We went on a five hour plus train journey to Penzance in Cornwall last week. With just a few more stops, the train had emptied out! We couldn’t wait to get off the train. It was a long journey.
After we arrived at Penzance, it was a quick taxi ride to Marazion, where Mum had found The Godolphin hotel by accident. She was checking to see if we could take a helicopter from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly (which we couldn’t), when she was looking for hotels in the area. And saw that The Godolphin was right across from St. Michael’s Mount. And they are indeed dog-friendly!
The tiger in the lobby frightened me a little but soon realised it didn’t move! Even then I wasn’t so sure posing next to it.
We had arrived early to make the most of the – and while waiting for our room to be ready we went for lunch at the hotel’s Shutters restaurant.
From the restaurant we could see that the tide had receded and a long queue of people were making their way across the man-made causeway of granite setts to St. Michael’s Mount.
We decided to avoid the crowd and besides dogs are not allowed on the island. We went to check out the town instead.
We took a walk along the main street of the ancient market town – and found some interesting pebbles.
It’s a very small town and took us hardly any time. We sat on the beach under clear blue skies.
The last visitors to the island had left and we could see the tide was coming in.
Er, Mum still wants us to pose for a photo.
George was very curious about the smells of the beach.
We went back to our room and watched the tide coming in …
The sun was starting to slowly set …
We went back to the Shutters restaurant for dinner as the sun was setting in the horizon.
We thought we’d go for a beach run before bedtime … but alas! There was no more sandy beach!
And there sits St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island in Mount’s Bay.
One last look at the setting sun.
Well, that was all rather nice and went to sleep to the sound of waves.
The next morning, we awoke with the light. When Mum looked out of the window and saw that it was low tide at 6.00 am, we thought that would be the opportunity to walk the causeway with not person in sight.
Er, do you mind?
We walked all the way to the tidal island and looked back to see the town of Marazion.
The island wasn’t open at that time in the morning. Besides, dogs are not allowed on the island, so we could just have a look at the medieval castle on the top of the mount.
Mum was busy taking photos. We were hardly there for more than 15 minutes when we turned to go back when Mum saw that the tide had risen. She remembered friend telling her that the tide comes in very quickly. Adrenaline set in and ten legs started running!
Mum got her sneakers wet and the water came up quite high on George – but he was brave and ran along with us.
Phew! That was a lucky escape! If it had been a few minutes later, it would be knee high and Mum would have to carry George and she didn’t have a change of trousers for our journey home.
We got back to our room and the causeway was already covered! Phew!
And soon, it was high tide again!
May’s comment: This week – a seaside staycation in Cornwall at The Godolphin hotel.
Due to a misunderstanding on both sides, we had only 24 hours in Cornwall! It was a long train journey, not helped by having to wear a mask for over 5 hours.
The Godolphin sits in a pocket of paradise on Cornwall’s west coast. The hotel, restaurant and bar, holds a spectacular beachfront location in Marazion, looking out over iconic St Michael’s Mount and far out to sea.
For the exception of three rooms, they can accommodate dogs of all sizes. There’s a £25 fee for a dog package, and another £5 for each additional dog. Unlike our previous experiences of city staycations, the package of towels and blanket were actually much needed, especially after Darcy landed in a puddle unexpectedly.
Dogs are allowed to dine in the Shutters restaurant. A part of the restaurant has a balcony and looks out to sea and St. Michael’s Mount, and another section which is cosy and beachy with large windows. There’s also a beach bar where they do not take reservations. The food is excellent!
We had breakfast in the beachy part of the restaurant.
It was an accidental find and it was a long way to travel for a one night stay – but so glad we did. Another one to tick off the bucket list.
The Godolphin, West End, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0EN
