Category Archives: Mid Cornwall

Gorran Haven

Season: spring

This was a long awaited chance to see Gorran Haven in bright sunshine, on a high tide with the sea blue in the harbour.  A welcome break from inclement easterlies had restored the little harbour to its usual benign character, as weekending visitors enjoyed the sunshine once more.  This beach has a timeless quality, as testified by Jane in our chat.  It feels like time has stood still in Gorran Haven, a sheer pleasure to visit.

Spring visit photo gallery

Jane’s appreciation of the beach and the village.

The view from the harbour wall at Gorran Haven.

Season: spring

Gorran Haven basked in warm sunshine for this spring re-visit.  The recent storms had torn all the sand from the top of the beach, but the sea was as calm as a mill pond now.  The low spring tide allowed easy access to Little Perhaver beach, the headland between the two beaches having lost a good twenty metres of topsoil into the sea over the winter, exposing more hard granite and widening the view between the two beaches.

Spring visit photo gallery

A chance for Helen to reflect on the timeless appeal of this beach.

A beach panorama, from outside Cliff Cottage.

Season: summer

Although it was warm, a turbulent scene greeted me at Gorran Haven for this stormy summer re-visit.  The beach was fairly deserted, on a falling tide, but one or two people looked out, mesmerised, from the harbour wall at the rolling breakers that pounded in relentlessly.  It was intoxicating.  Out at sea, grey clouds blended into the horizon.  The whole scene was at once rejuvenating and energising.

Summer visit photo gallery

Ernie’s association with the beach, through time and tide.

On the waterline, in the centre of a wonderful morning scenario.

Season: spring

This early morning visit was marred by an edgy easterly sea.  Although the tide was falling, the short sea spat at the rocks between Gorran Haven beach and Little Perhaver.  The harbour wall offered little protection to the lone fishing boat at anchor.

Spring visit photo gallery

White horses decorate the sea, as it crashes against the rocks.

Season: winter

It was a mild, wet return to Gorran Haven in January.  The beach was peaceful and quiet, with a fishing boat bobbing in the bay.  This is an unspoilt village, retaining a strong sense of community and belonging, as you can hear in the interview with Elaine.

Chatting to Elaine, behind the Sail Loft at Gorran Haven beach.

A January morning, at Gorran Haven on the Roseland Peninsula.

Season: autumn

I visited Gorran Haven on a blistering hot Sunday.  The beach was packed but there was a tranquil, contented atmosphere, with lots of children playing in the river and making sandcastles.  It felt like a family beach, used by locals and visitors alike.  The harbour is very scenic, there’s a car park in the village and plenty of shops, toilets etc.  A good place for a day out, with everything at hand and a breathtaking setting.

Looking down to Gorran Haven beach, from the South West Coast Path.

On the waterline in Gorran Haven at low tide.

A lazy spin round from above the beach on a warm Sunday at Gorran Haven.

 

 

Hemmick

Season: spring

Clean surf crashed onto the beach at Hemmick for this spring re-visit.  The sky was blue, the weather warm and the sunshine bright in the morning sky.  As the tide turned inwards, odd weekending visitors started to settle for a restful day, collecting driftwood for their barbeques and stopping to gaze out over the waves with their thoughts.

Spring visit photo gallery

Lindsey and David reflect on beaches and coastlines.

On the waterline at Hemmick in the morning.

Extra winter visit photo gallery

Season: summer

It was back to magnificent Hemmick beach, for this summer re-visit.  The tide had almost fallen away, leaving a panoply of colours and textures, visible on the exposed rocks.  This wild, natural beach was at its best, in the teeth of a blustery onshore breeze, under feisty storm clouds.  Natural scenery surrounds Hemmick, adding to its timeless feel.

Summer visit photo gallery

Tatum shares how the beach fits into her approach.

The wild magnificence of Hemmick beach.

Season: spring

Bright sunshine greeted me on this spring re-visit to Hemmick.  As Giles explains below, the outstanding natural beauty of this part of Cornwall’s south coast owes much to the work of the National Trust.  Hemmick beach is so unspoilt, a pleasure to visit at any time.  I recommend the path up through the woods to the Dodman Point, where you can see Iron Age and Napoleonic archaeology and history, as well as staggering views across to the Nare Head, or back towards Vault beach.

Spring visit photo

Giles’ eulogy to the conservation and husbandry of the National Trust, at Hemmick beach and beyond on Cornwall’s south coast.

Family times at the weekend, on Hemmick beach.

The sun glistens on the bay, looking out from Hemmick beach.

Season: autumn

One of Cornwall’s unspoilt beaches, nestled beneath the Dodman Point on the south coast of  Cornwall.  Hemmick always seems to attract healthy surf despite its location.  Access is from Penare village at the top of a steep road or from a few parking spaces next to the beach.  There are no toilets or facilities.  If you’re feeling energetic, I recommend the headland walk up to the Dodman, where there’s archaeology and history aplenty to enjoy, as shown by my films of the Napoleonic watch house.

Surf’s up at Hemmick beach in Cornwall.

A close up of the sea against the beach at Hemmick.

Up to the Dodman Point above the beach, here’s part 1 of a snapshot of life in Napoleonic times.

and here’s part 2, from the Watch House at Dodman Point.

My chat with Stephanie and her family, at Hemmick Beach, Cornwall.

Porthluney

Season: spring

A bright morning combined with a rising tide across Porthluney beach, sitting in front of Caerhays Castle.  Between the beach and Gull Rock, the sea shimmered with a silver tint, enticing people into the water, where three kayaks already surfed the waves.  The steep sides to the beach deny the deceptively wide expanse of sand here, a safe bathing beach with clean water, all year round.

Spring visit photo gallery

The beach as a sensory stimulus for Jo.

Bosinver cottages

A shimmering silver sea on a bright day at Porthluney beach.

Season: autumn

The tide rises deceptively quickly over the flat beach at Porthluney Cove, scattering into clouds the foraging birds on the sand at the water’s edge.  Tall pines cover traces of the headlands’ rough grazing partitions and the orchards that once decorated the cliff sides here.  Water thunders onto the beach from the swollen river behind, dissipating to wander languidly across the wide beach, down to the endless sea.

Autumn visit photo gallery

Coysh’s wandering has strengthened his bond to the beach.

Nature in the morning, on Cornwall’s South Coast.

Season: summer

A high tide greeted me for this summer re-visit to Porthluney beach, part of the Caerhays estate.  The waves probed the repaired sea defences and visitors were bunched up at the top of the beach, on the remaining strand of sand.  On both sides of the beach, waves danced along the black rocks on their way in to the beach.  The weather was windy but mild and the water temperature fine for swimming.

Summer visit photo gallery

Angela draws a parallel to the sea’s moods.

Craig and his children, enjoying the beach at Porthluney.

A high tide, on Cornwall’s south coast.

Season: spring

As part of the Caerhays Estate, Porthluney beach has an idyllic setting, between the castle and the sea.  Located between the Dodman Point and the Nare Head, this coastline is some of the least spoilt on the Cornish coast.  The tide was out for this re-visit and I chatted to Dora about visits and times in L’Aber Wrac’h in Brittany, standing by the mussel beds on the exposed rocks.  It was a fine start to the day.

Spring visit photo gallery

Dora’s take on the beach.

Porthluney beach, from the shoreline at low tide.

Season: winter

There was an atmosphere of preparation and industry on the Caerhays Estate for my winter visit to Porthluney beach.  The beach cafe was being renovated and the Estate office and grounds were a hive of activity, in preparation for the coming visitor season.  I enjoyed the empty beach then chatted to carpenter Mark, who explained the significance of the beach within his lifestyle change, work and family values.

My chat with Mark on the beach.

Porthluney beach and Caerhays Castle.

Season: autumn

This is the beach below Caerhays Castle, where the first Williamsii camellia were propagated from Camellia japonica by Carolyn Williams.  The expansive beach has a large car park which was taking a battering at high tide during my visit on a stormy day.  Sea defences were being rebuilt as I watched.  There are toilets, a beach café and the grounds of Caerhays Castle at hand for the visitor.

Porthluney Cove beach on a stormy day.

A close-up of what the sea can do to man-made structures.

My chat with Alison, at Porthluney Cove beach.

Vault

Season: spring

Vault is one of the best swimming beaches in Cornwall, a perfect arc in the lea of the Dodman Point, where the sea is safe and the water is always clean.  Looking back from the waterline, all around you is pristine nature.  Few people can walk down the path from Lamledra to the beach without stopping to gaze in wonder at the scene below.  If a child were to draw their ideal crescent beach, this would be it.  Highly recommended.

Spring visit photo gallery

Jane’s euphoria in this wonderful place.

The view from above Vault beach.

Season: summer

Nature brewed a heady cocktail this morning.  Why not put yourself with me, looking out to sea?  We’re on a grassy bank, next to Vault beach, above jagged black rocks, laced with lime green lichen and rich, golden brown seaweed.  There’s a cuttlefish shell among the rocks, stark white in contrast.  A soft southerly breeze carries the scent of the salty sea past us, over the morning dew and the path behind.  Rolling green breakers pile against the beach to our right.  In front, there’s the endless rhythm of white waves breaking on black rock.  What does the beach mean to you?

Summer visit photo gallery

With Sarah, aka Sally, in rehearsal at Lamledra Barns, above Vault beach.

The sea, against the rocks and the sand in the morning.

Season: spring

The sun was shining, on Easter Sunday, for this re-visit.  A couple were swimming and the sea shone with silver patches, on a blue grey background.  Sadly, a tagged and identified dolphin was beached at the high tide mark, thankfully showing no evidence of net marks on its skin.  The low spring tide had exposed the rocks at the bottom of the beach.  The family at Lamledra House, above, always referred to this beach as The Vault.

A Vault visit photo

Spring visit photo

With Keith, savouring an escape from a hectic life, amidst the tranquility of the beach.

Looking down on Vault beach, from the Lamledra path above.

Season: autumn

This fine, crescent-shaped swimming beach lies below Lamledra House on a promontory separating it from the pretty fishing village of Gorran Haven, where you can get anything a day tripper might want.  Vault has no facilities and access is via a gentle path down from the car park above.  The water is always crystal clear and the south coast tide regularly radically alters the shape and depth of the beach.  One of manonabeach’s favourite beaches, I strongly recommend a visit – just see my 360 film, below, as a snapshot of how Cornwall used to look, before tourism happened.

My first view of Vault beach.

A spin around a pristine environment.

An interview with Canadians Michael and Pamela on a misty morning at Vault beach on the Roseland Peninsula.  They were walking the full South West Coast Path, from Poole round to Minehead.

Halwyn

Season: spring

A low tide and bright sunshine greeted me for this visit to the creeks south of Truro in Cornwall.  At Halwyn, the remaining laid up boat, a ferry, seemed to be within touching distance of the beach.  Then round to Coombe for a chat with Ruth and Julia, there to enjoy the first primroses of the season.

Spring visit photo gallery

A special place for Ruth and Julia, especially at this time of year.

By the water on a low tide at Halwyn.

Season: autumn

The beautiful creekside hamlet of Coombe was the setting for this re-visit, just over the hill from Halwyn.  On a high tide, the creek glistened in the morning light, reflecting the trees by the water in symmetry.

Autumn visit photo gallery

With Pat and John, by the creek in Coombe.

Ken is at ease by the water.

The scene at Coombe this morning.

Season: summer

The low pressure that’s accompanying the unseasonably wet weather has a positive spin-off, on mornings like this.  The lower reaches of the River Fal at Halwyn were flat calm, glistening under warm cloud cover.  The shadows thrown by the boats at anchor were crystal clear and mullet were jumping at Roundwood Quay, where I chatted to Tony.

Summer visit photo gallery

Tony surveys his surroundings, on a regular fishing trip to Roundwood Quay.

Looking out from the covered beach at Halwyn, on a high tide.

Season: spring

For a different perspective on the River Fal at Halwyn, I went to Roundwood Quay, just round the corner.  This brought Cowlands Creek into view and allowed me to show the tin counting house and the site of the Iron Age fort here.  It was peaceful and quiet, a tranquil spot to be in the morning.

Spring visit photo

The River Fal, from Roundwood Quay.

Season: winter

The small beach at Halwyn is on the River Fal, above Carrick Roads.  The panorama from the beach is steeped in history, most significantly as a major embarkation point for tanks and troops on D Day, during the Second World War.  The tea gardens at Halwyn were the scene of a meeting between Churchill and Eisenhower, who were reviewing preparations for the invasion.  The location is peaceful, with the view varied by the changes in temporarily laid up shipping, an interesting and accurate macro-economic indicator.

Looking across to Tolverne, from Halwyn on the River Fal.

Falmouth Harbour

Season: spring

A bright, clear morning lit the high tide at Falmouth’s old inner harbour, reflecting the Chain Locker and other buildings on Custom House Quay.  If you were to look across the water to Flushing, via the outer harbour moorings, you might sense a seasonal change, the morning mild and full of promise.

Spring visit photo gallery

Alan’s guide to Falmouth’s beaches.

DaVinci Restaurant and Pizzeria

The inner harbour at Falmouth in the morning.

Season: autumn

Between 1689 and the middle of the 19th Century, all international mail passed through this small inner harbour at Falmouth, before the age of steam took the trade away.  Outbound mail came from London, first by horse and then by mail coach.  It was then transported on packet ships chartered by the Post Office.  Inbound mail would include vital and often secret intelligence.  There was a low tide for this visit, revealing the full length of the fixed ladders used to come ashore at Custom House Quay.  In its heyday, 3,000 ships a year passed through Falmouth.  Now it’s a leisure port, busy in a new, different way.

Autumn visit photo gallery

Emma and Matt appreciate the changing nature of the harbour.

The inner harbour at Falmouth, in the morning light.

Season: summer

The inner harbour at Falmouth resonates with history.  Since the late 17th Century, jolly boats have brought sea captains ashore here, from the big ships in the outer harbour and Carrick Roads.  Here is the harbour master’s office, the Custom House with its “King’s Pipe” to burn contraband tobacco, plus the Quayside Inn and Chain Locker pub, right by the quayside.  It could have inspired many a scene from Patrick O’ Brian’s Aubrey / Maturin series of historical novels.

Summer visit photo gallery

Heidi’s family values at the beach.

Julian’s wary attitude to the beach.

The inner harbour in Falmouth, a historical timepiece.

Season: spring

The dawn light on the harbour at Falmouth caught the high tide at Custom House Quay.  Gulls were circling territorially and the town was waking up.  I met and was sketched by illustrator Derek, by the National Maritime Museum.  Falmouth looks out to the Western Approaches and the world beyond, benefitting from the constant ebb and flow of visitors to its harbour and town.

Just before dawn at Falmouth harbour

…and just after dawn

The inner harbour in Falmouth at dawn.

With visiting illustrator Derek, in Falmouth for a conference.

Season: winter

A night-time visit to manonabeach’s favourite town in Cornwall.  The inner harbour at Falmouth is steeped in history, where the jolly boats and pilot gigs would muster to collect and deposit sea captains visiting the town.  Falmouth and Penryn are now a hub for young, creative talent in the county, as many students from University College Falmouth are choosing to stay on and set up businesses in this area.  The town is cosmopolitan and vibrant, with a thriving docks, a marina and new media community.

My chat with Amy outside the Chain Locker pub, by the old harbour in Falmouth.

The inner harbour at Falmouth on a January evening.

Restronguet Passage

Season: spring

The low tide gave a chance to showcase Weir Beach, located just below Restronguet Barton village, alongside Restronguet Passage at the top of Carrick Roads.  You could see the boat houses by the water and the lone oyster dredger, working the end of the season.  It was a windy day, but the sun broke through in patches, throwing pools of light onto the sea.

Spring visit photo gallery

The appeal of the natural elements at the beach to Emily.

Creekside Cottages banner

A view from the water’s edge at low tide, on Weir Beach at Restronguet Passage.

Season: spring

I got down to Restronguet Creek before the well-heeled lunch visitors to the newly refurbished Pandora Inn, whose roof was destroyed by fire just over a year ago.  The pub has been sympathetically restored, looking across to Restronguet Point, at the top of Carrick Roads, south of Truro.

Spring visit photo

With Lizzie, outside the Pandora Inn.

Restronguet Passage, from the Pandora Inn.

Season: winter

I returned to Restronguet Passage on a peaceful morning in February.  The sea was like glass and birdsong was all around me.  The scenery is exceptional here, bestowing a particular charm in the early morning, before most people are out and about.  The popularity of this part of Cornwall makes an off-season visit even more enjoyable.

Winter visit photo

The tranquility of Weir beach, at Restronguet Passage in Cornwall.

Resident Deborah explains the enduring appeal of Restronguet Passage.

Season: autumn

It felt quiet down at Restronguet Passage, with the famous Pandora Inn being re-roofed after a fire and not many people about on a dull October morning.  The beach looks across through the swinging moorings to the affluent Restronguet Point, at the top of Carrick Roads.  This is now a leisure waterway, very different to the industrial scenes of drag mining across the Carnon River hundreds of years ago.

The view from above Restronguet Passage, looking across to Restronguet Point.

On the waterline at Restronguet Passage,

Chat with Christopher, a passing walker, at Restronguet Passage.

Little Perhaver

Season: spring

A bright blue day greeted me for this spring re-visit.  Despite the removal of the sand from the top of the beach in the recent storms, it was a tranquil scene on a low tide here.  The exposed rocks were covered in intricate tracery, rarely seen.  Evidence of cliff falls and erosion of the soft top soil and northern cliff lay all around the edge of the beach.  The spring tide was just bringing the rarely accessible Great Perhaver beach and its ancient forest stumps into reach.  Highly recommended.

Spring visit photo gallery

How wildlife, nature and its elements combine here for Hilary.

On the waterline, peace and quiet at Little Perhaver beach.

Season: spring

A fine morning brought me to Little Perhaver beach, in Gorran Haven, on a low tide.  There was a wide expanse of sand to enjoy, with people of all generations basking in the new day’s sun and promise.  The sun shone silver, the exposed rocks in sharp relief to the newly formed, golden beach.

Spring visit photo gallery

Paul’s reason for being on the beach.

With Ann, on the waterline at Little Perhaver beach.

A natural beauty, at low tide on Little Perhaver beach.

Season: winter

The sun was out, after a few grey days in Cornwall prior to this winter re-visit.  With the tide out, Little Perhaver beach looked stunning, as a counterpoint to the wide expanse of azure sky and cloud.  There was a silver band along the horizon, that framed the Gwineas rocks in the distance.  Chatting to Lucy put a spring in my step.

Winter visit photo

With Lucy, at Little Perhaver beach.

On the waterline, with the waves and the beach.

Little Perhaver, viewed from the top of the steps down to the beach.

Season: autumn

A charming small beach, linked to Gorran Haven’s main beach at low tide.  Little Perhaver sits under steep, eroded cliffs, with precariously positioned houses above.  There is a steep set of steps down to it if you can’t get round from Gorran Haven beach, and there are no facilities at the beach.  If the tide is very low on spring tides, you can walk round to Great Perhaver beach, to see the remains of a prehistoric forest in the beach there.

The charm of Little Perhaver beach, viewed from above.

On the beach at Little Perhaver.

Mylor Churchtown

Season: spring

A high tide was falling away from the beach by Mylor Yacht Harbour, on a tranquil morning at Mylor Churchtown.  This is a time to prepare for the new season in the sailing community, with anti-fouling being applied and boats returning to the water from the winter’s hard standing.  Along the pontoon were the sail powered oyster dredgers, coming to the end of their season.  The location is stunning here, affording a clear view across to The Roseland Peninsula and St Just.

Spring visit photo gallery

Becky’s place in this area.

creekside cottages

A life of travel for James and Becky, aboard the Eda Frandsen.

A tranquil morning at Mylor.

Season: autumn

The start of autumn brought a favourable change to the weather in this corner of Cornwall.  Settled under a gentle breeze, busy Mylor Yacht Harbour was quite a picture, with weekending sailors preparing to depart for a day’s sailing, or working on their boats.  Guests were arriving for a wedding in the ancient church.  All was well with the world.

Autumn visit photo gallery

Richard explains the beach’s place in his yachting routine.

At the end of a pontoon in Mylor Harbour, surveying the scene.

Season: summer

Secreted quietly on the west side of Carrick Roads is Mylor Yacht Harbour, on the site of the former naval dockyard at Mylor Churchtown.  In olden days, there was a naval training ship, HMS Ganges, moored off the creek and even twenty years ago, a small naval vessel moored against the harbour.  Now there’s a sea of yachts on swinging moorings during the summer, virtually obscuring the view across the head of the creek to Greatwood Quay.  It’s a great commercial success story and the ambience is up-market and well-to-do.  The misty backdrop to my first film lent a soporific air to the scene and this place does feel like a slightly surreal staging point for international yachters.  These are some of the best sailing waters in the UK and of course it’s 100 miles due south to Brittany, as well as providing excellent access to the Scilly Isles and Cork.

Summer visit photo gallery

Ruth’s take on the beach.

Another misty day to see Mylor Churchtown.

Season: spring

Misty Mylor was no place for a scene-setting skirt around Carrick Roads, the Yacht Harbour shrouded in thick mist, so I enjoyed two chats by the water and beat a hasty retreat.

Richard says it straight.

Three generations and a dog, on the beach at Mylor Churchtown.

Season: winter

This affluent area at the end of a creek on the Carrick Roads has plenty to do for all ages and interests.  Apart from the outstanding natural beauty of the Carrick Roads, looking across to St Just and the Roseland Peninsula, there are cafes, parking, toilets, a yacht club, church and restaurant, all tastefully clustered around the Mylor Yacht Harbour.  It can get very crowded in the summer, so off-season is a great time to visit, perhaps walking round Trefusis Point to Flushing and looking across to Falmouth, Pendennis Castle and the docks.

Alice and Toby were charming interviewees, representative of the patrons on this beach at a weekend.  There is so much choice of activity at hand, from the popular Restronguet Sailing Club and Mylor Yacht Club to gig rowing or kayaking up the creeks, or relaxing at the well-appointed cafe, bistro bar and restaurant in the Yacht Harbour.  It can get very crowded in the summer, so off-season is a great time to visit, perhaps walking round Trefusis Point to Flushing and looking across to Falmouth, Pendennis Castle and the docks.

A view from St Mylor Church of Mylor Yacht Harbour and the grave of smuggler Thomas James.

A view of the beach and Carrick Roads from next to Restronguet Sailing Club.

Gyllyngvase

Season: spring

A mountainous sea thundered against Gyllyngvase beach for this early spring re-visit.  Icy winds and a morning chill set the tone.  An ebb tide clawed at the sand, leaving thirty feet of trace on the sand before returning to the beach.  Above the sea, an apocalytic sky, with clouds full of snow, threatened to add its contents to the elemental scene.

Spring visit photo gallery

The attraction of the sea to Matt.

Gylly beach cafe

A wild morning on Gyllyngvase beach.

Season: autumn

A woman drying herself after swimmingIt’s always a pleasure to visit this high octane Falmouth beach, particularly on a bright weekend morning, when it’s a hive of activity.  As a town beach, it holds a natural attraction for townspeople, with volleyball nets, a popular cafe and a safe swimming environment.  The tide was low during this re-visit and there was plenty of space for everyone, in and out of the water.  There are pleasant gardens by the beach too, with fine views to enjoy over Falmouth Bay, looking round from Pendennis Castle to the Helford Estuary.

Autumn visit photo gallery

Mary explains what it’s like to swim at Gyllyngvase (see Peter also, lower down on this page).

A view of the beach from the rocks at low tide.

Season: summer

A bright morning, on a low tide, set the large ships in Falmouth Bay in relief, against an azure, flat sea.  Early morning swimmers reminded me of paintings from the Alex Katz exhibition, showing at Tate St Ives this summer.  I had filmed in the atrium there in the spring; here it is.

Summer visit photo gallery

Sisters Victoria and Vanessa, enjoying nature’s bounty at Gyllyngvase beach.

The beach in the morning.

Season: spring

Bright sunshine greeted me on this re-visit to Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth.  The spring morning had attracted swimmers and walkers alike.  The beach had its seasonal fixtures in place for the summer – volleyball pitch, sandpit, trestle tables and lifeguard viewing platform.  As the tide fell away on the steep beach, the clean breakers crashed onto the sand, a raw energy to start the day.

Spring visit photo

John explains the release the beach gives him.

At the waterline in the morning, looking out across Falmouth Bay to start the day.

Season: winter

It was a mild January dawn return to Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth, the sea and sky grey blue against the sand.  Being a town beach, there were plenty of people about.  The atmosphere was one of routine and regularity, fitting the beach visit into hectic schedules.  Both interviews show the deep affection held by people for being at the beach.  Falmouth is such a buzzing town at present.  I highly recommend a visit.

Peter’s relationship with the water at the beach, from an aesthetic perspective.

Victoria, at Gyllyngvase beach early in the morning.

A mild, grey blue vista, on Gyllyngvase beach at dawn.

Season: autumn

Another famous Cornish beach, the main Falmouth leisure beach which looks out to the South over Falmouth Bay and the tankers waiting for orders or bunkers.  This beach is popular all year round and I met two swimmers who use the sea every day of the year.  The weather was astounding during my visit and the beach was at its best.  The 3rd video is one of my favourite manonabeach films, one I carry round on the phone to look at from time to time.

On the waterline at Gyllyngvase beach.

Watching the swimmers at Gyllyngvase beach.

A spectacular panorama…

My chat with two swimming ladies on the beach.