Praa Sands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Praa Sands
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| Village | |
 The beach at Praa Sands |
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| Civil parish | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Penzance |
| Postcode district | TR20 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
Praa Sands is a lovely white-sand beach and village in Cornwall, England. Its name in Cornish is Cornish: Poll an Wragh, which means "Salt Pool of the Wrasse." You might hear it pronounced "pray" or "prah."
This coastal spot is part of the Breage area. It's located just off the A394 road, between the towns of Helston and Penzance. Praa Sands used to be important for the local mining industry. Today, it's mostly a popular place for tourists. The beach is a favorite for surfers and people who enjoy walking. At the south-eastern end of the beach, you can see a World War II pillbox. This small concrete shelter was built on the cliffs but has slowly moved down onto the beach due to coastal erosion.
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Exploring Praa Sands Beach
Praa Sands is tucked away in a sheltered part of Mount's Bay. It has a long, wide, sandy beach that faces south. This means it gets lots of sunshine and often has great waves for surfing.
Beach Safety and Activities
The water at Praa Sands beach is quite shallow, which makes it good for swimming. During busy times, lifeguards are on duty to help keep everyone safe. The beach attracts many surfers and families on holiday. You'll find shops and places to eat right next to the beach, perfect for visitors.
Vehicles on the Beach
Some vehicles, like quadbikes and motorbikes, are allowed on certain parts of the beach. However, there are rules about their size and type to make sure everyone can enjoy the beach safely.
Natural Beauty and Geology
Praa Sands is located within the beautiful Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means the area has special natural importance and is protected. The western side of the beach is home to Folly Rocks Site of Special Scientific Interest. This area is important because of its unique rocks, including a type of granite porphyry.
A Glimpse into History
Praa Sands has an interesting past, including connections to mining and World War II.
Mining History
In the late 1800s, the area around Praa Sands was part of the local mining industry. For example, in 1882, a pumping engine was started at Sydney Cove, which was part of the Mount's Bay Consols mine. Newspapers at the time reported that an engine house was almost finished and the engine was being set up.
World War II Stories
Praa Sands played a small but important role during World War II.
The Sunderland Flying Boat
During an air battle in 1943, a British Sunderland flying boat was badly damaged by German planes. The brave crew managed to fly the damaged aircraft 800 miles back to the Cornish coast. Pilot Colin Walker skillfully landed the plane on the beach at Praa Sands. The people of Praa Sands quickly helped the crew, taking them into their homes and giving them medical care. Colin Walker received a special medal, the Distinguished Service Order, for his bravery, and other crew members also earned medals. A memorial was opened in Praa Sands on June 2, 2013, to remember this event.
Testing Wartime Canoes
Praa Sands was also a secret testing ground for special canoes during World War II. In 1943, different types of canoes were tested in the surf here. These trials helped engineers see how the canoes would behave in waves. One of the canoes tested was the Mk2, a two-person canoe that could collapse to be very small. This type of canoe was famously used by the "Cockleshell Heroes" in a daring raid.
