Author: gloversure

How many beaches can we visit?

At Beach Retreats we aim to set the record of most Cornish beaches visited in one day, while fundraising for the South West Coast Path.

The challenge will take place on the 21st June – the summer solstice and longest day, and will mark the beginning of our partnership with the South West Coast Path Association.

With more than 400 miles of Cornish coastline and over 300 beaches in Cornwall, we aim to be the first to visit a minimum of 40 of these beaches to raise money for the South West Coast Path’s “40for40” campaign – a bid to raise £40,000 by the end of October 2018 to celebrate its 40 year anniversary. We aim to raise a total of £5,000 and will be sponsoring the charity £2,500, asking for donations to match this amount via Virgin giving.

With 161 holiday properties located all along the coast, we want to do our bit to support the charity, which sees nearly nine million visitors enjoy the Path and the many beautiful beaches it overlooks each year. We know the coast path and the beautiful Cornish beaches are cherished by our guests and residents of Cornwall. Not only do we want to celebrate the amazing beaches and the breathtaking walks right on our properties’ doorsteps – we also want to ensure we’re raising awareness and supporting the maintenance of these areas, so they can continue to be enjoyed for many, many more years to come.

The £5,000 target raised by Beach Retreats could go towards the funding of 500 new wooden steps to provide safe access to hidden coves and along cliffs, or it could fund 10 educational activity days on the Path for youth groups.

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight – ideal for maximizing time spent at the beach! The team at Beach Retreats will begin at the crack of dawn at 5:00am in Cawsand overlooking Plymouth Sound, attempting to travel the entire length of the south to Sennen Cove then up the north coast. Can we make it to Bude by sunset at around 9:30pm?

Julian Gray, director of the South West Coast Path Association, commented: “We’re thrilled that Beach Retreats have chosen the South West Coast Path as the beneficiary for this brilliant day of solstice fundraising. I can’t think of a better way to showcase the stunning Cornish coastline than setting the record for the most beaches visited on the longest day of the year. Funds raised will support our vital conservation and improvement work along the National Trail, ensuring access to the much-loved beaches celebrated today. We wish them the best of luck and will be following their journey on social media!”

The epic journey will see our team stop and visit at as many beaches as possible, including Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, Porthcurno near Land’s End, Fistral Beach and Widemouth Bay near Bude. And while time will be of the essence, Beach Retreats will be documenting each beach visit on their social media channels, posting images of each beach using the #JoinUsOnTheBeach hashtag, as well as stopping by the best beach cafes for well-needed refreshments.

How to get involved

To help us reach our target of £5,000, please donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BeachRetreats; follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook and help raise awareness by sharing your pictures of your favourite Cornish beaches using the hashtag #joinusatthebeach.

A weekend of surf at Widemouth Bay

Hear how Holly from Beach Retreats got on during her stay at Chi An Mor in Widemouth Bay.

I spent the weekend at Chi An Mor in Widemouth Bay with a group of my good surfer friends. This self-catering property is located just outside of Bude and is home to some of Cornwall’s best surfers and beaches.

We arrived late Friday evening and though it was dark, we could hear the lapping of the waves nearby. After a good night’s sleep and a quick breakfast to refuel, we enjoyed a 50-metre walk to the beach to check the surf.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a swimming pool? Check out our cottages with a swimming pool for a relaxing getaway.

Widemouth is a long beach a couple of miles outside the town of Bude. It’s a popular spot, but there are plenty of peaks to break up the crowds, as well as Black Rock which occasionally serves up a decent wave over the reef. We had some fun surfing at Widemouth, it was small but by surfing on the incoming tide there was a little pulse which we made the most of. We later jumped in the car for s short drive down the road to Bude town centre and a couple more beaches.

As we reached Crooklets Beach, it was clear to see this had a really fun, good-quality beach break with multiple peaks. It breaks through all tides and can handle a decent amount of swell. Certainly one to keep coming back to.

Summerleaze located just around the corner from Crooklets is much more sheltered and closer to the centre of town. There are several peaks making this a good spot when there’s a big swell.

It was very easy to make our way back to Chi An Mor, it really was a great base for our weekend of surf. It was plenty big enough for six of us and all our surf kit, not to mention being so close to the beach. The light-filled property had a contemporary design, three bedrooms with two shower rooms and a family bathroom. Pets are also allowed so no need to leave part of the family at home.

We opted to eat in both nights, but we did treat ourselves to lunch at the Olive Tree, sat outside by the river. Other restaurants you may want to visit are Black Rock Cafe, Widemouth Bay Cafe, The Beach House bar and Trelawney Tea Rooms.

On our last evening at Chi An Mor, we watched the sun drop behind the horizon and built a fire on Widemouth beach – always take the nails out of any wood you intend to burn and wait until the wood has completely burnt through – don’t cover the embers up with sand as someone could walk along whilst it’s still hot.

On our way home we drove along the coastal road and pulled the car in at a few beaches along the way. We jumped in on the right hander at the north end of Constantine and surprisingly found some clean faces despite most of the north coast having messy conditions. We even had some nice spring sunshine to finish off the weekend. All in all a fantastic surfing weekend at Chi An Mor in Widemouth Bay.

Discover our other properties, and read what to expect from a week at Gaia.

Highlights

The variety of beaches to choose from close to Chi An Mor.

The location of the property, being just 50 metres from Widemouth Bay.

The space in the property, big enough for six and all our surf equipment.

Discover our other Widemouth Bay holiday properties or talk to a member of our team on 01637 861 005.

Book your surfing break with Beach Retreats.

11 beaches and Strand Line

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Hear how Lowenna from Beach Retreats got on during her stay at Strand Line in Porthcothan, Cornwall.

With 11 beaches to choose from and plenty of coast paths to explore, I couldn’t wait for my weekend in Strand Line with my partner and friends. The nearest beach was Porthcothan, located one mile down the road with its golden sand backed by grassy dunes and a shallow stream running into the sea. Other beaches within easy reach which are worth the short drive are Trevone, Treyarnon, Constantine, Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay and Bedruthan Steps.

This cosy cabin oozes character and charm with its carefully thought-out rustic interiors that have been hand-selected, foraged or upcycled by the owner Susie Ray. When we arrived at the cabin, we were mesmerized by the attention to detail in every nook and cranny. From the shell chimes and fisherman’s nets in the garden to the rustic furniture and coastal decor inside.

We were pleasantly welcomed with wild flowers and homemade shortbread which went down a treat whilst sitting out on the decking with the fairy lights on and the stars beginning to twinkle.

On our first night, we settled down with a cheese board and a bottle of red. With the fire burning and wine flowing, it was a perfect night in with my partner, before our friends were due to join us the following day. The fully equipped kitchen had everything we needed and more. Ice bucket for the prosecco, multiple boards for the stacks of cheese, wine glasses, prosecco glasses and an extra-large cafetiere ready for our morning brew.

Visiting Cornwall for a romantic adventure? Check out our romantic cottages.

Out and About

After an amazing night’s sleep in the super king size bed and its 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, we enjoyed breakfast and a morning coffee outside on the decking. Once our friends arrived, we jumped in the car and drove 10 minutes down the road to our first stop of the day, Treyarnon Bay.

This beach is popular with families and has a lot going on. From dogs running after frisbees, paddleboarders and surfers jumping on their boards, to the hustle and bustle of the beachside YHA Cafe. After sitting on the beach for an hour or two and grabbing an ice cream, we took the coast path around the headland, stopping off to take in the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Constantine Bay.

With 11 beaches nearby to choose from, it would be rude not to visit another one in the same day. We beach hopped over to the closest beach to Strand Line, Porthcothan Bay. This was my first time visiting this beach and it quickly became one of my favourites.

Here’s why:

The sand dunes and surrounding cliffs shelter the beach from the wind (a big bonus for me).
The rock formations and sea stacks in the ocean are fascinating, we climbed the rocks, checked out the rockpools for sea life and discovered a secret cave.
The South West Coast Path to the left side of the beach led us through a beautiful headland walk. Strolling past the beach and through the kissing gates, we ended up at Trescore Island. This beautiful rocky island is backed by sea pink flowers and leaves a sheltered lagoon at low tide. For those not brave enough to swim with the choppy waves, this is the perfect spot for a relaxing dip.
The little cafe at the top of the beach sold Cornish pasties and beer (delicious).
The BBC Drama Poldark was filmed here. Aidan Turner gallops over the clifftops overlooking Trescore Island.

Food and Drink

The following day once the sea mist had cleared, we headed to Padstow harbour, a 10 minute drive away for a spot of lunch. This picturesque harbour is worth visiting with its cafes, restaurants, pubs, boutique shops and galleries. We decided to stop off at Paul Ainsworth’s Rojano Restaurant, sat in the open top conservatory in the sun. Other restaurants you could try are Paul Ainsworth’s No 6, Prawn on the Lawn and The Olive Tree.

Later after a couple of afternoon tipples, we walked the coast path from Padstow to Trevone beach, where we then caught a cab to Rick Stein’s Cornish Arms pub in St Merryn village, a 20-minute walk from Strand Line cabin. This place is great for local ales and Cornish seafood, so much so, we couldn’t help but dig into a large bowl of Cornish mussels between the four of us.

Fancy staying in Trevone? Check out our holiday properties in Trevone.

If you would rather dine back at Strand Line, take advantage of the rustic kitchen and gas BBQ beautifully hand made in the garden. The plancha grill cooked us prawns, corn on the cob, burgers and sausages for our lunch the following day.

Highlights

The beaches: Being based so close to multiple beaches, coastal walks and amenities. You’ll discover new places every time you visit.

The beds: We all had the best night’s sleep and the comfort of the mattress and sheets was the first topic over breakfast every morning.

The interior design: From the outdoor kitchen and rustic garden walls, to the artwork, lampshades and furniture. So much time, effort and thought has gone into Strand Line, we didn’t want to leave.

Groups: If there is a larger group, Lobster Pot cabin (sleeps 2) is located next door.

Book your holiday at Strand Line with Beach Retreats.

Interested in our other properties? Check out our blog on how it was to spend the weekend at the Porth Beach House in Porth.

Whitsand Bay – A forgotten corner of Cornwall we won’t forget

Hear how Beach Retreat’s Simon got on during his stay in Brackenbank, a cool chalet perched on the cliffs above Whitsand Bay, Cornwall.

Whitsand Bay is home to an eclectic mix of beach shacks and cabins and is often described as ‘the forgotten corner of Cornwall’, so when my wife and I set off for our visit to Brackenbank from our home in Mawgan Porth on the rather better known North Cornish Coast, we were both curious to find out why.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a log burner? Check out our cottages with a log burner for a cosy getaway.

Having left in the rain we were pleasantly surprised to arrive to blue skies and clear panoramic sea views. The coast road sent us past a unique blend of beach shacks and cabins, which together form an elegant patchwork that covers the cliffside. Amongst these we found Brackenbank, with it’s stunning sea views and atmospheric sounds of the sea. The cabin sits in a spectacular position well hidden from its neighbours, with views so unobstructed you feel like you’re on a boat sat out at sea.

Stay at Brackenbank in Whitsand Bay.

Fancy staying in Whitsand Bay? Have a look at our Whitsand Bay holiday properties.

There’s a beautiful private outdoor entertaining space with table and benches, a modern barbecue, sun loungers and a particularly inviting outdoor sea view shower. Inside it’s a light, white open-plan space with a scandi-inspired paired back style. A cosy seating area in the corner complete with a wood burning stove is perfect for relaxing, while a large dining table an ideal spot for watching the small fishing boats and larger naval vessels criss-crossing the water below. The cabin can sleep up to five in two bedrooms.

Out and about…

There’s a superb beach to explore directly below Brackenbank which is accessible down a grass path and at low tide provides a long stretch of sand to easily walk off breakfast or lunch. The villages of Kingsand and Cawsand are perfect for exploring and are both only a very short car ride away (under 15 minutes).

Further along the coast at the end of the Rame Penisula, you can walk up to St Michael’s Chapel on Rame Head, which is well worth a visit as you are rewarded with superb views from the top. We highly recommend catching the ferry which leaves the beach at Cawsand every few hours in high season and takes you on a scenic leisurely cruise across to the Barbican in Plymouth.

Eating out

Over the course of our weekend we managed to eat out twice, as well as cook for ourselves very easily in the well-equipped kitchen. The View Restaurant was a great spot for dinner and is located just 3 minutes away by car, or 10 minutes on foot from Brackenbank. The Cliff Top Cafe was also great for breakfast or lunch and again is within easy walking distance with beautiful views down the coast to Rame Head.

If you have more time during your stay at Brackenbank, give The Devonport Inn a try, for delicious food, while The Old Bakery is best for coffee and cakes, both can be found in Kingsand nearby.

Weekend highlights

Waking up and watching the early morning surfers and sailors.
Reading a book outside in the sun, with only the sounds of the sea and the sight of the wildlife swooping past to distract us.
Showering alfresco in the outdoor sea view shower.

Explore a scenic walk through Whitsand Bay, discovering its rugged beauty, expansive sandy beaches, and panoramic coastal views along the Cornish coastline.

Book your stay at Brackenbank, Whitsand Bay

7 Must Do’s in Falmouth

Spend your family holiday on the beach this summer and enjoy the laid-back coastal lifestyle in Falmouth.

Known for its creative buzz, contemporary art galleries, maritime heritage and fantastic array of places to eat and drink, Falmouth in south Cornwall offers a wide range of activities suitable for all. To help you get planning, we’ve handpicked 7 must do’s, a stone’s throw from our Falmouth self-catering holiday homes.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

Walk the South West Coast Path

Walk onto any beach in Falmouth and you’ll spot part of the South West Coast Path to your left or right. Marvel at the pretty sea pink flowers. Amble past Pendennis Castle. Stop for a picnic at Gyllyngvase beach. Catch the sun on the rocks as it begins to set. You’re sure to find something different and exciting each turn you take.

Find your closest route.

Go rockpooling

In just a 12 minute walk from our luxury self-catering apartments, guests will find themselves at Castle beach, Falmouth’s go to spot for rockpooling. At low tide you’ll be pleasantly surprised with hundreds of rockpools just waiting to be explored. Keep your eyes peeled for the natural display of fascinating and tough creatures, including the Cornish Sucker fish, Worm Pipefish and the Common Shore Crab.

See our full guide to rockpooling and where to go.

See Falmouth from the ocean

Departing three times a day, between Truro and Falmouth, Fal River’s Enterprise Boats give you the chance to see Cornwall from a different perspective. This unique sea route will take you past iconic maritime locations, historic houses and landmarks, as well as taking you up close to the array of ocean-going vessels laid up at anchor on the upper reaches of the Fal River. Get your cameras ready while you sail past Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

See a Fal River time table.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

Offering lots of giggles as you attempt to get on the board (and stay on it), Stand Up Paddle Boarding is quickly becoming one of the go to watersports for those holidaying and living in Cornwall. Whether you want to rent a board and explore the coast yourself, or hire an instructor that will teach you how to ‘ride the waves’ this sport offers plenty of fun for all abilities.

If you don’t want to try it alone, then check out Falmouth Surf School , where up to six of you give it a go…on one board!

Enjoy Sunday lunch at Star & Garter

Star & Garter take Sunday lunch very seriously and we love it! Whether it’s moorland aged rump of beef, a luscious leg of lamb or some proper roast pork with the best crackling you can imagine. All their meat is supplied by renowned Cornish butcher Phillip Warren and served with crispy duck fat roasties, monster Yorkies, silky gravy and a selection of local, seasonal veg. So, go in and while away the afternoon in front of the fire, enjoy the view over the bay and, well, tuck in.

Roast is served 12-3pm and 6pm – 9pm.

Explore more of our 10 favourite restaurants with amazing sea views.

Get lost in Trebah Gardens

Cornwall’s not only known for its stunning beaches, its magical gardens are home to a wealth of exciting, rare and beautiful plants and trees just waiting to be explored. Visit Trebah Gardens is a sub-tropical paradise with its very own private beach, four miles of footpath and vibrant tunnels of colour. The gardens are open daily from 10am and can be reached in a 15 minute car ride from our Falmouth holiday homes.

Check out more of what Cornwall has to offer and explore our holiday lets in The Lizard Peninsula, West Cornwall.

Trebah Gardens

Book your stay in Falmouth with Beach Retreats.

Why you should choose a Beach Retreats property

Award-winning Gloucestershire blogger Thrifty Mumma tells us why you should choose Beach Retreats for a relaxing and restorative family holiday.

Thrifty Mumma recently enjoyed a stay at our Mawgan Porth property, Skyline. Skyline sleeps 14 guests, accepts pets and is just 500 metres from the golden sanded beach. Here’s how she got on:

Famous for its dramatic coastline, picture-perfect harbours and breathtaking beaches, Cornwall has long been a desirable destination for worldwide travellers and UK holidaymakers alike.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

As a new parent, I wanted the reassurance of a UK staycation but I also required somewhere which could relax and restore us all as a family. Having enjoyed countless Cornish holidays and as a graduate of University College Falmouth, I was keen to return to the beautiful county that has stolen a piece of my heart.

I wanted to explore a part of Cornwall that was new to me and I searched for a letting company which could meet my needs in terms of location and luxury.

Beach Retreats became the natural choice offering an award winning website, knowledgeable, accommodating staff and a varied property portfolio, all of which are beachside.

We were immediately enticed by Skyline; a spacious, modern property nestled in the hamlet of Mawgan Porth with the wow factor of a large balcony and stunning sea view.

On arrival at the property the reality lived up to the pictures I had seen online and I simply fell in love!

Able to comfortably sleep 14, the gorgeous house offers large bedrooms with luxurious beds and bathrooms, wonderful waterfall showers and whirlpool baths. In the Master, our beautifully appointed en-suite bathroom had a deep set jacuzzi bath with a large window complete with a view down the valley to the sea. I indulged in a dip and couldn’t help but relax as the warm bubbles soothed my skin and the vista simply melted my cares away.

However, the star of the show at Skyline is the living space. The airy and sophisticated lounge is glass fronted with a balcony outlook and offers unrivalled views of the sea as the waves roll in. The comfortable sofas allowed us all to sit and watch the surfers as they caught the final few waves of the day. Skyline even boasts an outdoor shower and wetsuit store for the surfers in the family.

The well-equipped kitchen has a large wooden table so each and every guest has a seat at mealtimes and, as night falls, the thoughtful light installations allow the house to feel both cosy and contemporary. Skyline is awash with coastal accents from abstract artwork and driftwood mirrors to deep turquoise vases and plush coral cushions.

Importantly for us, the house was packed full of thoughtful family friendly features. In fact, the high-quality travel cot, highchair, baby swing and fully equipped playroom made Skyline the perfect home from home.

And, as with all Beach Retreats properties, the proximity to the seashore was impressive and allowed us to easily walk to the water in a matter of minutes.

Mawgan Porth beach is a sumptuous sandy cove backed by marram covered sand dunes and enclosed by cliffs. When the tide is out the sand stretches for miles and you can build sandcastles and explore rock pools and caves to your heart’s content. The beach even has its own resident waterfall!

Fancy staying in Mawgan Porth? Have a look at our Mawgan Porth holiday properties.

From the beach we made our way up and along the coastal path with the baby carrier – the views across the shimmering Atlantic made the climb worthwhile and we all felt refreshed with our lungs full of sea air.

Mawgan Porth has a number of local amenities including The Beach Box Café, The Catch Seafood restaurant and The Merrymoor Inn as well as the village stores. After the long drive, this meant we were able to park our cars in Skyline’s two designated spaces for the duration of our stay.

Within walking distance there are also two state-of-the-art Spas – Bedruthan Hotel and The Scarlet Hotel. During our stay, we enjoyed a ‘Restore Me’ Spa day at Bedruthan Hotel. The treatments were wonderfully relaxing and we took advantage of the sea view spa facilities before devouring a delicious lunch at on-site Wild Café. Afterwards, we sampled the unique open air sensory spa garden which takes you on a journey of hot and cold experiences to enliven your senses. As we sat around the campfire in our fluffy robes sipping herbal tea the first few flakes of snow began to flutter around us.

In no time at all we were back at the house and even in the unexpected and undulating March snowfall Skyline remained a warm, cosy and welcoming retreat for us all. I’ve never stayed somewhere so beautiful before – what better place than Skyline to be snowed in!

So, if you are in need of a relaxing, restorative retreat then look no further. Thank you for our blissful stay Skyline, we can’t wait to book our next Beach Retreat!

Check out some of our luxury retreats fit for a king, featuring pools and indoor pool rooms.

More about Jamie Collier

Gloucestershire born and bred, Jamie lives in a leafy Cotswold village with her husband and baby daughter. Cornwall holds a special place in her heart – it is where she spends many family holidays and she is also a graduate of University College Falmouth. When she’s not looking after her family or writing an article, you can usually find her on the beach. You can subscribe to her dedicated blog at thriftymummathriftybubba.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too.

6 Secret Beaches to Explore in Cornwall

Leave footprints in untouched sand whilst you discover Cornwall’s hidden gems.

We’ve put together six beaches so you can avoid the crowds no matter what time of year. No queues for parking, plenty of space to throw a ball and your pick of where to set up camp for the day on your very own secret beach. What’s not to love?

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

Polly Joke

Polly Joke Beach with waves and green cliffs

Porth Joke (also known as Polly Joke to locals), is located deep between the two headlands Crantock and Holywell Bay. Filled with rockpools, caves and a shallow stream, Porth Joke is the perfect beach for those with little ones in tow.