Skipper's
Planes
Newquay International, Cornwall’s main airport, operates regular flights from Stansted with Ryanair, Gatwick with British Airways and Manchester with BMI Baby. Cornwall also has its own airline, Air Southwest, which flies from Bristol, Manchester and Dublin, among others, from around £35 each way (www.newquay-airport.co.uk).
Trains
There are regular, direct trains from London Paddington to the South West, taking between four and five hours, with Virgin (www.virgintrains.co.uk) or First Great Western (www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk). The latter also offers the very civilised Night Riviera Sleeper to Penzance, departing London shortly before midnight and arriving at around 8am; to book tickets, ring 0845 700 0125.
Local taxi service
Penzance Taxi Company, 01736 366366. If you want to hire a car down there, try DW Car Hire (+44 (0)1736 754197; www.dwcarandvanhire.com). Prices from £22 a day for a small five-door hatchback. Alternatively, click on our
Travel Offers page. Smithcard holders get a 10 per cent discount with Hertz.
Directions by road
Wesley Square is a tucked-away pedestrian square, so even those Sat Navved up will need some tips. As you come into Mousehole you’ll see the Old Coastguard Hotel on your left and a Rover garage on your right; drive along with the harbour on your left, little shops and houses on your right. Bear left past the Ship Inn through the village, up a short hill until it levels out. Take the first left down a short steep hill into a car park. Take the path that hugs the edge of the sandy beach past the row of cottages overlooking the harbour. Skipper’s is effectively behind these. At the end of this path is a large granite house with Bay View etched on the glass above the door, the entrance to Wesley Square is to the left of this. Walk along the square ignoring the steps to the right; Skipper’s is the last house on the left, and it’s clearly marked with a plaque.
