This is the final installment in my ongoing write-up of everything I did in Cornwall, almost two-months ago. Posts about August’s visit to Shropshire will begin soon.
Here, I’m going to ‘review’ the camp site I stayed at – Franchis Holidays, near Mullion.
Finding the site was easy. From Helston, you just follow the A3083 south and it’s on your left near Cross Lanes. Further south down that same road, you would reach Lizard Point. Being located only a short drive from Mullion, on the Lizard Peninsula and with good access to the many coves and attractions nearby, I found this to be an excellent starting point for exploring the local area and I would happily stay here again for that same reason.
When I arrived, I received a friendly greeting from the owner, was given a brief but informative tour and was shown to the tent camping field – which is kept separate from all the caravans, which are closest to the A-road. I was free to choose my own non-electric pitch as there were vacancies and, even being on my own, I found there was plenty of room for my tent, my car and a lot more.
I paid about £15 for night (over three nights) to stay here and it is more than I would usually look to pay, while camping. But, it was hard to find anything cheaper in the south of Cornwall and, as I’ve said, you do get the benefits of being able to set off from this ‘hub’. You really do need a car (or bike) to be able to set off though, as there are no public footpaths leading from the site and the nearest bus stop is a fair distance away.
Overall, the tent field seemed smaller than those at other sites I have visited but then, it never felt overcrowded with those spacious pitches and there was no apparent demand on the facilities. Electric hook-ups are available (at extra cost) and there was at least two (maybe more) drinking water taps in the center of the field. Elsewhere, the showers were free to use, hot running and, within each cubicle was a separate space for hanging dry clothes (away from the jets of water) with plenty of room and even a seat.
One thing I was a little disappointed with was the lack of recycling facilities… Although, I realize this is also common across many other sites. General waste was available and, next to that, there was on a bin for glass. No paper, plastic or even cardboard. Food, I could understand but, it all went in the black bin.
Daily weather forecasts and displayed on a board outside the shop – sadly, the shop wasn’t open during my stay and I think this was because it was just outside of peak season.
So, although this camp site is next to an A-road, I wasn’t at all disturbed by the passing of traffic. What I did find a little unsettling, at first, is that the non-electric pitches sit alongside a track that leads up to the bungalows. I never had any trouble with vehicles passing in the night but I did find it to be slightly disturbing at other times. Perhaps that’s also because I was on my own (not to mention, suffering with a faulty stove) and the experience might’ve been different with company.
In conclusion, I would happily recommend Franchis Holiday Park to anyone wishing to explore the Lizard Peninsula. Maybe I’ll even stay there again, next year.
