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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.

Port Quin

Season: winter

Laid out in front of me was the aftermath of the previous evening’s storms. Boulders were strewn over the road and beyond. This beach has National Trust parking and is a haven for fair weather visitors, but there is equal majesty off season, nature in all her forms at this melting pot. Even as the debris was being cleared, the sun broke through and another fine day began in this idyllic corner of North Cornwall.

Viv from the National Trust surveys the storm damage.

The calm after the storm.

Season: autumn

A misty gown cloaked Port Quin for this morning visit. I walked out to the headland and the site of Doyden Castle, with its remaining Victorian tower. Greys, whites, blues and blacks melded together on the horizon, with the Rumps to the west and Port Isaac round to the east. Looking back along the narrow, peaceful inlet towards the hamlet of Port Quin on a high tide, it was hard to imagine this as the scene of shipwrecks in the past.

Theresa’s enduring affection for this inlet and its familiarity to her.

Looking back towards Port Quin on a high tide.

Season: spring

Port Quin is an unspoilt cove, just west of Port Isaac. This is a great location to start a South West Coast Path walk. I would describe the section from Port Quin to Port Isaac as one of the most beautiful sections of the entire walk, although it’s hard on the calf muscles.

A visiting couple appreciate the light and more…

Port Quin at high tide, seen from the slipway.

Port Isaac beach

Season: autumn

A protective harbour wall divides the village of Port Isaac and its harbour from the Atlantic Ocean, which can be a wild place. Interviewee David works on the fishing boat you can see in the scene setting film below. Her skipper Julian was interviewed in an earlier visit. A long tradition of fishing out of Port Isaac is part of the fabric of the village.

The beach as a way to the sea.

By the water at Port Isaac on a high tide.

Season: summer

At the height of summer, an evening visit to Port Isaac coincided with a high tide in the fishing village. Prior to the school holidays, there was a relaxed atmosphere to complement the bright sunshine. With the sea lapping against the slipway and the boats safely moored, this was a picture of tranquility.

With Brian and Celia above the harbour at Port Isaac.

The beautiful harbour at Port Isaac on a full tide.

Season: winter

On this occasion I was confronted by the aftermath of the previous evening’s storms. Tiles were dislodged from the roof of the fish cellars and the storm boards on the RNLI station had been destroyed. As the clean-up work continued, the sun promised a fine day ahead, the calm after the storm.

Byron describes the storm damage at Port Isaac.

The scene on the beach at low tide.

Season: winter

Port Isaac is an iconic Cornish fishing village. This popular visitor attraction was peaceful out of season, allowing me plenty of space on the beach and the chance to chat to local fisherman Julian, who explained the dynamics of the fishing market and the importance of Port Isaac to him and his family over many years.

With fisherman Julian on board his boat in the harbour.

The beach at Port Isaac, seen from above.

Polurrian Cove beach

Season: summer

This is an elemental beach, pure and wild. Today it was full of energy, with untamed breakers rolling in on a strong swell. It was just after high tide and as the beach revealed itself the receding sea crashed in against the black rocks of the small headland. To the south dark, imposing cliffs hid the next cove, Mullion, from view, although its island could be seen out at sea. There are great cliff walks here and fabulous beaches to the north, all the way to Porthleven and beyond.

Leah’s love of the beach and her work on it.

Gary and Sarah, using the beach for a morning run before enjoying it with their children.

The elemental majesty of Polurrian Cove on an ebb tide.

Season: summer

A misty morning and a rising tide greeted me as I strode down the path from the Polurrian Bay Hotel to Polurrian Cove. From above I could see the horses and riders exercising on the beach, a scene unblemished by time in this unspoilt environment. To stand on the western shore of the Lizard Peninsula and gaze out to the wide open sea is one of Cornwall’s finest pleasures. You are transported away to a world of infinite possibilities, dreams and challenges, timeless and vital.

Karen and Ken enjoy the rhythms of the beach.

A misty, natural beach at Polurrian Cove.

Season: spring

It was a misty but mild morning for this visit to Polurrian Cove on the Lizard, but the sea was alive, with Atlantic breakers rolling relentlessly in on a rising tide. I was able to view the beach from the rocks on the headland, offering a different perspective. For my interview I walked up to Mullion village, where I chatted to artist Chand at her ancestor’s grave in the ancient church of St Mellenus. She explains her long family association with the Old Inn at Mullion.

With Chand in the graveyard at St Mellenus Church in Mullion.

The Atlantic Ocean rolls in at Polurrian Cove.

Season: autumn

Polurrian Cove is just round from Mullion Cove. It has no facilities and you approach by a gentle walk down from Mullion. It’s a great beachcomber’s beach, quite isolated and natural, which makes it a good contemplative place too. This is an excellent low profile visitor choice for a trip to appreciate the sea, rocks and sand.

I chatted to Sue, a sea glass jeweller who was collecting her raw materials after high tide at Polurrian Cove.

Down by the water at Polurrian Cove on the Lizard Peninsula.

The beach at Polurrian Cove.