5 sunset spots on the north Cornish coast
Up here on Cornwall’s north coast cliffs, our eyeline points west. Which means sunsets are our forte. And while we’d happily fill IG feeds with a new golden hour story every evening, their once-in-a-while appearances make them all the more special.
Space to… sink a sunset:
5 grammable skylines for sunset snapping
Yes, we ‘like’ a Fistral sunset scene too, but if you’re keen to share a different perspective, we’ve pulled together these secret sunset spots, worthy of a place on the grid, #nofilter needed.
Five crowd-dodging sunsets, five different ways to reach them. Let’s go…
1. #beaconcove by paddleboard
Flat sea and a clear sky? Head to Watergate and hire a paddleboard for a seriously hush hush sunset mission. Paddle north around the headland and discover Beacon Cove. On a low tide you’ll find a stellar sandy beach, and because it’s a super hard scramble down from the cliffs above, you’ll probably have a solo sunset on your hands.
Paddle time: 25 minutes Secret Score: 10/10
2. #pollyjoke by Beryl e-bike
Locals’ favourite, Polly Joke or Porth Joke on ‘official maps’, is a narrow, long stretch of cove, flanked on its east side by blankets of poppies from May to July. Quite literally off-the-beaten-track, there’s no easy access here, with car parks leaving you a good 10-minute walk to the sands for your sunset screening. Head via West Pentire and you can get pretty close by pedal power.
You’ll find a Beryl e-bike station down the hill in Porth, ready for you to saddle up for sunset. Their electricity-assisted pedalling gives you an added push up the hills, and also comes with lights for the after-sunset trip back to base. No doubt about it, two wheels are better than four.
Cycle time: 35 minutes Secret score: 7/10
3. #trevelguehead by foot
Here on Trevelgue Head (or Porth Island), a few mins from SeaSpace, it feels like you could reach out and touch the sunset. Sat on the east side of Porth beach, across a bridge and set away from the crowds, you may well have the whole headland to yourself. Bring two blankets, one to sit on, one to wrap around your shoulders. Even on calm nights, you’ll feel the breeze.
Walking time: 15 minutes Secret score: 4/10
4. #carnewas by bus
Dramatic cliffs that plummet onto secluded coves, most only reachable by boat, Carnewas or Bedruthan Steps is a protected landscape and it’s not hard to see why. Catch the bus from right outside SeaSpace and cruise the cliff-hugging route all the way to these hold-your-breath viewing platforms. Wide cobbled paths lead to the top viewpoint, which is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Profile pic worthy, for sure.
Travel time: 13 minutes Secret Score: 6/10
5. #portquin by car
Dryrobe crowds are guaranteed to descend on nearby Polzeath or Port Isaac when a golden hour rolls around, but the magic cove of Port Quin rarely hosts more than a handful of hardcore sunset watchers. Yes, the route down will test your brakes, but with a carpark right by the slipway, it’s perfect to pitch up and watch the action unfold. And if you fancy a sunset sea swim, a wood-fired sauna perched on the waterside will bring you back to life again.
Travel time: 38 minutes Secret Score: 8/10
