Destination

Chapel Porth

A tidal Atlantic beach under the Wheal Coates engine house — hedgehog ice cream and empty sand at low water. Surf at Chapel Porth BecauseYouVan.

Chapel Porth is a National Trust cove a mile down the coast from St Agnes, opening up at low tide into a huge stretch of firm sand under towering cliffs. The Wheal Coates engine house watches over the whole thing. The beach café does a legendary 'hedgehog' — vanilla cone, clotted cream, toasted hazelnuts. Hire our van and time your week around the tide tables.

From our pickups

Ripon

~6 hours south via the M6 and M5.

Darlington

~6 hours 30 via the A1(M), M6 and M5.

Scotch Corner

~6 hours 15 via the M6 and M5.

Highlights

  • Firm-sand low-tide beach the length of the coast
  • Wheal Coates and Towanroath engine houses directly above
  • Chapel Porth Café — the original hedgehog ice cream
  • Coast Path north to Trevaunance, south to Porthtowan
  • National Trust car park with facilities and dog-friendly stretches

Suggested itinerary

A trip you could actually do.

  1. 01Night 1: Beacon Cottage Farm above St Agnes — walk down at first light.
  2. 02Night 2: Porthtowan or Perranporth pitch, coast-path day between the two.
  3. 03Night 3: Portreath or Godrevy on the run back east.

Best time to go: April-October; check tide times — the beach vanishes at high water.

Book on Goboony

Other destinations

The Lake District

England's most beautiful national park — 90 minutes from Scotch Corner. Wake by Derwentwater BecauseYouVan.

The NC500

Scotland's ultimate road trip — start it from Scotch Corner or Darlington. Loop the North Coast BecauseYouVan.

The Yorkshire Dales

On our doorstep — waterfalls, wildflower meadows and proper pubs. Roam the Dales BecauseYouVan.