Things To Do
Mount Pleasant Eco Park is the perfect place to get away from it all, but there is still lots to do in Porthtowan and the St Agnes Parish. Don’t forget we host lots of our own events too. Have a look at the What’s On page for a full list.
Beaches
There are 4 beaches in the St Agnes Parish. The closest to the Eco Park is Porthtowan Beach. It’s just a 15 minute walk away, down through Tywarnhayle valley along an old mining footpath. Porthtowan beach is a great, wide sandy beach popular with surfers and families. If you are lucky enough to visit during a Spring low tide, the beach stretches across to Chapel Porth beach. With a pub and a cafe almost on the beach, you can watch the sun go down with a nice cold drink.
Chapel Porth is owned and run by the National Trust. It has a car park right on the beach and a popular cafe which serves a unique ice cream called a ‘hedgehog’ a must while in the area. The famous Wheal Coates Mine looks down on to the beach. Depending on the tide, it is possible to see up to the mine inside the caves. It’s a great beach for children to let there imagination run wild. If you are a keen walker, you can reach Chapel Porth on foot along the South West Coast Path.
Trevaunance Cove is a dog and family friendly beach in the village of St Agnes. It’s perfect for rock pooling and surfing. There are 2 pubs, 2 cafes and a micro brewery all located in the cove. It’s a hive of activity with surf lessons, kayaking and lifeboat demonstrations. There is a small car park, but free parking is available in the village if you don’t mind a 10 minute walk to the beach.
Trevellas Porth is the smallest and quietest, there is no life guard cover so it’s not recommended for families. It’s popular with snorkelers and fishermen. It can be reached from Trevaunance cove at low tide.
Surfing
Porthtowan is one of the top surfing spots in the UK. You can book a lesson at Porthtowan Surf School,or hire a body board from Tris Surf Shop for hours of fun in the waves. We recommend hiring instead of buying the cheap polystyrene boards, they are not good for the fishes!
If you’re looking for lessons in St Agnes, Breakers Surf School run classes from Trevanuance Cove.
Kayaking
The dramatic cliffs which line the coast are best explored on a kayak. Koru kayaking run guided tours and know all the secret spots only locals know about!
Cycling
COASTAL TRAIL CYCLE HIRE
At Coastal Trail Cycle Hire we deliver bikes to your door allowing you a hassle-free way to experience Cornwall’s countryside by bicycle and avoid the stress and aggravation of holiday traffic and congested beach parking
Based at the Eco Park and very close to the popular Coast to Coast cycle trail, our top quality bikes enable you to explore the rugged Cornish countryside, secluded beaches and great cycle trails Cornwall has to offer.
To book please contact them via their website;
The Mineral Tramway cycle path is just down the road, offering a great day out exploring the mining heritage of this stunning part of the world, from the North to the South coast at Devoran. It’s an easy flat ride and is almost entirely on purpose built cycle paths making it perfect for young children and families.
Walking
With direct access to the South West Coast Path, and sitting in a designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, Porthtowan and the St Agnes Parish are a haven for walkers of all ages and abilities. Paths are well marked and maintained, and whether you fancy a coastal stomp, a gentle amble from pub to pub, or a cross-country ramble, there’s something for you.
There are lots of free walks which can be downloaded from St Agnes Forum
Eat
Our very own on site Canteen offers delicious vegan meals and great coffee and cake. There are lots of pubs and restaurants in and around Porthtowan. Have a look on the St Agnes website for a list of places to visit.
