Season: autumn
The beach was quiet and tranquil for this visit, just the sound of the birds and the distant sea, as I walked down from West Pentire, past the fallow poppy fields. On mornings like this, you can lose yourself in the beauty completely. Polly Joke is unspoilt and pristine, the timeless nature intoxicating. You get to the waterline and have to remind yourself how and when you got there, most odd and satisfying.
Part of Elaine and Jane’s routine, through time.
Looking down on a wonderful beach in the morning.
Season: summer
This iconic beach is the most viewed of the manonabeach project beaches, reflecting people’s deep affection for it and the surrounding countryside. At low tide, the long band of sand led back from the waterline to the dunes and fields beyond. You can stand in the middle of Polly Joke beach and turn a full circle, without seeing a sign of human development. There are magnificent walks in both directions from this beach, plus wildlife throughout the year and wild flowers during this spring and early summer season.
With Christine at Polly Joke beach.
On the waterline at low tide.
Season: winter
Polly Joke is an unspoilt inlet and beach, the other side of West Pentire from the expansive Crantock beach. If you’re heading this way in late Spring or early Summer, I’d advise approaching Polly Joke from West Pentire, to see the spectacular wildflowers being encouraged by the National Trust’s Arable Fields Project. The lime-rich grassland is a haven for poppies and marigolds.
The beach at dawn.
Seals feeding off the rocks at Polly Joke.
The beach after the tide has receded and the day has begun,
Season: autumn
A serious candidate for the most beautiful beach in Cornwall, this National Trust beach is utterly unspoilt. Sitting round the headland from Crantock on the north coast, Porth Joke or Polly Joke has no development on its edges and looks as it always has throughout time. My visit was during the Indian summer of 2011 at low tide, when I caught it at its best. Access is a bit tricky but well worth it, best to park next to the Bowgie pub on the headland and walk round.
A wonderful eulogy to Polly Joke, expressing the affection so many people have for this wonderful beach.
Here’s another beachgoer who clearly uses the beach regularly and benefits from her time there.
Bright sunshine at Polly Joke beach, viewed from the path above, during the Indian Summer of 2011.
Inside the wonderful caves and rocks on view at low tide at Polly Joke beach.
This was a chance to see further inside the sea caves at low tide.
Thank you so much for all you work. We have been to Treago farm/ Polly for our holidays since 1979. Great to enjoy the place in autume/winter. Keep up the good work.
Steve Owen