Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Wells-Next-The-Sea

Season: autumn

The sandy beach at Wells, backed by dunes and pine trees, is part of the Holkham Estate and leads round to Holkham beach. It stretches for miles to the west into Holkham Bay. Eastwards, the beach continues but can be covered by the tide. In this direction are salt marshes, part of a nature reserve. Sprats and whelks are a local speciality. During the summer, you can take a miniature railway from the town to the beach. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful and has formed the backdrop for many films.

Ruth’s enduring relationship with the beach here via time spent at her beach hut.

An expansive beach at Wells-Next-The-Sea.

Season: summer

The channel by the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea was starting to fill as the fast moving tide careered inwards. In late afternoon the beach huts were starting to empty, but I was lucky enough to catch one family after they had enjoyed a fine day at the beach. The sky was blue and the sand was powdery and golden. It was a classic family day out.

Family times at the beach.

Season: winter

The sense of space on the beach at Wells is breathtaking. If you stand on the permanent dunes in the middle, the panorama takes in beach huts, with Wells Woods behind and an apparently endless vista out to sea across the channel. This is kept clear for the boats that take workers out to service the offshore wind farm. Like it or not, this has been a massive economic boost to the town and increased trade significantly.

What the beach means to Brian and Christine.

The wide expanse of Wells beach.

St Just-in-Roseland

Season: winter

Despite recent storms, the bright sunshine and tranquil atmosphere made this an idyllic place to visit. On a low tide, walkers, locals and visitors alike were enjoying this tucked away corner of the beautiful Roseland Peninsula, many here to visit the iconic church by the water. St Just has a spiritual depth and sense of calm that all visitors will enjoy.

Barry and Sue explain what the beach means to them.

Bright sunshine at St Just.

Season: summer

It was a picture perfect summer morning for this visit, calm and tranquil, with the tide starting to fall back from its high water mark. The high tide set the Bar and creek beyond in relief. The summer meant the moorings here were well populated, with few boats on the hard standing. The church threw a mirrored reflection onto the creek. Its grounds are well maintained and a walk through the churchyard is a recommended approach to the creek and its view of Carrick Roads beyond.

The familiarity of this beach to Max.

Craig appreciates his new surroundings.

A fine spot to be on a summer morning in Cornwall.

Season: autumn

I was talking to a long-standing local man about the area, the families who live here and its history. I was struck by his comment that, despite being a homeowner in the village, he had no sense of ownership, merely stewardship and belonging. There can be an ethereal tranquility in this creek.

With Anna, by the water at high tide. This was the four hundredth narrative in the manonabeach® series.

St Just-in-Roseland in the early morning.

Season: spring

This spring re-visit to St Just in Roseland was on a calm morning. Walking down past the church to St Just Bar, I chatted to Jo from Scilly, who works at Pascoe’s boatyard and was mentioned by Julian in my earlier winter visit. Jo pointed out the completed version of the boat shown in the boathouse, under construction on that previous visit, which was now at the water’s edge (pictured below). It’s called Dogboat and is a tender to the yacht Charm of Rhu. The low tide allowed me to film from the entrance to St Just Creek, looking out across Carrick Roads onto a peaceful scene.

With Jo on the Bar at St Just.

St Just Creek and the Carrick Roads, viewed from the beach at low tide.

Season: winter

At first light on a calm morning, St Just-in-Roseland had the feel of a Scottish sea loch, with waves lapping gently on the beach. St Just Creek and St Just Bar are on the west side of the Roseland Peninsula, directly opposite Mylor Churchtown, above Falmouth and St Mawes. The village has an attractive church and an atmospheric graveyard. There are wonderful walks from here all the way to St Mawes.

My chat with Julian and Hugh at Pasco’s boatyard.

The peace and tranquility of St Just-in-Roseland at first light on a winter day.

Great Yarmouth

Season: summer

It was a bright and breezy day at Great Yarmouth for this summer visit. The rides were in full flow on the promenade and the pier was full of visitors. A low tide gave access to the acres of golden sand by the Britannia Pier. There is everything to hand in nearby Great Yarmouth, yet the beach feels natural and isolated by the water at low tide, looking out over a blue sea.

A world of memories for Chris on the beach at Great Yarmouth.

Season: autumn

Great Yarmouth is Norfolk’s most popular resort. It has a long, soft, sandy, wide beach, but the tide doesn’t retreat far. The length of the beach means that you can always find a secluded spot or mix with the massed summer holidaymakers. Yarmouth is loud, bright and brash. There’s plenty of action to enjoy in the town, with diverse shops and a vibrant nightlife. If you want more privacy, try South Beach, situated between the pier and the outer harbour at the mouth of the River Yare.

The beach as an important link for Mollie through time.