Author: gloversure

Change of Pace: Surface

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Flat calm or firing, the ocean’s surface offers up myriad ways to revel in the joys of watertime…

Find out why New Year is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our holiday retreats to stay in for the New Year.

Unsteady balance

Credit: WeSup

A teetering wobble as you clamber to your feet, the unusual perspective gained from standing on the sea, the blissed out feeling of moving steadily forward over the ocean under your own propulsion. Not overly challenging, and easy to get up and running with, it’s no wonder paddleboarding’s popularity has soared in recent years.

“Its popularity with the public is because of the iconic slow-paced adventures around surreal tropical coastlines,” says Harvey Bentham at WeSup in Falmouth, “but the reality is that’s only one part of why paddlboarding is such a joy.”

It’s the variety of ways people engage with the sport, he goes on to explain, that makes it so alluring. “It ticks so many boxes for so many different people. We’ve seen hula-hoops, cartwheels, one-footed paddling – when the weather gifts us flat windless days we can get out and do some yoga, or headstands, or stretch our ‘legs’ and go further around the coast for a longer paddle.”

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

“If the swell is up we ride waves and experience the thrill of the ocean pushing and pulling the board around, it’s definitely a different kind of buzz.”

Credit: WeSup

In his book Blue Mind: How Water Makes Us Happy Marine Biologist Dr. Wallace Nicholls explains that the rhythmic act of paddling creates an almost meditative state, with “significant evidence proving that interacting with water offers us huge benefits cognitively.” With this in mind, it’s no wonder that so many people extol the virtues of a paddle before work, or to refresh after a long day.

Simply doing your normal activity somewhere different (yoga on a paddleboard), or seeing the coast in a different way can be exhilarating enough, but for Harvey, there’s another side to the sport that comes into its own when the sets start lining up. “If the swell is up we ride waves and experience the thrill of the ocean pushing and pulling the board around, it’s definitely a different kind of buzz,” he says. Waveriding on a paddleboard is one of the oldest forms of surfing and the rush from dropping into the face and firing down the line is hard to match. Of course, that kind of skill takes years to master, but even for ‘newbie’ paddlers, waves bring a different dimension to the experience. “It depends what you’re looking for from your time on the board, the possibilities are endless – calm or choppy.”

Regardless of preference, there’s one part of paddleboarding that is inevitable and something you simply have to embrace. The swift plunge into cold water when you lose your balance and slip from your board. Enjoy the sensation and revel in the moment. It’s good for your mind, after all.

wesup.co.uk

Surfing slowdown

Credit: Extreme Academy

Surfing is undeniably a sport built around the adrenalin rush of the ocean catapulting you forward full throttle. But its high octane reputation belies one of the little considered truths of surfing. That a lot of the time, it’s about exactly the opposite.

Former waveski world champion Carl Coombes now runs Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay and is keen to advocate the contemplative element of the sport. “The moment before the ride is often one of reflection and wellbeing,” he explains, “reading the ocean, understanding its movements and sensing the right time to go, the right wave to choose. Mastering the process and commitment of your wave selection and the art of patience, it’s as much a part of surfing as charging.”

While each wave lasts only a handful of seconds, a surf session can last hours on a good day, so there’s a lot of sitting in the ocean experiencing the moment. “It’s why surfers have such an affinity with the sea, and often care so much about protecting it,” he continues. “Spending that amount of time in the water, the things you see, the wildlife, skies, quiet, its value can’t be quantified.”

For Dr. Nicholls, surfers exhibit more of the ‘blue mind’ state than anyone: “they’re attuned to the water,” he writes, “used to watching it carefully for hours on end, reading its changes, looking for the smallest indication that the next wave will be, if not the perfect wave, at least rideable.”

“You see a great session bringing the same enjoyment to a seasoned pro and a novice that has stood up for the first time.”

Credit: Extreme Academy

And that starts from the first time you paddle into a wave. Learning with a surf school is about meeting like minds, practicing the necessary physical skills but also understanding more about the sea and how and when to harness its energy.

All of that is extremely rewarding both mentally and physiologically. “You’ll finish a class or a session exhausted but also refreshed, by your time in the water, by the experience you’ve had. It’s a unique sensation,” Carl concludes. “And that’s the thing I love about surfing –  whatever your ability, the reward is the same. It’s fully inclusive, low impact, great therapy, a real adrenaline rush while being relaxing and clearing your thoughts of all life’s woes.

“You see a great session bringing the same enjoyment to a seasoned pro and a novice that has stood up for the first time. Who wouldn’t want to get involved in a sport that can offer that?”

extremeacademy.co.uk

Read about adventures of every pace: on the shoreline or in the deep too…

Read our blog on the best things to do in the sea in every season!

Change of Pace: Shoreline

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From scouring the sand to wading through the waves, the stretch where land meets sea offers exhilaration and space for contemplation in equal measure.

Visiting Cornwall with an electric car? Check out our holiday lets with electric car (EV) charging points.

Credit: @ggbytheseasea

“Beachcombing combines both my fascination with finding ‘treasure’ and a relaxing mindful way to unwind,” beachcomber Georgina Griffin [@ggbytheseasea] says of her favourite pastime, which hinges on patience, curiosity and the excitement of discovery. “Finding anything of any age makes me wonder, what was it? Who dropped it? How did it end up on our shores?”

“It’s the energy of the ocean that determines what you find where. That’s what makes each search so thrilling.”

Although beachcombing is all about taking things slowly and looking at everything you find at your own pace, the reason the north coast of Cornwall is great for beachcombing is due to its frantic waves and strong currents. “It’s the energy of the ocean that determines what you find where,” Georgina continues. “That’s what makes each search so thrilling.”

Surrounded by the Atlantic and barraged by the full brunt of storm swells through the winter, Cornwall is known for its beachcombing bounty. “There are so many things that wash up on the county’s beaches,” she says. “Seaglass is the most universally loved. Finding a rare colour that has been well rounded by the waves always brings a smile to my face. Lego is another popular find. And not as rare as you might think. In 1997, nearly five million pieces of Lego fell into the sea from a container ship so when you find it you know its exact origin and that it’s been poking about in the sea for over 20 years. That’s an incredible notion and adds a punch to every discovery.”

Credit: @ggbytheseasea

And of course, there’s nothing more thrilling than that elusive find. Georgina searched for a Cod Bottle marble (a marble in the top of old bottles for carbonated drinks) for a long time before she eventually found one near Charlestown. “I let out a little squeal of excitement when I saw it there in the sand,” she admits.

Tempted? Amble along beaches near the old villages and harbours of North Cornwall for your best chance of finding tiny pieces of history (and maybe a piece of lost Lego). Imagine the thrill when you look down and see a frosted gem, nestled in the sand. Buried treasure is beckoning…

Fancy looking at areas of the North Coast? Explore our holiday properties in Padstow, just a short drive away from Port Isaac and Polzeath.

Wonder wander

Credit: Longe Cote

If you’re more about being in the sea than by it, but still want to keep your feet on the ground, Longe Côte marries in-ocean elation with a therapeutic sea air walk. With its roots on the continent where troops of ‘longers’ can be seen every day wading through the shallows, in Cornwall the movement is a fledgling one. And Jo Curd, who runs Longe Côte UK, is its biggest advocate. “Longe Côte is addictive because of the endorphins the exercise and laughter release,” Jo explains. “It’s about feeling at once free and alive in the waves and soothed in the cool, gentle waters.”

“We have people of all ability levels in our groups but everyone is there for the same reason and gets the same joy out of it. Water time is incredibly unifying.”

Of course the calm days have their appeal, in a meditative and restorative sense, but for Jo, it’s a case of the more waves, the better. “We definitely work harder when there’s a swell on,” she continues. “We need to leap over the waves before we even start the exercises. I prefer that kind of class with rolling waves to jump; it feels so vital.”

Each class is set by the conditions on the day and the energy you want to put in. “Longe Côte is all about finding your pace and embracing it,” Jo says. “You can take a leisurely lunge or power forward, you can add resistance by punching through the water as you walk – how hard you work is up to you. We have people of all ability levels in our groups but everyone is there for the same reason and gets the same joy out of it. Water time is incredibly unifying. I have a sense of contentment after classes I’ve not found anywhere else.”

Submerge yourself up to chest level and enjoy a 45-minute session at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth with Jo. Classes are held year round: @longecoteuk

Read about adventures of every pace: on the surface or in the deep too…

Discover the top 10 reasons why Cornwall is the perfect workation destination with Beach Retreats.

A Change of Pace

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From the thrilling calm to the calming thrill, the ocean is a place of endless surprises whether it’s by, on or under the waves. In a series of posts, we explore what it means to get your energy from the ocean and the delightful contradictions you can embrace in every sea salt fix.

Visiting Cornwall for a workcation? Have a look at our holiday lets perfect for extended stays and working.

Credit: WeSup

From dawn to dusk and through the seasons, the ebb and flow of tides are in constant flux, creating a magical ocean playground. On the shoreline, on the surface or submerged in the deep, there are endless ways to play, and it’s the sea’s shifting moods that help determine your pace.

The quiet aftermath of a storm washes up beachcombing treasure, still waters keep a paddleboard balanced and rolling waves offer up ideal surf conditions. But is it as simple as measuring your adrenaline rush against the height of the break, or does ocean time have the power to do more?

Fancy staying in Padstow? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Padstow.

It’s not surprising that in the gentlest walk, the deepest dive or the most adrenalin fuelled charge, we can find moments of both serenity and exhilaration.

Credit: Aquacity

“We are inspired by water,” Marine Biologist Dr. Wallace Nicholls writes in Blue Mind: How Water Makes Us Happy. “Hearing it, smelling it in the air, playing in it… creating lasting memories along its edge”.

Nicholls explains that as humans, our calm, peaceful and content state of mind, which he terms ‘blue mind’, is stimulated by proximity to open water. That even just thinking about water is enough to trigger an emotional response, because all our senses are craving the full nature experience. So it’s not surprising that in the gentlest walk, the deepest dive or the most adrenalin fuelled charge, we can find moments of both serenity and exhilaration. Our bodies crave water time exactly because of its simultaneous ability to help us reset and get our hearts beating.

If you’re eager to embrace the marvellous contradiction of the ocean but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. Over three posts we’ve caught up with ocean lovers who relish the fast and slow of their preferred water activities on the shoreline, on the surface and beneath the waves. So read on, leave your expectations behind and open your blue mind. Calming thrills and thrilling calm await…

Want a relaxing holiday in Cornwall? Check out our favourite spas and saunas for a truly relaxing getaway

Read about adventures of every pace: on the shoreline, on the surface or in the deep.

Credit: Chris Moakes

Private Chefs in Cornwall | Hire for Your Holiday

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With the summer season well and truly underway, Cornwall’s restaurants are busier than ever. During your visit, why not escape the crowds and enjoy the delights of the county’s seasonal produce from the comfort of your own holiday retreat?  We have compiled a list of the best private chef experiences in Cornwall, with options ranging from canapes to BBQs, romantic meals for two to large family feasts, inviting you to enjoy a fine dining experience like no other.

Looking for a romantic getaway? Check out our romantic cottages. Alternatively, seeking a holiday retreat with a pool? Dive into our curated collection of holiday cottages in Cornwall with pools for the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

Duchy Chef

Renowned throughout Cornwall, Duchy Chef is celebrated for their innovative, top-tier private dining experiences. Indulge in a starter featuring scallops, artichoke, chorizo, and compressed sea purslane, followed by a main course of Cornish Sea trout, Bok choy, Thai Cornish crab broth, and rice fishcakes—each bite infused with the essence of the sea. With options ranging from three to seven-course menus, an evening with Duchy Chef promises a restaurant-quality dining affair.

duchychef.com/private-dining/

Dine with Iris

For something slightly more laid back which still encompasses the bespoke dining experience, try Dine with Iris. Her take on ‘posh picnicking’ includes a delicious seasonal grazing board, pillows and rugs, themed flowers and more, all of which is set up and packed away for you. Just pick a location of your fancy, from your favourite scenic clifftop to a cosy beach nook, and Dine with Iris will take care of the rest. You can also add on additions such as a private yoga class before you eat or live music to accompany your picnic- its truly a Cornish fairy tale scene.

dinewithiris.co.uk

Chef Natasha

Taking inspiration from world cuisine and her experience of cooking in French Ski chalets, Chef Natasha is on hand to provide you with an effortless dining experience which will allow you to sit back and enjoy the delights of your holiday retreat as you await your food. Choose from the finest tasting menus or a more relaxed wood fired BBQ dinner- whatever you fancy, Chef Natasha is sure to cook up a storm.

privatechefnatasha.uk

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Fee’s Food

This Cornish food and catering company provides top-notch local, seasonal produce through its tailored private dining service. Indulge in their classic menu featuring Cornish bouillabaisse, Thai crab salad, and Monkfish curry, or savor their distinctive summer lunch, showcasing fresh barbecued meats and seafood, complemented by salads and roast salmon. They also specialise in catering for weddings throughout Cornwall.

feesfood.co.uk/pages/menus

Discover the latest culinary gems with our guide to new foodie hotspots in Cornwall, where delicious flavours and unique dining experiences await.

Escape to the sea 

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ESCAPE TO THE SEA

Think of yourself as a thalassophile? If you relish the calm of a secluded cove or crave the adrenalin rush of roaring surf, then, whether you know it or not, you are one.

Derived from the Greek thalassa, meaning sea, and philein, meaning ‘to love’, a thalassophile is someone who feels a connection with the ocean.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

As an island nation nibbled by hungry tides, our natural bond with our watery border is strong.

“Being British comes with a catalogue of sea-themed clichés,” writes Charlotte Runcie in her book, Salt on Your Tongue. “Fish and chips on the beach, or in the car while the rain pelts down, ‘Rule, Britannia!’ at the BBC Proms, the shipping forecast playing out over and over.”

The mystical pull of the sea is universal. Children lift a conch to their ear to listen out for the ghostly whooshing of waves. Adults, weathered by life’s storms, find comfort in the shock of a bracing dip.

But the therapeutic benefits of blue spaces go beyond hearsay. From higher dopamine levels to reduced anxiety, closeness to water is associated with greater wellbeing. In a study on happiness in different natural environments, coastal areas came out top.

Want to stay near several beaches? Have a look at our luxury holiday cottages in Fistral, a next to Fistral Beach, and a short drive from Porth, Watergate Bay and Crantock Beaches.

Focusing on the ebb and flow seems to have a mindful, meditative effect. By immersing ourselves in the elemental force of the sea, we access a restorative cognitive state.

Discover the best ways to celebrate by the sea with unforgettable coastal experiences.

Dr. Catherine Kelly, author of Blue Spaces: How and Why Water Makes Us Feel Better says in The Guardian that “the sea is synonymous with letting go. It could be lying on a beach or somebody handing you a cocktail. For somebody else, it could be a wild, empty coast. But there is this really human sense of: ‘Oh, look, there’s the sea’ – and the shoulders drop.”

Not just a balm for the senses, the sea is essential to life on earth. It’s said that every second breath we take comes from the ocean, and that the ocean is the thermostat of the global climate system. But with climate change, overfishing, deep-sea mining and plastic pollution threatening to destroy the blue planet and drive species to extinction, experts warn that we must act now to protect our future.

So, we’re diving into the wonders of the ocean with eyes wide open – revealing the hidden Cornish coves, asking how we can eat more sustainable seafood and discovering what we can do to reduce ocean pollution. Join us as we #escapetothesea…

Support calls for more ocean protection and restoration

Room with a starry view

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Is stargazing the ultimate out-of-hours experience at the beach? Photographer Graham Gaunt went to Dark Sky Discovery Site Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps to capture the Milky Way above the sea.

“In some ways, it’s like old photography. You see the image for the first time in the dark room. That’s the precious part of it. It’s interesting to develop something that isn’t there when you look at it.”

The jagged lines of Cornwall’s north coast and sweeping open fields on the cliff tops make for a fitting setting to the wonders of the universe.

Visiting Cornwall for a romantic adventure? Check out our romantic cottages.

The wild coast at Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps (home to our Karn Havos self-catering houses) is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, one of the locations around the UK where you can see the constellations and our galaxy the Milky Way.

To see the Milky Way with the naked eye, a Dark Sky Discovery Site has to have very low light pollution, preserving an inky darkness that’s all-too-rare in our modern world.

Credit: Graham Gaunt Photowork

Light pollution is an increasingly common scourge which means 90% of Britain’s population misses out on the stellar spectacle that is the night sky. But at Carwenas and Bedruthan Steps, with the Milky Way shining above, you get a magical sense of how the sky would have appeared to our ancestors.

While the best time of year to see the Milky Way in the UK runs from mid-April to mid-July, it can make more fleeting appearances throughout the UK Milky Way season from late February to late September. To catch a glimpse, all you need is a picnic blanket, a flask of something hot and a little patience.

Capturing distant light

Graham Gaunt started capturing the night sky ten years ago, with digital photography growing in capability he was able to capture shots that revealed views of the stars beyond the sights observed from gazing up into the darkness. His Dark Nights film (with night-sky footage from West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) won the directors choice award at the Cornwall Film Festival 2012.

“I started taking pictures and what I was seeing was really fantastic. In some ways, it’s like old photography. You see the image for the first time in the dark room. That’s the precious part of it. It’s interesting to develop something that isn’t totally there when you look at it.

“When you look up at the night sky to observe the Milky Way it is almost as if you see it out of the corner of your eye. When you look at what the camera captures it is something different.”

It’s not just what the camera reveals that keeps Graham returning to the dark sky sites: “Being out there on your own in these wild places deep into the night, there isn’t anybody around; that’s special in itself. It does something to your senses. As the light fades your hearing gets sharper; I start hearing all of these sounds, all around.”

Credit: Graham Gaunt Photowork

While the lighter, shorter summer nights can mean less opportunity to see stars, some features are easier to spot at this time of year. With up to 150 meteors per hour streaking across the sky, the Perseids Meteor Shower creates a dramatic light show from the 16th July to the 23rd August – peaking on 12th August with a waxing moon. And, if you look to the north in June and July (and the skies are dark enough), you could see the beautiful shimmering blue glow of noctilucent clouds. Made from ice crystals, they are only visible in the astronomical twilight.

At Carnewas and Bedruthan, Graham had five cameras set up to shoot throughout the night. Night-time photography in Cornwall has its own unique features. One of those is the dew point in the night when condensation collects on the grass and leaves; it also gathers on camera lenses.

Fancy staying in Mawgan Porth? Have a look at our Mawgan Porth holiday properties.

Graham Gaunt Photowork

That’s just one factor when it comes to photographing the stars. “When you’re shooting the night sky, you are trying to capture the light from a star hundreds of light years away,” explains Graham.

“A weak light just a few miles away can make a big different. But in some ways the brighter, near lights on earth place us; we can see in these images where we are in relation to the galaxy around our planet.”

In pursuit of stars
Graham’s search for great night-sky shots has taken him to drier, hotter locations, where condensation isn’t a concern. “I once shot on a volcano in La Palma, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, for 10 days.

“I took so much equipment to that shoot, I had to pay the same price for it to travel as I paid for myself. I went up the volcano every evening, clicking away all night then went home had some wine and went to bed!”

How does Carnewas and Bedruthan compare when it comes to being out in the wild, remoter places to capture the wonders of space?

“It was a fantastic place to be for the shoot. When I was walking back to my van at 4am the field was full of skylarks singing. From the sound I think they must have been there with fledglings. These moments, you don’t get to see and hear that if you’re not there in the quiet hours.”

Discover the perfect romantic getaway in Cornwall with our guide to where to stay for couples.

See more from Graham Gaunt.

Five Cornish Sea Pools

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There’s nothing like a swim in the wild Cornish ocean- fresh saltwater kisses your skin, seaweed-tinged coastal air fills your nostrils and endless blue fills your vision. Yet the sea’s unpredictable nature means some days see a raging swell and visceral currents, making even the most sheltered beach non-swimmable. So, we have compiled a list of five Cornish sea pools, some hidden behind rocky shorelines or existing only at low tide, which provide the perfect spot for a dip, sheltered from the Atlantic surges.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a swimming pool? Check out our cottages with a swimming pool for a relaxing getaway.

Chapel Rock Pool, Perranporth

Nestled amongst the rockpools on the far side of Chapel Rock, this small tidal pool is easily missed unless you know where to find it. Replenished by the sea twice a day, this pool fills with water which is often warmed by the sun and is the perfect spot for children to frolic, safe from the swirling pull of Perranporth’s main waters.

Dive into the fascinating world of Cornwall’s rockpools.

Check out our other holiday lets in Perranporth.

Children’s Pool, Priest’s Cove

In this rugged, rocky cove in Cape Cornwall, a small pool has been carved out, the perfect spot for dipping your feet and splashing about amongst the shingle-dotted shoreline. This pool was built in the 1950s and is only accessible at low tide. The surrounding currents of Cape Cornwall can be strong, so this pool offers provides solace for younger ones to safely play.

Porthtowan Tidal Pool

Tucked away between cliff faces and secret caves to the north of the main beach, this swimming spot can only be reached at low tide. During powerful swells, waves will crash into the pool, but on a calm day as the tide drops this pool transforms into a haven to bob about in, taking pleasure in the largely undisturbed environment. Previously, there was a set of ‘secret’ steps leading down from the coast path, but these have eroded away over the years. This means that there is a chance of getting cut off at high tide so do take care when visiting and always check the tide times.

Bude Sea Pool, Summerleaze beach

At the base of the cliffs of Summerleaze beach you’ll find a large, unique tidal swimming pool. Built for bathing out of the waves, this pool is especially spectacular on stormy days where you can gaze out to the raging swells from the serenity of your protected spot. This pool is popular all year round yet its generous size allows for plenty of space to breathe in the fresh sea air and listen to the gulls as you swim uninterrupted.

Jubilee Lido, Penzance

Proudly sitting on the sea front of Penzance, you will find the Jubilee Lido, an art deco sea water lido. As the UK’s largest and most celebrated sea water pool, it is famous for its contemporary design and seaside location. Head here for a sunbathe on the sun-trap poolside before enjoying the calm of the natural sea water, generally two degrees warmer than the water of Mount’s Bay just beyond the walls.

Ten tips to help you take better photos

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This week we are talking to Damian Bailey, an award-winning wedding and family photographer, on how you can take better photos and make the best of your family holiday memories.

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

“I have been a professional photographer since 2003 and photographing kids and families it is my single favourite thing to do with my camera.

Between July 11th and 31st I shall be in North Cornwall for The Beach Sessions; family photography shoots, morning or evening, at the location of your choice. Relaxed, fun and natural and all done in an hour because you don’t want it to take over your day.

Check out our locations and retreats across North Cornwall.

On holiday with friends? No problem – multi-family shoots are really popular.

On holiday with pets and well-behaved grandparents? Bring them too!

The tips below will help you take better photos of your kids and family this Summer. Or, why not take the stress out of it and let me capture your happy holiday memories, now that you are all finally together on holiday after a hell of a year?

Full details of The Beach Sessions can be found here: damianbailey.com

Explore Instagram-worthy escapes in Cornwall, where breathtaking landscapes and picturesque retreats create perfect moments for your feed.

Ten Tips to help you take better photos

Don’t zoom in – GET CLOSER!

Zooming in on a phone will reduce the quality of the photo. Instead, actually move towards or further away from the subject until you can see what you want to see in the photo. If you can’t do this then you’ll have to use the zoom but try and avoid it if you can.

What are you photographing?

Think really carefully about what is in the photograph. This is called composition or framing the photo. Sounds simple but it’s fundamental to taking good photos.

Law of Thirds

This is a good rule of thumb when taking photos. Depending on your phone/camera, you may be able to turn on a grid created by two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines.

When taking a photo try to place the subject on one of the points where the lines intersect. This will help your composition and make the photos more engaging. It’s not a hard and fast rule but it’s worth thinking about.

Don’t say “Smile!”

Asking people to smile doesn’t work. It just ends up with an awkward half-smile that looks weird. If you want happy expressions in your photos you have to try to make people laugh. You can also ask someone off-camera to help you make them laugh.

Beware! There is no dignity in this! Do whatever it takes to make people laugh whilst taking their photo.

Don’t just stand there!

Don’t just stand there! Try different angles. Shoot from above or below your subject. Lie down, stand on something. Create silhouettes, create movement and variety in your photos, even when photographing the same subject. Shoot in landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) too, to give you maximum choice.

See the light!

Light; it’s the natural resource of all photography and how you use it is the single most creative element at your disposal when taking photographs.

If you are outside, try putting the sun behind your human subject or in the shade. This is counter-intuitive to everything you’ve ever ‘learnt’ about photography, but it is the way of the professional and means that there won’t be any harsh shadow on the faces, no squinting and a lovely halo of light around their head and shoulders. You can also create amazing silhouettes! Of course, sometimes the location and required photos mean your subjects have to face the sun but try to keep it to a minimum of you can.

If it’s cloudy, anything goes!

When indoors, get your subject facing a source of natural light like a window or an open door. Avoid having a window behind your subject as this will often cause your camera to underexposure the photo.

Check out my little video on this subject.

Take LOTS of photos

Practice makes perfect and you’ll never regret taking photos. So take lots of them! I use an app called 1 Second Everyday which is a great way of getting into the habit of recording your surroundings on a daily basis. Also, when taking photos of your kids, for example, take lots at one time. Move around your subject as you are taking photos. Each will be subtly different as their expressions change etc. It’s all about playing around and practising.

Edit your photos

Go through them regularly, delete photos you don’t want to keep, edit the ones you do. Use apps like Snapseed, Blackie and even your phone’s built in editing function. Don’t overdo the filers, cropping and editing but your photos will benefit from some editing.

Do something with your photos

Get them framed and on the wall, upload them to a digital photo frame, make albums. Anything except leaving them on your phone where you’ll never see them.

Back them up

Imagine losing your phone and all your photos with it. Nightmare, right? So, make sure you back them all up. The easiest way to do this is to back your photos up to the cloud. Google Photos is a great option for this. Dropbox also works well. Detachable hard drives are also a good idea.

A Full Guide to Falmouth’s Beaches | Insider Information

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When we picture Falmouth, we see sailing boat masts bobbing on the harbour and cruise liners slowly rolling along the horizon. The town is famed for its connection to maritime heritage, and this is integral to its identity. Yet on spending a day in Falmouth, it is easy to get sucked into the allure of its clothing boutique and eatery-dotted streets, whiling away the hours in the busy hub of the town whilst barely catching a glimpse of the ocean beyond.

So, we’ve created this handy guide to Falmouth’s 5 bays, helping you to drift away from the chatter of the main strip and towards the serenity of what are some of south Cornwall’s finest beaches.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

Castle beach

Greenery sways in the gentle sea breeze at this peaceful and sheltered cove. At high tide, Castle Beach is mainly shingle, but as the water stretches out a map of barnacle-dotted rockpools are revealed, perfect for any little explorers you might have in tow. Looking out to the sea, which glitters under the heat of the midday sun, you have views of Falmouth Bay in one direction and Pendennis Castle and St Anthony headland in the other. Head to Castle Beach for a ramble along the rocky shoreline before joining the South West Coast Path to explore further afield.

Gyllyngvase beach

Neighboured by sub-tropical gardens, Gylly beach is a haven of the beachside lifestyle. Sitting on the soft white sand, you can gaze out at the ships and sailboats dotted along the water. Its crescent shape harbors a gentle pool of sea water which is mostly flat, making it perfect for activities such as sea swimming and stand up paddleboarding. Gylly Beach Café sits right on the sand and serves hot food and drinks all day and evening long. Taste the chilli kick of panko breaded squid or the zest of fresh lemongrass seabass with the buzz of the beach in the background.

Looking for a fantastic restaurant in Cornwall? Check out some of our favourite restaurants with stunning sea views.

Swanpool beach

Time rolls at a slower pace at Swanpool Beach, a serene sand and shingle bay on the outskirts of Falmouth. Its adjoining lake is a Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its glassy clear water reflects the colour of the sky in the summer sun, the sheet of blue only breaking as you submerge into its icy water for a dip. Looking to get your heart pumping? Head to the beach’s watersports centre to try your hand at kayaking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing or coasteering.

Nansidwell beach

This beach is often known as Woodlands, and this is because of its surroundings- walk the footpath between Maenporth and Mawnan Smith through green woodland and you will come out at the hidden cove, an area looked after by the National Trust. Nestled out of the wind, the beach is a sun trap where you can listen to the rustle of the trees behind you as your eyes rest on the topaz blue moana ahead.

Maenporth Beach

Green rolling headlands curve down towards Maenporth Beach, an adorable cove dotted with the pink and blues of parasols and beach towels across its yellow sand. Slightly further out from Falmouth town, this beach is lined with sub-tropical trees which stand tall around the perimeter of the bay. Head here for a family day out or a solo sunbathe, hearing the birds chirping in the sub-exotic foliage.

Check out our other locations and other retreats across South Cornwall.

Browse our beach locations in Cornwall to explore further, and keep an eye out on our special offers page for discounted stays in Falmouth.

Dawn vs Dusk

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The magic hours. Which is your favourite?

“A sculptor’s landscape is one of ever-changing space and light where forms reveal themselves in new aspects as the sun rises and sets.”

– Barbara Hepworth in Barbara Hepworth: Drawings from a Sculptor’s Landscape, 1966 barbarahepworth.org.uk,

 

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

 

The sun rose just after 5 o’clock this morning; it will set just before 9.30pm. We’re in the daylight month and each day the summer sun creates stunning, relaxing and inspiring skies in those early or late hours. Staying steps from the shore means the freedom to enjoy those moments even more.

Coastal skies don’t hold claim to the most spectacular dawns and dramatic dusks but they’re undoubtedly among the best. Sharing an image by Kirstin Prisk (@kirstinprisk) of a sunset sky in St Ives this month, the Tate St Ives nodded to the unique light the sun creates there: “The town of St Ives has long been an artistic hub, attracting artists since the time of J.M.W Turner because of the beauty of the landscape and quality of natural light.”

That corner of coastal light has inspired artists since the 1930s, and around the British coast early risers and evening explorers are rewarded with colour shows to take the breath away.

Which are you, an early riser catching the first light or an out of hours dusk seeker?

We asked members of the Beach Retreats team to share one of their favourite phot0s out of hours at the beach. As you’ll see below, dusk comes out on top.

And if you’ve captured a great shot at the beach out of hours, why not share it with us on Instagram or Facebook ­­– tag us @beachretreats and add #beachoutofhours ­– to be in with a chance of winning a land&water bathtime bundle and luxury Cornish hamper.

Lingering light

Lowenna in the Beach Retreats marketing team likes to catch the fading light as it disappears over the horizon. There’s no better place to watch the day slip away over the horizon than the sweeping vistas of the north Cornish coast.

This shot was captured on the sand dunes that lead down to the breaks at Fistral beach in Newquay. “I like to wait until the sun has completely dropped, to see the lingering glow on the horizon,” says Lowenna.

Open ocean

There’s no denying the sunlight on the sea creates some of the most awe-inspiring views of all. Steve, in our portfolio management team, also prefers the dusk light on the waves.

This photo was taken from Pentire Headland with the sun hovering just above the line of the ocean. “From here, you can see the entire stretch of the horizon glowing and the wide expanse of sea looks truly amazing at this time of day,” says Steve.

pentire

Low in the website team finds the lure of the water difficult to resist when the sunset colours the sky. This image was taken on Little Fistral beach in Newquay. “My favourite time of day is dusk, especially the moments just after the sun has set where the whole sky turns shades of pink, purple and orange.

“That day, the setting sun lit up the whole beach in these colours. It looked so magical we just had to go in for a swim at 10pm!”

Explore the wonders of sea and skies with our blog on how to make the most of your holiday with stargazing.

Dawn vs dusk

We’re asking our followers on Instagram and Facebook to choose their favourite #beachoutofhours time. Which will you choose, dawn or dusk?

Explore outside of Cornwall, with the coastal charm of North Devon with Beach Retreats, where relaxation meets adventure.