British beach rivals Greek Island loved by King Charles and Queen Camilla
The Greek islands are renowned for their picturesque coastlines and crystal clear waters that surround them, both of which are loved by Britons in the summer.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are also fond of the idyllic Mediterranean landscape and have frequented the island of Corfu in previous years.
Located in the expansive Adriatic Sea, just to the east of Italy, the small Ionian island boasts a sun-soaked climate and winding medieval lanes that spawn through the old town.
Though it isn’t particularly expensive compared to other Greek islands, those with a small budget need not look beyond the southwest of Britain to enjoy a taste of the tropical landscape.
According to locals who live in St Ives, Cornwall, the seaside town is home to a beach that rivals the royal holiday destination.
READ MORE: Mediterranean country is a gem that was very special to Queen Elizabeth II
Writing on their blog “St Ives By The Sea”, locals David and Miranda claimed: “Porthminster Beach is the lovely, big, sandy beach that sits below the train station in St Ives.
“It nearly always looks amazingly tropical, like a beach from a beautiful, hot island! It’s not though, it really is right here in St Ives.”
The golden sand is one Greek-style feature that’s hard to come by in Britain, but it’s not the only thing that makes this beach stand out as a staycation destination.
Because of the direction it faces, the Celtic sea that lines the shore is usually much flatter and calmer than other spots in Cornwall – and it’s partly down to the bays that resemble those found in Corfu.
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The British staycation spot still boasts a royal link thanks to its location in Cornwall. Before being crowned King, Charles was the Duchy of Cornwall, a role that has since passed on to his eldest son Prince William.
During visits to the picturesque county, Charles and Camilla would stay at Restormel Manor, a 16th-century country house that is part of the Duchy estate. Situated in the charming town of Lostwithiel, the exquisite home is a one-hour drive to St Ives, where visitors will find Porthminster Beach.
Like Paleokastritsa beach, which is perhaps the most famous of its kind on the Greek island, Porthminster is lined with traditional buildings.
The Cornwall spot operates its own open-air cinema on select dates throughout the summer, where visitors can sink into the sand and enjoy a range of family-friendly movies.
On Tripadvisor, one visitor branded the Cornish spot a “beautiful, tucked away beach that felt like we [they] were in the Greek Island”.
Another wrote: “This is a beautiful sheltered bay with turquoise clear water and clean, white, fine sand with a gentle shelf that makes it good for safer swimming in the warmer shallows.
“This beach is more like a Mediterranean beach; it’s not like other brown and murky beaches commonly found around Britain. Cornwall has the bluest, cleanest waters. The beach also has quiet hidden coves to one side. They are in front of the hotel but avoid them when the tide is coming in.”
The undisturbed landscape isn’t the only thing loved by staycation-ers, in fact, it has all the standout facilities people look for abroad too.
According to local residents David and Miranda, the beach is well connected to St Ives train station and a car park.
It also has toilets, a fish and chip takeaway, a beach bar, an award-winning seafood restaurant and a beach shop.
Those looking to lounge on the sandy shore can hire beach chalets, deckchairs, windbreakers and parasols or relax in the Porthminster Garden Bar.
Lifeguards are also on-site throughout summer so families can safely enjoy the glistening water.
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