01/10/2026
Newsletter from Nicholas Atkinson
Summer is meant to have gone, but the warm weather continued into September, so Christine and I went down to Tregonhawke Beach, Whitsand Bay, for a short break. We had seen a wonderful cabin (as they refer to it) that hangs off the cliffs above the almost white beach, with unspoilt views down the Cornish coast to Looe and, in the other direction, up to Rame Head and beyond.
The place was idyllic, tiny and just for two, but with everything you could possibly want. It was full of techy gadgets, and everything was automated, with a wonderful shower that formed part of the corner of the house, enclosed in sheet glass, so that when you were in it, you could just look out over the ocean. I must admit to feeling a bit vulnerable, but no one was going to be walking past the window!
It had a wonderful balcony where you could sit and read a book, lie on a lounger, or relax in a hot tub overlooking the sea. Absolutely stunning.
However, to get there from your parked car, which was at least a mile away, with your bags — or should I say all Christine’s bags — involved dropping down a 45-degree slope, first by a rough path, steps and a grass track, then with no track at all, just a sloping 45-degree cliff pasture until you reached the house.
Three trips were required to get all our stuff down, of which Christine did one and I did three! At 77, I thought I had done quite well, but after that I collapsed into the hot tub and had a couple of ice-cold beers!
The place was exceptional and a wonderful, one-off experience, booked through Unique Homestays.
Back at the shop, as most of you will now know, we are surrounded by roadworks on Charter Row! You can all still access Atkinsons and the car park, where everything is normal.
The local authority is constructing a cycleway on both sides of Charter Row, which I believe will eventually reach out into the suburbs. So, soon you will all be able to cycle to Atkinsons, and we will have to open a cycle park as well!
Please keep coming and supporting us, as I don’t think the powers that be have considered the impact on the likes of Atkinsons.
For those of you who perhaps do not know, we now have a wonderful new beauty room at the front of the store, which has recently opened. You can discover our express facials and refresh your skin in as little as 20 minutes, using premium skincare products from our beauty department.
A £10 fee applies, which is redeemable against the purchase price of your chosen skincare brand. Additionally, you will receive a complimentary gift with your treatment. Brands include L’Occitane en Provence and Dr. Hauschka.
For those who might be interested, we will shortly have some selling space within the store available for rental. If you are interested, please contact:
[email protected]
