Posted on 21/03/201521/03/2015 by james — Leave a comment

Coastal Walks Cornwall: Porthcurno to Porthgwarra

Coastal Walk Cornwall - Porthcurno Beach to Porthgwarra Beach

It was a beautiful day in Cornwall yesterday, so we packed our sandwiches and took to the coast path for the round trip walk from Porthcurno beach to Porthgwarra beach. Along the way we passed the world famous Minack Theatre, Porthchapel Beach and St Levans Church and Well. Here’s our photo journey.

Above: The coastal path from Porthcurno beach to the Minack Theatre is breathtaking, but very steep and precarious, with no safety rails. We would advise any one who is not a confident walker / hiker to take the alternative route along the main road from Porthcurno car park.

Above: When you reach the Minack Theatre, walk through the car park and you will see a signposted gate where the coastal path continues.

Above: Once you walk around the first point you are greeted by the beautiful, unspoilt Porthchapel beach. At the top, there’s lots of big rocks you can sit on and watch the world go by.

Above: The journey down to Porthchapel beach is not for the faint hearted. There’s no pathway, just steep rocks that have been formed into native looking steps.

Above: You’re rewarded once you get down onto the sand though! Sheltered unspoilt beach with soft golden sand.

Above: Trying to remember the path back up to the path!

Could you ever get bored of this view?

Once you make it to Porthgwarra, you can’t help but admire it’s beauty. It’s such a lovely place – small but perfectly formed 🙂 Back in the day, it used to be a busy fishing cove, but not many boats fish from here now. Dotted around the beach, are lovely reminders of times gone by, such as the winch to pull boats up out of the tide, hooks to tie the boats down and most fascinating of all – the man made tunnels cut out of the rocks…

Above – These fascinating man-made tunnels that cut through the rocks were blasted out using explosives by the local miners, enabling farmers to transport seaweed from the beach using horse and cart, which was then used as fertiliser.

Above – The second of the tunnels was used to access

Above – Just before you leave for the trip back, theres a lovely little beach cafe waiting for you – The perfect pit stop refreshment before heading back to Porthcurno 🙂

Posted on 11/06/201411/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival 13th-15th June 2014

Ahoy,me hearties! This year’s International Sea Shanty Festival in Falmouth is just around the corner and is a ‘must see’ if you are on holiday in Cornwall. The event, which takes place this weekend (13-15th June) features 46 shanty groups singing over 261 hours of songs across 21 venues throughout the town.

The weather forecast looks great and Falmouth will be filled with music, singing and infused with a great community spirit.

Originally founded by a group of local singers in 2003, the events mission is to keep alive the history of tall ships and days of sail, while at the same time promoting the marine heritage of Falmouth. Attracting thousands of visitors each year the festival has become one of the largest of it’s kind, with shanty groups coming from the UK and as far as Europe to perform. Money raised at the event is donated to the RNLI to help save lives at sea.

Town Manager and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Richard Gates expects “2014 to be an exciting year for Falmouth with an ever growing calendar of events with Falmouth’s International Sea Shanty festival being one of the highlights of the summer program.”

Browse this years programme of events below, or visit the official website HERE for more info.

Posted on 11/06/201411/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

New Spa complex overlooking Gyllyngvase Beach planned for Falmouth, Cornwall

Development plans have been unveiled in Falmouth for a new £25m spa complex on the former site of the Falmouth Beach Hotel, which was destroyed in a fire two years ago. The site is a stones throw from Gyllyngvase Beach with beautiful views over Falmouth Bay.

Headed by St Michaels Hotel & Spa, the proposed scheme would include 51 beach sea view apartments, 30 new hotel suits, six woodland eco-lodges, three restaurants, a health club and two retail outlets focusing upon local Cornish produce.

If approved, the new St Michaels Spa & Wellness resort would create 70 new permanent jobs and bring increased business to the seaside town of Falmouth. St Michael’s owner, Nigel Carpenter, said: “This is a town which encourages creativity, vision and progress. We hope to develop an outstanding, premium-quality resort which will create many jobs for local people and bring a lot of business to the town.”

We at 360beaches are all for the positive development of Cornish towns and this looks like it will be enjoyed both by local people and tourists, crucially all year round, so we hope the planning process goes well and they can start building as soon as possible!

Posted on 10/06/201411/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Newton Faulkner performing on Lusty Glaze beach, Newquay 1st August

newton faulkner lusty glaze beach sundowner sessions cornwall

Newton Faulkner will be performing on Friday 1st August,2014 at Lusty Glaze beach in Newquay, Cornwall as part of the venue’s ‘Sundowner Sessions’.

The Brit nominated double platinum selling folk singer, with his trademark ginger dreadlocks and unique chopping guitar style will be performing his well known hits such as Dream Catch Me and Tear Drop.

So if spending your evening on a beautiful beach, listening to chilled out music whilst the sun goes down sounds like your thing, tickets are available through the Lusty Glaze office on 01637 872444, or online via Seetickets

Gates open from 6pm, with BBQ and drinks available through out the evening. Lusty Glaze’s only access is via 133 steps so those with mobility issues may want to visit the site before purchasing tickets.

Posted on 06/06/201411/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

RNLI Castle 2 Castle Swim from Falmouth to St Mawes, Cornwall

RNLI Castle 2 Castle Swim Falmouth Pendennis Castle to St Mawes Castle 2014

Good luck to all swimmers competing in this years RNLI Castle 2 Castle swim in Falmouth. The event takes place on Sunday 8th June at 12:30pm, where 400 participants swim from Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, across the bay to St Mawes Castle on the Roseland Peninsula.

The event, run by the RNLI is in it’s 6th year, and raises money to help save lives at sea, with last year the event raising over £20,000. It’s a great event with a fantastic atmosphere so if you are free pop along to see the swimmers in action!

Below is a video of last years event and a map of the route. For more info click HERE to goto the RNLI website

Posted on 04/06/201411/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Beach Event: The Slyder Cup on Porthtowan Beach – 22nd June 2014

Slyder Cup 2.0 surfing event on Porthtowan Beach, Cornwall June 22nd

Billed as “The Summer Solstice Friction Affliction Convention”, the Slyder Cup celebrates the art of waveriding without fins. The event, which will be hosted on Porthtowan Beach, Cornwall on Sunday 22nd June brings together body surfers, paipo riders, mat surfers, bellyboarders and alaia riders in a one-day event that celebrates the art of waveriding from a ‘finless’ perspective.

The event gives a platform to the diversity that exists in the wavesliding culture, with the competition open to both experienced and emerging talents on the burgeoning alternative scene with an emphasis on good vibes, good rides and good times across the categories of body surf and handplane; paipo and bellyboard; surf mat; alaia and finless boards.

Shapers – from backyard builders to established names – are invited to showcase their alternative surf craft and there will be some waveriding vehicles to demo on the day.

Below is a few shots taken from last years event (Courtesy of Mat Arney / Approaching Lines) and this years setting Porthtowan Beach. To keep updated on the event visit the approaching lines website HERE

Posted on 02/06/201402/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Carbis Bay beach flies Blue Flag for Cornwall

Carbis Bay Beach near St Ives in Cornwall

Click here to view the beautiful Carbis Bay beach in 360º with our interactive panorama.

Carbis Bay Beach has retained its Blue Flag status for the eighth year, making it the only beach in Cornwall to receive the honour in 2014.

The Blue Flag Award is an internationally recognised symbol only awarded to the best beaches in the world.

In Britain the prestigious scheme is administered by Keep Britain Tidy, which announced today (Tuesday 20 May) that Carbis Bay had retained its award for another year.

The 25 acres of golden sandy beach at Carbis Bay is owned by the Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa, which overlooks the bay and offers direct access to the beach for its guests.

As well as being the only beach in Cornwall to be awarded Blue Flag status in 2014, Carbis Bay is also the only British beach privately owned by a hotel to achieve the accolade.

Stephen Baker, owner of the Carbis Bay Hotel & Spa said: “We strive for the highest standards across all of our hotel facilities, and being awarded the Blue Flag lets all of our guests and visitors know that they can expect the very best in water quality, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

“The award doesn’t just benefit the hotel, but the wider tourism economy in Carbis Bay and West Cornwall. Combined with our planned beachfront development, which will include which will include a water sports centre, conference and wedding venue, restaurant and community hub, Carbis Bay Beach will become a focal point for the local community, attract year-round use and bring more visitors to the area.” Carbis Bay beach is one of 168 in England to be awarded a Blue Flag for 2014.

Posted on 29/05/201402/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Three Cornish beaches presented with Seaside Award

Polzeath beach, Porthtowan beach and Gyllyngvase beach have all been awarded a 2014 Seaside Award for good management by the Keep Britain Tidy group. The seaside award is a nationally recognised mark of approval for a beach that merits water quality, developed facilities, encouraged beach activities and dog responsibility.

Posted on 28/05/201402/06/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Polzeath Beach in Cornwall achieves Seaside Award 2014

The beautiful Polzeath Beach, on the north coast of Cornwall has been awarded a 2014 Seaside Award for good management by the Keep Britain Tidy group. The seaside award is a nationally recognised mark of approval for a beach that merits water quality, developed facilities, encouraged beach activities and dog responsibility.

Posted on 27/04/2014 by james — Leave a comment

VIDEO: St Ives and its beaches.

We spent a day in the fishing town of St Ives Cornwall, and visited its beautiful beaches Porthminster, Harbour Beach, Porthgwidden and Porthmeor along the way. Check out the video below…

Posted on 11/03/201411/03/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Surfers Against Sewage Big Spring Beach Clean

Surfers against Sewage, based in St Agnes, Cornwall are an environmental charity who’s mission is to protect the UK’s oceans, waves and beaches. They target coastal environmental issues such as marine litter, sewage pollution, climate change, toxic chemicals, shipping, industry and coastal development and raise awareness through community action, campaigning, volunteering, conservation, education and scientific research.

This month, from the 28th – 31st March 2014, SAS are asking for volunteers to get involved in the Big Spring Beach Clean campaign, by organising local beach cleans across coastal communities in the UK including Cornwall. Surfers Against Sewage hope the event will involve 150 beach cleans, with over 3000 volunteers and remove a minimum of 10 tonnes of debris. These beach cleans are especially important this year as a result of extra debris washed up from the recent Hercules storm to hit the UK.

For more information on finding a local beach clean near you, and how to get involved check out Surfers Against Sewage’s official website HERE

(Images © SAS / Andy Hughes )

Posted on 23/02/201423/02/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Cornwall Beaches Event Guide Summer 2014

Polo on the beach - Watergate Bay Beach Newquay Cornwall

What’s on in Cornwall this summer…

Cornwall’s beaches aren’t just a great place to relax, they’re also perfect locations to hold activites and events such as music festivals, world belly boarding championships and beach polo competitions!

To make sure you don’t miss out on anything whilst on holiday in Cornwall, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to what’s happening on and around Cornwall’s beaches this summer.

Scroll down to see the events in date order…

7-8th June – Electric Beach Festival – Watergate Bay beach – Newquay, Cornwall

A festival, on the beach, in summer, in Cornwall…what more could you ask for. The Electric Beach Festival returns to Watergate Bay in Newquay this summer. Artists such as De La Soul have performed in previous years.

Taking place over the weekend of Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th of June the music starts at 1pm and goes all through the day until 10pm (not forgetting the arter party!) with a licensed bar to keep your dancing juice topped up all night. Camping is available. For more info and the latest news check out the festivals official site HERE

5-6th July – Polo On The Beach – Watergate Bay Beach – Newquay,Cornwall

The usually tranquil, flat golden sands of Watergate bay in Newquay are turned into an equestrian battle ground for the sport of polo making for an action packed, champagne fuelled weekend of fun…and it’s free to watch!

Taking place over the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, a total of 3 matches will be played, featuring some of the countries finest polo players all hoping to take home this years crown and lift the Watergate Bay Trophy.

This truly unique, spectacular event is definitely one not to be missed, and with additional events planned,a champagne bar, BBQ and live music playing into the night theres plenty to keep you entertained! Full details can be found HERE

20th July- Dodgeball 2014 – Lusty Glaze Beach – Newquay,Cornwall

Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck and Dodge – Those are the 5 rules of dodgeball!
Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay will be hosting it’s very own dodgeball tournament on Sunday 20th July, giving you and your team a chance to recreate some of your favourite scenes from the hollywood blockbuster. So if your a good at dodging,dipping, diving and ducking get a team together and have some fun on the beach! It’s great to watch too and Lusty Glaze is packed full of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Food and drink is available with a live band playing throughout the day and into the night.
For more information and details on how to submit your team click HERE

6-10th August – Boardmasters – Fistral Beach,Watergate Bay – Newquay, Cornwall

Boardmasters, the biggest music and surfing festival in Europe returns to Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay Cornwall this summer for more adrenaline filled fun in the sun. Set over 5 days from 6th-10th August it promises to be bigger and better than ever. Attracting thousands of party people every year it’s easily the biggest and best event in Cornwall.

The festival is split across two legendary locations in Newquay on the North Cornish Coast – Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay…

Fistral beach, famous for its perfect surfing conditions is transformed into a pumping mini festival and will host the pro surf contests, and features skate and BMX half pipe, graffiti art installations, live music and a bustling surf shopping village.

A few miles up the road is Watergate Bay, host to the main headline music festival and campsite. Set overlooking the dramatic cliffs of the North Cornish Coast it’s a full three days of live music, food stalls, bars, fairground rides and more! Headliners this year include BRIT award winners Bastille and legendary drum & Bass duo, Chase & Status.

Now if that hasn’t whet your appetite were not sure what will. For tonnes more info and to buy tickets check out the official boardmasters site HERE

8-17th August – Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week – Falmouth, Cornwall

Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week is one of the biggest sailing regattas in the South West and has become one of Cornwall’s most vibrant and colourful festivals celebrating the spirit of the sea.
From Friday 8th- Sunday 17th August, the marine town of Falmouth will be buzzing with events on and off the sea catering for all ages and tastes. Carnivals, Live music, regatta racing and even an aerobatic display by the red arrows to finish things off! Sound good? We thought so!
For a full schedule of events check out Falmouth Week’s official website HERE

August (Date TBC) – St Ives Raft Race – Harbour Beach – St Ives, Cornwall

Organised by the St Ives Pilot Gig Club, the annual St Ives raft race is a fun evening for everyone involved participants and spectators alike. Local people and businesses are invited to take to the waters around the picturesque St Ives harbour in their homemade watercraft and race from one end to the other. This mixed with mermaids, fancy dress, flour bombs and general chaos makes it a memorable evening.

17-23rd August – Fowey Royal Regatta & Carnival Week

Every August, thousands of visitors flock to the harbour town of Fowey to enjoy a week filled with entertainment both on and off the sea in the Fowey Royal Regatta and Carnival.
As well as the daily boat races out on the water, the festival continues on land (and air) with endless activities throughout the week including a carnival, live music, children’s entertainment, crab catching, pasty eating contest and even an aerobatic display from the red arrows!
The regatta is wrapped up on the Saturday night with a beautiful illuminated dinghy procession followed by a spectacular fireworks display. A must see. To see the whole weeks schedule visit the Fowey Royal Regatta site HERE

22nd-24th August – Lusty Glaze Tag Rugby – Lusty Glaze Beach – Newquay, Cornwall

Lusty Glaze beach in Newquay will be holding it’s annual beach tag rugby tournament over the August bank holiday weekend from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th. It’s a fun weekend, and tag rugby is a non contact sport suitable for all the family that promotes fitness and participation.A great way to spend the bank holiday at the beach and perfect if you have youth groups that would like to be involved. For more info on participating see the official Lusty Glaze website HERE

28th-31st August – Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta – Falmouth, Cornwall

Falmouth will play host to one of the biggest international sailing events in English waters when over 40 vessels from around the world, including a number of magnificent tall ships descend on the marine town for a three day regatta festival,

During their time berthed in Falmouth Docks, these majestic ships will be open to the public enabling people to go onboard and experience the sights and sounds of these giants of the sea. The town will also be awash with events including a colourful ships crew parade through the town centre.

The last night of the regatta will see a fantastic fireworks display, with the fleet leaving in style the following day by forming a spectacular parade of sail between the twin tudor castles of St Mawes and Pendennis in Falmouth Bay.

For a complete list of events over the 3 days check out the official Falmouth Tall Ships website HERE

7th September – World Belly board Championship – Chapel Porth Beach – St Agnes, Cornwall

The world belly board championships, held on Chapel Porth beach in St Agnes Cornwall is a unique celebration of all things connected with the art of riding traditional wooden surf boards.

Now in it’s 12th year, hundreds of people of all ages bravely take to the water dressed in vintage bathing suits equipped with their primitive wooden surf boards to ride the waves hoping to become this years belly board world champion.

For more information and how to get involved this year visit the official belly boarding championship website HERE

Posted on 21/02/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Boardmasters 2014 – Fistral Beach & Watergate Bay – Newquay, Cornwall

Boardmasters Festival of Music and Surfing newquay Cornwall

Boardmasters, the biggest music and surfing festival in Europe returns to Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay Cornwall this summer for more adrenaline filled fun in the sun. Set over 5 days from 6th-10th August 2014 it promises to be bigger and better than ever. Attracting thousands of party people every year it’s easily the biggest and best event in Cornwall.

The festival is split across two legendary locations in Newquay on the North Cornish Coast – Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay…

Fistral beach, famous for its perfect surfing conditions is transformed into a pumping mini festival and will host thr pro surf contests, and features skate and BMX half pipe, graffiti art installations, live music and a bustling surf shopping village.

Now if that hasn’t whet your appetite were not sure what will. Check out the pictures / video below for a taster of the festival, and for tonnes more info and how to buy tickets check out the official boardmasters site HERE

Posted on 17/02/201417/02/2014 by james — Leave a comment

Free Pocket Cornwall Beach Guides to launch summer 2014!

Cornish travel website 360degreebeaches.com, are producing the first of a series of free pocket beach guides for visitors to Cornwall.

Launching this summer in West Cornwall, the handy guides will highlight the areas top 10 beaches and provide useful information such as directions, amenities, lifeguard times and dog rules as well as advice on beach safety.

The guides will be free to pick up and an initial print run of 7,500 will be distributed across hotels, camp sites, holiday cottages and beaches throughout the summer months.

360º Beaches is giving local businesses the opportunity to advertise in the beach guide, putting their business in front of thousands of visitors enjoying their time in Cornwall, encouraging incentive based adverts to entice visitors into their premises.

James Beresford explains…

“By offering coupons / offers, their adverts will not only just promote their business, but be genuinely useful, and will encourage readers to visit and in turn be converted into customers. Whether it’s a free scoop of ice cream, 10% off a pasty or a free surf lesson it’s a vital connection made”

360º Beaches is asking any local businesses interested in advertising to get in touch with James via email at info@360degreebeaches.com. The print deadline for the summer 2014 issue is June 15th. A design service is also available.

Posted on 14/02/201415/02/2014 by james — Leave a comment

RedBull Storm Chase – Gwithian Beach Cornwall (VIDEO)

Red Bull Storm Chasers Gwithian Beach Cornwall

As most people in Cornwall try and shelter from the storms that have been relentlessly battering the Cornish coast recently, a select group of professional windsurfers, part of Redbull’s ‘Storm Chase’ series descended on Gwithian Towans Beach and St Ives Bay on February 8th 2014 to take on the monster 30ft waves, chew them up and spit them out. Here’s what happened…Watch in awe!

And when Gwithian Towans beach isn’t being battered by gale force storms and 30ft waves, it looks something like this. A beautiful stretch of golden sand and crystal blue waters. Click here to be transported their with our 360º panorama