Guide to Kingsand & Cawsand

Discovering the Twin Villages of Kingsand & Cawsand

Sheltered by the magnificent Rame Peninsular and lapped by the sparkling waters of Plymouth Sound are the idyllic twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand.

Both these shoreside communities are popular anchorages, their sheltered shingle bays and gentle waters adored by beachgoers and watersports enthusiasts. What’s more, it’s the perfect base for all those keen to explore the ocean city of Plymouth, only a short drive away across the Cornish border and over the iconic Tamar Bridge, or across the Sound by ferryboat, famous for its historic Barbican quarter, National Marine Aquarium, Hoe Park and Theatre Royal – so why not enjoy the best of both worlds?

Kingsand Beach

Known for its crystal-clear waters and loved by wild swimmers, the shingle sands of Kingsands Bay are among east Cornwall’s finest. Sheltered by Picklecombe Point and backed by a distinctive commemorative clock tower – so often captured being thrashed by stormy seas – this enchanting shore provides a shelved launch for paddleboards and kayaks. It is also a stunning spot to while away a sun-kissed hour or two with a good book – occasionally pausing to admire the breakwaters that shimmer a path all the way to Jennycliff. Recognised by the Marine Conservation Society for its five-star water quality while also operating a seasonal lifeguard patrol, it’s easy to see why so many are falling in love with this lesser-known cove. Dogs are also welcome to run along the strandline until their hearts are content, and there’s a traditional beachside pub to enjoy cold Cornish ciders or a portion of chips with a sea view.

Cawsand Beach

A little further along the old pastel-painted streets, which weave their way towards the Rame Peninsula – lies the twin beach of Cawsand. Toddlers love to paddler in the aquamarine shallows ,while the ebbing tide reveals craggy rock pools, irresistible for young explorers who can discover anemones, crabs and seashells. There’s also kayak and SUP hire available from the beach during the summer months. It’s a charming sight from the wooded hillsides above, where pretty pink sea campion grows. Sit back and watch the sailing boats as they trim and tack the deeper waters of The Sound with a portion of fish and chips or a towering Cornish ice cream, bought from the eateries which back the beach.

Walking the Rame Peninsula

Our holiday cottages in Kingsand and Cawsand are perfect for those looking to experience a Cornish walking holiday. A hearty ramble around what has been imaginatively described as “the fishtail heads” of the Rame Peninsula is a must. Follow the narrow streets out of Kingsand, passing the pastel-painted fishermens’ cottages to pick up the coast path. Wildlife enthusiasts will be captivated by the wildflowers and butterflies that thrive at the Penlee Point nature reserve below the former watchhouse known as Queen Adelaide’s Grotto.

Built on the top of the promontory, the site of the Rame Head Chapel dates back to the Iron Age when it was a coastal hillfort – today, it’s a captivating outpost for walkers. It was also once a Celtic hermitage before a license was granted for Mass in 1397 and the chapel was dedicated to St Michael of Archangel (the patron of high places). It’s here, where a burning lamp once flickered in the arch of the chapel window to ward sailors off the jagged rocks below, where the Spanish Armada was first sighted bearing down the English Channel.

Ramblers enjoy looping back across the headland past the Wiggle Cliff and Polhawn Fort which once protected the bay waters from marauders with its canons but now welcomes wedding parties to its clifftop lawns. If you’re feeling energetic, follow the cliff path down to the sweeping shores of Whitsand Bay, one of Cornwall’s many hidden gems.

Eating out in Kingsand and Cawsand

Whether you’re looking for romantic fine dining or a lunchtime light bite, you’ll find plenty of food outlets in Kingsand and Cawsand to choose from. Like any seaside village, you’ll find ice creams, Cornish pasties and fish and chips to take away for beach picnics, and there’s a bakery to pick up pastries for breakfast.

Overlooking the shingle shores of Cawsand, The Bay is a stylish bar and restaurant which continues to attract glowing reviews. If you’re seeking a traditional Cornish pub experience, visit to The Cross Keys Inn in the heart of Cawsand Square, pull up a stall and savour the atmosphere of this handsome old hostelry. The Devonport Inn, on The Cleave behind Kingsand beach, offers up a delightful menu made from locally grown ingredients and caters for lunch, afternoon tea and supper. The stream at the back of The Halfway House Inn once marked the borderline between Cornwall and Devon and is today considered the centre of the twin villages. Enjoy a varied menu which includes daily specials and locally caught fish and seafood.

Things to do near Kingsand and Cawsand

Learn to ride the Cornish waves with Adventure Bay Surf School. Located on the golden shores of Whitsand Bay, southeast Cornwall’s “forgotten corner”, the school has a squad of surfing gurus and coasteering experts all ready to impart their knowledge while guaranteeing an exhilarating day out.

Mount Edgcumbe estate is a seat held by the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe for more than 400 years. It covers a magnificent 860 acres which encompasses Rame Head and the villages of Kingsand and Cawsand. Enjoy a myriad of coastal and woodland paths and one of the only Grade I listed gardens to be found in The Dutchy. Expect to see herds of fallow deer grazing on the open pastures and meander through the formal gardens captivated by the Italian, French and English botanical flair. Mount Edgcumbe is also home to the National Camellia Collection and has a dazzling array of rhododendrons and magnolias which burgeon into full bloom during spring, providing endless pleasure to all those who visit.

If you’re in the mood for something quirky, a high-tech Segway Adventure might be just the ticket. The magnificent sprawling acres of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is the setting for your wheelie wanders, taking in skills courses and miles of open countryside and coastal trails.

Smeaton’s Tower, the Tinside Lido and the Royal Citadel are among the famous landmarks that help distinguish Plymouth Hoe. This roaming green space is the ideal place to throw down a picnic blanket and admire the incredible ocean views. A wonderful escape from the exciting hustle and bustle of the city centre and not far from the cobbled streets of the ancient Barbican waterfront. The statue of Plymouth hero, Sir Frances Drake, stands not far from the green, the place where, legend has it, he finished his game of bowls before masterminding the demise of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The National Marine Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the UK housing in excess of 4000 marine creatures, as well as being at the cutting edge of ocean conservation work. It’s one the Ocean City’s most popular tourist attractions, its vast aquarium zones and exhibits capturing the imaginations of all those who visit, helping to unlock an exquisite underwater world. Journey through the planet’s oceans until you reach the pinnacle of your tour, the spellbinding and vulnerable realm of the Great Barrier Reef.

Regularly playing host to world-class musicals, opera and ballet, The Lyric is the Theatre Royal’s main 1,300-seater auditorium, having benefitted from a £7million regeneration project in 2013. This premier arts venue in Plymouth is ideal for all you culture vultures looking for some panache and the opportunity to be mesmerised by the country’s leading lights.