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.

Winchelsea beach

Season: winter

The shingle beach at Winchelsea is on the doorstep of one of the five original Cinque Ports, located where the High Weald meets Romney Marsh. Like Dunwich in Suffolk, it has an eminent commercial history, which the sea has conspired to remove. Winchelsea itself sits on the Royal Military Canal, which stretches almost from Hastings to Hythe and at the end of the beautiful Brede Valley. The beach is shingle, with flat wet sand and small pools at low tide. Many species of birds use the sands. Winchelsea beach is popular with dog walkers and rod fishermen. It’s also a fine place for swimming and wind surfing.

The importance of this beach to Peter.

Ann’s affinity for this beach and its visitors.

Peter sets the scene, at Winchelsea Beach in East Sussex.

Season: spring

The steep shingle beach at Winchelsea is a favourite for anglers and trippers alike. On this occasion the tide was out. Those enjoying the scene from the back of the beach were twenty feet above those walking by the waterline, although the descent is manageable in terraced stages. The nearby town of Winchelsea is an historic Cinque Port, steeped in history and well worth a visit.

The simple pleasures of the beach for Paul and Gemma.

Low tide at Winchelsea.

Ruby Bay

Season: summer

On arrival here a modest band of sand remained at Ruby Bay, as the tide moved inexorably inward. Bright sunshine, blue skies and its lesser known status makes this a perfect sunbathing spot for any discerning visitor to the Elie and Earlsferry area. Today the clear water revealed delicately coloured stones, visible from the pavements of stone on the higher reaches of this beach. This is a jewel in the crown of the East Neuk of Fife, as its name suggests.

Clare, Julian and Jonty enjoy time together at the beach.

A stunning view at Ruby Bay.

Season: winter

The name for this beach derives from the garnets that are found here. It is a sheltered and sandy spot, just to the east of Elie, with dunes behind the beach and overlooking the Firth of Forth. Ruby Bay is a part of the coastal footpath and provides access to beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside, the East Neuk of Fife being full of history and visitor attractions.

What the beach means to Leona.

Winter arrives at Ruby Bay.

Carbis Bay

Season: summer

This is a great time of year to be on the beach in the morning. Carbis Bay’s beach is quite steep, so the waves seem to build vertically and hang poised, before crashing down on themselves, never making it as far up the beach as you might expect. The sun was bright and some friends with their dogs were meeting to start the day in style. It was a harmonious place to be.

With Jen at the start of a special day.

Tom’s relationship with the beach.

The pleasure of a summer morning at Carbis Bay.

Season: winter

A vivid light was on show today. There are wide-ranging views for a beachgoer to enjoy on this beach, either across to Hayle Towans, Gwithian, Godrevy and the lighthouse, or sweeping round to the harbour at St Ives. The steep tree-filled side to beach suggests a tropical tone and you can be sure to see marine wildlife, on this occasion cormorants and a grey seal. Highly recommended.

A view from the sea with Robin.

The panoramic vista at Carbis Bay.

Season: spring

The tide had fallen away, exposing the fine golden sand here at Carbis Bay. Holidaymakers were enjoying the start of the season, walking languidly by the water. A passing storm was replaced by bright sunshine as clean sets of surf broke onto the beach. All was well with the world.

Nick and Rachel reflect on beaches near and far.

From St Ives round to Hayle and beyond, a fine vista at Carbis Bay.

Season: winter

The tide was halfway in and the views towards St Ives, Godrevy lighthouse, Gwithian and Hayle Towans were distant, misty outlines. This blurred the line between the sea and the sky, a hazy, sleepy visual to counter the relentless sound of the waves against the beach. Even on a cloudy day the peculiarly clear light at this end of Cornwall sets the blue sea into relief against the soft, golden sand.

The contemplative side of the beach for Carrie.

A winter morning in Cornwall.

Season: spring

It was wet and mild for this spring visit. The tide was in and the mesmeric turquoise of the sea remained, despite the grey, overcast sky. You can see the pleasure that the beach gives to visitors in Peter’s face, interviewed below.

At the end of the beach.

Peter sifts through family memories.

Season: autumn

Carbis Bay is a beach with fine sand, located just to the east of St Ives. With a small accessible car park, it’s a great place to see seals and look across to St Ives and Godrevy Lighthouse. It has the Sands Café next to the beach and a hotel with apartments behind.

My chat with Ralph, who works on the beach at Carbis Bay and at the nearby hotel.

With Derek, walking his dog at Carbis Bay.

The relentless action of the Atlantic Ocean on the rocks, here in Penwith.

Seals in the sea by the beach at Carbis Bay.