The tip of South West England is a paradise for walking and swimming, with over 300 miles of coastline and hundreds of beaches. And yet the terrain of Cornwall is not just about the coast, but about deserted moors, sweeping estuaries and wooded dells. Matt Newbury and Sophie Pierce, authors of new guidebook, Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall, share some of their favourite swim spots.
Prussia Cove
Prussia Cove is a private estate on the South coast near Penzance, with three stunning small coves. The shore is rocky here, with lots of gullies and inlets to explore, and warm rocks to lie on in the sun. The lack of sand means the water is incredibly clear. It is a wonderful spot in which to snorkel. Our favourite of the beaches is Bessy’s Cove, where there is a tiny quay, and a picturesque thatched cottage just above the shore.
Port Quin
This is a long, U shape inlet which fills up at high tide, making a perfect natural swimming pool. It is one of the few swim spots on the windswept North coast which is relatively sheltered, where you can swim when huge waves are pounding bigger beaches. Make sure you visit at high tide if you wish to swim, as at low it is mainly rocks! The clifftop walks either side of this small bay are spectacular.
Quarry Lake, Cardinham Moor
This is a remote lake which has formed out of the remains of the old Glynn Valley Quarry which was one of about 20 china clay pits which operated on Bodmin Moor until about the middle of the last century. It is huge, with soft, clear water, and two dramatical conical hills alongside. It is a beautiful walk through moorland to reach the lake, passing a stone row and Bury Castle, one of the best preserved Iron Age forts in Cornwall.
West Looe River, Looe
This is a beautiful tidal river which is completely unspoilt, with smooth green water surrounded by lush woods. It is best to visit at high tide if you wish to swim. It makes a great adventure to walk upstream alongside the water through the woods where there are bluebells and violets in the spring, and then swimback with the outgoing tide. You will encounter nothing more than the odd duck, heron or egret, and you might even see a kingfisher if you are lucky. There are lots of get out points if you get tired.
Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives
Although this does get busy in the summer, it is a perfect swimmers’ beach as it is sheltered from the prevailing south westerly winds. There are great views from here across St Ives Bay over to the dunes at Hayle, and the sea is of course, famously blue. There’s a handy café on the beach, and it is fun to swim from the left and explore around the rocky shore which leads to St Ives Head, or as it’s more commonly known, “The Island”.
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