Vanlife Vibes: Exploring Cornwall's South Coast

Join us in the third part of our 3 week campervan road trip to discover the Counties of the South West of England. We leave Devon behind and head into beautiful south Cornwall. Exploring the quaint harbour towns of Mevagissey and Mousehole, the stunning white sandy beaches and hidden coves around Porthcurno and the industrial past of this beautiful part of the world.
We are Richard and Jackie and we live in the UK. We retired from teaching at the age of 51 in the summer of 2022. Our plans for early requirement include relocating to the Yorkshire Dales, developing our forever home and travelling the UK, Europe and eventually the world in our VW campervan Nelson.
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Many thanks,
Richard & Jackie
Timeline:
00:00 Welcome to Cornwall
01:38 Looe
02:28 Lansallos Beach
03:08 Lantic Bay
04:40 Pentewan Sands Campsite
05:48 Mevagissey
08:55 Historic Coastal Walk
12:07 Mousehole
14:28 Porthcurno Beach
14:50 Pedn Vounder Beach

[@kenbradshaw8983]

I quite agree with your comments on teaching. I retired at 55 so that my wife and I could spend 'quality time' together travelling with our caravan. She passed away 3 years ago but I am so grateful for those years. On another topic, I'm not so sure a larger van is absolutely what people suggest. You definitely lose the ability to explore those out of the way places that make it all worthwhile.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for sharing this Ken and we are sorry for your loss. After I lost my Dad and brother suddenly, we decided that we just wanted to make the most out of every day and have the opportunity to make memories together. On the van front, we are taking all the advice on offer and are thinking towards a 5.5m van for exactly the reasons you have given. Even a 6m van looks big in a normal parking space. R

[@mikewrench4494]

enjoyable vlog... You may have missed the Roseland peninsula on this trip but it is well worth a future visit.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for the tip! Yes we scooted inland to get over the Estuary but there are so many places to still visit. I am pretty sure we will do another trip soon as we loved it so much down there 🚐 Thanks for watching 😊

[@jillchapman286]

If you haven't already read The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, you might find it interesting. It's the story of she and her husband walking the South West Coast Path. Loved the video!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you 😊 Richard has put it on his book list - lots of people have recommended it!

[@janl7552]

What a lovely vlog! I have such happy memories of Cornwall, of fun camping trips over the years… from the days with Mum & Dad, who used to hire a traditional canvas tent with wooden poles, all the way through to Chris & I in our little VW campervan! Thank you for sharing your adventures Richard & Jackie, I am thoroughly enjoying them! xx

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you ☺️ we have loved the southwest coast, it is just so beautiful with all the hidden coves and quaint harbour villages. We always used to come camping with our children near Padstow and have so many fond memories - we are glad it is bringing back happy memories for you too x

[@richardayres2949]

My favourite part of the world. Have sailed to some of those powers many times. A different perspective from the sea. Fun to catch up with you and your videos as I slowly trek up through Sweden on my way north and in my little ford transit campervan. It looks warmer in your girdles, it’s been about 5 degrees here but today was. Balmy 15 degrees. Keep up the great what.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Richard- have a great trip up north- Scandinavia is still on our bucket list as we just don't seem to be able to get the timing right. All good things come to those who wait... Thanks for the comment and enjoy the back catalogue. R

[@michellechapman6961]

I enjoyed your vlog so much I watched it twice. Stunning, such a long time ago since I last visited Cornwall. Can’t wait for the next episode. See you there.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We absolutely loved the whole of the trip along the south coast. The weather was really good for our first week in Cornwall which certainly helps make it look even more stunning. The colours of the sea that change with the light conditions were fascinating. 🚐 we moved to Sennon and St Ives which were equally as stunning in the next video

[@denisescally7090]

What a great time to bimble about the South West. I’m going to be looking up that book about micro adventures. I think you have a good balance with your various trips.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We have loved our trip and venture down south and certainly could have spent many more weeks as there is so much to see! We have been really lucky with the weather with only one day of rain - it has been cold but that just makes it more cosy and you can wrap up warmly to get out exploring. We are loving our wanderlust explorations and the freedom the van gives us to visit virtually anywhere in Europe. 🚐😊♥️

[@brendamchale2683]

Going to watch again and take notes on campsites etc, thanks for great info and a lovely watch.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We have found some great places to stay over the last couple of weeks. I will include more details in the blog on Wednesday with some of the costs 🚐😊

[@garyhollywell2112]

I just love Cornwall, you should have tried Polperro that is a lovely place near Looe. You have gone just at the right time of year to avoid lots of people and enjoy cheaper facilities. A great few weeks away.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks Gary, we absolutely loved all aspects of the trip. From what the locals say, it gets crazy busy in the summer...but is considerably warmer😂 Thanks for the comment. R

[@craigfrood7710]

Morning Could you let me know where you parked and walked to the mines. They look fab. Thanks C

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi for the wheal prosper mines we parked at the rinsey carpark which was only a few hundred metres walk and the botallack mines had their own carpark. They were both really interesting and nice walks along the cliffs 😊🚐🥾 hope you are having a great trip still.

[@jasonnicol8302]

Super episode, lovely walks and beaches.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We have loved the trip and have also been so lucky with the weather - sunny, only 12 degrees but no rain 😊 there are some truly beautiful places out there 🚐

[@jasonnicol8302]

Think I’m going to start from the beginning of your blogs. 🐾

[@suewheeler5795]

When you go back to Mousehole make sure you get tickets for the Minack theatre. It's amazing! But how lucky have you been with that weather 🤣🤣

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for the comment Sue. We loved Mousehole and skirted around the side of the Minack Theatre- they had a two night run of an event that was sold out and most of the day seemed to have technical stuff going on so we gave it a miss. Our visit will have to wait until our next trip to the SW! We have certainly rode our luck with the weather🤞

[@motorroamingaround]

Loved the video guys. Cornwall is just beautiful and you’ve had some fantastic weather. Loved the look of Mevagissey & Mousehole and the beautiful beaches of Porthcew & Porthcurno. Looking forward to the next video. Keep safe. Irvine & Karen.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

The little harbour towns were really picturesque. You must be on counting down the days now for your RV trip 🚐 looking forward to seeing where you go.

[@motorroamingaround]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust Yeah definitely counting down now.

[@DeansGoTravelling]

Seeing this makes me want to pack the van and leave right now! Thanks for showing us these fantastic places, particularly the campsites - it's great to see what they're actually like instead of booking online and hoping it's good 😂

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Glad that it elicits such feelings👍 We felt that we have landed really lucky with some of the sites we stayed on. Have a good time planning your next adventure. Thanks for the comment. R

[@DeansGoTravelling]

I think I’ll just copy what you did, I don’t think I could do any better 😂 I sent the email with the skiing in the dolomites info, did you get it? 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Yep we did- we've just got back from Cornwall so we are on our email replies tonight. Apologies for not getting back to you sooner👍

[@wessexevents]

Glad you enjoyed Lantric Bay and around the Treen too fab walking all of that area on the south side. North side check out Crantock beach a rock carving and village fantastic church with some great history

[@wessexevents]

Dont forget to check out the Crantock secret rock carving

[@wessexevents]

Also don't for get the TripAdvisor sensation of the Bude tunnel,😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for all this insiders info- we absolutely Lantric bay and could not believe we got the place to ourselves! Treen was an absolute revelation- all the the locals were so kind and welcoming and the place is just in the centre of so many amazing places to visit. We could have quite happily have stayed for a full week or more. From what we gather it gets really busy in the summer??? We have missed some of your recommendations, but we are in no doubt that we will be back in the future. A beautiful part of the world. R

[@steveburnham4578]

Another inspiring video, just our sort of perfect trip. I do hope you had some Mrs Balls with the Boerewors 😁.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thank you 😊 we just had new potatoes and salad as we were so surprised to actually find it. It was delicious ♥️ such a rare treat!! We used to do orders with Susmans for biltong and boerewors.

[@PeterKirton-nu9iv]

Lovely to see the beaches without loads of people, did you film very early in the morning?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Not really...we were just really lucky with the light in most places. We were pleasantly surprised at the lack of people...particularly after Durdle Door earlier in the trip which was very busy. We did try to get off the beaten track , with many of the coves having a bit of a hike in...which does help keep them quiet😉 Thanks for your comment, R

[@jillchew-tetlaw3388]

Really enjoyed this video, seeing all the beautiful beaches and coves. I can’t believe how quiet it seems, out of season definitely the time to go. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like summer. I too can recommend The Salt Path, an excellent read. Looking forward to your next week adventures. Have fun.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for this Jill. It really was very quiet- which was lovely...but we did have to keep dodging the weather at this time of year. You can see we had some good windows of sun, but it still felt really cold. It was however good to get a bit of vitamin D😉 From what the locals said, it's a different world in the summer. They said it goes crazy at the May Half term break and then pretty much stays that way until September! R

[@allisonbennett641]

Lovely to share your Cornish travels. We spend several weeks each winter in Lizard ( the most southerly point) . Beats Landsend for me 😊, hope you tried some of the lovely ice cream from Jelberts in Newlyn on your way through to Mousehole, it's very special 😊

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for this Allison...oh no, we missed the ice cream! But something tells me we will be back pretty soon. We both loved Mousehole- it was such a special place. R

[@janetbowen7854]

Wow, you're still enjoying great weather, it's not so good in Sussex at the moment. The coastal path and the beaches look wonderful, can't wait to visit and explore. Like you, we will go off season. Enjoy the next phase of your trip, fingers crossed for the weather. 😄🚐❤️ xxx

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Janet, we have definitely ridden our luck with the weather...although it has never really got warm😂 We are just loving meandering along and seeing what we can find. Thanks for the comment. R

[@tothemaax1999]

I’m an aspiring teacher. Would you create a video about your reasons for wanting to leave teaching so much? That’s if you don’t mind having a video on your channel that I expect will be negative?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi there- thanks for the comment and great question. Don't get us wrong, we absolutely loved teaching and all that it brought to our lives. We had the privilege of spending lots of time with our own kids as they grew up- for which we are forever grateful. We loved working with young people and supporting their learning and watching them growth into young adults. Probably the biggest reason we chose to leave was down to a really traumatic 2021 that was full of personal loss in our family- it caused us to critically reevaluate our lives and make the change. It was never a move away from teaching, but more of a complete change for us as a family. We realised that life is so precious and so short lived, we wanted to get the most of every minute we had together. Teaching is one of the greatest professions in the world and we would always encourage people to go into the profession. Don't get us wrong, it's not easy, but we loved it. Good luck in your plans, Richard & Jackie

[@brendamchale2683]

Such a kind and honest answer to this person’s query, shows what nice people you are - which comes across in your videos.

[@sharonmayer7572]

What a lovely trip you are having 😃 so pleased you have enjoyed the south coast and so lucky with the weather ☀️💙💚👍🏻 the colours are just fabulous - love it 🖤🤍 agree with other comment too - read Raynor Winn - Salt path 👍🏻 and you must come back there are so many places yet to be seen

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We can’t believe how lucky we have been with the weather - only one day of rain in nearly 3 weeks. We have loved exploring all the little harbours and coves and can’t wait to come back down again as we were hopping past so many places! You could literally spend months exploring the 3 counties and still not see everything 🥾🚐😊

[@sharonmayer7572]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust absolutely - I live here and haven’t seen it all 😊

[@MrDamonYates]

Another great video R&J. You've probably heard of it but there's a great book about the coastal path "The Salt Path" by Raynor Winn. Not the happiest reading but a great book to read if you're in that part of the world. BTW we're currently using your Northern Spain videos to plan our summer trip around the Picos. Thanks.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi thanks for the book recommendation we have not seen it before so will look it up 😊 glad you have been able to take something from the Spanish videos - we absolutely loved the Picos and would have spent much longer there had we known more about it! The Ruta del Cares hike was spectacular 🥾 have a great trip 🚐

[@petef3082]

Can’t believe you didn’t visit the Minack Theatre. It had to be up there with the great pyramid and anything Greece has to offer.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We did hike up the side of it but there was a show on that evening that was fully sold out and they were getting ready- we will go next time as we will return to this part of Cornwall 🚐

[@shaunoliver2571]

Hi, took the family to Looe last year. My teenage sons love the tv drama ‘Beyond paradise’, which is set there. We spent almost a full hour chatting to the RNLI volunteers, who were so informative that it kept two teenage boys interested. We went to Mousehole when the boys were little, it’s my perfect Cornish fishing village. If you have young children buy the book ‘The Mousehole cat’ and read it to them. SCO.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Shaun- Great to hear from you. Hope that you and the family are all well? The RNLI volunteers were also on top form when we were there- such passionate people about what they do! We absolutely loved Mousehole- Jackie had targeted it as she used to teach the book to her classes! If felt really unspoilt and sooooo quiet. All the best. R

[@richardaddicott5228]

Looks lovely, and nice and quiet. Time wise I’m not sure if you have passed it, however, have a look at St. Just, the Cot valley and Cape Cornwall, if you have, put it in the book for next time.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

They are in the book (!) we found that even with such an extended trip we were always running out of time. But...always an excuse to return in the future. Loads of people on the campsite recommend Cape Cornwall. Thanks for the comment, R

[@FrugalMrB]

You had great weather, the sun really brought out the colours of the sea. I love exploring small coastal villages so I'd definitely like to see all the places you went to. Looking forward to seeing where you get to on the North coast.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

We were really lucky with the weather...although it did remain stubbornly cold. I really should be in shorts and flip flops by now😂 We couldn't believe the colours of the sea in particular. We have traveled around this area quite a bit when the kids were young and can never remember it being quite so vibrant. Hope you are keeping well? R

[@FrugalMrB]

@@earlyretirementwanderlustAll good with me thanks. Just one more week of election work and then it’s back to retirement life (well, until the general election anyway!)

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Oh we didn't realise you were on election work- good luck with that one...paricularly if you are on the count 🤔 Hopefully you are working somewhere relatively dry👍

[@FrugalMrB]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust Harrogate last week and today (the journey is painfully slow with the A59 closure!), Skipton tomorrow, Carleton on Thursday - 16 hours in a polling station (might be able to catch up on some KZbin videos) - and then I'm a supervisor at the count in Harrogate on Friday - so I might be counting your vote!

[@grahamsmallpeice1212]

So glad to see that you had sunshine for this stretch of your tour. Trewavas mines is a stone’s throw from us, I sometimes walk our dog Devon there. Did you pop down to Praa Sands, it’s the best surf 🏄🏼‍♂️ beach on the south coast, and pretty much our back garden. Nice to see you stop at Treen. I’ve walked to Lands End from there it is a stunning start and end to that stretch of the SW Coastal path. Anyway enjoy the next leg of the journey. If you’re thinking of getting a pasty I’d recommend Philps in Hayle. 👍🏼 Have a great North Coast trip.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi Graham- thanks for this. There was so much to see and do we will definately be back. The history of the places we visited was just really interesting and I absolutely loved it. We also fell in love with the coastal path- hats off to those intrepid souls that tackle the full SW path. We had a friend do it last year and we can now see why. Stunning at every new turn or incline...of which there are a lot! Thanks for all the recommendations- they all go down in the book for future trips if we don't catch them this time. 👍 R

[@se3059]

Amazed you manage to do such long duration trips in a little T5.....I think when/if you trade-in for something slightly bigger you'll wonder how you ever coped. Anyway find your videos quite inspiring for making the best of things regardless of space, weather etc.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

It's certainly a lot easier as we move into more summer like camping! We are loving just being able to spend some time outside the van when we are parked up. It's still pretty cold in the evenings at the moment thought! We genuinely do just love getting out and about and we always try and remain positive in what ever we do. We cannot change the space of the van or the weather so we just need to get on with it! Thanks for the comment. R

[@cedarcanoe]

Nice to a new video from you. I have lovely memories from that part of England: I cycled (pushbike) from Lands End north to Ilfracombe 16 years ago. And visited Minehead another time (motorcycle). Not bad for being from 🇸🇪 uh? 🤭

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Thanks for the comment- you are really well travelled! Not an easy cycle ride up that coast...lots of coastal hills- great effort! Are you still touring on the motorbike...we see loads of European Bikers out and about on our travels. R

[@cedarcanoe]

@@earlyretirementwanderlust i have travelled with a camper-converted Defender in the past 10 years. Just recently I bought a 2nd hand LWB Transporter from a craftsman and am in the middle of converting it to a campervan. I plan much traveling in 2 years when I retire.

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Ooooh a defender...so jealous- they are absolutely iconic in our part of the world- although you don't see many camper conversions. Good luck with your new project! R

[@amandasymon4363]

Wondering why you do not use an awning?

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Hi we have a fly sheet awning that we use sometimes in the summer if we are a campsite for a few days but on this trip we moved on every couple of days and it was far too windy. We were also at P4N spots for quite a few nights where you can’t show ‘camping behaviours’. We don’t have a drive away style awning as we don’t need the space and it would be another thing to lug around when touring 😊 hope that helps? 🚐

[@lindaangove9010]

Mousehole needs to be seen at Christmas when the village is famous for its light display. On the subject of seagulls the one in Mevaggissy you showed in your film looked so innocent but I’ve seen them swoop down over peoples shoulders and pinching food out of their hands. Worse still I’ve seen them attack a young children in pushchairs who have had food I; their hands . So to everyone visiting Cornwall please don’t feed seagulls!

[@earlyretirementwanderlust]

Oh I bet it looks wonderful with the lights twinkling in the harbour - it was such a beautiful little village ♥️ oh we know about the seagulls 🤣 they stole my cream tea once a few years ago from the cafe on Mount st Michael! We watched them like a hawk in Mevagissey as we ate our chips - they had their beady eyes on everyone’s food!!