What to Do in St Agnes, Cornwall
St Agnes is where Cornwall’s past and present meet. Eco brands, legends of giant-slaying and scenery straight out of an episode of Poldark make for an intoxicating and unique mix. We’ve found the best hotels, restaurants, pubs, shops and places to visit.
01 November, 2020
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Watch the sunset at Trevellas Porth
From Trevaunance Cove, escape the crowds and walk a short way north-east along the cliff path, past abandoned mine shafts to the pebbly beach of Trevellas Porth. Even on a sunny day, you may well have the entire beach to yourself. Take a picnic and settle down above the beach to watch the sunset; the views are spectacular. Don’t forget to stop by the Blue Hills Tin mine, where ore is still extracted to create tin jewellery and gifts.
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Forage for mussels at Chapel Porth
Turn south-west along the coastal path from Trevaunance Cove this time. After a couple of miles of steep ascents and descents, the golden sand of Chapel Porth Beach appears in a break in the cliff, past the graveyard of Wheal Coates Tin Mine. Reward your efforts with a ‘hedgehog’ ice cream, a gut-busting concoction of vanilla ice cream, smothered in Cornish clotted cream and rolled in chopped hazelnuts, from the beach café. At low tide the rocks on the beach are abundant with mussels; take a bag and collect them fresh to take back with you. It is worth noting that the riptides at Chapel Porth are severe and this beach is often unmanned by lifeguards, so take care if swimming. Don’t miss taking a detour to take in the view from St Agnes Beacon en route to count the church towers on the horizon. On a clear day as many as 32 towers are visible.
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Learn to surf at Breakers Surf School
Do as the locals do and grab a board to hit the waves. Cornwall’s north coast has some of the best breaks in the country. Breakers teaches complete beginners and more advanced surfers in groups or on a private basis. Whether you’re a grom (young surfer) or slightly more advanced in years, Breakers will have you riding waves and talking with confidence about gnarly sets and barrels in no time.
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Kayak the North Coast with Koru Kayaking
The craggy coast around St Agnes is ripe for exploration, with mining-era caverns, smugglers’ caves and an abundance of marine life (seals, dolphins and basking sharks to name but a few of the marine safari offerings). Koru Kayaking organises tours through the summer months (April – October), pre-booking is advisable.
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Visit for the Bolster Festival
Have you ever looked at the rugged Cornish coastline and thought that it looked as though it had been trampled over by enormous, heavy feet? Legend will tell you (although historians may beg to differ), that it is because Cornwall was once home to many marauding giants who stole children and ate them. Giant Bolster was known for having a particularly voracious appetite. Every May, you can watch the villagers parade effigies of Bolster and the knight that slew him through the town, along the cliff and down to Chapel Porth beach for a final confrontation.
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