Category Archives: Southeast Cornwall

Polridmouth

Season: autumn

Polridmouth beach, pronounced “Pridmouth”, is best known for its association with Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Rebecca, being the scene of the “accident”. There are two secluded beaches in the cove, one backed by the small cottage and lake, with its swans. Overlooking both beaches is the imposing red and white marker on Gribben Head and there’s a languid, tree-lined walk down past a farm to the shore for access. Behind the lake are woods and the big house, Menabilly, which was the setting for Mandalay in the novel.

What the beach means to Sarah.

A tranquil morning at Polridmouth beach.

Lansallos

Season: spring

There is a wooded path in a steep valley leading from Lansallos village to this secluded beach. Alternatively, you can approach via the South West Coast Path, either from Polperro in the east or Lantivet Cove in the west. On arrival, you’ll notice a stone track cut into the rock behind the beach, complete with grooved cart tracks. This is how seaweed was transported to the fields above for use as fertiliser. Lansallos is a fine swimming beach and there’s an attractive church in the village too, featuring interesting pew ends, as you can see in the photo gallery link below.

What the beach means to James and Amanda.

Francis reflects on the beach.

A view from above Lansallos beach.

…and from the water’s edge.

Talland Bay

Season: spring

This small, charming beach is always a pleasure to visit. On this occasion the tide had receded to highlight the arc of the bay. You approach the beach down a steep road, so there’s a sense of theatre about your arrival, as you turn a bend in the lane to see Talland Bay revealed.

Polly’s affinity for this beach over time.

Watching the tide recede at Talland Bay.

Whitsand Bay

Season: autumn

Whitsand Bay runs north from Rame Head in Cornwall’s south east corner. It’s a long beach that faces west and actually comprises several smaller beaches, each with its own character and its own patrons. This time, on a falling tide, I visited the most popular section of beach in front of the Eddystone café, which itself sits right on the beach. The beach is staggeringly beautiful and wild. It has chalets and beach houses that cling to the steep cliffs above, one of which had been owned by my interviewee, Anne. Due to Plymouth’s proximity, this is also a much-visited beauty spot despite its steep access.

Anne’s love of this beach and its place in her life.

A view of Whitsand Bay from above.

Season: spring

A wild morning was the order of the day at Whitsand Bay. The low tide made the pristine beach accessible, including the chance to see the Eddystone café and to get close to a warship, cruising close by the shore.

With Sadie on the beach at Whitsand Bay.

Hannafore Point

Season: summer

A grey day greeted me for this summer visit to Hannafore Point. Nevertheless, a glass bottomed pleasure cruiser was making its way over to Looe Island and there were small, inshore fishing boats, bobbing about on the high tide. People were taking brisk Sunday morning constitutional walks, several gazing longingly out to sea. Hannafore Beach is part of the Looe Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, due to it’s diverse range of sea life.

Rod and Sue share an international perspective on the beach.

Looe harbour, Hannafore Point and Looe Island in the morning.

Season: spring

It was a fine scene at Hannafore Point for this early spring visit. From Looe round to the island, the sun laced the dawn skies, filtered by the cloud and mist. A high tide crashed against the rocks and sea defences, sending spray vertically upwards to land on the promenade by the beach. The interview took place in the lea of Looe Island, its land access covered by the tide.

Viv finds herself in a familiar spot.

High tide at Hannafore Point.

Season: autumn

The morning sun drenched the silver sea outside the harbour and the Banjo Pier, here at Hannafore Point in the morning. From the town round to Looe Island, it was a scene of tranquility. This is one of those beaches and strands with a benign atmosphere, particularly early in the day. Each visit shows a new side to the scenery, this time with droves of sanderlings picking at the seaweed on the beach.

A father and daughter share a love of the beach.

Tristan likes where he lives.

A beautiful morning panorama at Hannafore Point.

Season: winter

Hannafore Point is a long finger of beach immediately to the west of Looe, interspersed with rock pools at low tide. It has outstanding views of the bay and across to Looe Island. Immediately above the beach are robust sea defences, including a walkway along towards the South West Coast Path, Talland Bay and Polperro. There is free parking on the road above the beach. Like a lot of the south coast beaches, they are enjoyable in the mornings and through lunchtime, when the sun provides an atmospheric backdrop.

An early morning dog walker at Hannafore Point near Looe.

Gaining spiritual balance and inspiration from the beach at Hannafore Point.

Kingsand Cawsand

Season: summer

Bright sunshine at Kingsand Cawsand lit the way for this summer visit. Plymouth Sound became a hive of activity as the morning drifted on, the tide rising to meet an influx of day trippers. The atmosphere was peaceful and the villages seemed at ease with each other, seamlessly linked by their winding, narrow lane.

Claire’s lifelong love of the beach.

A re-acquaintance with artist Jim Woolley.

On a rising tide at Cawsand beach during a stunning morning.

Season: autumn

On arrival at Kingsand Cawsand, a warship slipped its mooring and headed out of Plymouth Sound. Although peaceful and quiet, the aspect here, overlooking a busy shipping thoroughfare, rings with historical references. The sun in the east threw a moored yacht into relief. This is a place that people have always left from and returned to. Those that stay can always watch people do just that, perhaps weighing their prospects and rewards.

Thea reflects on the thoroughfare in front of the beach.

Fisherman David’s place in the jigsaw.

Kingsand Cawsand in the morning, with the sun streaming over the Sound. You can see interviewee David and his boat coming into port.

Wilcove

Season: spring

The tide was out on this occasion at Wilcove, which sits on the River Tamar. The empty creek is a haven for wildlife, particularly birds, when the tide is out. Although grey, the morning was peaceful and tranquil, punctuated by birdsong.

With Sally by the water at Wilcove.

At the high tide mark, Alison explain the appeal of the beach to her.

Looking back at Wilcove from the beach and the water’s edge.

Great Lantic beach

Season: summer

This magical beach is difficult to access down a steep path, but it is well worth the effort. The nature here is pristine and on this occasion Lantic Bay was serene and tranquil, with clear turquoises and blues in the sea and sky. The tide had just turned back from high water and the upper beach vegetation was in bloom, this being high summer. On the high ridge above the beach, ardent walkers enjoyed the South West Coast Path, the odd one dropping down for a well earned rest on this beautiful beach.

Simon’s empathy for the great outdoors.

A stunning, unspoilt beach, looking out on Lantic Bay.

Season: spring

This unspoilt beach is always a pleasure to visit, despite the steep path down to the sea. The weekend had tempted beachgoers outside and I was able to chat with a group of friends enjoying the pristine nature. The beach is located below outstanding cliff-top walking on the South West Coast Path between Polruan and Polperro. This side of the Fowey River estuary has wonderful sea views, looking out from the high cliffs, as well as beautiful, wild beaches.

Al expands on the allure of the sea.

A group of friends on the beach at Lantic Bay.

The unspoilt beauty of Great Lantic beach.

Season: summer

A visit to Great Lantic beach near Polruan at the head of the River Fowey estuary is always a massive treat. A steep descent heightens the anticipation and arriving on this beach is never a disappointment. It’s totally wild, unspoilt and timeless, without commercial intrusion and usually deserted or sparsely populated. The geology is outstanding, with creased, folded and eroded rock formations standing proud against the relentless assault of the ocean.

Andrew’s appreciation of the beach’s invigorating effect on all of his family.

Richard tackles a family challenge and Diana enjoys the colours.

An outstanding clash of elements by the water.

Season: autumn

Great Lantic beach is near Polruan, across the water from Fowey. This is a magical beach, where I laid out the stones for the original manonabeach® website banner (below). There are exotic plants among the pebbles on the higher reaches of the beach, with fires and stone stacks that people have left. The geology is stunning. Access is difficult, but well worth it.

With two coast path walkers at the top of the very steep path up from Great Lantic beach.

Downderry beach

Season: winter

A clear blue sky scene played out above the beach, such a difference from a previous mist-shrouded visit to Downderry beach. The rising tide still hadn’t covered the varied geology on the beach, a constant attraction for regular walkers here. This is a fine beach for a constitutional walk, stretching east for miles from here and west towards nearby Seaton. All the facilities that you might want are nearby too.

A place to reflect for Paul.

Sunshine all the way at Downderry in the winter.

Season: spring

A high tide was imminent as I approached Downderry beach on a misty morning. Although the recent storms had receded, there was still plenty of flotsam and jetsam to be seen, including a mahogany tree stump, carried in from the west. This is a fine strand for an invigorating walk, leading to the east and Whitsand Bay and west towards Seaton. There’s a sea wall path for when the tide is high. The village of Downderry is conveniently close by.

What this beach means to Ellen.

The joy of the beach for Phil.

A misty vista in the morning towards high tide.

Seaton beach

Season: winter

Bright sunshine and a rising, gentle tide was the setting for this winter visit. Seaton was showing its benign face. The river ran strongly to the sea, carving the beach in half and people were walking towards West Looe from here or along to Downderry in the east.

The rejuvenating effect of the beach for David and Julie.

A bright day in winter.