Porthpean, Charlestown and Carlyon Bay

Pauline (Dennis) Blackford

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Our walk begins at the beach of Porthpean with its long promenade that leads us up through a stretch of beautiful woodland and past an ancient fort, before we descend and glimpse the ancient port of Charlestown with its square-rigged tall ships. These old wooden ships are fascinating and it is well worth taking a pause in our journey to view them by walking round the harbour to watch maintenance crews climb their rigging, bringing back to us a flavour of the days of sail.

As well as absorbing the atmosphere of these magnificent ships, the old port will keep the visitor occupied for a good time and there is a Shipwreck Museum if you have time. Once we leave the harbour, we gently climb through another stretch of woodland which opens up on the coast, with its ever-changing views, leading us gently down to the beach of Carlyon Bay.

After resting on the beach awhile, we begin our return journey along the same coastal route back to the car park at Porthpean.

England - South West England - Cornwall - Coast

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Museum, Pub, Public Transport, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
7/19/2020 - Bryony Pearson

Walked 19/7/20 and the cliff path is diverted from point 3, taking a lengthy diversion through housing and pavements, and picks up the walk again at point 7 in Charlestown. The walk was disappointing as there weren't too many places to get a view and we reached the car park at point 12, looking forward to the beach, to find it bans dogs from Easter to the end of September. We had to turn around here to retrace our steps. The only highlight of the walk was Charlestown, which is lovely. The beach at Porthpean also has a seasonal dog ban, very disappointing! With the tedious diversion, the walk is around 6 miles but felt further!

12/29/2016 - Patricia Daw

Walked Dec 29th 2016. Gloriously sunny December morning. Had Porthpean beach to ourselves at 9.30 in the morning. (Car park honesty box now needs £3) Charlestown was a delight. Carlyon Bay beach a surprise. Was expecting a down market Bach resort but it was just beach. No development has taken place as mentioned in the walking guide. I don't normally like linear walks but didn't mind this one at all because of the fab views.

5/26/2014 - Kevin Simpson

The coast path has now been repaired and is operational. (May 2014).

8/21/2008 - lorraine baxendale

at this present moment in time you cannot walk from porthpean to charlestown along coast due to land slip last year 2007. no due date for repairs. money money money