Category: Favourite beaches

Walk through – Whitsand Bay

Join us on a walk-through as we visit our latest property destination. Cornwall’s hidden gem – Whitsand Bay – on the South East Cornish coast. A true Beach Retreat.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

You only have to take a look at our pictures to see why we’ve decided to spread our wings property portfolio to Whitsand Bay.

Fancy staying in Whitsand Bay? Have a look at our Whitsand Bay holiday properties.

Whitsand Bay

A Beach Retreats property

Whitsand Bay

The Meadow at Whitsand Bay looks out over the sea

Here you’ll find the best and breadth of Cornwall contained within three miles of coastline; long golden beaches, small rocky fishing coves, sweeping green hills akin to Bodmin moor, dramatic cliffs and sleepy villages.

Take a look at our properties at Whitsand Bay and book your holiday today.

Discover Whitsand Bay, a forgotten gem in Cornwall that promises stunning coastal landscapes and tranquil retreats away from the crowds.

A Walk Through Guide to Porthtowan & Chapel Porth

Our latest location, Porthtowan on Cornwall’s North Coast, has it all; a long low-tide beach awarded Blue Flag status, playful sand dunes, dramatic cliffs, mining heritage, and an almost wild-west frontier feeling. BBC One ‘Poldark’ fans will recognise it immediately. Just what we like from a beach.

Read our guide to Porthtowan and Chapel Porth to find out more.

Located a few miles south along the coastal path or road from the mining town of St Agnes is this relatively unknown gem. Depending on which way you arrive into the village, Porthtowan can initially seem very low key. It’s all part of this small village’s charm, and it couldn’t be further from the truth once you start exploring.

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

The village itself has a number of family-suited restaurants, cafés, bars and shops to keep everyone well fed and watered during their stay.

And this is Porthtowan’s big pull. The Blue Flag awarded beach is one of Cornwall’s most popular surfing spots thanks to the direction it faces, the amount of swell it picks up, and good sand banks.

Join the best of them in the waves and visit Falmouth and Porthtowan Surf School, based next to The Unicorn pub, for all of your surf equipment, hire and lessons. For younger children there’s a play park, should they ever get bored of cricket on the beach.

Backed by large dunes and dramatic cliffs, the beach at low-tide reveals a long expanse of golden sand. It’s easy to see why the village lies in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Walk northwards along the sand and you’ll end up at Chapel Porth – an equally as stunning beach managed by the National Trust.

No visit here is complete without having a ‘hedgehog’ from the Trust’s café – Cornish vanilla ice cream smothered with farmhouse clotted cream and rolled in their own honey-roasted hazelnuts.

From here it’s time to climb the coastal path back to Porthtowan, passing what remains of the Wheal Charlotte engine house and some of the county’s best mining relics and stunning views out to sea.

We ended up in the Blue Bar for surf-style pub grub and the best views over the beach for a sundowner. Bliss.

Explore more of North Cornwall, and read our blog on Portreath, a short drive or walk from Porthtowan.

Take a look and book our self-catering properties at Porthtowan, or talk to a member of our team on 01637 861 005. Keep an eye on our special offers page for the latest deals and discounts, and browse our beach locations to explore more of Cornwall.

Walk through Cornwall | Carnewas & Bedruthan

Roughly halfway between Newquay and Padstow, just a few miles up the coast from Watergate Bay lies one of Cornwall’s most popular must-see spots.

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

The wow factor doesn’t even begin to cover it, but this piece of coastline keeps itself well hidden from the road and as you first enter the car park. Take a short walk along the well-trodden paths, a mix of hard earth and cobbled routes, and you will be rewarded that are arguably some of the best views in Cornwall.

Welcome to Carnewas. These giant granite pillars viewed from the imposing cliff tops have been carved out by the relentless action of thousands years of wind and waves. It’s hard not to gaze across the scene and imagine shipwrecks and smugglers.

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Bedruthan beach is accessed via a very steep staircase – not for the faint hearted. Here the golden sands are punctuated by beautiful green pools. Visitors are reminded to take care as the steps can be submerged for two hours around high tide.

A longer walk along the coast will take you to Diggory’s Island and Booby’s Bay – download one of the walks via the National Trust here

Carnewas at Bedruthan has also been recognised by the Science & Technology Facilities Council as a Dark Skies Discovery Site. Due to its location away from street lights and no man made obstructions, it’s a place to marvel at the stars and night sky.

The area is owned by the National Trust, who also run the car park (remember to take a couple of pounds with you), shop and a popular café to sit and take in what you’ve just seen. The buildings are a reminder of Carenwas’ industrial past when iron, copper and lead was mined from the cliffs.

Alternatively, pack some food and enjoy the grass-lined picnic benches.

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is just a five minute drive from our properties at Watergate Bay, including our Village properties.

Interested in finding out more about Newquay? Discover what to do in and around Newquay.

Walk Through Falmouth, Cornwall

Back on the South coast of Cornwall, we visited Falmouth, a port on the River Fal. Known for its vibrant culture, Falmouth offers visitors the best of food and drink, retail therapy and stunning views.

Starting on the high street we took in all of the shops and indulged in a little retail therapy. From traditional Cornish stores to art galleries and vintage clothing shops, Falmouth has something for everyone.

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

After our fill of shops and cafes, we took a seat beside the harbour to watch the boats go by. Flanked on one side by the Maritime Museum it was the perfect place to soak up the afternoon sun.

The National Maritime Museum is a fascinating place to visit if you have time. It’s mission is to promote an understanding of boats and their place in people’s lives, and of the maritime heritage of Cornwall.

After watching the boats go by we wandered over to Gyllyngvase beach. It was slightly overcast but that never put the Cornish off a day at the beach. Families were building sandcastles, eating ice cream and looking around the gardens nearby.

Discover Swell in Falmouth, our staff pick of the month, where contemporary design meets coastal charm for the perfect Cornish retreat.

Chasing the sun we noticed a bright blue sky over Flushing, a coastal village opposite Falmouth. We raced around the bay and sat on the wall soaking up the summer sun with the best view of Falmouth.

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

Walk Through – Fowey, Cornwall

We pronounce it ‘Foy’ to rhyme with joy!

Fowey marks the first, of many, walk-through we’ll be covering on the South coast of Cornwall. Halfway between Plymouth and Falmouth, Fowey is one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. Tiny streets, tall houses, bunting and boats sum up this quintessential Cornish harbour.

Sparkling blue water peeks through the houses as we walk down the steep slopes of School Hill.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

Trickling down into the town are a steady flow of locals and visitors, taking in the boutique shops and eagerly carrying their crabbing equipment, excited to get the best spot along the harbour.

In the town centre familiar shops like Sea Salt and Joules make you feel at home, whilst the boutique shops like Whistlefish Gallery entice you into the creative world of Cornish art and craft.

But once again it’s the great Cornish food that brings Fowey to life. Here is the home of the famous Sam’s Bistro and Lifebouy Cafe, along with the customary bakeries and fish n’ chip shops.

Wherever you chose to stop for food, chances are you’ll be looking out over the River Fowey, a haven for seafaring vessels. Over the centuries the River Fowey was hugely significant to worldwide trade, dating back to the medieval era when Fowey was a major port for trading Cornish tin. The Fowey harbour also participated in significant naval warfare, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But it’s in the 1400s when Fowey men were most notorious across Europe, for their piracy!

Experience unforgettable days paddleboarding along the Cornish coast, where crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery create the perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation.

These days you can take a boat trip around the harbour and learn all about Fowey’s history, and take a ‘float’ by Daphne du Maurier’s holiday home where she wrote her first novel The Loving Spirit. 

Illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell also took inspiration for Fowey, having lived in Polruan, opposite, and Fowey until her deal in 1964. Ferries run every approximately every 15 minutes to Polruan.

Discover coastal charm of Fowey, South Cornwall, with Beach Retreats.

A Walk Through Guide to Porth, Cornwall

Porth Beach, sheltered by headlands on either side, is a popular beach with families. Boasting one of the longest tidal drops of all the beaches in Cornwall it’s a spacious, safe beach to enjoy with the whole family.

Complete with crashing surf carving into the rocks, and an island accessed by footbridge, Porth is the perfect place to grab the camera and explore.

Here’s our guide to Porth, so you can make the most of this family-favourite beach.

Visiting with a large group? Discover our large holiday homes perfect for big families or friend groups.

Starting at Porth Island we tracked the path to the footbridge taking in the views of Watergate Bay and Whipsiderry Beach, North, and Newquay, South.

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

 

During winter, Porth Island is a great place for storm-watching. At mid-tide, at the end of the island, is a blow hole that, timed right, sends the Atlantic Ocean washing over it shooting up into the air.

Hungry for an ice cream we headed back towards the beach. As Porth has such a long tidal drop the sand levels remain high far out to sea. Taking care you can wade into the water enjoying yourself without getting your hair wet.

Spotting Roo’s Beach ice cream shop we stopped for a delicious tub of Moomaid ice-cream, which we recently made into a delicious cocktail with the help of Fifteen Cornwall.

Throughout the summer Roo’s Beach are also offering artisan coffee and running a pop up Kingsurf Shop, closely linking Porth beach and Mawgan Porth.

After a bit too much retail therapy the sun began to set, drenching the village in beautiful evening sunshine.

Learn about more areas of Cornwall, such as Portwrinkle with our blog filled with expert tips to making the most of Portwrinkle.

If you enjoyed our Porth, Cornwall guide, find a retreat on our special offers page. Or, browse our beach locations to explore more of the coastline.

Walk Through – Fistral Beach and Pentire Point

Firstly, let us formally welcome you to the first of our walk-through series. Throughout the year we’ll be taking you on a trip around Cornwall, showing you the best places to walk your dog, take your children, eat like a local and bathe on the beach.

Fistral Beach

The first stop on our walk-through of Cornwall is Fistral Beach and Pentire Point.

Fistal Beach needs no introduction, it’s the world-famous surfing beach drawing thousands of visitors and surfers from around the world each year. Aside from the year-round, fantastic surf, Fistral is dog friendly, home to some great restaurants, and starts us on our journey of Newquay.

Interested in looking at our other developments? Check out our holiday developments across Cornwall.

Fistral Beach is a great place to spend the whole day; take a surf lesson with Fistral Surf School, or bodyboard with Rob Barber for a whirlwind ride through the surf.

There is no need to take food with you, Fistral is home to great eateries like The Stable, Fistral Beach Cafe and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. But if you prefer, pack up a BBQ and cook your way through to sunset. The Stable; is a restaurant that represents the West Country to the full, showcasing cider as the main drink and serving alongside it, stone baked pizzas using locally sourced ingredients from the West Country.

Want to stay in Fistral? Have a look at our luxury holiday cottages in Fistral.

Sit in with your friends and family or choose the take out option and enjoy your pizza on the shore.

Heading South along the beach you’ll come across two of our Beach Retreats properties, Trethvor and 17 Oceangate, both with commanding views over the beach and within walking distance of Pentire Point, the headland separating Fistral and Crantock Beach.

Patience is a virtue in Cornwall.

Head west from the apartments and you’ll find the coastal path leading to Pentire Point, home to Lewinnick Lodge, a cliff side restaurant looking out over the Atlantic. Around the headland from Lewinnick is the beautiful Crantock Beach.

This blog post covers a 3 mile walk from Fistral Beach to Pentire point and back. Taking you across easy terrain it’s the perfect trail to walk with the entire family.

Fistral

– Best beach for surfing
– Dog friendly year-round
– Restaurants
– Toilets
– Coin operated showers
– Short stay parking

Pentire Headland

– Free Parking on Esplanade Road
– Coastal Paths
– Fistral on left, Crantock on your right
– Kelly’s Ice Cream
– Pitch and Putt

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROPERTIES IN FISTRAL

Explore Egret View at Fistral, our staff pick of the month, offering stunning views and luxurious comfort for an unforgettable stay on the Cornish coast.

Best dog friendly beaches in North Cornwall

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…we love dogs and dogs love Cornwall, especially the beaches. With over 150 beaches to explore, dig, run and play on, you and your dog are more than catered for.

We’ve compiled a list of the best dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall, including the closest ones to our Beach Retreats properties.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay is dog-friendly year-round and encourages you to bring your dogs onto the sand to play. With over two miles of sandy beach with rock pools and sea caves to explore, it’s fair to say your dog will love it here. And once you’re both tired out there is The Beach Hut and Living Space restaurants for something to eat and drink, again both dog friendly.

Porth beach

Porth Beach, situated between Newquay and Watergate Bay, is a large, west-facing, sandy beach with a long tidal drop. Porth beach welcomes dogs through the winter months of October to Easter but there is a seasonal ban throughout the summer months.

 

Whipsiderry Beach

Dog friendly year round. Whipsiderry Beach is a beautiful, quiet beach, with sheltering cliffs and an abundance of rock pools and caves for hours of exploring fun. There are a set of steep steps to gain access to the beach but it’s worth the climb.

Perranporth

Dog friendly year round. At low tide Perranporth beach and neighbouring Penhale sands join together to make one of the largest stretches of unbroken sand on the North Coast. Let your dog off the lead and send them chasing after their ball along the shore, they’ll love it. And then recharge in The Watering Hole, also dog friendly.

Check out our holiday lets in Perranporth.

 

Mawgan Porth

Mawgan Porth is another year round dog friendly beach. Even at high tide Mawgan Porth has plenty of sand to run ragged on. Compared to other beaches on the North Cornwall coast, Mawgan Porth is fairly quiet allowing you and your dog a more peaceful visit.

Fistral beach

Fistral is possibly the most popular beach in North Cornwall, being at the very heart of the British surfing scene. The beach is a wide expanse of sand sheltered by two headlands. Dogs are welcome at Fistral beach year round.

 

Discover dog-friendly restaurants in Cornwall with Beach Retreats.

 

Search our dog friendly properties and book your stay with Beach Retreats at one of our many beach locations around Cornwall. Keep an eye on our special offers page, too, for the latest discounts and deals.