Discover St Agnes

St Agnes Head is on Cornwall’s north Atlantic Ocean coast and part of the St Agnes Heritage Coast that stretches from Godrevy Head in the south to St Agnes Head.At their height about 100 mines employed 1000 miners across this dramatic coastal landscape. Mining came to an end in the 1920s and many of these mines are still on view for tourists today.For more information visit the St Agnes Head National Trust website

Trevellas Porth, pebble beach popular with fishing and snorkeling although swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. At low tide you can walk round to the larger Trevaunance Cove beach. The areas mining heritage is clear to see here with a scattering derelict mine workings and engine houses. No facilities, all you get is some car parking.

Chapel Porth beach is a small sandy cove which at low tide extends to a wide beach beyond the cliffs. When the tide is out you can walk south along the beach to nearby Porthtowan. Alternatively, the South West coast path extends along the cliff top in either direction. Many caves scattered along this stretch of coastline formed by coastal erosion. Chapel Porth is renowned for good surf. There is plenty of parking in the Chapel Porth National Trust car park at the beach as well as more spaces in the car park at the top of the hill above the cove. Other facilities at the beach include toilets, small cafe and lifeguards in the summer.

Porthtowan beach is a large sandy beach popular with both surfers (good for beginners) and families. The beach is also backed by a small dune area and as the tide goes out you have some rockpools top explore. At low tide you can take a 15-minute walk along the beach to neighbouring Chapel Porth, alternatively, lots of cliff top walks. This walk takes you below the Towanroath engine house at Wheal Coates which is one of the iconic locations of this tin and copper mining county. Facilities at the beach include a large car park, shop, wetsuits and board hire, cafe, pub, toilets and lifeguards in summer. The name “Porthtowan” comes from the Cornish words “porth” meaning port or harbour and ‘tewyn” meaning dune.

Sally’s Bottom beach consists of sand and rocks at the bottom of a steep descent via some steps. No facilities with access only on foot via a steep decent.

St Agnes lifeboat station operates an inshore lifeboat located at Trevaunance Cove. Station open by appointment and the shop is open daily during the summer months.

Trevaunance Cove beach is the local beach to St.Annes a sandy cove popular with families and surfers. Plenty to do with rock pools, caves and the remains of the old harbour. At high tide no beach. Surf: medium to large westerly swells and providing some shelter from a South Westerly wind, but when it’s good it tends to get quite crowded. Facilities include car park, toilets, shop, cafe, beach huts, restaurant and lifeguards in summer.

Wheal Coates is a former cliff top tin mine situated on the north coast of Cornwall, between Porthtowan and St Agnes. It is maintained by the National Trust, for more details see National Trust website.