European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 29, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                On the Beach Quot the Cornish coast have a smashing Good time bathing with the British by Tara Joseph you can t wait to hit the Beach with your family this summer but the thought of being packed like sardines on a crowded Mediterranean Beach reminds you of a traffic Jan in los Angeles or the Rush hour subway in new Vork. There is an alternative. The Remote British county of Cornwall a Peninsula at the southwestern tip of England boasts 326 Miles of Beach filled coastline. Without much Effort you can find beaches for building Sand castles picnicking or strolling at Sunset with an ice Cream Cone in hand. The Inland is known for its gentle rolling Countryside dotted with Stone cottages and Smail Market towns. Cornwall is also Home to the More upbeat resort towns of Newquay and St. Ives packed with restaurants shops and water sport facilities. With its wild surf and 10 beaches Newquay is the Center for British surfing and Home to several championships every year. St. Ives is a Haven for windsurfers and a bit More relaxed in atmosphere. There Are also Parks and tourist Sites spread throughout the country from theme Parks to old castles. Best of All Cornwall is a Good bargain. Even during the busiest months of july and August you can find a comfortable bed and breakfast for 30 pounds about $45 to $50 for a family of four. You can eat a Hearty meal with service a smile and a Glass of wine for 10 pounds about $15 per person or grab a Beer at a local pub for $2. You can even take a two hour surfing lesson in Newquay for 15 pounds about $22.50equipment included. These Are some of the places you might want to visit Newquay Newquay is the Jazzy Hub of Cornwall summer activity set on top of magnificent Cliffs overlooking the sea. The town was once a fishing Village but is now primarily a summer resort with up to 70,000 people visiting every year. Guest houses with a Beachy feel line the streets and there Are several Large hotels looming on top of the Cliff. The main Street in town is reserved for pedestrians and is decorated with souvenir shops restaurants snack bars and pubs. But the main activity in Porth Eor the mein Beech it St. Ives is e Greet piece to Teke Tolfe entire family. For s4s Tara Joueph Newquay is going to the Beach. Surfing is the big sport and As a result Newquay has the greatest concentration of surf shops in England. Mistral Beach is probably the most famous surf spot Home to the annual sur masters contest. Watergate Bay is a 2 mile Long Flat Sandy Beach popular with beginners. Windsurfing is also popular along the Cornish coast and details for rental and lessons Are posted in Many of the shops around Newquay. Mountain biking is another popular sport. You can Jent a Bike for about $10 a Day. Riding stables Are also located near Newquay. The tourist information office near the town Center has details on horseback Riding As Well As Many other activities in the area including country walks festivals and even bungee jumping. It is a very useful place to visit and is loaded with free brochures maps and event calendars. Summer evenings in England Are Nice and Long. The Sun does t set until 9 30 in August and it rises by 5 30. That leaves extra Daylight to visit and explore. St. Ives St. Ives is about 30 Miles South of Newquay on the Atlantic coast. It is a bit less riotous a bit More quaint and More of a family spot. You la find fresh bakeries and coffeehouses lining narrow winding streets along with surf shops and fish restaurants. The pwn itself is essentially on the Beach. There is a Harbor for Small sailboats and a Boardwalk reaching out to Smeaton s pier where an old Lighthouse stands. Some of the nicer bed and breakfasts and hotels Are located on a Small stretch Between the Harbor and rail station where you can rent a room at the water s Edge. There Are seven beaches in the area. The main be Ach Porth Eor is a five minute walk from the Center of town. A few Miles North of St. Ives lies the town of Hayle with three Miles of Fine Golden Sand. Even at the height of summer it is not overcrowded. St. Ives also has a budding arts scene. Small galleries Dot the town most showing Watercolours of the English Seascape. In june Prince Charles visited St. Ives to open a Branch of the Tate gallery based in London. The museum overlooks Porth Eor Beach and features 20th-Century paintings by West Cornwall artists and a sculpture Garden. It is open seven Days a week sunday 1-7 monday saturday 11-7. Worth a visit land s end and sights along the Way continue South from St Ives and you will eventually reach the end of England. Although it sounds like the name of the clothing Catalon land s end is a Beautiful stretch of Countryside which becomes More and More Barren until you finally hit the Ocean. This is Britain s most Westerly Point with Awe inspiring Cliff scenery. An amusement Park has also opened at land s end but it is a bit pricey and has received mediocre reviews about three Miles East of land s end near the maritime town of Penzance is the Minjack theater an open air theater carved from natural Rock and overlooking the water. It is one of the main attractions in the area. Evening productions varying from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare run practically every Day through the summer. Admission is about $2 for adults $1, for children. To find out what s playing Call the Box office 0736 810181. Penzance is also Worth a visit if you like to browse through antique shops or if you w ant to visit the maritime museum. Penzance also serves As the jumping off Point for boats and helicopters to the Isles of Scilly several Small islands South of a Cornwall known for quiet beaches and relaxation. The boat from Penzance to St Mary a the largest of the islands takes two hours and 30 minutes. St Michael s mount. Running along die Southern coast of Cornwall about three Miles outside Penzance is the Village of Marazion jumping off Point to the Castle of St Midzael s mount the Castle is on an Island off the coast and can be reached by foot Only at Low tide or by ferries at High tide. It s Worth a visit for Superb views of the coast while the Castle now looms As a remnant of history it was once used As a fortress against Spanish invaders. A Baron still lives in the Castle with his family but most of it is open to visitors. The Cornish Riviera the Eastern Cornish coastline fading the English Channel sometimes carries the corny name Quot the Cornish  it is a bit Calmer than the Western coast lined with Market towns and villages. Several towns on Massachusetts Cape cod were named after these settlements such As Truro and Falmouth. If you like hiking and Long walks you can find numerous paths that run along the coast All paths Are connected by one Long Cornish coastal path which runs All the Way Down the West coast from Bude and up the easter coastline to Plymouth. It passes through wild Rocky coastline Sandy coves villages and beanies. It s easy to get on the path. As Long As you Are on the coast you will be Able to find your Way. Falmouth has a Strong maritime tradition and die third largest natural Harbor in the world. It is a Good town to rent a Sailboat or visit beaches. Henry Viii concerned about possible Spanish attacks built a Castle overlooking the Falmouth Harbor and it commands great views of the Harbor and town on one Side beaches on the other. The Riviera coast has a Rich selection of beaches All the Way up to Plymouth. They Are a bit smaller than those on the Atlantic Side but Calmer and More intimate. If you prefer to drive along winding English roads and stroll quietly in Harbor towns the Eastern coast is your Best bet because it is less crowded than the Atlantic coast finding accommodation is also easier. Tar Jom pfc Sam a fire few Joumaa at a Ang in ceo Aeri. E e 51 t stripes Magazine july 29, 1993 %