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.

Porthminster beach

Season: winter

There are places that have a resonant appeal which is hard to define, rather like when you meet a charismatic person. The Bay of Naples, looking across from Sorrento, is an example and so is St Ives, but Porthminster beach here can exert a particular hold. There is a structure to the view from the beach that’s very reassuring, with clear reference points as you look out, yet the constantly changing light and elements can’t be captured and labelled, which is both refreshing and intoxicating.

On Porthminster beach with Steve, who explains the beach’s permanence.

Josephine and Helen explain what the beach means to them.

Looking down on Porthminster beach from the grass behind.

Season: spring

An uncharacteristically misty day greeted me on this occasion. This St Ives beach looked immaculate, in full swing for the season, with tidy bins on the beach, tables and seats neatly arranged and an industrious atmosphere at the Porthminster café along the beach, serving early breakfasts. This is one of Cornwall’s most popular town beaches, heavily frequented by visitors, many of whom, like Claire, below, keep impressions of this beach with them when they return home.

Porthminster beach through the decades.

A misty morning at Porthminster beach in St Ives.

Season: autumn

It was Bonfire Night, with spectacular fireworks. This beach is popular for weddings too, due to its stunning views of St Ives harbour and beyond, as well as the proximity of hotels to the beach. There is also a choice of beach cafes here. You can enjoy the shops, restaurants and pubs of St Ives too, all in close proximity. This is an excellent choice for well-heeled metropolitan visitors to the county.

Fireworks at Porthminster beach.

Season: winter

Porthminster beach is one of St Ives’ busiest, due to its large size with acres of golden sand and its position just below the railway station and main town car park. The beach was quiet on this occasion and there was plenty of space down by the water, with a view across the bay to St Ives harbour in one direction and Godrevy lighthouse in the other direction. This is a great beach to visit at any time of the year, if only for the amazing light hereabouts.

What the beach means to Izabella.

The tide rolls in at Porthminster beach.

Porthpean beach

Season: summer

A visit just after dawn highlighted Porthpean’s tranquil side. The beach is close to St Austell, yet the tall cliffs behind this stretch of coastline are more than a physical barrier to the town, ensuring an away-from-it-all feel to a trip here. There is a café, a sailing club with a slipway and a boom with buoys to protect swimmers from motor boats and jet skis at this time of year. This is one of the best, most sheltered swimming beaches in Cornwall.

Bill brings his family to Cornwall for a spot of sea kayaking.

Early morning on Porthpean beach.

Season: spring

A blue grey morning greeted me at Porthpean beach, near St Austell. The tide was in and the sea was calm, looking across the bay. Porthpean sits half way between Trenarren and Charlestown on the South West Coast Path. This is part of a fine section of walking on Cornwall’s south coast and Porthpean is a great place to take a break during any walk.

Belinda explains what the beach means to her.

Porthpean beach at high tide, as seen from above.

Season: autumn

This is a real locals’ beach. I was there in a wild easterly wind, blowing straight onto the beach and bringing the sea to life. The people I met were happy to be alive, including a charming young family. St Austell is nearby, as this is really a town beach.

With a rockpooling family.

Porth beach

Season: summer

Porth beach, located just to the east of Newquay on Cornwall’s north coast, is long and flat. At low tide it’s a surprisingly wide expanse of sand. As the tide turns, the sea moves quickly over the flat sand in a tidal race before it slows down for the wider section of the higher beach. It was exhilarating to witness this from low tide.

What the beach means to Paul.

Low tide at Porth beach in the morning.

Season: winter

A wild wind whipped up the sea, looking down from the island next to Porth beach on a low tide. The deep, narrow beach was fully exposed, leading back to the coast road which heads north east out of Newquay. It was mild enough to sit on the sand with interviewee Laura with her children and dog. The low tide brought the jagged cliffs into view, stark against the driving Atlantic swell and breakers.

Laura’s family values at the beach.