninsula, Britain’s most southerly point.
Being this far south is exactly why the area will be so well placed for the eclipse. The further south-west you are, the more the sun will disappear behind the moon.
We spent a couple of hours exploring the many gift shops and taking in the views across the English Channel.
On the way back to Silver Sands, we stopped off at Cadgwith Cove — a traditional fishing village known for its thatched cottages and crabbing boats.
Paul was happy with a pint at the Cadgwith Cove Inn while Lexi and I explored the harbour.
And after a busy day taking in the sights, we were happy to return to our lodge and enjoy the sound of silence.
Before heading home, we drove into Falmouth, which is the place to be on Wednesday.
The Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers and the Flying Comrades will all take to the air above the bay from 6pm, just as the moon covers 95 per cent of the sun.
Visitors can enjoy it all from a choice of vantage points, including Pendennis Castle, Gyllyngvase Beach and the lawns of The Falmouth Hotel.
And best of all, this display event will be free.
It’s all part of Falmouth Week, the town’s ten-day sailing festival, which runs until next Sunday.
So head down to Silver Sands this week and get a beach holiday and a once-in-a-lifetime sky show for the price of one.