Category: Activities

A better bolthole

What’s the best spot for a winter getaway, for solace, rest and revival? Debika Ray escaped to 15 Cannery Row, Hayle, a frame for life on the shore, finding serene sands, newly arrived birds and buckets of inspiration…

By Debika Ray, contributing editor at Crafts magazine, founder of Clove magazine and writer. Her work has been published in Kinfolk, Wallpaper, the Guardian and Architectural Digest.

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“I have gained very great inspiration from Cornish land- and sea-scape, the horizontal line of the sea and the quality of light and colour, which so excites one’s sense of form,” said the artist Barbara Hepworth in a 1946 interview with The Studio magazine. “And first and last there is the human figure, which in the country becomes a free and moving part of a greater whole.”

Standing in the garden of Trewyn Studio in St Ives, it’s easy to see why Cornwall proved so inspirational for the great modernist sculptor – how she might have felt freed and moved by her majestic surroundings. In November, when I visit, her sloping garden is doused in a misty haze: more than 30 bronze, wood and stone sculptures sit amid a mix of mature trees, ornamental plants and stone walls.

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“Here, the proximity and exposure to nature is echoed: as day breaks, light falls softly through the large balcony windows into the master bedroom and open-plan living room.”

To one side of the site are a conservatory and light-filled studio, the latter still scattered with tools, materials and clothing and surrounded by uncarved blocks of stone. Through rainy days and sunny ones, Hepworth would have sat – working or thinking – inside these light-filled spaces, looking out over the landscape she designed herself. “Finding Trewyn Studio was a sort of magic,” she wrote of the place. “Here was a studio, a yard and garden where I could work in open air and space. It is completely perfect for me.”

A clearer mind

My artistic aspirations may not be as lofty as Hepworth’s, but, from this vantage point, I find myself wondering what it would be like to move to Cornwall in search of creative inspiration – writing, reading or simply thinking more clearly amid that magical light and fresh, cool air. Cornwall, I’m told, rarely gets cold enough to snow, thanks to its salty air and the tempering effects of the Gulf Stream – a relatively mild climate that makes an outdoor lifestyle both possible and appealing even in the winter months.

“To stay by the sea, is to watch the landscape shift constantly before your eyes… Modern architects have long understood that building should be a frame for life, rather than imposing too heavily on it.”

Want to learn more about how to make the most of your travel? Read our blog on how to do slow travel.

St Ives is a mere 13 minute coastal train journey, via the sweeping Carbis Bay, from St Erth; itself a three minute onward ride to Hayle, where Cannery Row, is located. Here, the proximity and exposure to nature is echoed: as day breaks, light falls softly through the large balcony windows into the master bedroom and open-plan living room, revealing the Hayle Estuary, with its ebbing and flowing tides, just outside.

To stay by the sea is to watch the landscape shift constantly before your eyes. Later, as the sun sets, the same view is slowly occluded, and our view turns inwards, to the spacious, modern, double-height interior. Modern architects have long understood that building should be a frame for life, rather than imposing too heavily on it.

“At Hayle Beach, a brief stroll from the apartment, rolling dunes – or Towans – tumble down from dramatic black rocks, and the eye has to stretch far into the distance before you can see the waves rumbling towards the shore.”

The surrounding estuary is guarded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), because of its abundance of wetland flocks. Winter, they say, is the best time to visit: it’s when you can see vast collectives of teals and wigeons, as well as ring-billed gulls from North America, and can be undisturbed by the higher number of tourists who similarly flock to the area in the summer. Elsewhere along the coast you can spot seals, dolphins and basking sharks, or charter a boat to catch your own fish.

“The uneven ground means the tide moves in inconsistently, forming exposed island-like mounds and the water trickles ashore and encircles them: we stop to chat to fellow walkers who are throwing balls for their over-excited dogs to fetch.”

Deserted sands

At Hayle Beach, a brief stroll from the apartment, rolling dunes – or Towans – tumble down from dramatic black rocks, and the eye has to stretch far into the distance before you can see the waves rumbling towards the shore. At low tide, on this autumn morning, the sands remain wet underfoot far away from the water’s edge, as we trudge past a handful of other early risers along the practically deserted golden sands.

The uneven ground means the tide moves in inconsistently, forming exposed island-like mounds and the water trickles ashore and encircles them: we stop to chat to fellow walkers who are throwing balls for their over-excited dogs to fetch; they splash and bound as they do so through the pools of water that are swiftly forming. A raised coastal walk takes us on the high road along the beach, leading past miles of unspoiled views.

“In times when sunshine and warmth are scarce, such qualities are needed to uplift us”

Light and air

Hepworth no doubt chose her home partly with views in mind: the home and studio that the artist occupied for the final 25 years of her life – now the Barbara Hepworth Museum – is minutes from St Ives harbour, amid narrow streets and pitched roofs. She is among the best-known artists to have settled in Cornwall, but she is hardly the only one to have been enlivened by this coastal stretch of south-west England. Ceramicist Bernard Leach set up his world-renowned pottery studio in the town in 1920, and it remains among the best known pottery studios in the world, embedded in Cornwall’s historic relationship with clay.

My stroll through the area takes me past and into art and craft galleries, pocketing ceramic objects to take home as souvenirs. These are dotted across the region to represent the creative community that continues to make the county its home. Today, an outpost of the Tate Gallery sits a short walk away from Hepworth’s house on the site of an old gasworks, and shows off the work of several other notable local names.

“Back in Hayle in the evening, we stick close to the water, and close to home: an atmospherically lit shack on the sand”

Here, too, weather provides a backdrop to the building: standing in the amphitheatre-like entryway, I hear the roar of the ocean crashing against the shore and feel the salty air swirl around me. The sound and weather swiftly vanish as I step inside the serene interior, safely ensconced amid the finely curated art collection, but the sea itself remains visible from the open studio nestled at the front of the gallery, which is devoted to artists who take up residencies there and which you can look down upon from a circular balcony.

Later, from the generous windows of the fourth floor cafe, I spot miniature surfers bobbing on the distant waves, and I am mesmerised for hours by their relentless energy and the movement of the water. At ground level, a glass enclosed restaurant across the road gives a closer view, hovering just over the sands of Porthmeor Beach, alongside seagulls and above the smattering of spectators gathered to appreciate the water sports.

Back in Hayle in the evening, we stick close to the water, and close to home: an atmospherically lit shack on the sand, a local recommendation, serves Cajan-spiced fish and barbecued meats. We eat seafood by the bucket, and wash it down with local beers and Cornish-themed cocktails.

Winter retreats to the coast or countryside are often associated with crackling fires, old furniture, low ceilings or dim lighting. But, as Hepworth understood, the soul thrives on light, air and space. In times when sunshine and warmth are scarce, such qualities are needed to uplift us, and more so for anyone seeking to achieve the artist’s ambition of making the “human figure … a free and moving part of a greater whole”.

See 15 Cannery Row

Natural signs – In the sky

Coastal conditions can be unpredictable: sunny one minute, stormy the next. We show you how to forecast what’s coming by immersing yourself in the environment around you…

In the days and weeks leading up to a holiday, how many times do you hit the refresh button on your favourite weather app in the hope of a bright, sunny forecast for your trip? What to pack, days out and activities are almost always planned around what the weather is expected to be like.

But should you plan your break purely on a meteorologist’s weather forecast? As we’ve all had the pleasure of, weather is often a localised and transient thing. Like the sand beneath our feet, it’s always moving, always changing.

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“We always notice when bad weather hits us but if we can watch the progression of clouds in the few hours before, we can predict when the bad weather is coming.”

Rather than stake all your holiday plans on the weather forecast, created by analysing streams of data, why not step outside. Stop, listen and observe your surroundings. It could tell you a whole lot more about what’s about to happen than a regional weather forecast.

Direction of travel

An easy way to tell if there’s going to be a change in the weather is to check the wind, as Tristan Gooley, natural navigator and author of The Secret World of Weather explains:

“The best thing you can do is to take note of where the wind is coming from. It’s one of those things that doesn’t take much time – you could do it after breakfast, lunch and dinner – just check where the wind direction is coming from and if it has changed quite a lot, by more than 90 degrees, you can be pretty sure that a weather change is on its way.”

To gauge the wind direction, find a visual anchor, like a flag, if it’s blowing south east, the wind is coming from the north west, and so on. You could also try feeling the wind direction, Tristan writes in his weather guide. In open ground, close your eyes and turn your face until you feel the wind on both cheeks. Then, raise your hand to chop the air slowly, moving it until you feel the wind cooling each side equally. When you open your eyes, you’ll have a sense of where the wind is blowing from.

Next, take a look up at the clouds. Seeing how they move and change on any given day is also a good indicator of what weather lies ahead.

“We always notice when bad weather hits us but if we can watch the progression of clouds in the few hours before, we can predict when the bad weather is coming,” says Tristan. “If we look at the very highest clouds, the cirrus – the wispy, feathery, candyfloss style of clouds –they’ll start to build in number ahead of bad weather.”

Keep a mid-afternoon eye on what the cumulus clouds are doing, too. These are the fluffy, marshmallow style clouds with flat bottoms.

“Tall cumulus clouds usually indicate that the cloud is just dumping it’s rain on you and then the shower will end, whereas a thick stratus blanket of unbroken cloud across the sky indicates blanket rain.”

“If they’re getting smaller, it’s a sign that the weather will continue to be quite fair for probably the next 24 hours,” he says. “But if they’re getting taller it’s a sign of moisture and instability and things are going to get worse.

“The rough rule with cumulus clouds is if they’re taller than they are wide and they keep getting taller, then you’ve probably got some rain showers on the way.”

Showers pass

Hear the pitter patter of rain on the window on the first day of your holiday? Don’t feel disheartened; it could just be a passing shower. Again, you can tell if the rain is passing through by looking at the shape of the clouds.

Tall cumulus clouds usually indicate that the cloud is just dumping it’s rain on you and then the shower will end, whereas a thick stratus blanket of unbroken cloud across the sky indicates blanket rain. This will be slow moving and could last several hours – meaning you might need to put the day’s beach trip on hold.

Not that a bit of rain need be a barrier to having fun in the sea, particularly if you’re out for a surf. The main weather that will impact the surfing conditions is the wind, but even that you can work around, if you know what you’re looking for.

Weather moves

“As a surfer you can generally find a nook to work with the weather,” says Rachel Murphy, founder of Women and Waves, a surfing society based in Newquay. “It’s not all about where you are, but asking yourself where the weather is going to be good for surfing. You move around with the weather.

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Credit: Women and Waves, @catgram810

The ideal conditions for surfing are light offshore winds, where the wind blows from the land out to the sea. This creates clean, glassy waves. Onshore winds often create broken, messy waves that are more difficult to surf.

Most surfers rely on websites like Magicseaweed and Windguru for surf forecasts but Rachel reckons the best way to determine the forecast is to get outdoors. She says: “When I walk outside, I can generally feel what the wind direction is just from the temperature.

“If there’s a cluster of birds sitting on the beach, check out the direction they’re facing too. If they’re facing one way that’s a pretty strong sign that’s where the wind is coming from.”

“If it’s northerly and bitter then you know the wind is onshore, which isn’t great for surfing on the west coast of Cornwall. Whereas if it’s a warm wind, under 10mph, you know the surf will be clean and nice. You can feel that just on your face.”

Credit: Women and Waves, @catgram810

Animal instincts

Tuning into the sound of the sea can also help you determine what the surf might be like. “You can sometimes hear a big groundswell when you’re near the coast,” says Rachel. “I can hear it first thing in the morning when I’m walking my dog. She doesn’t like it. She must feel the rumbling or vibrations that we can’t. So I can tell if there’s a big groundswell if she’s a bit apprehensive.”

It’s not just dogs that can alert us to incoming weather. If you’re on the beach, watch what the birds are up to.

“So if you see cirrus clouds during the day and then a halo around the moon later that evening, that’s a very strong sign rain is coming.”

“The vast majority of birds are land based,” says Tristan. “They range further from home when the weather is set fair and come closer to home when there’s bad weather on the way.

“If there’s a cluster of birds sitting on the beach, check out the direction they’re facing too. If they’re facing one way that’s a pretty strong sign that’s where the wind is coming from. If they change direction that means the wind direction has changed and it’ll probably be raining by sunset.”

The night before the day

When the sun does set after a busy day on the beach, a final tip for forecasting the next day’s weather is to take a look up at the moon to see if there’s a halo around it.

“The halo shows there are cirrostratus clouds, which mean a warm front is on the way,” says Tristan. “So if you see cirrus clouds during the day and then a halo around the moon later that evening, that’s a very strong sign rain is coming.”

Come rain or shine, the best you can do to make the most of your time by the sea is to have an awareness of the weather but not become a slave to the elements.

“You have to take the weather forecast with a pinch of salt and go with what you’ve got,” advises Rachel. “There’s never going to be a perfect day…just enjoy whatever the day brings.”

Find out more with:

The Natural Navigator

Women & Waves

Experience a surface-level change of pace, and enjoy slowing down and savouring the simple joys of coastal living along the Cornish coast.

Walk through Polly Joke

Follow the path between wildflower-bursting meadows and endless fields towards this secluded cove.

Lowenna from our marketing team takes us on the walk down to Polly Joke, a peaceful beach just ten minutes from Crantock village.

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Its only half past nine in the morning but the sun is high in the sky above this stretch of coastline, as I set off on my walk towards Polly Joke beach. A lesser-known gem tucked away in a valley of sheep-dotted hills, this cove is walkable from nearby Crantock village and also can be visited by car, with three car parks nearby.

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Starting on a bumpy path on the West Pentire side of the cliffs, this route takes you through wooden gates, colourful fields and unruly hedgerows on the gradual decline down to the sand. On my right as I begin is Crantock beach, its crescent of sand separated by a stretch of ocean. Immediately to either side of me lies fields of yellow and red wildflowers. If you visit in late spring to early summer, these fields will be blooming with vibrant poppies, filling the space with a dazzling burst of scarlet.

At the signpost, turn left down towards the beach. As you wander down, delight in the uninterrupted sounds of bees buzzing in and out of the meadows, the low rumble of the ocean becoming audible in the distance. This walk to the beach is one of the most peaceful in the area- with no roads or buildings and few people, you become cocooned by the sounds, sights and smells of nature.

The moment that the beach comes into clear view is always special. White waves gallop onto the sand, curling around the shapes of early morning swimmers. Down on the beach, you can cross a trickling river by a small footbridge or paddle through it, letting the water lap onto your feet. At this time in the morning, the beach is relatively quiet, the perfect time to secure a sheltered spot tucked into one of the nooks of the cliff for a day of sunbathing. Polly Joke is dog friendly all year round, and it has no lifeguards so be sure to be careful if going in the water.

Discover the scenic walk from Crantock to a mystery location, exploring hidden gems and stunning coastal vistas along the way in Cornwall.

In just under ten minutes, you have reached a waterside haven. However, if you would like to carry on the walk, you can climb up onto the other side of the cliff, where uninterrupted coastpath leads you round to Holywell bay. This route takes you past sheep which populate the fields, so be sure to keep dogs on leads. If you look down you may spot the colony of grey seals who bask down on the cliffside coves at low tide.

If a day down on the beach leaves you feeling peckish, head back into Crantock village where you will find an array of tearooms and pubs serving light snacks, hearty meals and everything in between. Our particular favourite is Jam Jar Kitchen, a courtyard café tucked underneath a canopy of grapevines which serves superfood smoothies and bagels by day and wood fired sourdough pizza with rosé by night.

Change of Pace: Surface

Flat calm or firing, the ocean’s surface offers up myriad ways to revel in the joys of watertime…

Find out why New Year is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in for the New Year.

Unsteady balance

Credit: WeSup

A teetering wobble as you clamber to your feet, the unusual perspective gained from standing on the sea, the blissed out feeling of moving steadily forward over the ocean under your own propulsion. Not overly challenging, and easy to get up and running with, it’s no wonder paddleboarding’s popularity has soared in recent years.

“Its popularity with the public is because of the iconic slow-paced adventures around surreal tropical coastlines,” says Harvey Bentham at WeSup in Falmouth, “but the reality is that’s only one part of why paddlboarding is such a joy.”

It’s the variety of ways people engage with the sport, he goes on to explain, that makes it so alluring. “It ticks so many boxes for so many different people. We’ve seen hula-hoops, cartwheels, one-footed paddling – when the weather gifts us flat windless days we can get out and do some yoga, or headstands, or stretch our ‘legs’ and go further around the coast for a longer paddle.”

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“If the swell is up we ride waves and experience the thrill of the ocean pushing and pulling the board around, it’s definitely a different kind of buzz.”

Credit: WeSup

In his book Blue Mind: How Water Makes Us Happy Marine Biologist Dr. Wallace Nicholls explains that the rhythmic act of paddling creates an almost meditative state, with “significant evidence proving that interacting with water offers us huge benefits cognitively.” With this in mind, it’s no wonder that so many people extol the virtues of a paddle before work, or to refresh after a long day.

Simply doing your normal activity somewhere different (yoga on a paddleboard), or seeing the coast in a different way can be exhilarating enough, but for Harvey, there’s another side to the sport that comes into its own when the sets start lining up. “If the swell is up we ride waves and experience the thrill of the ocean pushing and pulling the board around, it’s definitely a different kind of buzz,” he says. Waveriding on a paddleboard is one of the oldest forms of surfing and the rush from dropping into the face and firing down the line is hard to match. Of course, that kind of skill takes years to master, but even for ‘newbie’ paddlers, waves bring a different dimension to the experience. “It depends what you’re looking for from your time on the board, the possibilities are endless – calm or choppy.”

Regardless of preference, there’s one part of paddleboarding that is inevitable and something you simply have to embrace. The swift plunge into cold water when you lose your balance and slip from your board. Enjoy the sensation and revel in the moment. It’s good for your mind, after all.

wesup.co.uk

Surfing slowdown

Credit: Extreme Academy

Surfing is undeniably a sport built around the adrenalin rush of the ocean catapulting you forward full throttle. But its high octane reputation belies one of the little considered truths of surfing. That a lot of the time, it’s about exactly the opposite.

Former waveski world champion Carl Coombes now runs Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay and is keen to advocate the contemplative element of the sport. “The moment before the ride is often one of reflection and wellbeing,” he explains, “reading the ocean, understanding its movements and sensing the right time to go, the right wave to choose. Mastering the process and commitment of your wave selection and the art of patience, it’s as much a part of surfing as charging.”

While each wave lasts only a handful of seconds, a surf session can last hours on a good day, so there’s a lot of sitting in the ocean experiencing the moment. “It’s why surfers have such an affinity with the sea, and often care so much about protecting it,” he continues. “Spending that amount of time in the water, the things you see, the wildlife, skies, quiet, its value can’t be quantified.”

For Dr. Nicholls, surfers exhibit more of the ‘blue mind’ state than anyone: “they’re attuned to the water,” he writes, “used to watching it carefully for hours on end, reading its changes, looking for the smallest indication that the next wave will be, if not the perfect wave, at least rideable.”

“You see a great session bringing the same enjoyment to a seasoned pro and a novice that has stood up for the first time.”

Credit: Extreme Academy

And that starts from the first time you paddle into a wave. Learning with a surf school is about meeting like minds, practicing the necessary physical skills but also understanding more about the sea and how and when to harness its energy.

All of that is extremely rewarding both mentally and physiologically. “You’ll finish a class or a session exhausted but also refreshed, by your time in the water, by the experience you’ve had. It’s a unique sensation,” Carl concludes. “And that’s the thing I love about surfing – whatever your ability, the reward is the same. It’s fully inclusive, low impact, great therapy, a real adrenaline rush while being relaxing and clearing your thoughts of all life’s woes.

“You see a great session bringing the same enjoyment to a seasoned pro and a novice that has stood up for the first time. Who wouldn’t want to get involved in a sport that can offer that?”

extremeacademy.co.uk

Read about adventures of every pace: on the shoreline or in the deep too…

Read our blog on the best things to do in the sea in every season!

Room with a starry view

Is stargazing the ultimate out-of-hours experience at the beach? Photographer Graham Gaunt went to Dark Sky Discovery Site Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps to capture the Milky Way above the sea.

“In some ways, it’s like old photography. You see the image for the first time in the dark room. That’s the precious part of it. It’s interesting to develop something that isn’t there when you look at it.”

The jagged lines of Cornwall’s north coast and sweeping open fields on the cliff tops make for a fitting setting to the wonders of the universe.

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The wild coast at Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps (home to our Karn Havos self-catering houses) is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of the locations around the UK where you can see the constellations and our galaxy the Milky Way.

To see the Milky Way with the naked eye, a Dark Sky Discovery Site has to have very low light pollution, preserving an inky darkness that’s all-too-rare in our modern world.

Credit: Graham Gaunt Photowork

Light pollution is an increasingly common scourge which means 90% of Britain’s population misses out on the stellar spectacle that is the night sky. But at Carwenas and Bedruthan Steps, with the Milky Way shining above, you get a magical sense of how the sky would have appeared to our ancestors.

While the best time of year to see the Milky Way in the UK runs from mid-April to mid-July, it can make more fleeting appearances throughout the UK Milky Way season from late February to late September. To catch a glimpse, all you need is a picnic blanket, a flask of something hot and a little patience.

Capturing distant light

Graham Gaunt started capturing the night sky ten years ago, with digital photography growing in capability he was able to capture shots that revealed views of the stars beyond the sights observed from gazing up into the darkness. His Dark Nights film (with night-sky footage from West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) won the directors choice award at the Cornwall Film Festival 2012.

“I started taking pictures and what I was seeing was really fantastic. In some ways, it’s like old photography. You see the image for the first time in the dark room. That’s the precious part of it. It’s interesting to develop something that isn’t totally there when you look at it.

“When you look up at the night sky to observe the Milky Way it is almost as if you see it out of the corner of your eye. When you look at what the camera captures it is something different.”

It’s not just what the camera reveals that keeps Graham returning to the dark sky sites: “Being out there on your own in these wild places deep into the night, there isn’t anybody around; that’s special in itself. It does something to your senses. As the light fades your hearing gets sharper; I start hearing all of these sounds, all around.”

Credit: Graham Gaunt Photowork

While the lighter, shorter summer nights can mean less opportunity to see stars, some features are easier to spot at this time of year. With up to 150 meteors per hour streaking across the sky, the Perseids Meteor Shower creates a dramatic light show from the 16th July to the 23rd August – peaking on 12th August with a waxing moon. And, if you look to the north in June and July (and the skies are dark enough), you could see the beautiful shimmering blue glow of noctilucent clouds. Made from ice crystals, they are only visible in the astronomical twilight.

At Carnewas and Bedruthan, Graham had five cameras set up to shoot throughout the night. Night-time photography in Cornwall has its own unique features. One of those is the dew point in the night when condensation collects on the grass and leaves; it also gathers on camera lenses.

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Graham Gaunt Photowork

That’s just one factor when it comes to photographing the stars. “When you’re shooting the night sky, you are trying to capture the light from a star hundreds of light years away,” explains Graham.

“A weak light just a few miles away can make a big different. But in some ways the brighter, near lights on earth place us; we can see in these images where we are in relation to the galaxy around our planet.”

In pursuit of stars
Graham’s search for great night-sky shots has taken him to drier, hotter locations, where condensation isn’t a concern. “I once shot on a volcano in La Palma, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, for 10 days.

“I took so much equipment to that shoot, I had to pay the same price for it to travel as I paid for myself. I went up the volcano every evening, clicking away all night then went home had some wine and went to bed!”

How does Carnewas and Bedruthan compare when it comes to being out in the wild, remoter places to capture the wonders of space?

“It was a fantastic place to be for the shoot. When I was walking back to my van at 4am the field was full of skylarks singing. From the sound I think they must have been there with fledglings. These moments, you don’t get to see and hear that if you’re not there in the quiet hours.”

Discover the perfect romantic getaway in Cornwall with our guide to where to stay for couples.

See more from Graham Gaunt.

Ten tips to help you take better photos

This week we are talking to Damian Bailey, an award-winning wedding and family photographer, on how you can take better photos and make the best of your family holiday memories.

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

“I have been a professional photographer since 2003 and photographing kids and families it is my single favourite thing to do with my camera.

Between July 11th and 31st I shall be in North Cornwall for The Beach Sessions; family photography shoots, morning or evening, at the location of your choice. Relaxed, fun and natural and all done in an hour because you don’t want it to take over your day.

Check out our locations and retreats across North Cornwall.

On holiday with friends? No problem – multi-family shoots are really popular.

On holiday with pets and well-behaved grandparents? Bring them too!

The tips below will help you take better photos of your kids and family this Summer. Or, why not take the stress out of it and let me capture your happy holiday memories, now that you are all finally together on holiday after a hell of a year?

Full details of The Beach Sessions can be found here: damianbailey.com

Explore Instagram-worthy escapes in Cornwall, where breathtaking landscapes and picturesque retreats create perfect moments for your feed.

Ten Tips to help you take better photos

Don’t zoom in – GET CLOSER!

Zooming in on a phone will reduce the quality of the photo. Instead, actually move towards or further away from the subject until you can see what you want to see in the photo. If you can’t do this then you’ll have to use the zoom but try and avoid it if you can.

What are you photographing?

Think really carefully about what is in the photograph. This is called composition or framing the photo. Sounds simple but it’s fundamental to taking good photos.

Law of Thirds

This is a good rule of thumb when taking photos. Depending on your phone/camera, you may be able to turn on a grid created by two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines.

When taking a photo try to place the subject on one of the points where the lines intersect. This will help your composition and make the photos more engaging. It’s not a hard and fast rule but it’s worth thinking about.

Don’t say “Smile!”

Asking people to smile doesn’t work. It just ends up with an awkward half-smile that looks weird. If you want happy expressions in your photos you have to try to make people laugh. You can also ask someone off-camera to help you make them laugh.

Beware! There is no dignity in this! Do whatever it takes to make people laugh whilst taking their photo.

Don’t just stand there!

Don’t just stand there! Try different angles. Shoot from above or below your subject. Lie down, stand on something. Create silhouettes, create movement and variety in your photos, even when photographing the same subject. Shoot in landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) too, to give you maximum choice.

See the light!

Light; it’s the natural resource of all photography and how you use it is the single most creative element at your disposal when taking photographs.

If you are outside, try putting the sun behind your human subject or in the shade. This is counter-intuitive to everything you’ve ever ‘learnt’ about photography, but it is the way of the professional and means that there won’t be any harsh shadow on the faces, no squinting and a lovely halo of light around their head and shoulders. You can also create amazing silhouettes! Of course, sometimes the location and required photos mean your subjects have to face the sun but try to keep it to a minimum of you can.

If it’s cloudy, anything goes!

When indoors, get your subject facing a source of natural light like a window or an open door. Avoid having a window behind your subject as this will often cause your camera to underexposure the photo.

Check out my little video on this subject.

Take LOTS of photos

Practice makes perfect and you’ll never regret taking photos. So take lots of them! I use an app called 1 Second Everyday which is a great way of getting into the habit of recording your surroundings on a daily basis. Also, when taking photos of your kids, for example, take lots at one time. Move around your subject as you are taking photos. Each will be subtly different as their expressions change etc. It’s all about playing around and practising.

Edit your photos

Go through them regularly, delete photos you don’t want to keep, edit the ones you do. Use apps like Snapseed, Blackie and even your phone’s built in editing function. Don’t overdo the filers, cropping and editing but your photos will benefit from some editing.

Do something with your photos

Get them framed and on the wall, upload them to a digital photo frame, make albums. Anything except leaving them on your phone where you’ll never see them.

Back them up

Imagine losing your phone and all your photos with it. Nightmare, right? So, make sure you back them all up. The easiest way to do this is to back your photos up to the cloud. Google Photos is a great option for this. Dropbox also works well. Detachable hard drives are also a good idea.

A Full Guide to Falmouth’s Beaches | Insider Information

When we picture Falmouth, we see sailing boat masts bobbing on the harbour and cruise liners slowly rolling along the horizon. The town is famed for its connection to maritime heritage, and this is integral to its identity. Yet on spending a day in Falmouth, it is easy to get sucked into the allure of its clothing boutique and eatery-dotted streets, whiling away the hours in the busy hub of the town whilst barely catching a glimpse of the ocean beyond.

So, we’ve created this handy guide to Falmouth’s 5 bays, helping you to drift away from the chatter of the main strip and towards the serenity of what are some of south Cornwall’s finest beaches.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

Castle beach

Greenery sways in the gentle sea breeze at this peaceful and sheltered cove. At high tide, Castle Beach is mainly shingle, but as the water stretches out a map of barnacle-dotted rockpools are revealed, perfect for any little explorers you might have in tow. Looking out to the sea, which glitters under the heat of the midday sun, you have views of Falmouth Bay in one direction and Pendennis Castle and St Anthony headland in the other. Head to Castle Beach for a ramble along the rocky shoreline before joining the South West Coast Path to explore further afield.

Gyllyngvase beach

Neighboured by sub-tropical gardens, Gylly beach is a haven of the beachside lifestyle. Sitting on the soft white sand, you can gaze out at the ships and sailboats dotted along the water. Its crescent shape harbors a gentle pool of sea water which is mostly flat, making it perfect for activities such as sea swimming and stand up paddleboarding. Gylly Beach Café sits right on the sand and serves hot food and drinks all day and evening long. Taste the chilli kick of panko breaded squid or the zest of fresh lemongrass seabass with the buzz of the beach in the background.

Looking for a fantastic restaurant in Cornwall? Check out some of our favourite restaurants with stunning sea views.

Swanpool beach

Time rolls at a slower pace at Swanpool Beach, a serene sand and shingle bay on the outskirts of Falmouth. Its adjoining lake is a Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its glassy clear water reflects the colour of the sky in the summer sun, the sheet of blue only breaking as you submerge into its icy water for a dip. Looking to get your heart pumping? Head to the beach’s watersports centre to try your hand at kayaking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing or coasteering.

Nansidwell beach

This beach is often known as Woodlands, and this is because of its surroundings- walk the footpath between Maenporth and Mawnan Smith through green woodland and you will come out at the hidden cove, an area looked after by the National Trust. Nestled out of the wind, the beach is a sun trap where you can listen to the rustle of the trees behind you as your eyes rest on the topaz blue moana ahead.

Maenporth Beach

Green rolling headlands curve down towards Maenporth Beach, an adorable cove dotted with the pink and blues of parasols and beach towels across its yellow sand. Slightly further out from Falmouth town, this beach is lined with sub-tropical trees which stand tall around the perimeter of the bay. Head here for a family day out or a solo sunbathe, hearing the birds chirping in the sub-exotic foliage.

Check out our other locations and other retreats across South Cornwall.

Browse our beach locations in Cornwall to explore further, and keep an eye out on our special offers page for discounted stays in Falmouth.

Thing to do in Cornwall this Spring

Finally, the time has come. As April has arrived and spring is blooming, we are also slowly regaining our freedoms. This means that we can once again explore and enjoy Cornwall in all its glory.

Thinking of visiting in the February half term, check out what activities we recommend trying in February.

Yet despite the irresistible call of the ocean and the sunshine, this year will once again be different. We’ve put together this handy guide with some ideas on how to make the most of Cornwall this spring, whilst avoiding the crowds and embracing the new normal.

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

Surfing

The expanse and variety of Cornwall’s beaches means that there is enough sea to go around for everyone, and what better way to enjoy the spacious outdoors than getting in amongst the waves? If you don’t feel super confident hitting the surf alone, Cornwall’s Women and Waves Society run group classes and trips to make surfing fun and accessible for all women.

Wild Swimming

If surfing isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of ways to get a daily dose of H20 and enjoy Cornwall’s glittering oceans. Try taking a dip in a cove of your choice- there are plenty of popular spots to head to so you can ensure your swim is safe. Simply immerse yourself in the icy blue water, letting your body relax and restore as you leisurely float. Warning- it may take your breath away!

Find a secret beach

The beauty of Cornwall’s beaches means that in peak times, they can get very busy. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds this summer and carve out a more tranquil spot for yourself, why not try and hunt for a secret beach? Cornwall’s rugged coastline means that it is home to many hidden gems where you can soak up the sun in peace. Finding the perfect spot may take a bit of adventuring, but it is possible- start with the lesser-known treasures of Porth Joke beach in Crantock and Housel Bay in the Lizard.

Walk the Coast Path

Where in Cornwall could you find more open space and picture-book scenery than along the many coastal paths that line the county? With fresh air a key to reducing the spread of Covid, fill your lungs and walk along miles of uninterrupted clifftops. Check out the South West Coast Path website for directions on how to access the UK’s longest and best-loved National Trail. This 630-mile-long path is walking distance from all our properties, so leave the car behind and stretch your legs across a section of this magnificent walk.

Dine With Iris

With dining in busy spots less of an option this year, bring the leisurely experience of dining out to an outdoor space with Dine with Iris’s personal pop-up picnics. She will supply you with a delicious seasonal grazing board, pillows and rugs, themed flowers, a Bluetooth speaker and much more. You don’t need to worry about setting up or packing it up, this is all taken care of. So, bring a few loved ones along and enjoy a Cornish picnic in style.

Outdoor Yoga

To fully embrace the more peaceful spring we will be having, away from large crowds, why not channel this energy into an activity devoted to tranquillity? Here in Cornwall, you will find many outdoor yoga groups, some offering beach sessions which will allow you to sync your breathing with the calming crash of the ocean waves. Check out Alicia Ray Wellbeing for private classes, or even just bring a mat and a calm mind and give it a go in a quiet corner of the beach.

Credit: Alicia Ray

Visit a garden

Not only does it offer miles of untouched coastline, Cornwall is also home to some of the nation’s most exotic gardens, bursting with the colours and scents of summer. Many of these can be visited this spring abiding with social distancing regulations. Delve into the tropical terrain of Trebah gardens, where you will find acres of sweeping flowers, jungle-like trees and secret ponds, all leading towards a secluded and sunny beach at the bottom of the valley. Stray from the crowds and into the embrace of nature.

Watch the sunrise

The best way to avoid the crowds is to get up before them. All of our properties are walking distance from the beach so you can easily stroll down first thing in the morning, where you can enjoy the quieter hours. Early in the morning, you will see the first golden rays of sunlight which shine beautifully onto the untouched sand- you will truly feel as though the beach belongs to just you. If you are more of a night owl than an early bird, head out at sunset time to soak up the more peaceful atmosphere of later in the day.

BBQ on the beach

To enjoy a meal in your own space, why not head down to a secluded spot of the beach for a BBQ dinner? Many of Cornwall’s beaches allow private BBQ’s, so long as you leave no trace once you’re done. So, sit back and relax, with a sizzling burger and a bottle of something cold, as you dine al fresco. You can visit a nearby butcher or food store to source some fresh and organic ingredients to cook with. Just remember to bring a blanket to stay warm in the open air as the spring sun dips lower in the sky.

Travel by bike

Cornwall is home to many great cycle trails, and these can be a fun way to stray from the beaten path and explore away from the crowds and the holiday traffic. The Camel Trail, which ranges from Padstow to Bodmin, offers an 18 mile stretch of scenery and fresh Cornish air. Whilst cycling along the historic disused railway line, you can stop off at some quieter spots along the way where you may catch a glimpse at some fascinating Cornish wildlife. For more experienced cyclists, why not stray from the path and explore the many little villages and country lanes which lead off from the trail?

Fancy staying in Padstow? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Padstow.

Slow travel in Cornwall

On the upside, this crazy year has given us all many reasons to stay closer to home and slow down a little. And being a destination that doesn’t involve hopping on a plane to get to Cornwall’s culture, landscape and remoteness makes it a place that goes hand-in-hand with the art of slow travel. So, here are some of our favourite places to ditch the car and reconnect with yourself, with each other and with nature at your own pace.

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

Care free adventures in Cawsand

Cawsand

Once your feet hit the sand, these waterside villages and your pace of life will quickly re-adjust to the ebb and flow of the tides. Take a step back in time in this ‘forgotten corner’ of Cornwall, where you can wander the coast path to historic landmarks or hop aboard a ferry and witness the county’s maritime heritage from the water. Why not wake up with a sunrise sea dip, skim pebbles in the twinkling bay, then follow the cobbled lanes to The Old Bakery for a loaf of fresh sourdough that you can unpack on a picnic at Rame Head?

Search Cawsand holidays.

Soak up eye-popping scenery in Portloe

With little to do except stroll, swim, eat and gawp at its pristine beauty, the seaside hamlet of Portloe is an idyllic location to ditch your keys and lap up life in the slow lane. Get a mighty dose of Vitamin Sea, rub shoulders with local fishermen and dine on the their catch in historic smugglers’ hangouts. Flaunting Cornish culture and eye-popping coastal scenery in bucket-loads, for its diminutive size, you’ll feel a million miles away from the maddening crowds. In spring, wafts of coconut-gorse infuse the air as you stroll along the coast path to Portholland’s duo of beaches. Or you might prefer to castaway on a paddleboard to spot seals and seabirds.

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Crabbing and coastal rambles in Mousehole

Mousehole

Hang a crabbing line from the harbour wall and watch the watery world go by in a place dubbed ‘the loveliest village in England’ by Dylan Thomas. Tuck into potted Cornish crab accompanied by locally brewed ales in the The Ship Inn – a place frequented by Thomas – before rambling onto Lamorna Cove, where he also stayed with his girlfriend Caitlin. As you pass the iconic Tater Du lighthouse, tunnel through the enchanting Kemyel Crease woodland and emerge at Lamorna’s quayside. It’s easy to see why Dylan Thomas fell so deeply in love with the landscape – and indeed his girlfriend, who he subsequently married. Whether you walk the coast path, or take a cruise aboard where the skipper regales tales of smugglers, shipwrecks and pirates, you’ll no doubt fall head over heels for this place, too.

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Shell-hunting and sandboarding in Holywell Bay

holywell

Get lost in miles of dunes and glide down their sandy peaks, onto a crushed-shell beach perfect for hunting sea glass. At low tide explore the sea caves in search of the ‘holy well’ that gave the beach its name, and when westerlies bring white horses scudding across the Atlantic, seek shelter in the towering dunes. As soon as you clap eyes on the twin peaks of Gull rock, you’ll recognise the bay for its part in BBC’s Poldark hit. And whether your toes are in the sand or you stomp the coast path to Kelsey head, it’s easy to imagine Ross Poldark galloping along the shoreline, and Demelza wistfully picking sea pinks on the cliff tops.

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Cycle coast to coast from Portreath

Portreath

Exploring Cornwall under pedal power is a great way to get under the skin of the landscape and culture at your own pace, while cunningly avoiding the holiday traffic. There’s a web of mineral tramways criss-crossing some of the county’s richest mining heritage in West Cornwall, our favourite of which is the Coast-to-Coast trail. Freewheel along 11 miles of off-road trails from Portreath harbour on the north coast, ticking off sea views, woodland, engine houses and quarries, on the way to the sublime estuary-edge Devoran on the south coast.

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Rockpooling on Downderry beach

Kick off your shoes, grab a fishing net and bucket, and pad along Downderry’s sand and shingle shoreline on the ebbing tide. Here, in the shadow of the sea cliffs, you can squander hours searching the rock pools for the likes of starfish, anemones, crabs and blennies. Don’t lose track of time if you want to pad barefoot all the way to Seaton, as you don’t want to get cut off by the incoming tide. At the very eastern end of the beach you’ll find more than nature baring all, as it’s a popular naturist hangout.

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Chase waterfalls at Rocky Valley

Boscastle Feel the embrace of nature as you turn inland from the rugged North Cornish coast and follow a magical glen all the way to a thundering waterfall. Explore ancient woodland alongside the River Trevillet to reach the 60ft St Nectan’s Glen, serenaded by birdsong, the whisper of the water, and the mythical fairies and piskies believed to inhabit one of Cornwall’s most spiritual sites.

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Check out our other locations and other retreats across North Cornwall.

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Want to learn more about how to make the most of your travel? Read our blog on how to do slow travel.

Discover Wild Swimming in Cornwall

There is something particularly freeing about wild swimming with the salty water, fresh air and endless horizon stretching ahead of you, not to mention ‘finding your own community, self-care and an affinity with nature through cold water’.

Being surrounded by water on three sides, we’re spoilt for choice on wild swimming locations in Cornwall. Whether you are looking to swim in the calms of a river, beside the sandy shore of a beach or brave the wilds of the Atlantic, we speak to Co Founder of Wild Swimming Cornwall Lydia Paleschi for her top tips for beginners, favourite locations and how to stay safe.

***Wild Swimming Cornwall was co founded by Lydia Paleschi, Bethany Allen and Max Campbell and their aim is to encourage more people to take part in wild swimming and to experience its benefits in order to lead a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.***

Can you describe the feeling you get when you first plunge into the water?

Feelings of apprehension, excitement and a battle of wills between our body and our mind begin before entering the water. However, on overcoming the resistance and taking the plunge, this is replaced with feelings of achievement, bravery and invigoration. Afterwards, we feel refreshed, revitalised and ready to face the day! The more you wild swim, the more you come to love this feeling.

What’s the best way to enter the water, slowly or just jump in?

It’s best to enter the water slowly, particularly if you’re new to cold water swimming. This gives your body a chance to adjust to the cold water shock and for you to catch your breath. Sometimes the cold can make us gasp, so for the first few minutes it’s best not to talk or swim and to focus on acclimatising.

What happens to the body when entering cold water?

As we dip into the water, the body enters into cold water shock as a response to rapid skin cooling. This is experienced at different temperatures for each person, but the colder the water the more likely it is to happen. As a result, we can expect to gasp and our heart rate increases. In order to protect our core temperature from dropping, warm blood rushes from our extremities (our hands, feet and arms) to our core. As we stay in the water for longer, our muscles and nerves begin to cool too. This can lead to a loss in dexterity and movement. Cold water swimming carries a risk of hyperthermia, so it’s important we don’t stay in the water for too long. If you start to shiver or feel warm, remove yourself from the water and get dry quickly.

It’s important to know that cold water shock puts increased pressure on the heart, so make sure you know you’re fit and healthy before going for a wild swim and putting your body under this stress.

Can you tell us your favourite wild swimming location in Cornwall?

With so many great locations for swimming in Cornwall, this one is tough to answer. However, we are huge fans of the Helford River spots which are in our local area.

Do you have any top tips for keeping warm when you exit the water?

All the tips! Particularly in winter, it’s really important to be prepared for a wild swim. Ensure you have plenty of layers with you and a warm drink for when you come out. The main thing is to get dressed as quickly as possible. Prioritise your extremities by getting a hat on your head as soon as possible and socks on your feet. We like to wrap our clothes around a warm drink or hot water bottle whilst we’re in the water so that they’re lovely and toasty when we’re getting changed back into them. Going for a short walk afterwards can help you to warm back up and something sugary to eat never goes amiss!

What are the key benefits to cold water swimming?

According to the NHS, regular swimming can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. Cold water swimming comes with the additional benefits of increased metabolism and immunity, plus reduced inflammation.

There are a huge number of mental health benefits to be experienced too. Wild swimming is a form of ecotherapy and a way to practice mindfulness. On top of this, the experience of cold water shock improves the body’s stress response, increases the levels of dopamine in the body and is a way for us to build our confidence, resilience and bravery.

You can find detailed information on the benefits of wild swimming via our website.

What wildlife have you come across while wild swimming?

We come across a broad range of wildlife not only whilst wild swimming, but also as we travel to and from swimming locations. In the past year, we’ve been in the water with seals, jellyfish, fish, swans and cormorants. However, we will have seen many more species of birds, squirrels, hedgehogs and a wonderful selection of plants on the way there and back too.

Are there any groups in Cornwall our guests can meet up with during their stay?

Yes! Cornwall is an excellent place to wild swim and the number of wild swimming groups dotted around the county are a reflection of that. We’ve put together an interactive map on our website to make it easier for people to find a group near to them. This is accessible via the Find Your Group page on our website.

Lastly, do you have any words of wisdom for our guests at Beach Retreats before they take their first Cornwall dip?

It is imperative that you put safety first and conduct a risk assessment before wild swimming. We also recommend that you never swim alone. Whilst there is plenty to be gained from wild swimming, the ocean can be a dangerous place and must be respected. You can find full details on safety via our website and the RNLI website.

We’ve also written a Beginner’s Guide to Wild Swimming for those who are looking for advice on how to take the plunge.

Follow Lydia’s top tips and swimming locations on the Wild Swimming Cornwall Instagram.

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