If you are looking for a beautiful beach to visit in Cornwall, you might want to consider Pentewan Beach. This beach is located near the charming fishing village of Mevagissey, and offers a stunning stretch of near-white sand that faces east into St Austell Bay. In this blog post, I will tell you more about Pentewan Beach and why it is worth a visit.
Pentewan Beach is actually privately owned by the Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, which sits just behind the beach. However, the beach is open to the public and well-maintained by the Holiday Park staff. There are plenty of facilities available, such as toilets, refreshments, a slipway, and a canoe and dinghy hire service. The beach is also cleaned daily and has litter bins at regular intervals.
One of the main attractions of Pentewan Beach is its suitability for swimming and watersports. The beach is generally sheltered from the wind and the swell, making it a great spot for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing and sailing. Jet skis are banned from the beach, but you can enjoy a peaceful paddle or sail along the coast. The beach also has a designated swimming area with buoys during the summer months.
Another reason to visit Pentewan Beach is its scenic location and history. The beach is on the South West Coast Path, which offers spectacular views of the coastline and the countryside. You can also explore the Pentewan Valley Trail, which follows the old Pentewan railway to St Austell. This trail is popular with walkers and cyclists, as it passes through woodlands, wetlands and historic sites.
One of these historic sites is the old harbour at Pentewan, which was once a thriving china clay port. The harbour was built in the 19th century and was used to export china clay from St Austell to various destinations around the world. However, the harbour ceased to operate in the 20th century, as the sand gradually cut it off from the sea. Today, you can see the remains of the harbour walls and quays, as well as some old buildings and machinery.
Pentewan Beach is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves nature, history and adventure. Whether you want to relax on the sand, enjoy some water activities or explore the surroundings, you will find something to suit your taste at Pentewan Beach. However, please note that there is a seasonal dog ban in force from 1st March to 1st November, so if you have a furry friend, you might want to choose another beach during this period.
