Kingsand & Cawsand in 360º

Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Kingsand & Cawsand tucked away in a secluded corner of Cornwall, it’s something of an undiscovered gem with quaint, narrow, cottage-lined streets retaining an unspoilt charm.

Location/Facts Potential Hazards History Where To Eat & Drink Things To Do Where To Find Them Events Getting Around Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Water Quality Sunrise & Sunset Times Tide Times Nearby Destinations

I’ve stopped by here twice while working so didn’t have long to scour the area, but I have to say it’s definitely somewhere I would like to come back and spend more time looking around.

The beaches are relatively sheltered by Picklecombe Point to the east and Penlee Point/Rame Head to the west. There are rock pools to explore and access to both beaches are via slopes and a few steps. There are three main beaches in Kingsand and Cawsand, which are separated by sections of rocks. Located along The Cleave you’ll find Kingsand Bay which is a mixture of sand and shingle. Girt Beach is more shingle-based and Cawsand Beach is mostly sandy. Kingsand beaches are dog friendly all year round, but during the ‘summer months’ (from Easter until the end of September) dogs are not allowed on Cawsand Beach.

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Location/Facts

Kingsand and Cawsand are twin villages in southeast Cornwall, United Kingdom lying on the shores of Cawsand Bay, with the South West Coast Path running through the village.

Until boundary changes in 1844, Kingsand was in Devon and Cawsand was in Cornwall.
The village coast, as well as the coast to the east, forms the Kingsand to Sandway Point SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), which shows examples of extensive Early Permian volcanicity.
Built to commemorate the coronation of King George V, the clocktower was almost destroyed by the winter storms of 2014.

Potential Hazards

Deep shelving beach
Strong winds
Tidal cut-off

History

The villages are known for their smuggling and fishing past. Although the known smuggling tunnels have been sealed up, there are still old fish cellars and boat stores along the coast.

Things To Do

Cawsand Beach
Clocktower
Devon Corn House (the house still displays the boundary marker)
Kayak
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
Mount Edgcumbe Folly
Paddleboarding
Panache Gallery
Pier Cellars (decommissioned 19th Century Brennan Torpedo Station)
Picklecombe Fort
Rockpooling
Sandways Beach
Queen Adelaide’s Grotto (built circa 1826)
Westcroft Gallery

Where To Eat & Drink

The Bay Bar & Restaurant
The Cross Keys Inn
The Devonport Inn
The Halfway House Inn
Kelly’s Cornish Ice Cream
The Rising Sun
The Old Bakery

Where To Find Them

Events

On May Day each year the village takes part in the Black Prince procession. Beginning in Millbrook the procession passes through Kingsand before finishing on the beach at Cawsand where a flower-laden model boat is launched into the sea. The tradition is to say farewell to the bad winter weather and welcome in the Summer.

Getting Around

It’s only small so easily walked everywhere. If driving from Kingsand car park around to Cawsand be aware the road is very narrow and has a width restriction of 7 feet.

Access to both beaches are via slopes and a few steps.

Getting There

Bus, connected via the Rame bus link to Plymouth.
Ferry, Easter until the last Sunday in October, the Cawsand Ferry runs a passenger service between Cawsand Beach and the Mayflower Steps on the Barbican in Plymouth. £5 each for adults / £2.50 for children each way and takes about 30 minutes.
Car, via the Torpoint ferry. There are two pay & display car parks one in Kingsand and the other Cawsand. The Cawsand car park would be the easier choice, if you don’t like tight turns or narrow roads.
Walk, Passenger ferry from Stonehouse in Plymouth to Cremyll and then through Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Helpful Tips

The Cawsand car park would be the easier choice, if you don’t like tight turns or narrow roads.
If driving from Kingsand car park around to Cawsand be aware the road is very narrow and has a width restriction of 7 feet.
Kingsand beaches are dog friendly all year round, but during the ‘summer months’ (from Easter until the end of September) dogs are not allowed on Cawsand Beach.
Beach Type: Sandy with some large rocks.

Weather