Lamorna Cove
Lamorna Cove
2.5
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- Paul BLiverpool, United Kingdom3 contributionsNot a lot to see in Lamorna CoveVisited Lamorna Cove on a grey wet day in July 2024, the weather probably didn’t do it any favours, but I found it so disappointing. Aside from a lovely cafe/restaurant on the harbour, serving many variations of Cornish crab dishes, there is not a lot there. It pains me to say this as I’ve been visiting Cornwall for 40 years, and I love it.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 August 2024
- Sue B2 contributionsKnow the car park rules and you’ll be OKI used to complain about the car park charge, but I’ve just been to Woolacombe in Devon where all the beach car parks charge £12 for the day. No hourly rates. £12 or £12! But be aware, if you go into the Lamorna car park you have to pay. No if’s, no buts, no excuses. Overstay and you get fined. And the meter only takes cash. Understand the rules and you will be OK.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 August 2024
- Robert K4 contributionsAn ethereal experienceFrom the television programmes we've seen featuring coastal walks, Lamorna has always looked a picturesque and peaceful place that we thought we would visit ourselves on one of our many visits to Cornwall. We could only describe the place as unique and unlike anywhere else we have ever visited. Many reviewers have commented that there isn't much there but that's part of the charm as the scenery is what gives it such an ethereal feel to it. We recognise the difficulties many have had with the car parking but we were lucky as we had cash with us and actually paid more than we needed to so hopefully have avoided any fines! The one issue we did have just before we were leaving not long after 5pm was a swarm of insects in the car park that virtually covered the car which spoilt the end of our visit. It would be interesting to know from anyone else if this was a common occurrence down there or if it was just the case we were in the wrong place at the wrong time.Visited October 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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2.5
614 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
104
Average
61
Poor
45
Terrible
260
Just Being Curt
London, UK4 contributions
Aug 2022
An absolutely beautiful place! Unfortunately let down by the landowner and operators nefarious private parking practices.
Make sure you bring lots of change!!! Whilst there are notices leading up to the car park telling you that it is a private road, and car park is private property, what the notices do not tell you (before you enter and ANPR has already clocked you in!) is that you can only pay for your parking...... with coins! Yep, no notes, no cards, no contactless, no mobile parking app. Coins only folks!
This despite the parking terminals on site being relatively modern and fully capable of offering card/contactless payments. Notice on the machines says "Card payment currently unavailable". The parking operator has ANPR enabled and their terminals are remotely monitored just proving the point that connectivity is available should the landowner and operator choose to provide mobile and/or card/contactless payments facilities. They have purposefully chosen not to offer the option so that they can purposefully scam unwitting travellers and holidaymakers into a £100 parking charge.
Best of luck! Hope you enjoy your time at the beautiful Lamorna Cove.
Make sure you bring lots of change!!! Whilst there are notices leading up to the car park telling you that it is a private road, and car park is private property, what the notices do not tell you (before you enter and ANPR has already clocked you in!) is that you can only pay for your parking...... with coins! Yep, no notes, no cards, no contactless, no mobile parking app. Coins only folks!
This despite the parking terminals on site being relatively modern and fully capable of offering card/contactless payments. Notice on the machines says "Card payment currently unavailable". The parking operator has ANPR enabled and their terminals are remotely monitored just proving the point that connectivity is available should the landowner and operator choose to provide mobile and/or card/contactless payments facilities. They have purposefully chosen not to offer the option so that they can purposefully scam unwitting travellers and holidaymakers into a £100 parking charge.
Best of luck! Hope you enjoy your time at the beautiful Lamorna Cove.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UKHec
Market Harborough, United Kingdom395 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Lamorna Cove is incredibly pretty in the right light but there’s not much to do; you can swim a bit but it looked uninviting, and its one café is overpriced and understaffed. The drive down is incredibly beautiful, but single track, so if you can’t reverse don’t put yourself through the stress.
The Cove is privately owned and have just been issued with a £100 fine (£60 if paid within 14 days) for overstaying my car park ticket by half an hour, so do make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to you.
The Cove is privately owned and have just been issued with a £100 fine (£60 if paid within 14 days) for overstaying my car park ticket by half an hour, so do make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to you.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma O
Stalybridge, UK16 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Staying in the area so chose to walk down to Lamorna Cove. There have been lots of issues posted on here about parking and needing change, so we chose to walk instead.
The views of the cove are beautiful and we managed to take some lovely photographs of the water.
However there isn’t exactly much to it. The local cafe and pub were closed, and the cove itself is quite small.
If you have a spare 15 minutes to visit or really enjoy walking the coastal path it’s worth a visit, but not much else going on.
The views of the cove are beautiful and we managed to take some lovely photographs of the water.
However there isn’t exactly much to it. The local cafe and pub were closed, and the cove itself is quite small.
If you have a spare 15 minutes to visit or really enjoy walking the coastal path it’s worth a visit, but not much else going on.
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cornishmaid
5 contributions
Jan 2023
Another nice place to visit but sadly the car park is policed by one of those private faceless companies, employed by the landowner. They sting you for a £60-£100 fine if you overrun on your stay, even by a few minutes. Selling the quaint Cornish "Poldark Country" pretty Instagram message but in reality, like many other places like this, simply another money grabbing tourist trap. These car park practices will kill cafes, potteries etc by putting visitors off. Won't bother going back there again until wealthy landowner changes parking system so that you are clocked as you enter and pay as you leave, being charged the correct amount for the time you have been there. Anything else is designed to rely on you being distracted for long enough to overstay and so line their bulging pockets. Shame. Cafe owners and other business in Lamorna - please PLEASE get together and get this daylight robbery stopped. It does you so much damage.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stay604202
5 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
DO NOT GO HERE!!!
It is a rip off to fine you for parking. We paid cash (had to buy something from cafe to get change) and because that took time, I got a £100 fine, £60 if paid in 14 days. Is a total scam to fleece unsuspecting tourists and they sell the debt on….cannot believe this is legal.
It is a rip off to fine you for parking. We paid cash (had to buy something from cafe to get change) and because that took time, I got a £100 fine, £60 if paid in 14 days. Is a total scam to fleece unsuspecting tourists and they sell the debt on….cannot believe this is legal.
Written 15 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria P
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
I received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus about outstanding parking charges of £170, which caught me off guard. There is a disability sign at the beach, but if you don't use glasses, you can't notice the tiny print that says "must pay" underneath it. Debt Recovery Plus and they informed me of the tiny print message. I suggest deleting the disabled sign. What is its purpose?
Written 28 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Horstmamn
London, UK20 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Upon our arrival at Lamorna Cove, we embarked on a delightful stroll towards Mousehole. However, upon approaching the parking payment machines, we immediately noticed a limitation – they only accepted cash, exclusively in coins, and did not facilitate card payments or accept bills.
Given this constraint, we had to settle for a 4-hour parking duration because we lacked the necessary change for the 8-hour option. Regrettably, our walk ended up taking slightly over 4 hours, resulting in the issuance of a parking fine. Despite my efforts to contest it, the appeal was ultimately rejected.
My attempt to communicate the issue via email to Cornwall Council also proved unfruitful, as they indicated that the matter pertained to private land and was beyond their purview. It's disheartening to witness such a stunning location in Cornwall marred by the actions of a few greedy individuals. My strong recommendation is to steer clear of this location at all costs. Personally, I have no intentions of returning.
Given this constraint, we had to settle for a 4-hour parking duration because we lacked the necessary change for the 8-hour option. Regrettably, our walk ended up taking slightly over 4 hours, resulting in the issuance of a parking fine. Despite my efforts to contest it, the appeal was ultimately rejected.
My attempt to communicate the issue via email to Cornwall Council also proved unfruitful, as they indicated that the matter pertained to private land and was beyond their purview. It's disheartening to witness such a stunning location in Cornwall marred by the actions of a few greedy individuals. My strong recommendation is to steer clear of this location at all costs. Personally, I have no intentions of returning.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean S
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
A group of us drove to this cove in 4 cars at 17:50, parked for 29 minutes and were subsequently fined £240 for parking. We did not know that parking charges were in place as we hadn't seen the signs. This is simply a legalized scam and has meant that we will probably not return to Cornwall. It is truly disgusting that we could be charged that much to take a couple of photos at what is surely a public beach.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AWebb2014
Southampton, UK69 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
The cove after a long drive down the valley is, breathtaking.
The same can be said for the parking fees and fines.
You have 5 minutes before charges kick in, there is no app to make payment or contact details for payment to be made by phone, but they have CCTV that picks up your registration.
If the machine is broken you will receive a fine of £100 plus £15 admin charges and 50p to process payment if you exceed 5 minutes, even though we checked at the cafe and they said it would be fine due to the machine being broken.
We have since found out that if the machine is broken, as it was when we visited, it isn't fine, you have 5 minutes to get out of there or you will get a PCN sent to you and a fight on your hands.
Such a shame that this cove has not adopted the payment methods that other areas have adopted throughout Cornwall. Driver beware. Its beautiful but costly.
I fought mine as the company that administers the fines did not contact me in a timely manner and I got it reduced but it was very hard work. The onus being placed on the driver to prove that they had not contacted me, but I still had to pay £60.50 for 23 mins and 36 seconds of parking in a car park where I was unable to pay due to their faulty equipment. Nearly £2.50 per minute.
Driver beware, a visit to Lamorna could be one of the biggest costs of your holiday.
The same can be said for the parking fees and fines.
You have 5 minutes before charges kick in, there is no app to make payment or contact details for payment to be made by phone, but they have CCTV that picks up your registration.
If the machine is broken you will receive a fine of £100 plus £15 admin charges and 50p to process payment if you exceed 5 minutes, even though we checked at the cafe and they said it would be fine due to the machine being broken.
We have since found out that if the machine is broken, as it was when we visited, it isn't fine, you have 5 minutes to get out of there or you will get a PCN sent to you and a fight on your hands.
Such a shame that this cove has not adopted the payment methods that other areas have adopted throughout Cornwall. Driver beware. Its beautiful but costly.
I fought mine as the company that administers the fines did not contact me in a timely manner and I got it reduced but it was very hard work. The onus being placed on the driver to prove that they had not contacted me, but I still had to pay £60.50 for 23 mins and 36 seconds of parking in a car park where I was unable to pay due to their faulty equipment. Nearly £2.50 per minute.
Driver beware, a visit to Lamorna could be one of the biggest costs of your holiday.
Written 28 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crystal
Cornwall, UK31 contributions
Aug 2020
It's all about the underwater world here. Snorkelling and diving are amazing. If snorkelling head out *around* the breakwater then along the rocks for an amazing experience, like being in an aquarium. Easy shore diving for scuba too as you can kit up at your car then it's straight down the slipway. Fantastic conditions. There are toilets and a cafe on-site (with outdoor tap).
This is truly one of the most beautiful and accessible dives in Cornwall - it's right up there with Porthkerris, and for snorkelling I'd go as far to say as it has the edge.
The site is very sheltered is less weather dependent than other sites (it's more protected from easterlies than Porthkerris).
Downside is the parking is a bit of a mess. There's not many spaces so get here early if you can. Car park machine only takes coins (no cards and there's no app). Pay first before doing anything else as the grace period is pretty short and apparently they have ANPR cameras (I've never had a problem myself, but others have).
This is truly one of the most beautiful and accessible dives in Cornwall - it's right up there with Porthkerris, and for snorkelling I'd go as far to say as it has the edge.
The site is very sheltered is less weather dependent than other sites (it's more protected from easterlies than Porthkerris).
Downside is the parking is a bit of a mess. There's not many spaces so get here early if you can. Car park machine only takes coins (no cards and there's no app). Pay first before doing anything else as the grace period is pretty short and apparently they have ANPR cameras (I've never had a problem myself, but others have).
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there anywhere to sit at the cove or is it all just rocks? Ie any patches of sand or even shingle patches to place blankets/towels and sit down?
Written 20 January 2021
There is a small sandy beach with some rocks. There’s also a cafe with some seating. Just make sure you buy a car parking ticket immediately, enter your license correctly and don’t overstay your welcome. Also keep your ticket as proof for weeks after just in case. We believe we did everything right and still got a ticket which we disputed and they reduced. I personally would never go back there which is a shame as it’s a lively little cove but not worth a fine!
Written 21 January 2021
Sorry - we have had a lot of family holidays here until the parking police came in !! I had one cousin who arrived - tried to get a ticket for car there was a queue so he bought a pastie and waited - meanwhile he was getting a ticket !! Sorry leaves a bad memory not good especially when Lamorna is not what it used to be due to lack of maintenance on road and harbour 4
Written 20 September 2019
Bad luck should appeal but doubt success as it would seem many in party available to queue at ticket machine.
Written 21 September 2019
Matt Smith
Axminster, United Kingdom
Hi, I seem to be one of several people that has been stung by a fine in this car-park that I had no idea I had to pay. Like so many others, we were 'bottlenecked' into the cove and then lingered there in the car as we had sleeping children in the car only to now be facing a £170 fine. I was wondering if there is any advice as to how to handle this. I don't like conflict, but I am really reluctant to give these guys a penny even though the enforcement letters are really intimidating. If anyone has any advice, that would be great, Thanks in advance,
Written 12 September 2019
I too just received a fine today. Looking online, it appears they are "legitimate" but highly predatory. If you feel you have a case it may be worth further legal proceedings. Unfortunately, I didn't buy a ticket, as the place was deserted one early Sunday morning and I wrongly assumed it would be "out of hours" as most car parks having charging periods that cover busy times. We stayed 20mins. We got a ticket. Really, they should make it much more obvious that fines are issued automatically by ANPR, as most car parks with ANPR do have huge warning signs. They don't make it clear, and thus, they hit people with fines. It's predatory and as a Cornish person myself, I find the whole practice there disgusting. I only wish I could warn more people not to go there. What a terrible shame.
Written 12 September 2019
Brendan H
Torquay, United Kingdom
The parking machine had a notice on it which read 'Machine out of order, pay in cafe'. Cafe refused to take my money and I got a letter through the post with a parking fine which I am disputing.
Written 3 December 2020
Is there any other form of transport down and up to the cove itself ? As some other Cornish places have Land Rover 4x4 vechicals that ferry people up and down.
I find it very sad that some people are quick to complain about parking and fines, it's very simple, if you don't pay you get fined, same throughout the country.
Looking at the negative comments, it would appear that there is no appreciation of what natural beauty is, so is it really that bad ???
Any comments most welcome
Thanks
Lino Len
Written 14 February 2016
No, sorry there are no other forms of ferrying by road to the cove itself. The bus stops at The Wink.
I spoke as someone who had lived in Lamorna, I was shocked to see how it had deteriorated, sadly through the total disregard to care of the place. It is in the hands of one individual and that person whilst taking money from the cove is not putting it back. Yes, the natural part is as beautiful as ever but to allow others to enjoy that beauty there needs to be some care and maintenance.
Written 15 February 2016
Dormouse7
Horsham, United Kingdom
Hi. Does anyone happen to know if you can get a Virgin mobile phone signal from here? We're thinking of walking to here from Mousehole and calling a taxi to take us back
Written 27 April 2015
The reviews on here regarding car parking give me great cause for concern even though I am planning a walk from Porthcurno to Penzance along the Coast Path in 5 weeks' time without the use of a car. I would like to know how long these arguments have been going on for and is there likely to be a solution to them over the next 5 weeks. Surely the best way to restore peace and harmony among everyone (the car park attendants, café workers and visitors) would be for the local council to organise a public meeting which could involve the local MP, other councillors, people who work at Lamorna Cove, the police and the general public and the aim of that meeting to be to get ideas together so that visitors, parking staff and café staff could all have peace of mind.
Written 22 April 2015
Don't let the negative reviews and comments on here put you off from visiting what is a rugged and beautiful place. As long as you pay to park and don't overstay, you shouldn't have any problems and that is what we have to do in any other pay to park car parks around the country so this one is no different in that respect. If you've read about what are local issues on here, then all I can say is that a) they really aren't for us tourists to get involved in, despite the efforts of some locals that just seem to have an axe to grind, and b) there are two sides to every story not one. None of this should prevent any of us tourists from visiting the cove and enjoying the beauty and tranquility. It's a shame that the people posting the negative comments don't focus on that instead.
Written 25 June 2015
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