Category: Favourite beaches

Walk through Cornwall | Carnewas & Bedruthan

Roughly halfway between Newquay and Padstow, just a few miles up the coast from Watergate Bay lies one of Cornwall’s most popular must-see spots.

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The wow factor doesn’t even begin to cover it, but this piece of coastline keeps itself well hidden from the road and as you first enter the car park. Take a short walk along the well-trodden paths, a mix of hard earth and cobbled routes, and you will be rewarded that are arguably some of the best views in Cornwall.

Welcome to Carnewas. These giant granite pillars viewed from the imposing cliff tops have been carved out by the relentless action of thousands years of wind and waves. It’s hard not to gaze across the scene and imagine shipwrecks and smugglers.

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Bedruthan beach is accessed via a very steep staircase – not for the faint hearted. Here the golden sands are punctuated by beautiful green pools. Visitors are reminded to take care as the steps can be submerged for two hours around high tide.

A longer walk along the coast will take you to Diggory’s Island and Booby’s Bay – download one of the walks via the National Trust here

Carnewas at Bedruthan has also been recognised by the Science & Technology Facilities Council as a Dark Skies Discovery Site. Due to its location away from street lights and no man made obstructions, it’s a place to marvel at the stars and night sky.

The area is owned by the National Trust, who also run the car park (remember to take a couple of pounds with you), shop and a popular café to sit and take in what you’ve just seen. The buildings are a reminder of Carenwas’ industrial past when iron, copper and lead was mined from the cliffs.

Alternatively, pack some food and enjoy the grass-lined picnic benches.

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is just a five minute drive from our properties at Watergate Bay, including our Village properties.

Interested in finding out more about Newquay? Discover what to do in and around Newquay.

Walk through – Rock

Gaze across the Camel Estuary from Padstow on Cornwall’s north coast and you’ll spot the village of Rock. We take a walk…

Said to have been named after the local quarry that once provided ballast for ships sailing from this natural harbour, the name of Rock is somewhat deceptive.

Long stretches of fine sandy beaches line the edge of the village and the calm tidal waters make it a perfect place to sail, windsurf, water-ski and canoe. Others prefer to take it easy with a spot of fishing or bird watching from the dunes. It’s not hard to see why it’s grown in popularity in recent years.

We started our walk at the top of the village visiting Lewis’s Deli & Coffee Shop. Here you can stock up on fresh groceries, artisan bread from Da Bara Bakery, all of your favourite local cheeses and plenty of other treats including wine. Rockfish Fish Merchant across the road sells freshly caught fish plus hand-made dressed crab, potted shrimps and fishcakes. Beach BBQ anyone?

Next door, Mooch Interiors provides tasteful products for indoor and outdoor dining and utility. It’s the start of many great shops you’ll find in this small village.

Preppy and sailing-inspired fashion features large, with Seasalt, Crew Clothing, Jack Wills and White Stuff all having their own shops based at the top and bottom of the village. The independent Quay 4 Ltd also stocks favourites from Joules Clothing.

Next stop is Porthilly Cove which joins up with the beach at Rock at low tide. Glance across the estuary and you’ll see evidence of why this is a renowned area for shellfish, with produce championed by chefs and restaurants around the world, including Rick Stein and Nathan Outlaw. Rock Shellfish are key growers and wholesalers of oysters, mussels, clams and samphire, so make sure you sample some seafood during your visit.

Porthilly Gallery is the working studio of ceramist Paul Jackson, while at Rock Road Gallery you’ll find beautiful paintings from Allan Caswell.

There’s no shortage of great places to eat or drink away the sunset. Nathan Outlaw’s Mariners Rock public house is home to great tasting no-fuss pub grub and locally brewed beers from Sharps. His two-Michelin starred restaurant has recently moved from the St Enodoc Hotel to Port Isaac a short drive away.

©No 1 Rock Road

No. 1 Rock Road Bar and Grill, pictured above, and the Rock Inn are a little further down the road offering food and drinks while the popular Blue Tomato café is great for laid-back family food.

And after all that, don’t forget to take time to explore the beautiful beaches and coastal paths. Take the ferry across Padstow, discover the tranquil Daymer Bay a short stroll along the estuary or the popular surfing beach of Polzeath which is a little further along.

Talk about a beach retreat.

Rock is a 25 minute drive away from our properties at Watergate Bay and the surrounding area.

Walk Through Falmouth, Cornwall

Back on the South coast of Cornwall, we visited Falmouth, a port on the River Fal. Known for its vibrant culture, Falmouth offers visitors the best of food and drink, retail therapy and stunning views.

Starting on the high street we took in all of the shops and indulged in a little retail therapy. From traditional Cornish stores to art galleries and vintage clothing shops, Falmouth has something for everyone.

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After our fill of shops and cafes, we took a seat beside the harbour to watch the boats go by. Flanked on one side by the Maritime Museum it was the perfect place to soak up the afternoon sun.

The National Maritime Museum is a fascinating place to visit if you have time. It’s mission is to promote an understanding of boats and their place in people’s lives, and of the maritime heritage of Cornwall.

After watching the boats go by we wandered over to Gyllyngvase beach. It was slightly overcast but that never put the Cornish off a day at the beach. Families were building sandcastles, eating ice cream and looking around the gardens nearby.

Discover Swell in Falmouth, our staff pick of the month, where contemporary design meets coastal charm for the perfect Cornish retreat.

Chasing the sun we noticed a bright blue sky over Flushing, a coastal village opposite Falmouth. We raced around the bay and sat on the wall soaking up the summer sun with the best view of Falmouth.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Walk Through – Padstow

Set on the North Cornwall coast, Padstow is a quintessential harbour full of fishing boats, boutique stores, amazing restaurants and smiling faces.

Padstow

Steeped in fishing history Padstow is a beautiful place to while away the day and watch the world, boats, go by.

Starting at the National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow’s traditional fishing culture is already apparent. At the heart of the hatchery is conservation, taking in pregnant lobsters that have been caught by local fishermen and nurturing her young until they are ready to be released back in to the wild. Over the course of a year, the Lobster Hatchery takes in up to 60,000 young and improves their survival rate in the wild up to 40%.

Fishing-in-Padstow

Make sure you visit the hatchery and adopt your own lobster.

Walking towards the village centre the smell of Rick Stein’s fish n’ chips is alluring, but first it’s time for some elevenses

Flapjack-and-coffee

We tuck round the corner of the harbour to BinTwo, an independent wine merchant and champagne bar. Prizing ourselves away for the vintage collection we ordered a coffee and cake and relaxed.

With our energy boosted it was time for meandering through the streets, ducking into the boutique shops, and taking lots of photos.

Padstow-Harbour

The-Shell-Shop

Shells

The-Padstow-Harbour

Rick-Stein-Seafood-restaurant

fish-and-chips

Padstow-Lanes

Ice-Cream

Ocean-Blue

The-Square-Padstow

The-Blue-brick-houses

Padstow-Harbour

THrough-the-fence

One pasty shop.

The-Padstow-Pasty-co

Two pasty shops.

The-Cornish-Pasty-Company

Three pasty shops.

Pasty-Presto

All next door to the other. You certainly won’t go hungry in Padstow.

Three-Pasty-shops-in-a-row

Tracing back to harbour, the central hub of Padstow, the Jubilee Queen is filling up for her twice daily tour of the coast. But that’s not the only way to see the Camel Estuary.

Jubilee-Queen

Starting at Wadebridge you can cycle you way along five miles of coastal path towards Padstow along the Camel Trail. Or if you’re a bit of a thrill seeker why not climb aboard one of Padstow’s famous speed boats for a whirl wind ride.

The-Speedboats

Jaws-the-Speedboat

As the sun started to set and after a day of shopping, snacking and sunbathing beside the harbour it was time for dinner.

Sunset

We headed to Rojano’s in the Square, a favourite restaurant to the locals serving the best of Italian influenced cuisine. We opted for burgers, which were so delicious we didn’t stop in time to take a photo, however, Rojano’s came to the rescue and lent us their image.

Rojanos

Rojanos-interior

See what we mean? Tasty!

Walk Through – Fowey, Cornwall

We pronounce it ‘Foy’ to rhyme with joy!

Fowey marks the first, of many, walk-through we’ll be covering on the South coast of Cornwall. Halfway between Plymouth and Falmouth, Fowey is one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. Tiny streets, tall houses, bunting and boats sum up this quintessential Cornish harbour.

Sparkling blue water peeks through the houses as we walk down the steep slopes of School Hill.

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Trickling down into the town are a steady flow of locals and visitors, taking in the boutique shops and eagerly carrying their crabbing equipment, excited to get the best spot along the harbour.

In the town centre familiar shops like Sea Salt and Joules make you feel at home, whilst the boutique shops like Whistlefish Gallery entice you into the creative world of Cornish art and craft.

But once again it’s the great Cornish food that brings Fowey to life. Here is the home of the famous Sam’s Bistro and Lifebouy Cafe, along with the customary bakeries and fish n’ chip shops.

Wherever you chose to stop for food, chances are you’ll be looking out over the River Fowey, a haven for seafaring vessels. Over the centuries the River Fowey was hugely significant to worldwide trade, dating back to the medieval era when Fowey was a major port for trading Cornish tin. The Fowey harbour also participated in significant naval warfare, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But it’s in the 1400s when Fowey men were most notorious across Europe, for their piracy!

Experience unforgettable days paddleboarding along the Cornish coast, where crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery create the perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation.

These days you can take a boat trip around the harbour and learn all about Fowey’s history, and take a ‘float’ by Daphne du Maurier’s holiday home where she wrote her first novel The Loving Spirit.

Illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell also took inspiration for Fowey, having lived in Polruan, opposite, and Fowey until her deal in 1964. Ferries run every approximately every 15 minutes to Polruan.

Discover coastal charm of Fowey, South Cornwall, with Beach Retreats.

A Walk Through Guide to Porth, Cornwall

Porth Beach, sheltered by headlands on either side, is a popular beach with families. Boasting one of the longest tidal drops of all the beaches in Cornwall it’s a spacious, safe beach to enjoy with the whole family.

Complete with crashing surf carving into the rocks, and an island accessed by footbridge, Porth is the perfect place to grab the camera and explore.

Here’s our guide to Porth, so you can make the most of this family-favourite beach.

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Starting at Porth Island we tracked the path to the footbridge taking in the views of Watergate Bay and Whipsiderry Beach, North, and Newquay, South.

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

During winter, Porth Island is a great place for storm-watching. At mid-tide, at the end of the island, is a blow hole that, timed right, sends the Atlantic Ocean washing over it shooting up into the air.

Hungry for an ice cream we headed back towards the beach. As Porth has such a long tidal drop the sand levels remain high far out to sea. Taking care you can wade into the water enjoying yourself without getting your hair wet.

Spotting Roo’s Beach ice cream shop we stopped for a delicious tub of Moomaid ice-cream, which we recently made into a delicious cocktail with the help of Fifteen Cornwall.

Throughout the summer Roo’s Beach are also offering artisan coffee and running a pop up Kingsurf Shop, closely linking Porth beach and Mawgan Porth.

After a bit too much retail therapy the sun began to set, drenching the village in beautiful evening sunshine.

Learn about more areas of Cornwall, such as Portwrinkle with our blog filled with expert tips to making the most of Portwrinkle.

If you enjoyed our Porth, Cornwall guide, find a retreat on our special offers page. Or, browse our beach locations to explore more of the coastline.

Walk Through – Mawgan Porth

The North coast of Cornwall is a smörgåsbord of beautiful beaches and great surf breaks to which Mawgan Porth is of no exception. A few miles north of Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth is a picturesque village with everything you could need for a great holiday!

Mawgan Porth Beach has all the right ingredients – sitting at the bottom of steep cliffs, this large sandy beach has rock pools, rolling surf and amazing sunsets. It’s no wonder The Times named it one of the best beaches in Britain stating ‘There are better-known and busier beaches in Cornwall, but few can match the raw beauty of Mawgan Porth’. Mawgan Porth Beach is one of Cornwall’s quieter beaches making it popular with families with younger children.

Coming off the beach and exploring the village you’ll find the local deli, cafes, surf shops and hire, craft workshops and jewellery and clothing boutiques.

Deli

Veg

Off-the-Beach

Arts-ad-craft

Trans Surf takes centre stage in the village, selling and hiring surf equipment and more. From wetsuits to custom made boards, vintage Levis and cowboy boots to fair trade Cornish clothing you could search the store for hours.

Trans-Surf-Women

Trans-Surf-Mens

Vintage

Art

Next door you’ll find Roo’s Beach. With a sister store in Porth, Roo’s Beach is building a reputation as the ‘beachiest’ boutique in North Cornwall. Fun and funky is the only way to describe their eclectic style.

MP-Roos-beach

Roos-Beach-Mawgan-Porth

Roos-Beach-MP

And don’t forget to visit Disco Beads. Created in 2009 by jewellery designer Vic Harrigon, as quickly as she could make the jewellery she was selling it. Now with her own shop in Mawgan Porth, you can purchase ready made bracelets and necklaces or create your own.

Disco Beads have a mirror inside which makes them highly reflective giving them the bright and glowing look of a disco ball when they catch the light.

Disco-Beads

Disco-Beads-Mawgan-Porth

After a few hours retail therapy we’d worked up an appetite for coffee! At the end of the village we spied ‘Laid Back Coffee co‘, an independent, mobile coffee business selling great coffee and home baked cakes from the back of a 1969 Morris Minor Van.

Laid-Back-Coffee

Laid-Back-Coffee-Co

Coffee-co

Alternatively, if you’re looking for proper pub grub served at morning, noon and night (full English breakfasts and muffins, freshly filled baguettes from Chough Bakery in Padstow, and stone baked pizzas), then the Merrymoor is for you.

Walking back towards the beach we were nearly convinced by the Kingsurf guys to take a surf lesson. Running since 1997, Kingsurf has taught thousands of people how to catch the waves and ride them all the way into shore.

There is a great local vibe in Mawgan Porth; the residents of the village really work hard to keep everything local. If you want an authentic Cornish holiday, Mawgan Porth is for you.

Check out our holiday lets in Mawgan Porth.

Cornwall or Brazil – Where is this Beach?

If, like us, you have been left out of Roy Hodgson’s preliminary squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, we have a plan B. Spend some time in Cornwall.

It’s really not that different to Brazil, we have great food and drink, currently good weather and beautiful beaches. And it’s those beaches we want to test you on today.

We’ve got ten stunning beaches, but are they in Cornwall or Brazil? Answers are the bottom of the page (no cheating).

Let us know how you scored by leaving a comment at the bottom.

1. Wide expanses of sand make for a great playground, but is this Cornwall or Brazil?

2. Stunning Coastal walks will inspire and reinvigorate, but is this Cornwall or Brazil?

3. Gentle lapping waves, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

4. Dawn and dusk make for perfect photo opportunities, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

5. You have to share the beaches with the wildlife, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

6. An inspiring mix of sand, sea and scenery, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

7. Space to breathe, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

8. Coves and caves to explore, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

9. Time to get in the water, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

10. The end to a perfect day, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Answers: how well did you do?

Watergate Bay in Cornwall

A coastal footpath in Southern Brazil

Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

A seagull on a Brazilian Beach

Carbis Bay, Cornwall

Sennen Cove, Cornwall

Nanjizal Beach, near, Land’s End, Cornwall

A surfer on a Brazilian Beach.

Perranporth in Cornwall

Walk Through – Fistral Beach and Pentire Point

Firstly, let us formally welcome you to the first of our walk-through series. Throughout the year we’ll be taking you on a trip around Cornwall, showing you the best places to walk your dog, take your children, eat like a local and bathe on the beach.

Fistral Beach

The first stop on our walk-through of Cornwall is Fistral Beach and Pentire Point.

Fistal Beach needs no introduction, it’s the world-famous surfing beach drawing thousands of visitors and surfers from around the world each year. Aside from the year-round, fantastic surf, Fistral is dog friendly, home to some great restaurants, and starts us on our journey of Newquay.

Interested in looking at our other developments? Check out our holiday developments across Cornwall.

Fistral Beach is a great place to spend the whole day; take a surf lesson with Fistral Surf School, or bodyboard with Rob Barber for a whirlwind ride through the surf.

There is no need to take food with you, Fistral is home to great eateries like The Stable, Fistral Beach Cafe and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. But if you prefer, pack up a BBQ and cook your way through to sunset. The Stable; is a restaurant that represents the West Country to the full, showcasing cider as the main drink and serving alongside it, stone baked pizzas using locally sourced ingredients from the West Country.

Want to stay in Fistral? Have a look at our luxury holiday cottages in Fistral.

Sit in with your friends and family or choose the take out option and enjoy your pizza on the shore.

Heading South along the beach you’ll come across two of our Beach Retreats properties, Trethvor and 17 Oceangate, both with commanding views over the beach and within walking distance of Pentire Point, the headland separating Fistral and Crantock Beach.

Patience is a virtue in Cornwall.

Head west from the apartments and you’ll find the coastal path leading to Pentire Point, home to Lewinnick Lodge, a cliff side restaurant looking out over the Atlantic. Around the headland from Lewinnick is the beautiful Crantock Beach.

This blog post covers a 3 mile walk from Fistral Beach to Pentire point and back. Taking you across easy terrain it’s the perfect trail to walk with the entire family.

Fistral

– Best beach for surfing
– Dog friendly year-round
– Restaurants
– Toilets
– Coin operated showers
– Short stay parking

Pentire Headland

– Free Parking on Esplanade Road
– Coastal Paths
– Fistral on left, Crantock on your right
– Kelly’s Ice Cream
– Pitch and Putt

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROPERTIES IN FISTRAL

Explore Egret View at Fistral, our staff pick of the month, offering stunning views and luxurious comfort for an unforgettable stay on the Cornish coast.

Best dog friendly beaches in North Cornwall

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…we love dogs and dogs love Cornwall, especially the beaches. With over 150 beaches to explore, dig, run and play on, you and your dog are more than catered for.

We’ve compiled a list of the best dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall, including the closest ones to our Beach Retreats properties.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay is dog-friendly year-round and encourages you to bring your dogs onto the sand to play. With over two miles of sandy beach with rock pools and sea caves to explore, it’s fair to say your dog will love it here. And once you’re both tired out there is The Beach Hut and Living Space restaurants for something to eat and drink, again both dog friendly.

Porth beach

Porth Beach, situated between Newquay and Watergate Bay, is a large, west-facing, sandy beach with a long tidal drop. Porth beach welcomes dogs through the winter months of October to Easter but there is a seasonal ban throughout the summer months.

Whipsiderry Beach

Dog friendly year round. Whipsiderry Beach is a beautiful, quiet beach, with sheltering cliffs and an abundance of rock pools and caves for hours of exploring fun. There are a set of steep steps to gain access to the beach but it’s worth the climb.

Perranporth

Dog friendly year round. At low tide Perranporth beach and neighbouring Penhale sands join together to make one of the largest stretches of unbroken sand on the North Coast. Let your dog off the lead and send them chasing after their ball along the shore, they’ll love it. And then recharge in The Watering Hole, also dog friendly.

Check out our holiday lets in Perranporth.

Mawgan Porth

Mawgan Porth is another year round dog friendly beach. Even at high tide Mawgan Porth has plenty of sand to run ragged on. Compared to other beaches on the North Cornwall coast, Mawgan Porth is fairly quiet allowing you and your dog a more peaceful visit.

Fistral beach

Fistral is possibly the most popular beach in North Cornwall, being at the very heart of the British surfing scene. The beach is a wide expanse of sand sheltered by two headlands. Dogs are welcome at Fistral beach year round.

Discover dog-friendly restaurants in Cornwall with Beach Retreats.

Search our dog friendly properties and book your stay with Beach Retreats at one of our many beach locations around Cornwall. Keep an eye on our special offers page, too, for the latest discounts and deals.

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