For your convenience we have divided this section into two parts:

          • Beaches around the Roseland

          • Things to do – also see Enjoy Cornwall


Beaches around the Roseland

The following beaches are all within the Roseland peninsula.

Carne and Pendower
Two wide, sandy beaches that link at low tide. Positioned under low cliffs they offer plenty for everyone, including interesting rock pools for small children to explore. Carne and Pendower can be accessed from Nare Gwyns by footpath.

Porthcurnick
A bit of a trek to get there by foot from Portscatho, but once you’ve arrived at this isolated sandy spot the extra effort will make the location all the more special. For the less adventurous the beach can also be accessed by car from Rosevine. Café and toilets during peak season.

Tavern and Summers
St Mawes offers two sandy beaches either side of the village, each is perfect for swimming (including a swimming platform), sunbathing or messing about in boats. And for those who like a walk, the harbour and village are only a step away.

Porthbeor
The steep steps leading down to the beach won’t suit everybody, but for those who make the trip the golden sandy beach offers the perfect spot for a sun-lovers day out. At low tide the rock pools are exposed ready for little (or large) explorers. No facilities, not even car parking, but stunning when you get there – well worth a visit for the able bodied.

Towan
This long sandy beach is easily accessible and offers rock pools at low tide.

Portscatho
The perfect beach for buckets and spades or messing about in boats. The village around the small harbour carries on in close proximity, so all the things the more mature visitor might wish for – tea rooms, restaurants, pub, loos etc – are all close to hand.

Portholland
A real film-makers spot this, the sort of small sheltered cove with rock pools that the famous five would be immediately at home with. The sheltered position makes even the most novice seafarer don life vest and take to the water.

Caerhays
Cliffs form the backdrop for this 200 metre long sandy beach. Its sheltered position makes it the perfect spot to sunbathe, swim or take to the water.

IMPORTANT: The beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards, so in the event of an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Things to do
The following things to do are all highly recommended.

Eden Project
The world’s largest greenhouse is just part of a thirty acre global garden. Changing all the time the Eden Project never disappoints, at any time of year.

The Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell PL24 2SG
01726 811972
www.edenproject.com

Minack
Cornwall’s theatre under the stars occupies a dramatic position overlooking the sea. Open throughout the year the varied programme of entertainment caters for all ages. Pre-show picnics are available to order.

The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 6JU
01736 810181 / 810471
www.minack.com

National Maritime Museum
This new generation of museum has something for everyone… Breathtaking views from the 29m tower, one of only three natural underwater viewing locations in the world, hands-on interactives, audio visual immersion experiences, talks, exhibitions and the opportunity to get on to the water and discover the marine life around our coastline.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Discovery Quay, Falmouth TR11 3QY
01326 313388
www.nmmc.co.uk

The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Probably one of the better known gardens in the area. Lost until 1990 and now rediscovered, the BBC’s Gardeners’ World programme described it as ‘The Nation’s favourite Garden’. Open all year round and with plenty to do and see.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6EN
01726 845100
www.heligan.com

Trevarno
‘The best excuse anyone could possibly want to go to Cornwall’ is the way The Times described Trevarno. Tracing its history back to 1246 the Trevarno estate comprises: magnificent gardens, grounds and woodland walks; the remarkable National Museum of Gardening; a 2km estate walk; extensive play area for children; a fascinating Soap Museum alongside their range of organic Travarno skin care products; a Honey Bee Information Centre (about bees, not for bees, obviously) and Vintage Toy Museum. So… Mum, check. Dad, check. Children, check. Grandparents, check. Yes, there’s something for everyone: just need a people carrier and plastic. Perhaps you can believe everything you read in the papers.

Trevarno, Crowntown, nr Helston TR13 0RU
01326 574274
www.trevarno.co.uk

See Enjoy Cornwall for more gardens and historic houses

More things to do
We would welcome your comments on the following attractions to keep our website right up-to-date.

St Austell Brewery Tours
Take a walk through 150 years of Cornish history. St Austell Brewery is one of the country’s longest established independent family brewers and the tour takes you through the whole fascinating brewing process, from the natural spring that provides the water right up to the all-important post tour sampling. A curious thing to do on a family holiday, unless you brought the rest of the rugby team with you, of course.

St Austell Brewery, Trevarthian Road, St Austell
01726 66022
www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

Shipwreck Rescue and Heritage Centre
Located in a historic china clay building, the centre offers visitors an insight into the story of Charlestown, heritage, rescue and shipwrecks. The centre has the largest exhibition of artefacts discovered by divers on public display in the UK, along with original underground tunnels where clay trucks were pushed out to the waiting ships in port.

Shipwreck Rescue and Heritage Centre, Charlestown, sign posted off the A390 from Austell
01726 69897
www.shipwreckcharlestown.com

Dairyland
Enjoy all the fun of an all-weather attraction. Dairyland has won national awards, been featured on TV’s ‘Wish you were here’ programme and 2.5 million people have passed through its doors since 1975. Aimed squarely at children this working farm boasts all of the things you’d expect on a farm plus plenty of other farm related activities to keep the kids amused. Feed them, pet them and ride them – a great hands-on experience.

Dairyland Farm World, Nr Newquay TR8 5AA
Infoline 01872 510349
www.dairylandfarmworld.com

China Clay Country Park, Mining and Heritage Centre
‘A day of discovery and adventure in the heart of Cornwall’ is what they promise to deliver and the brochure certainly looks the part. Around a working clay pit a whole host of trails, old workings and a museum and exhibition centre have been opened to the public.  Looks like it ought to be an ‘Extreme Machine fest’ to us, but with a working slurry pump on the historic trail we suspect it’s a bit short on Big Boy’s toys and long on nature trail walking.

China Clay Counrty Park, Wheal Martyn, Carthew, St Austell PL26 8XG
01726 850362
www.chinaclaycountry.co.uk

See Enjoy Cornwall for more things to do