Category Archives: West Cornwall

Treen Cove

Season: summer

Just after high tide, Treen Cove and its beach were engulfed by the Atlantic. There was a tranquil atmosphere down by the water. You sense the great distance to the west as you look out from the rocks here, all the way to America.

Rupert’s enduring reference point, the beach, wherever he is.

Enjoying the beauty of Treen Cove in the morning.

Season: autumn

Treen Cove is exactly half way between St Ives and St Just, six miles each way on the scenic coast road. With no facilities and a long and at times tricky path to negotiate from behind the Gurnard’s Head Hotel, access takes a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it. When here, you feel very close to a big ocean and its motions and you can walk even closer to it via the Gurnard’s Head itself.

With Lucy and Andy at Treen Cove, across from the Gurnard’s Head.

Seals in the water at Treen Cove in Penwith.

A first view of Treen Cove and across to the Gurnard’s Head.

Season: spring

The low tide at Treen Cove revealed a pristine sandy beach, backed by rounded, dense stones, fashioned by the Atlantic. The cove’s cliffs feature waterfalls that shower the beach, through lime and limpet green foliage. This is an inaccessible beach and you need to keep an eye on the tide here. The compensation is a totally unspoilt wonderland of textures and colour, with the Gurnard’s Head rocks to the south, plus Zennor and Morvah in close attendance. It’s a taste of wild Cornwall.

On a brand new beach at Treen Cove.

Season: spring

This visit was an outstanding sensory experience, via the beauty of an exposed sandy beach.

Treen Cove, as seen from the back of the beach at low tide.

Rinsey Cove

Season: spring

It was a fine bright day and a chance to enjoy a covering of sand at Rinsey Cove. The beach looked spectacular on a low tide, with white waves crashing in over the multi-coloured rocks. It’s always a pleasure to enjoy the wild elements in this corner of the Lizard Peninsula.

The beach as a metaphor for life.

Secrets coves and beaches, ideal for Georgia.

A view from the water’s edge at low tide in Rinsey Cove.

Season: autumn

It’s exciting to see a fresh unexplored beach on an ebb tide, such as this morning at Rinsey Cove. There’s outstanding natural scenery here anyway, including the colours and texture of the rocks on the beach and the cliffs. On this occasion the fresh sand showcased the geology. The sea is always lively on this side of Cornwall, with waves crashing relentlessly onto the sand and rocks. Rinsey Cove is elemental, nature in the raw.

With Graham and Judy, explaining their serendipitous union.

By the water at Rinsey Cove, surrounded by wild nature.

Season: summer

It was a bright sunny morning at Rinsey Cove, with the high tide acting against the black rock in this geological wonderland. I met fisherman Peter and another Peter, visiting Rinsey House with his family. It was good to see the house with its new roof, after watching the renovations during the last visit.

Tales of whales in Cornwall, by Peter from Wales.

Watching the sea against the rocks just before high tide at Rinsey Cove.

Season: spring

A fine, late spring evening greeted me at Rinsey Cove for this visit. An hour after high tide, the sun played on a pristine new beach, with a calm blue sea rolling relentlessly in. Two people were fishing for bass off the point and I had the beach to myself. Above the Cove stood an old, renovated engine house, from the prolific days of mining here. To the north west stood Rinsey Head House, currently being re-roofed.

I heard from roofer Ben about his links to Rinsey Cove. The workmanship on the roof was impressive, as you can see, so here’s a mention for the craftsmen, from proprietor Henri Blight to Scott Hocking, Mark Peters and Ben Verry – thanks for your hospitality.

Ben explains what the beach means to him.

By the water at Rinsey Cove.

Looking down at Rinsey Cove from the path above.

Season: winter

As one of the most stunning visual and sensory experience of the manonabeach® series, Rinsey Cove sits in the teeth of the Atlantic breakers. There is a breathtaking array of textures and colours on the beach. Access is fairly steep and rocky near the beach, but it’s well worth it. Highly recommended, a special place.

With Matt at Rinsey Cove in Cornwall on New Year’s Day.

Approaching the beach at Rinsey Cove on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall.

Mount’s Bay

Season: summer

The sun burst through on a low tide at Mount’s Bay and Marazion. Summer had arrived and the beach was full of people, some gazing out at the flat, gentle water in the bay. It was an idyllic sight and a wonderful place to be, as always. As well as the delicate texture of the soft sand underfoot, there are stunning views out into Mount’s Bay and over to Penzance in the west.

Paul’s enduring love for the beach.

Season: summer

The tide was almost in at Marazion for this summer visit to Mount’s Bay. A strong, mild wind pulled at the beach artwork in front of The Godolphin Arms, featuring a maze and a spouting whale (see photo gallery). Small boats plied their way over to St Michael’s Mount, ferrying passengers who could no longer use the tide-covered causeway. The upper beach is flat here and the tide moves quickly.

Beaches, memories and the present for Dave, Ben, Kimberley and Lara.

A view to St Michael’s Mount at high tide in Marazion.

Season: winter

A brief spell of sunshine and high pressure was coming to an end. The wind whipped up the foam on the wave tops and the harbour at the Mount suddenly seemed a long way away. It was still mild though and beachgoers were enjoying the fine stretch of sand here during the respite between storms.

The beach is in John’s blood and in Maggie’s spirit.

The end of the respite from the storm, as the weather starts to change.

Season: spring

There was a moody sense of occasion for this early morning visit, enhancing the grey, silver and black colours by the shore and in the sky. The tide was well out and the causeway carried workers across to St Michael’s Mount for ongoing renovations to the castle. The low tide framed Marazion on its hillside and highlighted the sea wall that stands between it and the island. Further along the beach, camper van visitors started their day with a walk on this magical beach.

The tonic of a regular beach visit for Virginia.

A special memory on this beach for Nicole.

A moody, silver grey morning at Mount’s Bay.

Season: spring

It had been too long since my last visit to Marazion, this magical place on the east side of Mount’s Bay. Wild weather had covered the beach in kelp and St Michael’s Mount stood in relief against the black, blue and grey storm clouds that framed it. The sea was calm, the sky being the centre of attention just now during a spell of low pressure in Cornwall.

Suzanne, on coming home.

At Mount’s Bay, enjoying the calm after the storm.

Season: winter

I returned to a favourite manonabeach® beach. It was mild and misty on arrival, with the tide run perfect for showcasing the causeway to St Michael’s Mount. This is a magical location on the energising St Michael ley line, inspiring the same positive message I enjoyed during a previous visit. All you need is here and convenient for the beach at Marazion.

The causeway and Marazion, at Mount’s Bay in Cornwall.

With Moira and Sarah, who were filming for Project 12, a positive initiative for this year.

A happy young couple on their honeymoon at Mount’s Bay.

St Michael’s Mount, after the mist had cleared.

Season: autumn

This was an early visit in the manonabeach® series, blessed with bright sunshine. Mount’s Bay is set up to receive visitors. As well as the outstanding scenery of the Bay, you can park easily and toilets and shops are at hand, along with galleries, pubs and hotels. You can walk across to St Michael’s Mount at low tide or catch the amphibious vehicle at other times. The Mount is a National Trust property, with fine gardens and a castle to visit. Marazion’s promenade has access to sandy walks and there is a breakwater to sit on, where I found the young couple making their breakfast outdoors.

This chat with a young couple in the sunshine was a real pleasure. They were young and clearly thrilled by where they found themselves during an Indian summer.

A peaceful, therapeutic saunter by the water at sunny Mount’s Bay.

Gwynver beach

Season: spring

Gwynver beach is adjacent to Whitesand Bay, yet it has its own wild, natural feel while still enabling access at low tide to the shops and cafes at Sennen Cove. This is a stunning beach in any weather, popular with surfers, beachcombers and walkers alike, with the added bonus of the coast path behind the beach. Large, rounded stones decorate the upper reaches and people often choose to settle on these, enjoying the view out to the distant Atlantic horizon.

John’s appreciation of the beach.

A view from the back of Gwynver beach.

Porthchapel beach

Season: spring

This is a quiet beach, tucked away between the better known Porthcurno and Porthgwarra options. Parking is in a field at the nearby church, about five minutes or so away. There is the familiar large block granite setting, with a steep, tricky descent to the beach itself, next to a scenic waterfall (see photos, below). This whole stretch of the South West Coast Path is outstanding, theatrical even, with its bejeweled beaches and its constant appeal to the senses, tempered with the salt air from the Atlantic.

What the beach means to the George family.

A fine setting at Porthchapel beach.

Porthcurno beach

Season: winter

The tide was falling away on this popular Cornish beach, considered by many to be the finest in the county, giving access to the adjacent satellite beaches. The low midday sun lit the valley behind the beach and the white horses that topped the sets of rolling waves. Visitors and locals alike were walking off the Christmas festivities and looking forward to a bright New Year. They couldn’t have found a finer spot.

A deep affection for the beach.

The stunning vista at Porthcurno beach.

Season: spring

A bright day with a rising tide was the order of the day at Porthcurno beach. A calm sea shone silver, the breakers almost translucent as they arched and fell on the golden sand. This is a magical beach in any weather and season. You could sense the pressure lifting from beachgoers’ shoulders as they walked the beach or sat gazing out to sea.

The rhythms of nature at the beach for Jane.

By the majestic sea at Porthcurno beach on a rising tide.

Season: summer

It was bright sunshine all the way for this return to the celebrated Porthcurno beach in West Penwith. As the tide fell away, you could still find seaweed goodwill messages, to be read from the Minack theatre above by this year’s visiting actors. Many people were on the beach and a harmonious atmosphere pervaded the little groups. The enhancing benefit of this magical place was almost palpable.

Ellie and Abigail, from the University of London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, enjoying the beach.

Eamon and Tommy from the Peter Pan production team, working at the Minack Theatre.

Simon’s assessment of the beach.

Honeymooners Trish and Geoff on the steps above Porthcurno beach.

A beautiful beach in the morning.

Season: spring

This is one of the most beautiful, natural beaches in Cornwall. It feels pristine and untouched. This visit at low tide gave access to the two beaches round to the east, where I was also able to film.

By the water at Porthcurno beach.

On the small beach next to Porthcurno.

With Cherry, who explains the harmonising qualities of the beach to her.

Charlotte’s straightforward celebration.

Season: autumn

This is the most well known Penwith beach, located next to the Minack Theatre, which is carved into the cliffs above. The beach still has the tiny cable house, designed to help send telegrams to America, standing at the head of the beach. There is a nearby choice of large car parks with toilets, and there is a café at the Minack theatre. The beach has very impressive square blocks of granite in the western cliffs, almost pink in certain light.

A chat with artist Jane on Porthcurno beach.

Penzance Mount’s Bay

Season: summer

It was a stunning morning in Penzance. On a high tide, the water lapped against a shingle beach, rolling the pebbles back as each wave ebbed. The promenade was full of people, many stopping to gaze out over Mount’s Bay at the mesmerising sight in front of them. The Scillonian slipped its mooring and made its way to the Isles of Scilly.

Marcia’s lifelong love of the beach.

A fine sight in the morning, Mount’s Bay at Penzance on a high tide.

Season: spring

The sun started to break through after a long spell of low pressure and here was an ideal place to be, by Mount’s Bay in Penzance. The sound of the pebbles rolling back on an ebb tide is rejuvenating and the light here is unique, fusing with the elements in a way captured by the Newlyn School of Art’s Stanhope Forbes and Henry Scott Tuke.

The beach as a reminder for Liz, here during a break to the South West.

By the water at Mount’s Bay in Penzance.

Season: spring

It was a flat calm Mount’s Bay on this occasion. From Marazion round to Newlyn, the sea glistened silver on a calm day, with St Michael’s Mount framed in the light. The low tide allowed me out onto Battery Rocks, close to the water which lapped against the walls of the Jubilee Pool.

With Adrian on the beach at Battery Rocks.

A beautiful, calm morning, looking across Mount’s Bay from Battery Rocks in Penzance.

Season: autumn

Located towards the western end of Mount’s Bay, Penzance sea front is an ideal spot to grasp the scale of the Bay, from Marazion in the east round to Newlyn and Mousehole. Parking is straightforward, with convenient shops and restaurants close by. The seafront leads you round to the Lido and Battery Rocks, another popular spot for sea swimmers in the Bay. At Penzance you can watch the world go by, walk the promenade or exercise in the sea, all bases covered.

With Graham in Penzance, looking out on Mount’s Bay.

Graffiti to cheer your soul at Battery Rocks in Penzance.

A sense of the action of the sea on the pebbles next to the sea wall in Penzance.

Season: winter

A break in the ongoing run of winter storms brought out bright sunshine for this winter visit. Promenaders enjoyed the respite and there was no need for an overcoat. Gentle, white-topped rollers sent bursts of foam skyward on impact with the sea wall. The scene was very different two days earlier, with water and debris all over the road and structural damage by the seafront. Another band of deep low pressure was due overnight, so this was a chance to enjoy being by the seaside.

A long way from home, Nigel and Chris enjoy the majesty of the sea.

Mount’s Bay in the winter sun.

St Ives

Season: winter

A low tide and mixed weather was the order of the day in St Ives. Beyond Smeaton’s Pier a stormy sky over Hayle made the harbour feel reassuring. Andrew explained how his grandfather, William Barber, perished on a lifeboat while going to the assistance of others in 1939. His celebration of a working life in St Ives sits at odds with many visitors’ initial impressions of the town.

Generations by the beach at St Ives.

The scene at St Ives harbour in the morning.

Season: spring

The low tide had just turned inwards so access to the harbour sand was easy, enabling a view back to the town from the sea. It was a bright, sunny morning, the low tide allowing fishing and leisure boats to prepare to leave harbour on the rising tide.

With Scott, learning about the Jumbo Association.

Graham’s view of the beach.

St Ives on a spring morning, seen from the harbour.

Season: summer

Although best known to visitors and artists for the beautiful beaches, charming streets and clear light, St Ives is still a fishing town. This morning it was mackerel that were being landed in modest numbers on Smeaton’s Pier, as the tide started to fall back. The fine sand of the beach glistened under the gentle lapping of the harbour waves, ridden by the fishing boats before the town woke up.

Tim, at ease by the harbour in St Ives first thing in the morning.

An early morning view from the end of Smeaton’s Pier.

Season: autumn

St Ives is a popular all year round getaway destination for well-to-do city dwellers. It is compact and walkable, with four great beaches and plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés. The enclosed design of this harbour makes promenading a pleasure at any time of day or in the evening. An early morning visit is a real treat, watching the sun rise beyond Smeaton’s Pier over Hayle Towans across the bay.

Leandra’s satisfaction by the sea in Cornwall.

A morning panorama in St Ives harbour.

Season: winter

The beach at St Ives is right in the centre of town, framed firstly by the church, followed by the independent shops and businesses then round to Smeaton’s Pier. It’s a fine setting with convenient eateries and shops to hand. On this occasion the tide was falling. At low tide a walk across the beach gives access to the old town, avoiding the crowds on the sea front promenade. St Ives has fine art galleries, beaches, shops, pubs, restaurants, a thriving Arts Club, superb fish ‘n chips and a cosmopolitan feel as one of the jewels in Cornwall’s tourism crown.

A chat with artist Martin Moffatt in his St Ives art gallery.

A first view of the harbour at St Ives, seen from in front of the Arts Club.

Carbis Bay

Season: summer

This is a great time of year to be on the beach in the morning. Carbis Bay’s beach is quite steep, so the waves seem to build vertically and hang poised, before crashing down on themselves, never making it as far up the beach as you might expect. The sun was bright and some friends with their dogs were meeting to start the day in style. It was a harmonious place to be.

With Jen at the start of a special day.

Tom’s relationship with the beach.

The pleasure of a summer morning at Carbis Bay.

Season: winter

A vivid light was on show today. There are wide-ranging views for a beachgoer to enjoy on this beach, either across to Hayle Towans, Gwithian, Godrevy and the lighthouse, or sweeping round to the harbour at St Ives. The steep tree-filled side to beach suggests a tropical tone and you can be sure to see marine wildlife, on this occasion cormorants and a grey seal. Highly recommended.

A view from the sea with Robin.

The panoramic vista at Carbis Bay.

Season: spring

The tide had fallen away, exposing the fine golden sand here at Carbis Bay. Holidaymakers were enjoying the start of the season, walking languidly by the water. A passing storm was replaced by bright sunshine as clean sets of surf broke onto the beach. All was well with the world.

Nick and Rachel reflect on beaches near and far.

From St Ives round to Hayle and beyond, a fine vista at Carbis Bay.

Season: winter

The tide was halfway in and the views towards St Ives, Godrevy lighthouse, Gwithian and Hayle Towans were distant, misty outlines. This blurred the line between the sea and the sky, a hazy, sleepy visual to counter the relentless sound of the waves against the beach. Even on a cloudy day the peculiarly clear light at this end of Cornwall sets the blue sea into relief against the soft, golden sand.

The contemplative side of the beach for Carrie.

A winter morning in Cornwall.

Season: spring

It was wet and mild for this spring visit. The tide was in and the mesmeric turquoise of the sea remained, despite the grey, overcast sky. You can see the pleasure that the beach gives to visitors in Peter’s face, interviewed below.

At the end of the beach.

Peter sifts through family memories.

Season: autumn

Carbis Bay is a beach with fine sand, located just to the east of St Ives. With a small accessible car park, it’s a great place to see seals and look across to St Ives and Godrevy Lighthouse. It has the Sands Café next to the beach and a hotel with apartments behind.

My chat with Ralph, who works on the beach at Carbis Bay and at the nearby hotel.

With Derek, walking his dog at Carbis Bay.

The relentless action of the Atlantic Ocean on the rocks, here in Penwith.

Seals in the sea by the beach at Carbis Bay.

Sennen Cove beach

Season: spring

Fine weather and a rising tide were the order of the day. The arc of the bay was backlit by the morning sun and visitors were enjoying the shops and cafes at Sennen Cove. There is a sense of deep perspective and a long distance to the horizon here.

John’s lifelong relationship with the beach.

Whitesand Bay at Sennen Cove in the morning.

At the end of the beach as the tide rushes in.

Season: winter

Whitesand Bay, by Sennen Cove, is a particularly fine sight on a low tide such as this, being one of Cornwall’s flattest and most scenic beaches. The sand arcs round to the headland and the raking backdrop is natural, primeval and unspoilt. It’s no wonder then that so many people were walking off the Christmas and New Year festivities during this winter visit. The enhancing dynamic of where the air, land and sea meet was self-evident.

What the beach means to Scott and Claire.

Low tide at Whitesand Bay.

Season: summer

Looking out towards the wild Atlantic seas at Sennen Cove, the waves crashed onto Whitesand Bay, even broaching the harbour wall. A strong, mild wind carried a sense of the sea’s power across the western tip of Cornwall, heady and stimulating, viewed from the shelter of the harbour.

With Wendy at Sennen Cove in Penwith.

The action of the sea on Sennen Cove’s harbour wall and beyond.

Wild waves crashing onto Whitesand Bay at Sennen Cove.

Season: spring

There was a benign, peaceful atmosphere at Sennen Cove on this occasion. The sea lapped against the white sand, feeling a bit odd for such a wild beach as this. The falling tide had revealed kelp and rounded rocks at the far end of the bay. There’s a pleasing crescent shape to the beach, with the surrounding land cossetting you as you look out to sea.

A regular visitor’s take on the beach.

Whitesand Bay on a spring morning.

Season: winter

The sea was alive at Sennen Cove for this winter visit, with surfers and beachgoers alike enjoying it. On a rising half tide, the crescent shape of Whitesand Bay was clearly visible, backed by the pristine dunes. The Atlantic sea breeze is pure here at the tip of these beautiful islands.

With Heather, a beach aficionado, at Sennen Cove in February.

The waves against the beach at Whitesand Bay, Sennen Cove in the winter.

Season: autumn

Early morning, with the sun coming over the dunes on a low tide, was just breathtaking, inspiring a sense of wonder at isolated nature. The early morning light is a great time to see Cornwall’s beaches, well worth getting up early for. At the far western end of the county, Sennen has wild nature and waves, but also an excellent array of facilities, plus arts and craft shops and a harbour with a lifeboat. There is plenty of parking, toilets and a pub with accommodation right by the beach.

On the beach at Sennen Cove at dawn.

Sennen Cove, as seen from the harbour.