Exploring Pentewan

hayley_bp
13 February 2023

Between St Austell and the quaint fishing village of Mevagissey you will find a rather beautiful, large stretch of inviting white sand. Pentewan was once a thriving china clay port but has long ceased to operate, and today the beach is privately owned by the holiday park that sits directly behind. Despite this, the beach is open to the public all year long, is immaculately maintained and there are plenty of facilities available. Interestingly, elements of the old harbour wall are visible, but the harbour itself has been cut off from the sea over time by a large sand barrier. The sand barrier has, in turn, created a fabulous inner waterway that attracts many species of bird year-round, making it great for wildlife spotting.

The Beach

The east facing position of the beach shelters it from the prevailing wind and swell direction, making it a great spot for swimming. In the summer months, there is an exclusively zoned-off swimming area marked by bouys, and you’ll often see people out on the water (as the conditions make it a great destination) enjoying activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing and windsurfing. There are handy facilities available including WCs and refreshments, and the beach itself is in pristine condition due to daily cleans. While everyone is welcome here (four-legged friends included), please note there is a seasonal dog ban in place from 1st March – 1st November.

Walking

For the walkers amongst you, the South West Coast Path is on the doorstep at Pentewan, curling up around the beach to offer breathtaking panoramic sea views. There is also the Pentewan Valley Trail nearby that follows the old Pentewan railway to St Austell, lasting 3.4 miles. Bicycles are also available to hire from Pentewan Valley cycle hire, and travelling on two wheels is a highly recommended way to explore whilst taking in the exceptional wildlife and historical features specific to the area. Kings Wood also sits along this trail and covers an impressive 58.5 hectares of ancient woodland that not only puts on a show stopping display of bluebells in the spring, but also provides an excellent habitat for all manner of both common and rare fauna including deer, birds, reptiles and insects.

Eating

There are two great pubs to visit in the village, The Ship Inn and Into The Woods. Both venues provide a welcoming, traditional pub setting paired with great food, a fine selection of real ales and roaring open fires in the cooler months. Both with their own inviting features, Into the Woods offers plenty of al fresco seating for beer garden dalliances in the warmer season, meanwhile The Ship Inn is mere steps from the sea, located right on the edge of the old harbour. If coffee and cake is more your scene, the village also benefits from two cafes: The Cove Cafe and Little Bay Cafe. The Cove Cafe has a beautiful sun terrace perfect for enjoying treats outside in the summer, and when the seasons turn, they’ll light the cosy log burner on the wet and wild days. Offering a great selection of cakes, soups, sandwiches as well as a hearty breakfast, The Cove Cafe also have a delicious take away cream tea that can be enjoyed on a woodland trail picnic, sat around the old harbour, or simply taken home for later. Little Bay Cafe is situated next to The Ship Inn and always has a fully stocked cake cabinet alongside bacon and egg rolls, Cornish pasties, sandwiches and excellent coffee. It serves as a must-visit stop off point before heading down to enjoy a day at the beach.

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