Polzeath
accommodation, complemented with art galleries, and high end quality shops.
The superb family and dog friendly beach, a mile of very fine sand backed by dunes and lapped by exceptionally clear and calm waters, stretches alongside the Camel to Daymer Bay. Don’t expect any surf, but that’s one of the attractions, the sheltered waters have become very popular for water-sports: sailing, fishing, windsurfing, boat trips of many sorts and water skiing are just a few. The golfing here is also famous, as is the former poet laureate, John Betjeman’s, grave. It lies at St. Enodoc Church, right beside the links.
To the right of Daymer Bay you will find loads of rock pools and the small beach known as Greenaways, which is accessible from Tristram car park, it is a small beach usable only at lower tides. To the left of Daymer Bay is Braey Hill,
which is well worth climbing for the superb
views that it affords of Hawkers cove, the Doom Bar and Stepper Point (sleeping Dragon).
Polzeath is home to the Voluntary Marine Wildlife Reserve, and was used by Enid Blyton’s famous five children,it was home to the cartoonist Posy Simmonds, Laurence Binyon wrote the Remembrance Day ode For the Fallen in 1914 while sitting on The Rumps, and the film Tresoddit was filmed here.
Polzeath is a haven for surfers and beach lovers. There are lifeguards on the beach in the season. Bathers should be aware that the cliffs can be particularly dangerous in bad weather. Although generally a safe beach, there can be large surf with rips and children should not be allowed in the water with inflatables. This is a sand and shingle beach, situated at the mouth of a river and backed by interesting cliffs. There is a nature reserve and some interesting rock pools on the beach. Dolphins may sometimes be spotted and this is a good area for many types of coastal birds including puffins.
The SWCP passes through Polzeath in one direction to 45
Daymer Bay and Rock, and in the other through New Polzeath, Pentire Point, and along miles of stunning coastline. Past a large slate seat is the hulking sheer cliff west of The Rumps. Looking back to the left is Newlands Island. On the unusually shaped double headland of The Rumps is in the Iron-Age cliff castle. This promontory fort with superb coastal vistas, has a massive triple rampart and ditch system protecting an area of around six acres at the tip of the headland. Several hut circles lie within the enclosure. Near the promontory, may be seen signs of the caves at Guglane, just below the ramparts. The large offshore rock behind the eastern headland is The Mouls, a breeding site for puffins, gannets and kittiwakes. Further on, there is a 19th century folly at Doyden Castle. It is possible to walk to Port Quin, where there is a car park. The coastal footpath between Polzeath and St Enodoc is suitable for wheelchair users, offering an opportunity for all to appreciate the stunning scenery of the estuary.
Moving up the coast brings us to Port Isaac an attractive fishing village; its narrow winding streets are lined with old white-washed cottages and traditional granite, slate- fronted Cornish houses, many of which are listed as of architectural or historic importance. It was the location for the television series of Poldark. A stream runs through the village, finding its way into the sea over the harbour wall. There is a shingle beach, and other attractive sandy beaches within a short distance. Fishing and scenic trips can be taken from the harbour during the summer months, and there are lots of lovely walks along the coast and
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