My day out: Carlyon Bay

Stretching for two miles, Carlyon Bay is set at the heart of St Austell Bay. Instead of sand, the beach is made up of “stent” which is a mixture of waste from tin and China clay industries. The beach is divided into three places know as; Crinnis, Shorthorn, and Polgaver – with Crinnis being the part to which most people identify as Carlyon Bay.

For our walk, we decided to start at Carlyon Bay and trek up along the coastal path, which led us into Charlestown. Dry weather has become something of a rarity now that we have hit November, so having checked the forecast and seeing that it was dry with sunshine, we leapt at the opportunity to go out. We were making the most of this small window of beautiful weather, to take to the dog for a coastal walk. 

We had never done this walk before and so did not know what to expect, such as the terrain. However, we did know of the stunning views looking across the Cornish Southern Coastline. So I was expecting a pleasant walk with some stunning views, it did not disappoint.

I enjoyed this walk, the views out to the ocean were breathtaking, and once you get to Charlestown, you’re greeted by an abundance of fantastic cafes and restaurants to sit down and enjoy some lunch.

This day is brilliant for families and couples, especially for those with dogs as Charlestown is a very pet-friendly place. If you are someone who struggles with mobility, then perhaps skip the walking and park in the little harbour town. If you do go on the walk, we advise wearing appropriate footwear at this time of year, as in some parts the path was particularly muddy due to the rain earlier in the week. 

We will visit again, as it was a lovely walk, with stunning views and is an activity that you could enjoy without having to spend a penny. Although, the car park at Carlyon Bay does charge between the 1 April – 31 October.

About the author: Rob is our customer experience advisor, and visited Carlyon Bay in November.