Chapel Porth beach near St Agnes is very picturesque with ruins of engine houses, but it can get busy in summer and there are only rocks at high tide, so choose the timing of your visit.
Jul 2013
Great walks start from here, stunning stretches of the coast path in both directions or choose to follow the meandering valleys in-land. Evidence of the area's mining heritage abounds. Enjoy a speciality hedgehog ice-cream (or late breakfast special) at the National Trust cafe on the beach!
The NT carpark can get full on hot days in the summer, but look out for additional parking (and homemade cakes for sale) in the field at the top of the road.
If sea (or wind) conditions are too rough here, head for shelter at the nearby Trevauncance Cove.
RNLI lifeguards during the summer months (10am to 6pm).
Dog ban (on beach only) - Easter Day to 1st October.
Mar 2013
I LOVE Chapel Porth. My favourite beach in this area of Cornwall. High tide - watch the waves crash in; low tide great long walks with caves to explore. I went there in sun, rain and sleet and couldn't have been happier. One visit there were icicles on the cave walls, sunshine and blue sky all at once.
The NT car park at the beach has a cafe which is open Fri/Sat/Sun during winter season and presumably more often in summer. Also there are loos open when cafe is running.
There is a homemade cake stall at Cameron Farm on Beacon Drive just up the road and an absolute must if you like cake! I bribed my boyfriend to go back to Chapel Porth on the way home , (even tho it meant going the wrong way!) with a promise of more cake. They also have home-made fudge which is yummy. For those of you who don't like cake and fudge {who are you people?! * apologies to diabetics*} they also sell eggs.