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Exploring the Local Area 

 

St Mawes is situated in south Cornwall on the Roseland Peninsular. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the quality of its landscape and coastal scenery. There are pretty fishing villages, dramatic coastal and inland walks and beautiful sandy beaches. The area is a walker’s paradise, and it is easy to incorporate a boat trip as part of your day out. There are many places to stop for morning coffee, a relaxing lunch or a refreshing tea break.

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Beyond the Roseland Peninsular there are a huge variety of Cornish landmarks and sightseeing destinations within easy reach of St Mawes. 

Gardens

Some may need an advanced booking. Our favourites include:
 

  • Lamorran Gardens, St Mawes- Entrance on Upper Castle Road. Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between April and September. No need to book a slot. A real treat walking along the maze like paths through the sub-tropical gardens. This local garden never fails to delight. 

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  • The Lost Gardens of Heligan – 30 minute drive. Award -winning 200 acre restoration, including a stunning sub-tropical jungle walk and magnificent walled Victorian kitchen gardens and glass houses supplying seasonal produce to the Heligan Kitchen. Dog-friendly, including in the restaurant.

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  • Trebah Garden –  Beautiful 26 acre sub-tropical Cornish garden which meanders down to the Helford River near Falmouth. Lovely walk through the sub-tropical gardens, including the famous giant Gunnera down to the beach.

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  • National Trust Trelissick Gardens - Gardens located near the King Harry Ferry, Falmouth side. Restaurant, art gallery, shop and dog walk across the fields down to the beach. It is possible to travel by ferry from St Mawes to Trelissick via Falmouth.

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  • The Eden Project – Trek through the world’s largest indoor rainforest or explore the calm fragrance of the Mediterranean biome. Also extensive stunning outdoor gardens, famous concert venue, large indoor shop and restaurant.​

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  • Caerhays Estate Gardens – 140 acre traditional woodland spring garden packed with stunning magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons and ‘champion’ trees. Gardens open daily from February to June. 

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  • St Just in Roseland Church - Betjeman described it as ‘to many people the most beautiful churchyard on earth”. The Church and gardens are one of the most visited churches in the UK. The 13th century church, built on the site of a 6th century Celtic chapel, is set in stunning sub-tropical gardens beside a peaceful tidal creek. 

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Beaches

 

  • There are 3 small beaches in St Mawes – Idles, Summers and Tavern beaches. They all have sandy beaches at low tide. Idles beach is the harbour beach right in the middle of St Mawes. It welcomes dogs all year round. Summers beach is sheltered and popular with swimmers. There is a pontoon to swim out to in the summer. Tavern beach is situated at the Castle end of the village below the Tresanton Hotel. It also has a pontoon in the summer. There is a dog ban on this beach during the summer months.

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  • Carne and Pendower beaches are two of the best family beaches on the Roseland Peninsula, with fine stretches of sand and rock pools. Both beaches have a car park with toilets and a café by both. In addition, light refreshments are available all day at The Quarterdeck at the Nare Hotel. The beaches are linked for much of the day when the tide is low. Dogs on leads on beaches between 10am and 6pm between 1st May and 30th September.

 

Pendower beach car park ( closest to St Mawes) - TR2 5LW (National Trust)

Carne beach car park - TR2 5PF (National Trust)

From Carne beach there is a 30 strenuous minute uphill walk along the SW coastal footpath to Nare Head

 

  • Towan beach is a quiet south eastern facing beach located between Portscatho and St Anthonys Head.  Closest parking is at Porth Farm where there is a café and toilets.  (TR2 5EX). From the car park it is a 5 minute walk across a field to reach the beach.

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Walking in the area

 

The Roseland is a paradise for walkers, with plenty of dramatic coastal views and beautiful countryside. There is a huge choice of long or short walks, with varying degrees of difficulty to suit everyone.

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There are many guidebooks and maps in our visitors library.

 

Some of our favourite walks include:

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  • Take a stroll through the village up to St Mawes Castle  where there are good views across to Falmouth and out to sea.

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  • St Mawes Castle to St Just in Roseland - Level, sheltered field walk which follows the river. You can walk the whole way to St Just and back or part of the way. Lovely views across the Carrick Roads estuary. 

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  • Trelissick  is accessed via the King Harry car ferry or on passenger ferry from St Mawes. There is a nice dog walk through the fields down to beach without having to pay to enter the gardens.  Free parking for National Trust members. National Trust shop, art gallery, restaurant and toilets. 

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  • St Anthony’s Head   There are many walking options of varying degrees of length and difficulty. You can access this area using the Place passenger ferry in the summer, or drive round via Portscatho.​

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  • Nare Head. Beautiful views of Gull Rock and Carne Beach. Nare Head rises to 300 feet over the bay. It can be accessed via a gentle 20 minute walk from Kiberick car park TR2 5PH (National Trust). Check out the Cold War Veryan Bunker and the earthed over WW2 bunker.

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  • Portloe to Portholland – stunning walk along the SW coastal path, especially in the springtime

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  • Short flat walk along the tidal river before visiting the The Kings Head in Ruan Lanihorne 

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Restaurants, pubs and cafés

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  • Melinsey Mill –15 minutes away – Restored 16th century water mill and pond tucked away in the valley close to Veryan. Delicious morning coffee, home-made lunches and cream teas. It is a possible to walk from Pendower Beach to Melinsey Mill along a beautiful wooded valley path

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  • ​Roseland Inn, Philleigh - Traditional countryside Inn 1 mile from the King Harry Ferry. 

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  • Kings Head pub and restaurant, Ruan Lanihorne - Freehouse B & B which aims to support local breweries, farmers and growers.

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  • Plume of Feathers, - Portscatho - 18th Century Cornish pub by the sea. Serves delicious local seafood dishes and a great selection of local beers, ales and craft spirits

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  • The Boathouse, - Portscatho - Fresh home-cooked food using the best local ingredients. With emphasis on fresh fish – signatures include fish 'n' chips and fish finger sandwiches.

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  • The Hidden Hut, - Beach, near Portscatho - Cafe in a wooden shed by the beach, with outside tables only, offering simple lunches and cakes. Ticket for special open-air 'Feast nights' sell out in minutes.

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  • The Standard Inn - Recently opened independent freehouse pub/restaurant in Gerrans (top the hill, Portscatho). Highly rated new venture by the same owners as The Hidden Hut, Simon and Jemma.

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  • Tatams Coffee Hut  - Tatams is an artisan coffee hut, perched on the harbour wall above Tatams Beach in the fishing village of Portscatho

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  • Nancarrow Farm, -  Zelah Farm, near Truro - Ticketed feasts and gatherings in the barn throughout the year to showcase the very best local seasonal produce.

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Experiences

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