The village of St Agnes is becoming one of Cornwall’s most sought-after destinations and spend a little time there and you will soon see why. You can leave the car and pretty much everything you need for a great holiday is on your doorstep. For beaches you are spoilt with Trevaunance cove Chapel Porth on your doorstep. Heading west Porthtowan, Portreath and Gwithian are all a short drive and offer great surf and sandy beaches.

St Agnes is a beautiful and thriving village on Cornwall’s north coast. It’s affectionately known as ‘Aggie’ and considered to be the very essence of rural Cornwall with dog friendly beaches and spectacular coast paths as well as several shops, bars and restaurants. It’s located in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and is popular with those who enjoy the rugged landscape and a sheltered beach.

St Agnes is said to have got its name from the local legend of Bolster the giant. Bolster was a mighty giant who terrified the villagers and ate small children, but he fell in love with a beautiful young woman called Agnes and wanted to marry her. Up until the 1920’s St Agnes was a centre for the mining of tin, copper, and arsenic. The stone-age remains in the parish and the industrial and geological heritage show its fascinating history.

TREVAUNANCE COVE – St Agnes’ main beach is popular with both surfers and families. When the tide is out there’s numerous rock pools to explore and a stream to splash in. The beach is lifeguarded during the season and it is gently shelving, making it perfect for children. Dogs are also allowed year-round, as long as they remain on a lead. At low tide, the remains of the old harbour can be explored on the western side of the beach and you can walk to the neighbouring northerly beach of Trevellas Porth. Trevaunance Cove is a well-known surfing spot as well as being used by local fishermen as a fishing ground for crab, lobster, and mackerel. It’s nestled in a valley at the bottom of the village.

CHAPEL PORTH – With stunning views out across the Atlantic this National Trust owned and maintained beach has fantastic surf when the tides are right. The dramatic ruins of the old Wheal Coates tin mine are perched on the cliffs above the beach, and the walk from there around the coast to the village of St Agnes gives incredible views. A seasonal dog ban is in place between 10am and 6pm in July and August.

PORTHTOWAN BEACH - Located within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this award-winning beach is a popular surfing spot with soft golden sand backed by large dunes and dramatic cliffs. Porthtowan's large expanse of sand, perfect for families and surfers alike.

PORTREATH - A large beach with soft fine sand, and popular with families. The harbour wall is popular with experienced surfers for its “vortex” surf break. There are two surf/beach shops and plenty of amenities for refreshments and food in the village. The village has a local supermarket, Post Office, Bakery and a tearoom located within The Square.

GWITHIAN TOWANS BEACH - Truly this is paradise. Three miles of sand heading toward Hayle! Three sets of lifeguards along the stretch. Some areas are dog friendly. Good café at the Godrevy National Trust car park with further options along the route to Hayle. Gwithian Towans is a favourite destination for surfers as the constant swell coming in from the ocean provides good all year-round conditions. The surfers are often joined by colourful windsurfers and kite surfers, but don’t let this put you off, there’s plenty of room for everybody. Backed by sand dunes tufted with wild grass, at low tide there is a vast amount of sand to enjoy and large areas of rock pools are uncovered around Strap Rocks, which are great for kids to explore.

SURFING

St Agnes is a popular surf spot with a thriving surf lifeguard club and a couple of excellent surf schools. Breakers Surf School is built on decades of experience, the local environment and a passion for passing on the skill and the stoke.

WALKING

With over 70 footpaths and bridleways, direct access to the South West Coast Path, and sitting in a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, St. Agnes is a haven for walkers of all ages and abilities. Free local walking guides can also be safely downloaded from the St. Agnes Forum, and include some stunning inland walks around St. Agnes, Porthtowan, Blackwater, Mithian and Mount Hawke.

CYCLING

St. Agnes nestles among miles and miles of breathtaking Cornish coast road, which offer stunning views and challenging inclines. But it is also just 4 miles north of the popular Coast to Coast trail, which makes it a popular destination for young cyclists and families. This trail runs for 11 miles from the coastal village of Portreath to Devoran on the South Coast, and is almost entirely on purpose-built cycle paths or quiet country lanes. Aggie Cycles offer bike hire, tours and pick up / drop off.

OUDOOR EXPERIENCES

The St. Agnes area offers plenty for those who like their activities on the adventurous side.

Koru Kayaking launches from Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes and they guide you along the St Agnes coastline, a UNECSO World Heritage Site, through caves archways carved out during the Cornish Mining era.

Experience Cornwall’s famously spectacular coastline with a Coasteering adventure. It’s is an experience of a lifetime with a combination of climbing, scrambling, traversing, cliff jumping and swimming. Enjoy the scenery of St Agnes with Coastal Rush.

Stand up paddle boarding is brilliant for family fun and exploring the coastal waters. Learn to SUP with St Agnes Water Sports or SUP in a bag.

SHOPPING

SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE is an environmental charity that has been protecting the UK’s coastline for 25 years. They have a shop selling a range of clothing and accessories with the profits funding beach cleans and campaigns.

FINISTERRE is a cold-water surf company committed to designing innovative products for cold water surfers around the world. Located on the cliffs at Wheal Kitty Workshops, the Finisterre shop hosts the entire range, from lightweight insulated jackets and waterproofs, to specialist knitwear and soft Merino base layers, as well as organic cotton tees and sweats.

CELIA CREEPER is an established local artist. She can be found most days painting in her studio gallery, which is through the courtyard of Churchtown Arts and is open all year round.

CHURCHTOWN ARTS is a small family run business, situated in one of the oldest listed buildings in St Agnes. You’ll find an inspirational mix of stylish gifts.

TRUNK DELI is the latest independent addition to the village’s high street. Everything in store is designed to complement a picnic hamper, charcuterie, wines, cheese and flowers.

EATING

St Agnes has a thriving and creative community of independent shops and businesses including two local butchers,

THE DRIFTWOOD SPARS is a landmark pub and brewery and a piece of hallowed ground on the rugged North Cornish coast dedicated to the craft and enjoyment of beer. There are three cosy bars with wood burning stoves, plus The Crab Shack and a beer garden for summer months.

ST AGNES BAKERY is one of the oldest bakeries in the country and still working from its original site. For over 100 years they have been baking traditional Cornish recipes every day from scratch, from their famous gold standard Cornish Pasty to their Giant Sausage Rolls.

CAFÉ Q is a stylish place to enjoy a coffee, salad, sandwich or cake. GENKI is a delicious coffee house by day and a cocktail haven by night. They serve fantastic coffee as well as some delicious options from tasty smoothie bowls and traditional cream teas to toothsome waffles and cakes. THE SORTING OFFICE was originally St Agnes’ beloved Post Office and Sorting room, dating back to 1902. It is now a characterful coffee house with pastries, cakes and their famous smoothies.

THE CORNISH PIZZA COMPANY have been handcrafting delicious pizzas since 2012. All of the pizzas are named after Cornish Engine Houses which makes for interesting reading and the toppings are a mix of traditional and innovative combinations.

SCHOONERS is a bar and grill located on the beach. With a relaxed atmosphere, insane view, and great food you can dine inside, outside or takeaway on the beach. Dogs are welcome and they regularly have live music and DJs.

Fission Chip Shop in the heart of the town has been established for fifty years - definitely worth a visit.

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