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.

Northton beach

Season: spring

Northton beach, also known as Traigh an Thaoibh Tuath, is large and sits at the southern end of Scarista beach, but there are also four small south-facing beaches in the immediate area that appear like hidden jewels on the coastline. The beaches are regularly visited by otters, seals and other marine life. A notable resident was the Professor of Natural History, William MacGillivray and the area is well known for its bird life. This is an exquisite beach environment.

On Beach #2 at Northton with artist Suzan, sheltering in the dunes.

A stormy day on the beach at Northton.

A Netherlands perspective from the Sound of Harris, by Northton’s beaches.

Polzeath beach

Season: autumn

Bright sunshine combined with a low tide to showcase a picture perfect beach at Polzeath. There is a great view of the beach from the higher ground at New Polzeath, with a backdrop of Greenaway, the Doom Bar, the Camel Estuary and Stepper Point. This iconic beach pulls visitors back every year, or more often, as Bruce and Pauline testify, below:

Bruce and Pauline explain the permanent reference point that Polzeath beach provides for them.

A view of the beach at low tide, this time from New Polzeath.

Season: summer

The car parks and beach were crowded by 9.30 a.m.on this holiday weekend. Warm sunshine lit my way down to the water’s edge. Although it’s an enormously popular beach, at low tide there are always nooks and crannies, that enable you to hide away from the crowds. Children played in the rock pools, watched over by parents in deck chairs. The surf was clean and many people were already in among the waves. Holiday time had arrived in North Cornwall.

With Nichola at the top of Polzeath beach.

Vicks and Louise explain what the beach means to them.

Season: winter

I dropped onto the beach below Greenaway on this occasion, at the Polzeath end of a beautiful walk to Daymer Bay. It was Christmas time and a bright, low sun lit the way, with an electric blue sky above. Locals and visitors scoured the beach for pebbles and shells, while I chatted to a couple sheltering behind a rock. Their children played nearby in an idyllic setting. Highly recommended.

Llyr and Sarah relax on the beach.

The beach below Greenaway, along from Polzeath.

Season: winter

Polzeath looked magnificent on an ebb tide. This beach is a popular Cornish tourist destination, claiming the best surf in the county. Although it was a weekend visit, the village and beach were quite quiet and the offshore breeze was chilly. The village has bars, restaurants, shops, a church and cafes, all next to the beach, as well as ample parking.

Two young beachgoers blowing in the wind, each with their own interpretation of the beach.

Swanage

Season: spring

The sea was calm and the sky was blue for this spring season visit to Swanage. Kayaks were out in the bay and visitors and tourists mingled on the beach. There’s a fine arc to the beach here and all the facilities you might need are close at hand, including a beach bistro, cafe bar and all manner of water sports. The beach huts were opening up for the season, some being dusted down after the winter recess. This is a good place to meet friends or to simply relax and let the day pass by.

Barry is a convert to Swanage, happy by the beach.

The view from the flat calm water’s edge.

Season: autumn

On a bright day, Swanage is an ideal place to enjoy the sun and play in the sand and sea. Deckchairs, pedalos, kayaks and sun beds are all for hire here. The beach runs the length of the town and is backed by a promenade lined with amusements and attractions. Near to the Lifeboat House is the Wellington Clock Tower, which once stood on London Bridge. On a clear day you can see all the way over to the Isle of Wight. The town has a long association with scuba diving, the shallow bay and clear waters offering an excellent environment for the sport. Other water sports include sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. The South West Coast Path passes by the beach, leading via Old Harry Rocks to nearby Studland Bay.

What the beach means to Margaret.