Crantock Beach - The Jewel in Cornwall's Crown

There is something about a beach that does a person's soul good. Philosophers have wondered why the sea holds such a powerful appeal for millennia. Some scientists believe it's because we migrated out from Africa in a time of famine and sea food was our main food source for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. So the sea may very well be hard-wired into our genetic make up as a good thing to have close by. Whatever the reason, shorelines make us feel great. Whether a keen autumn wind is blowing sand against your chilly cheek or you're lying supine, stunned by the sunshine, being by the sea offers us a small but distinct 'high'.

Crantock beach is among Cornwall's very best, a treat of a beach with masses to do for adults and youngsters alike. Just one justification why tourists flock to book the area's many superb holiday villas. In Cornwall the sea is a part of every day life. But to the majority of people it's a real treat. Artists visit to paint the fantastically clean, clear light, enormous skies and ever-changing seascapes at Crantock. Nature lovers walk the sands collecting tiny shells and marvelling at the captivating flora and fauna. Birdwatchers get pleasure from the often uncommon bird life. Couples sit shoulder to shoulder viewing the night gently fall, clinking cool glasses of superior wine. Tanning enthusiasts dream their days away in sunbathing heaven. And, as expected, there's great bodyboarding.

Kids fall head over heels with Crantock beach too. All of them love the sand, from tots to teens. Sandcastles are us, whatever your age! There are numerous superb creepy caves to scramble about in, complete with fascinating echoes. Little kids can play in the water safely enough, just keep a careful eye on them. The dark, pointy rocks dispersed along the landward side of the beach are brilliant fun for climbing and clambering on. There's rock pools to find strange, unusual and wonderful sea life in, from shrimps to crabs, winkles, seaweed, hermit crabs and starfish. The surrounding sand dunes are great fun too, for hide and seek, digging dens and general kid-style grubbing around. And if you've got a sulky teenager in tow, at least they'll most likely enjoy viewing the bodyboarders being amazingly uber-cool! Beach-side holiday cottages in Cornwall are amongst the most in-demand and Crantock is amongst the region's best adored beaches.

If you're thinking about hitting the far south west and holidaying in Cornwall, self catering is an increasingly popular option. But the recent rush on British staycations means self catering cottages, flats and Cornwall self catering in general, and Crantock in particular, means it's best to book sooner than ever in 2011 to avoid disappointment.