Season: spring
Bright sunshine greeted me on this spring visit to Hemmick. As Giles explains below, the outstanding natural beauty of this part of Cornwall’s south coast owes much to the work of the National Trust. Hemmick beach is a pleasure to visit at any time. I recommend the path up through the woods to the Dodman Point, where you can see Iron Age and Napoleonic archaeology and history, as well as staggering views, either across to the Nare Head or back towards Vault beach.
Giles’ eulogy to the conservation and husbandry of the National Trust at Hemmick beach and beyond on Cornwall’s south coast.
“Just a short drive from Hemmick, award winning Bosinver Farm Cottages have 20 individual detached self catering cottages set in 30 acres of peaceful farm and woodland where children can play freely, couples and families can relax together and nature is truly on the doorstep www.bosinver.co.uk 01726 72128.”
Season: winter
Outstanding visibility was the order of the day for this return to beautiful Hemmick beach. Visitors could see all the way to the tip of the Lizard peninsula and the sky was bright blue. The walk down from the National Trust car park at Penare is steep, but it offers an outstanding view, drawing you down to the sandy beach. It’s worth stopping on the steep return ascent to remind yourself of the unspoilt beauty and to frame a lasting image in your mind before you return.
What the beach means to Mark.
A bright blue day at Hemmick beach.
Season: spring
Clean surf crashed onto the beach at Hemmick for this spring visit. The sky was blue, the weather warm and the sunshine bright in the morning sky. As the tide turned inwards, odd weekending visitors started to settle for a restful day, collecting driftwood for their barbecues and stopping to gaze out over the waves, lost in their thoughts.
Lindsey and David reflect on beaches and coastlines.
By the water at Hemmick in the morning.
Extra winter visit photo gallery
Season: autumn
One of Cornwall’s least spoilt beaches, nestled beneath the Dodman Point on the south coast of Cornwall, Hemmick always seems to attract healthy surf, despite its southerly aspect. Access is from Penare village at the top of a steep road or from a few parking spaces next to the beach. If you’re feeling energetic, I recommend the headland walk up to the Dodman, where there’s archaeology and history aplenty to enjoy, as shown by the films below of the Napoleonic Watch House.
Up at the Dodman Point above the beach, here’s part 1 of a snapshot of life in Napoleonic times.
…and here’s part 2, as seen from the Watch House at Dodman Point.
Season: spring
This early morning visit showed the storm damage from the winter, with a significant cliff fall at the back of the beach. Hemmick was stonier than on my previous visit, again due to the storms. This morning was bright though, with blue sky and a silver sea as languid waves lapped the shore. It heralded a warm, sunny day here on the south coast of Cornwall.
A variety of uses for the beach.
