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.
Extra summer season photo gallery
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.
The beach a place where I’m reminded that all my problems are so small that they’re not worth worrying about – it puts everything into perspective. The waves will come and go, the tide-line will move and no amount of worrying will stop them. Flinging off my shoes and losing a couple of hours throwing a ball for the dog or paddling about in rock pools is like therapy, I always leave the beach happy and content with the world.