Category Archives: Mid Cornwall

Carne beach

Season: winter

Carne beach always looks spectacular at low tide, as was the case on this occasion. Dawn light was emerging behind the Nare Head in the east and a falling tide left a sheen on the pristine beach. This is a flat beach, which increases the sense of space, but there are plenty of rock pools at the eastern end of the beach to enjoy too. Dramatic winter storms had impacted on the soft cliffs behind the beach since my last visit.

The relaxing effect of the beach.

Carne beach on a winter morning.

Season: winter

Mild weather and a high tide were the order of the day at Carne beach. As the sun came over the Nare Head, it lit the waves on the upper reaches of the beach and the strand that stretches right round to the far end of Pendower beach in the west. This was a calm period between winter storms, with debris stacked under the sea wall and kelp laid across the road from the recent onslaught. It was a vibrant environment in which to start the day.

What the beach means to Gareth.

High tide at Carne beach.

Season: autumn

The seasonal wheel turns now, from summer to autumn. Mornings like this, with a frenetic mixture of the two, are commonplace. It was warm on this occasion, but there was a precocious breeze that gusted through the scudding black and grey clouds. The white tops of the waves were set in relief by the grey tones around them. This is a time of temperate flux in Cornwall.

What Norma loves about the beach.

A time of seasonal flux, as seen from the water’s edge.

Season: summer

The summer solstice brought a wet, grey day to Carne, so the colours were subtle and blended on an ebb tide. This is a flat beach, well suited to those who prefer a gentle stroll.

With Alan and Enid.

Viewed from the road above the beach, Carne beach on the longest day.

Season: spring

As the seasons change, the gaze of people I pass on the beach moves from the sand and the water’s edge out towards the sea and the horizon. A gentle southerly breeze offers reassurance that summer is on its way. Evidence of the violent erosion to the cliffs at Carne seems unfeasible. All is new, hopeful and restorative.

A reflection on the varied nature of Cornwall beaches and their collective restorative effect.

The energy of the beach rejuvenates a landlocked visitor.

Season: winter

An hour or so after a high spring tide, I could see the Nare Head to my left, with Pendower beach just out of reach to the west and the excellent, traditional Nare Hotel behind the beach. This is a fine beach for swimming or for a morning walk, with its southerly aspect and there is handy parking just by the beach. You’ll find it signposted, along with Pendower beach, from the village of Veryan on the Roseland Peninsula.

A chat with a young family on New Year’s Eve.

Carne beach, as seen from the road.

Readymoney Cove

Season: winter

Recent storms that coincided with spring tides and an onshore wind had scattered kelp and other marine debris over the beach at Readymoney Cove for this winter visit. Several of the many visitors to Fowey gazed out to the open estuary from the beach, as people have done for countless generations. While the town bustled, this was an oasis of calm, a place for reflection at the weekend.

What this and other beaches mean to Sylvia.

The aftermath of winter storms at Readymoney Cove.

Season: autumn

It was a breathtaking morning scene at Fowey’s Readymoney Cove as the spring tide started to fall back. The cove is at the mouth of the Fowey River Estuary, yet it has its own secluded ambiance. With autumn leaves beginning to fall, I could glimpse Readymoney Cove through the trees as I climbed to St Catherine’s Point and the castle. Large shipping passed the estuary. Readymoney Cove felt like a different world.

Rachel compares beaches at either end of the country.

Tom’s reference point as he works.

Looking back to Readymoney Cove from St Catherine’s Point in the morning.

Season: summer

A serendipitous high tide on a calm morning showed Readymoney Cove in a different guise. People were swimming and the cove was protected from boats by a boom. There’s always a tranquil atmosphere here at this wonderful beach.

With Wendy and Caroline, enjoying the nature of the beach.

Readymoney Cove at high tide.

Season: spring

A sunny morning greeted me on my return to Readymoney Cove in Fowey. Sitting by the estuary of the River Fowey, the Tudor St Catherine’s Castle still commands the entrance to Fowey, just above the beach. There is a peculiar, detached romanticism about this place, tranquil, yet in immediate proximity to a busy town.

With Pat and Dave, explaining how this beach has featured in their lives.

Lostwithiel

Season: winter

The river was in spate at Lostwithiel for this winter visit. Recent storms had coincided with spring tides and an onshore wind further down the River Fowey. Up here, debris had been washed down from the waterlogged fields. While the busy town enjoyed extra weekend visitors, a bench by the old bridge was an ideal spot for reflection and an appreciation of nature.

Peter’s appreciation of Lostwithiel.

The full flowing river at Lostwithiel.

Season: winter

It was an auction day in Lostwithiel, the antiques capital of Cornwall, so the town was full of people. After filming at the medieval bridge, the rain took me inside, where I chatted to the proprietors of two local businesses in the shelter of their premises. Lostwithiel is steeped in history, with a proud commercial heritage. The businesses are nearly all owner-run, characterful and varied, making a trip to the town great fun.

The river that runs through Lostwithiel then down to Fowey and out to sea.

Chatting to Pippa and her daughter, Hannah, at their business.

Claire explains how beach images stay with her forever.

Season: autumn

“1940’s Day” at Lostwithiel led me up the Fowey River. The day was great fun, with the townsfolk dressed in character for the last War. I was able to film the Tea Dance and chat to a member of the South West Battle Group re-enactment club. This town is a great place for a visit. Once Cornwall’s capital and a stannary town, there are now antique shops galore. There’s a church in the centre of the town with a particularly interesting font, placed right on the junction of the St Michael and St Mary ley lines.

The tranquility of the upper reaches of the Fowey River at Lostwithiel.

My chat with a member of the South West Battle Group re-enactment society on “1940’s Day” in Lostwithiel.

Charlestown beach

Season: autumn

The bright sunshine led me away from the harbour to the beach at Charlestown this morning. An ebb tide had left a pristine beach in its wake, with clear rock pools and glistening rocks exposed as the sea fell away. The sun had risen in the east, throwing bright lines out behind the masts of the tall ships that filled the inner harbour.

Debbie, in harmony with the beach.

The beach and the harbour at Charlestown in the morning.

Season: winter

The tide had fallen back, but this visit followed a stormy spell of high spring tides and an onshore wind that had scattered marine debris over both of the beaches overnight. Weekend visitors to the picturesque inner harbour were therefore able to enjoy the beach in the aftermath. Charlestown is well worth a visit at any time of the year, with an excellent maritime museum, attractive shops, pubs and a café, plus the Tall Ships in the inner harbour.

The beach as an expression of faith for Will and Emily.

A view from the harbour wall at Charlestown.

Little Perhaver beach

Season: winter

I filmed the scene-setting piece at high tide in the morning and returned to interview Amy six hours later at low tide. From the serene arrival of the Gorran Haven training gig in the morning to the glassy reflection of the cliffs at low tide on the sand under the last bright light of the day, I could have been on two different beaches, such is the visual and atmospheric diversity of this universal place, where the air, land and sea meet.

The beach at different times of life and at different times of day.

Little Perhaver on a gentle high tide.

Season: spring

A bright blue day greeted me at Little Perhaver. Despite the removal of the sand from the top of the beach in the recent storms, it was a tranquil scene at low tide. Exposed rocks were covered in intricate tracery, rarely seen. Evidence of cliff falls and erosion of the soft top soil and northern cliff lay all around the edge of the beach. A spring tide was bringing the rarely accessible Great Perhaver beach and its ancient forest stumps into reach.

How wildlife, nature and its elements combine here for Hilary.

By the water in peace and quiet at Little Perhaver beach.

Season: spring

A fine morning brought me to Little Perhaver beach in Gorran Haven on a low tide. There was a wide expanse of sand to enjoy, with people of all generations basking in the new day’s sun and promise. The sun shone silver, with exposed rocks thrown into sharp relief by the newly formed, golden beach.

Paul’s reason for being on the beach.

With Ann, by the sea at Little Perhaver beach.

Season: winter

The sun was out, after a few grey days in Cornwall. With the tide out, the beach looked stunning, as a counterpoint to the wide expanse of azure sky and cloud. There was a silver band along the horizon, framing the Gwineas rocks in the distance. Listening to Lucy put a spring in my step.

With Lucy at Little Perhaver beach.

By the water, with the waves and the beach.

Little Perhaver, as seen from the top of the steps down to the beach.

Polstreath beach

Season: summer

A hazy, still morning greeted me at Polstreath beach, which sits just over the hill to the north of Mevagissey. The low tide afforded a view from the water’s edge of the old lighthouse on the end of Mevagissey harbour, with the idyllic Chapel Point and its little houses behind. The steep descent to the beach here is not for the faint-hearted, but this fact, combined with the high cliffs and easterly aspect in the morning, make this beach feel other-worldly, a haven of tranquility in a busy world.

Scottish visitor Zack enjoys this beach and a favourite pastime here.

A beautiful beach in the morning, seen from above.

Season: spring

Bright sunshine greeted me as I walked from Mevagissey to Polstreath. The tide was in and fishing boats were crossing the bay as I looked across from the steep steps down to the beach. This is a little known, isolated spot, nestled quietly under the cliffs, with views across to Fowey in one direction and towards Chapel Point via Mevagissey to the south.

With Des and Ruth above Polstreath beach on the South West Coast Path.

The beach, viewed from the steep steps down to it.

By the water at Polstreath beach.

Season: autumn

It was a sunny Sunday morning and the beach was deserted. There are a hundred and fifty four steep steps down to the beach by the main steps, so you need to be nimble and fit. The reward is peace and quiet, plus a wonderful view across St Austell Bay. The beach is located just to the north of Mevagissey and most people walk up from Mevagissey via a steep pathway at the north end of the harbour.

A chat with Mick and Fat Jack above Polstreath beach.

A timeless tranquility, down by the sea.

Falmouth Harbour

Season: autumn

Between 1689 and the middle of the 19th Century, all international mail sent to and from Britain passed through this small inner harbour at Falmouth, before the age of steam took the trade away. Outbound mail came from London, first by horse and then by mail coach. It was then transported on packet ships, chartered by the Post Office. Inbound mail would include vital and often secret intelligence. On this occasion, the low tide revealed the full length of the fixed ladders used to come ashore at Custom House Quay. In its heyday, three thousand ships a year passed through Falmouth. Now it’s a leisure port, busy in a new and different way.

Emma and Matt appreciate the changing nature of the harbour.

The inner harbour at Falmouth in the morning light.

Season: summer

The inner harbour at Falmouth resonates with history. Since the late 17th Century, jolly boats have brought sea captains ashore here from the big ships in the outer harbour and Carrick Roads. Here is the harbour master’s office, the Custom House with its “King’s Pipe”, used to burn contraband tobacco, plus the Quayside Inn and Chain Locker pub, right by the quayside. It could have inspired many a scene from Patrick O’ Brian’s Aubrey / Maturin series of historical novels.

Heidi’s family values at the beach.

Julian’s wary attitude to the beach.

The inner harbour in Falmouth, a historical timepiece.

Season: spring

A bright, clear morning lit the high tide at Falmouth’s old inner harbour, reflecting the Chain Locker and other buildings on Custom House Quay. If you were to look across the water to Flushing, via the outer harbour moorings, you might sense a seasonal change, the morning mild and full of promise.

Alan’s guide to Falmouth’s beaches.

The harbour at Falmouth in the morning.

Season: spring

The dawn light on the harbour at Falmouth caught the high tide at Custom House Quay. Gulls were circling territorially and the town was waking up. I met and was sketched by illustrator Derek, by the National Maritime Museum. Falmouth is often a sailor’s first landfall from the Western Approaches and the world beyond. It benefits from the constant ebb and flow of visitors at its harbour and town.

The inner harbour in Falmouth at dawn.

With visiting illustrator Derek, in Falmouth for a conference.

Season: winter

A night-time visit to manonabeach®’s favourite town in Cornwall. Falmouth and Penryn are now a hub for young, creative talent in the county, since many students from Falmouth University are choosing to stay on and set up businesses in this area. The town is cosmopolitan and vibrant, with a thriving docks, a marina and a new media community.

A chat with Amy outside the Chain Locker pub by the old harbour in Falmouth.

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.

Loe Beach

Season: spring

There was bright morning sunshine for this spring visit. Two Canadian canoes were preparing for a day paddling the creeks at the top of Carrick Roads and beyond. I chatted to Peter about the rich history of people’s links to canoes and the beach.

Peter explains his passion and its history.

Early morning at Loe beach.

Season: winter

I returned to Loe Beach, several months after a previous September dawn visit during an Indian Summer. An uncanny tranquility and peace were both still there, as you can see by comparing these two films to those below them from the earlier visit.

Chatting to gig rower Michael at Loe beach in January.

Timeless tranquility at Loe beach. This was recorded during January, but it’s often like this first thing in the morning.

Season: summer

Tranquility and peace were the order of the day at Loe Beach on a high tide. The sea was calm, ideal for swimming and kayaking, which was already underway as I arrived. This is also a wonderful beach to look out from, past the swinging moorings and the yachts. You can see down to Falmouth and Pendennis Castle via Mylor Churchtown, then look across towards St Just-in-Roseland and Turnaware Point on the Roseland Peninsula. It’s a fine spot, ideal for those who live or work in Truro.

With Matt, Lisa and family by the water at Loe Beach.

The peace and tranquility of Loe Beach in the morning.

Season: autumn

Loe beach is the nearest beach to Truro, located in Feock, just south of the city. It’s popular all year round, especially for boating folk, due to its location at the top of Carrick Roads. The Truro gig launches and practises from here. During my early morning visit it was eerily tranquil, the dawn sun painting a Turneresque palette in the sky. It’s very handy if you’re working in Truro and need to see the sea.

Early morning at Loe beach, Feock.

The second in the series.

and the third in the series…

and the fourth…

and the fifth…

and finally…

My chat with Brian at Loe Beach.