Category Archives: Mid Cornwall

Gorran Haven beach

Season: spring

Gorran Haven basked in warm sunshine for this spring visit. The recent storms had torn all of the sand from the top of the beach, but the sea was now as calm as a mill pond. The low spring tide allowed easy access to Little Perhaver beach. The headland between the two beaches had lost a good twenty metres of topsoil into the sea over the winter, exposing more hard granite and widening the view between the two beaches.

A chance for Helen to reflect on the timeless appeal of this beach.

A beach panorama, as seen from outside Cliff Cottage.

Season: summer

Although it was warm, a turbulent scene greeted me at Gorran Haven. The beach was fairly deserted on a falling tide, but one or two mesmerised people looked out from the harbour wall at the rolling breakers that pounded in relentlessly. It was intoxicating. Out at sea, grey clouds blended into the horizon. The whole scene was at once rejuvenating and energising.

Ernie’s association with the beach through time and tide.

Season: winter

I filmed the scene-setting piece at high tide in the morning and returned to interview Dave six hours later at low tide. The high tide framed the harbour wall, with the sea lapping over the lower reaches of the wall. At the other end of the beach the usually expansive flat beach assumed the nature of a bay, with still water lapping the sea defences. Changes, often daily, in the mood of all these wonderful beaches are among the varied pleasures of return visits.

A vital part of Dave’s leisure time.

The beach at high tide.

Season: autumn

It was a blisteringly hot Sunday at Gorran Haven. The beach was packed, but there was a tranquil, contented atmosphere, with a lot of children playing in the river and making sandcastles. It felt like a family beach, used by locals and visitors alike. The harbour is scenic, with a car park in the village and plenty of shops, toilets etc. This is an ideal choice for a day out, with everything at hand and located in a breathtaking setting.

Looking down to Gorran Haven beach from the South West Coast Path.

By the water in Gorran Haven at low tide.

Season: spring

This was a chance to enjoy Gorran Haven in bright sunshine, with a high tide and a blue sea that filled the harbour. It was a welcome change from the recent inclement easterlies and had restored the usual benign character to this little harbour, as weekending visitors enjoyed the sunshine once more. This beach has a timeless quality, as testified by Jane, below. It feels like time has stood still in Gorran Haven and it’s always a sheer pleasure to visit.

Jane’s appreciation of the beach and the village.

A view from the harbour wall at Gorran Haven.

Season: winter

This was a mild, wet return to Gorran Haven in January. The beach was peaceful and quiet, with a fishing boat bobbing in the bay. This is an unspoilt village, retaining a strong sense of community and belonging, as you can hear in the interview with Elaine.

Chatting to Elaine behind the Sail Loft at Gorran Haven beach.

A January morning at Gorran Haven.

Trelissick Gardens beach

Season: winter

It was a peaceful morning at Trelissick Gardens beach for this return visit in January. Having started the manonabeach® series here, it was an opportunity to reflect on the interesting people and views of the beach that I’ve encountered along the way. Jo seems in tune with her surroundings. You can see the first tentative manonabeach® interview at the bottom of the page.

Jo, her son and the dogs at Trelissick Gardens.

Season: autumn

Spring tides, a southerly wind and low pressure had conspired to send the sea water over the wall, along with a buoy from Restronguet Sailing Club, further down the Carrick Roads at Mylor. The chat with Julia was the 1,000th manonabeach® video, filmed at the scene of the first video, on September 18th last year. Thanks for watching!

Julia explains what the beach means to her.

The result of a high spring tide at Trelissick Gardens.

Season: spring

A chilly north wind sharpened proceedings for this spring wind, but Channals Creek at Trelissick Gardens was calm under a high tide. It was the Easter break and visitors mingled with locals on the nearby woodland walk at this National Trust property. Staff had left the flotsam that had been washed in by the winter storms and repairs would be needed to the sea wall by the creek in due course.

What the beach means to Robin.

By the water at Trelissick Gardens.

Season: winter

A pale winter light in the morning suffused the beach. The colour scheme was a palette of grey, black and white, with silver flickering on the calm water. The tide had fallen away and the water’s edge afforded a fine view back to the big house and its rural setting by the sea. This National Trust property and its woodland walk are part of many locals’ morning routine.

The beach as a place of activity.

A winter morning at Trelissick Gardens.

Season: summer

Trelissick Gardens was in fine form during this visit, tranquil in the sun on a falling tide. There was enough gentle breeze for pleasant sailing without an engine, as you can see behind Amanda during our chat.

Amanda explains what the beach means to her.

One of the best views in Cornwall, as seen from the hillside at Trelissick Gardens, looking south over the Carrick Roads and beyond.

By the water at Channals Creek.

Season: spring

Tranquility reigned for this spring visit to Trelissick Gardens beach, located near Truro. The sea was flat calm and the park was largely deserted. Returning to Cornwall after a brief trip away is always special, a reminder not to take the exceptional beauty here for granted.

Sue’s take on the beach and the water beside it.

Season: autumn

The first manonabeach® visit was to Channals Creek, here at Trelissick Gardens, on the beach below the main house. The series was introduced here, with an explanation that viewers would see beaches and the characters who are using them during different seasons. This beach is part of the National Trust Trelissick Gardens attraction near Truro, so has convenient facilities to hand. There is free parking for National Trust members, shops and extensive woodland walks within the Trelissick estate. It is said that a previous member of the Lemon family, who owned Trelissick in the mining boom time of the early 19th Century, could walk to the centre of Truro from here on his own land. Almost the entire wealth was subsequently squandered in one generation by a descendant!

First ever manonabeach® film, at the beach below Trelissick Gardens.

First manonabeach® interview with Andy Richards, relaxing at the beach on a Sunday afternoon.

Porthbeor beach

Season: winter

The sand had been pulled from the beach at Porthbeor during recent storms. Large boulders had replaced it by the sea, glistening in the wake of the ebb tide. Access was tricky too, as the wooden steps had been completely washed away and subsidence had destabilised the coast path down to the beach. However, the beach itself was a haven of peace and tranquility, a calm after the storm. Out at sea there was no suggestion of the wildness that has preceded this visit.

Memories of the beach for Simon.

The scene after recent storms at Porthbeor beach.

Season: winter

It was a quiet, rainy morning at Porthbeor for this visit. The tide was falling back, revealing another new beach. Out on the flat sea cormorants could be clearly seen about their business and a couple of buzzards circled above. Otherwise, this beautiful, natural beach was briefly the domain of interviewee Yayeri, enjoying the elemental power of this wonderful environment.

Yayeri’s two-fold appreciation of the beach and a chance to look back in time.

The harmony of a quiet beach in the winter.

Season: summer

There was a tranquil, Mediterranean feel at Porthbeor beach for this summer visit. The sea lapped against the beach towards high tide. The outstanding setting, totally natural, made the long, steep descent worthwhile.

Beachgoer Olly’s view of the beach, when looked at under the sea.

The stunning setting for Porthbeor beach.

Mevagissey

Season: autumn

This was a fascinating visit to a thriving Cornish fishing village. Everything is crowded around the harbour in Mevagissey, with a small beach in the corner. I arrived just as a new fishing boat had unloaded a good haul of Cornish sardines, so I was able to film a chat with both the harbour master and the boat’s skipper. The return of the pilchards seems like good news for Mevagissey and the mood was upbeat. There is parking in the middle of the town, so it’s best to access the village from the north. I particularly recommend the Mevagissey Museum at the left hand end of the harbour.

An interview with Hugh, the harbour master at Mevagissey.

Fishing skipper Peter, after a hard day’s night, is back in Mevagissey harbour with a full hold.

Evidence of a beach in the corner of the harbour at Mevagissey.

A view of the harbour from the outer breakwater.

With Trevor, fishing on the outer harbour wall at Mevagissey.

Molunan beach

Season: autumn

In bright sunshine on a low tide, the Molunan beaches felt like a private haven amidst the yachting activity on Carrick Roads. Sailing boats made their way out from Mylor, Flushing or Falmouth to round St Anthony Head, perhaps just on their way to Porthbeor beach on the other side of the headland, or maybe on to Fowey, the Yealm or even further afield. One or two had anchored off Great Molunan beach, their sailors now gazing across to Falmouth and the Helford Estuary from these beautiful beaches.

David and Gaye’s affection for Great Molunan beach, their “Anniversary Bay”.

Looking down on the Molunans with Sam and Georgina in the sunshine.

On the rocks at low tide between Little Molunan and Great Molunan beaches.

Season: winter

This was a bright, clear, sunny day at the Molunans on the Roseland Peninsula. However, the approach to the beaches from St Anthony Head lighthouse told a story of storm damage, as the wooden walkway to the beach lay in tatters. Such is the diversity that one finds at the beach that it didn’t seem possible, as this visit’s weather was so benign. The ebb tide cast gentle breakers against the soft sand, a world away from the wildness that had just passed.

The changing face of the beach for Anthony.

Winter sunshine at the Molunans.

Season: summer

The tide was high, covering Great and Little Molunan beaches. Today’s scene-setting film was from above the beaches, next to St Anthony Head lighthouse, scanning the Carrick Roads and the surrounding beaches included in the series. Stuart and Adele were fishing from the WWII jetty, referenced by Nicky on a previous visit as the access point for her regular swims.

Stuart’s empathy for the sea.

A fine vista from above the Molunan beaches on the Roseland Peninsula.

Season: spring

The sun broke through, after a spell of low pressure. The Molunan beaches are isolated and natural, located on the bottom tip of the Roseland Peninsula. Despite their isolation, you can see wildlife, boats and Falmouth itself from here. You’re effectively right under St Anthony Head lighthouse. The sailing and fishing boats seem to pass within touching distance on their way out to Falmouth Bay and beyond. They look like they’re starting a great adventure and you want to jump on board for the ride, to go where they are going as they battle out into the open sea.

With Pat on Great Molunan beach.

A rising tide on Great Molunan beach.

Season: winter

This was a spectacularly beautiful morning. Great Molunan and Little Molunan beaches face West at the foot of the Roseland Peninsula, opposite Falmouth on the Carrick Roads. They are next to St Anthony Head lighthouse and there is parking at the top of the path down to the beach.

Chatting to Nicky in an idyllic setting on Great Molunan beach at the end of January.

Castle beach

Season: spring

With a welcome return to high pressure, blue skies and sunshine was the order of the day at Castle beach in Falmouth. It was early morning, with Pendennis Castle backlit on its headland and the sun bathing Castle and Gyllyngvase beaches. The tide was rising. This is a wonderful natural resource for the busy townsfolk of Falmouth, offering a flavour of the natural environment right on their doorsteps, plus fine views out to Falmouth Bay and beyond.

A resourceful morning routine for John.

A bright start to the day at Castle beach.

Season: autumn

Falmouth is a great town. It has beautiful nature on its doorstep and a vibrant cultural centre. This intoxicating blend attracts creative and innovative young people to this part of the county, often via the popular Falmouth University. It’s interesting that the enhancing effect of the beach is complementary to the lively social scene on offer here, as articulated by Hannah, below.

How the beach fits into Hannah’s life.

The beach as a reference point for Dan in a transient world.

Looking down on Castle beach from just below Pendennis Castle.

Season: summer

Dark, foreboding clouds loomed over Falmouth and Castle beach. After a spell of sunshine and high pressure, there was a sense of change in the air. On a low tide, families were rock pooling with nets, while others enjoyed an evening tipple, some chatting and some gazing questioningly out to the horizon, a familiar sight on any beach.

Adam expounds his dreamworld in company at the beach.

Season: winter

This beach is a long sliver of sand, running from under Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle round towards Gyllyngvase beach. You can park immediately above the beach on the sea front and there are easy steps down to the beach. You’ll find shops and all that Falmouth has to offer right next to the beach. It’s a good beach to visit for a quiet view of Falmouth Bay and across to the Helford Estuary. On this occasion cormorants were hanging their wings out to dry on a wet, grey day. Falmouth is a fine choice for a meal and a night out too.

A brief but illuminating testimony from Michael on the beach below Pendennis Castle.

Porthluney beach

Season: spring

A bright morning combined with a rising tide at Porthluney beach. The sea shimmered silver between the beach and Gull Rock, enticing people into the water where three kayaks already surfed the waves. The steep sides to the beach belie a deceptively wide expanse of sand. There is safe th clean bathing water all year round. It is also the beach below Caerhays Castle, where the first Williamsii camellia were propagated from Camellia japonica by Carolyn Williams.

The beach as a sensory stimulus for Jo.

A shimmering silver sea on a bright day at Porthluney beach.

Season: spring

As part of the Caerhays Estate, Porthluney beach has an idyllic setting between the castle and the sea. This stretch of coastline between the Dodman Point and the Nare Head is among the least spoilt on the Cornish coast. The tide was out on this occasion and I chatted to Dora about our visits and times in L’Aber Wrac’h in Brittany, standing by the mussel beds on the exposed rocks. It was a fine start to the day.

Dora’s take on the beach.

Porthluney beach, as seen from the shore at low tide.

Season: winter

There was an atmosphere of preparation and industry on the Caerhays Estate during this winter visit to Porthluney. The beach cafe was being renovated and the Estate office and grounds were a hive of activity in preparation for the coming visitor season. I enjoyed the empty beach then chatted to carpenter Mark, who explained the significance of the beach within his lifestyle change, work and family values.

My chat with Mark.

Season: autumn

The tide rises deceptively quickly over the flat beach at Porthluney Cove, scattering into clouds the foraging birds on the sand at the water’s edge. Tall pines cover traces of the headland’s rough grazing partitions and the orchards that once decorated the cliff sides here. Water thunders onto the beach from the swollen river behind, dissipating to wander languidly across the wide beach and down to the endless sea.

Coysh’s wandering has strengthened his bond to the beach.

Nature in the morning on Cornwall’s south coast.

Season: summer

A high tide greeted me for this summer visit to Porthluney beach, part of the Caerhays estate. The waves probed the repaired sea defences and visitors were bunched up at the top of the beach on the remaining strand. On both sides of the beach, waves danced along the black rocks on their way in to the beach. The weather was windy but mild and the water temperature fine for swimming.

Angela draws a parallel to the sea’s moods.

Craig and his children, enjoying the beach.

A high tide on Cornwall’s south coast.

Towan beach, Roseland

Season: spring

This is a natural beach, without development and watched over by the National Trust. Crescent-shaped and south east-facing, it’s spectacular in the morning, with views round from the Nare Head to the north towards St Anthony Head in the south. The flat surface of the beach catches seaweed and vegetation in its rock pools at low tide, a panoply of subtle greens, blacks, blues, yellows and browns.

Suzanne takes us back in time at Towan beach.

The peace and quiet of Towan beach in the morning.

Season: summer

I arrived just before dawn for this visit. Towan beach is natural, facing south east to greet the morning and always inviting a visitor to stroll along its shore. The beach is backed by small cliffs and the South West Coast Path. It is located between Portscatho to the north and Porthbeor beach to the south. On this occasion the sea had stacked the soft sand onto the higher ground, leaving a small bank down to the flat lower reaches. Another day, another beach, different on each visit.

The natural and sensory appeal of this beach for Bridget.

Dawn, by the sea.

Season: autumn

The arc of Towan beach reminded me of Gugh in the Scilly Isles, across the bar from St Agnes, with its sweep round and natural feel. There’s no development here; it’s so pure.

What the beach means to Richard.

A pleasant surprise visit for Lizanne and Simon.

The beauty of the Roseland Peninsula in the morning.

Season: summer

The crescent-shaped Towan beach was wrapped in a mild mist for this visit. It felt like entering a secret world of sounds and smells, heightened by the damp air and the enclosing mist. Being on the beach seems to lead people’s eyes to the horizon but, when misty, the lack of perspective and distance draws your attention to the pebbles on the sand, the minutiae in the pools, the subtle sounds of the sea washing the rocks and the morning smell of a rising tide.

With Roger at Towan beach.

Glen and Laura enjoy the beach.

Enveloped in mist, Towan beach on a misty summer morning.

The gentle action of the sea on the rocks.

Maenporth beach

Season: spring

A blustery east wind brought a short sea onto the beach for this visit to Maenporth beach. Tankers sheltering in Falmouth Bay lined the horizon. On an ebb tide, the arc of the beach here became apparent, bordered by the strong granite headlands which give Maenporth an intimate, enclosed feel.

Georgina looks out to sea, a familiar view for her.

Looking down on a falling tide at Maenporth.

Season: autumn

The south coast beaches of Maenporth, Swanpool, Gyllyngvase and Castle are within a stone’s throw of Falmouth, one of the most vibrant towns in Cornwall. Despite this, you can be in a wonderful natural environment in no time, before or after the working day. On this occasion it was very mild and misty, with a low tide and plenty of beach to enjoy. The wistful autumn weather lent a poignancy to the gentle, lapping waves.

John’s appreciation of the beach and Cornwall.

Maenporth beach, as seen from the South West Coast Path in the morning.

Season: summer

Maenporth beach was calm and peaceful at the height of summer. As the rising tide lapped against the beach, the boats in Falmouth Bay glistened under the new day’s sun. A scuba diver explored under the water and early morning beach goers paddled in the sea.

With Russell by the water at Maenporth beach.

Looking out to Falmouth Bay from Maenporth beach.

Season: spring

The sun was still waiting to break through the morning haze. The sea moved between grey and silver during my time on the beach. Maenporth has a pleasing crescent shape to it, with the South West Coast Path connecting to it at either end and with Falmouth Bay straight ahead. The beach is widely used for morning exercise and to help people to focus on the day ahead.

A regular beach goer alludes to the enigma of the beach.

A hazy morning on Maenporth beach.

Pentewan beach

Season: summer

The small Village Beach is the part of Pentewan Sands that locals and the sailing club seek out for recreation. This morning, kayaks and tents on the beach were part of an expedition from Falmouth to Fowey along this wonderful stretch of coastline, which has generally safe waters and outstanding natural beauty. The tide was out and the arc of the long bay here was clearly visible. Pentewan itself is attractive and friendly to visitors, with a good pub, plus water sports and outdoor activity businesses.

Simon and Garry explain their association with the beach.

What the beach means to John and Wayne.

Looking back to Pentewan Sands at low tide.