Season: summer
Time had treated this beach kindly since my last visit. The derelict Cornwall Colosseum had gone and the back of the beach was being landscaped. The railings had retreated back up the beach and two stylish concessions, plus beach flags, now welcomed the summer visitors. The beach was clean and the view out to the bay and headlands remained wonderful. An up-market development has planning permission for holiday accommodation.
A family reflect on the beach’s appeal.
All change, yet still the same at Carlyon Bay.
Season: winter
Any visitor can enjoy a walk east along this long, naturally beautiful beach. There are far distant headlands in both directions to add perspective, both east via Par Sands and to the west via Charlestown and Mevagissey, then on towards Gorran Haven. The relatively steep nature of the beach magnifies the thunderous impact of the waves against the shore, highly atmospheric.
The sensory appeal of beaches for Bill.
A lifetime by the beach for Fiona.
The tide falls away at Carlyon Bay.
Season: autumn
There was a gentle, soporific feel to Carlyon Bay for this visit. Cormorants dried their wings on small protruding rocks just off the shore as the high spring tide fell away on quite a short, steep beach. It’s a great beach to walk along, looking out on a pleasing bay, with headlands in both directions. I don’t know why, but this is one of those beaches that takes you away in your mind and then you wake up, snapping out of the dream and surprising yourself.
Jim is happy to be on the beach.
Watching the water flow.
Season: spring
A blustery, mild morning greeted me on this return to Carlyon Bay. White waves crashed against the steep slope of the sand. A backdrop of sheer cliffs, with all manner of hunting birds circling, completed the picture.
With Pam above the beach at Carlyon Bay.