Cornwall’s Best Places to Visit in August

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount in Marazion is an incredible spot to spend with the family in August. This small village lies within Mounts bay along with other popular towns such as Penzance and Newlyn.

This ancient castle is actually a family home. The St Aubyn family and the National Trust work in collaboration to care for the Mount’s rich historic legacy and preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

There are plenty of things to see on St Michael’s Mount, although in August it can be very busy as this particular spot is a must see for many people visiting Cornwall, drawing in visitors staying all over the county.

St Michael’s Mount offers a glimpse into the past, uncovering the lives of those who have lived here through the centuries. Explore the Castle, Garden, Church, Harbour and Village where interestingly people still reside.

Fun fact

If you live on St Michael’s Mount commuting back and forth is done via boat. So you may see people going across by boat with shopping bags!

Good to know

St Michael’s Mount is closed on Saturdays and access via the causeway is tidal dependent so please check the website before you visit to ensure you can get across.

Padstow

Padstow is known as one of the most picturesque harbours in Cornwall. This old market town is stunning all through winter and summer with a warm welcome.

Padstow is home to some amazing things to do such as enjoying fish and chips on the harbourside, visiting the National Lobster Hatchery, taking a bike trip down the Camel Trail, crabbing in the harbour, fishing trips, going on a wildlife watching sealife safari boat trip with us or enjoying an ice cream on a hot day – it has something for everyone.

Padstow and the Camel Estuary is a home to natural beauty, showcasing rugged coastline, sweeping sandy beaches, quiet coves and amazing walks. Head up to the NCI (National Coastwatch Institute) station at Stepper Point along the south west coastal path for panoramic views out to the wide Atlantic ocean.

Come visit us at Padstow Sealife Safaris for a boat trip to search for seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds whilst in Padstow. August is a very busy time so pre-booking is essential!

Fun Fact

Padstow celebrates ‘Obby ‘Oss festival’ every year on the 1st of May where locals dress in white with either blue or red neckerchiefs to follow two separate processions through the town, each following a ‘hobby horse’ which is lead by a teaser and a band behind. It’s origins are unclear but it is thought to bring fertility and new life.

Good to know

During August, parking in Padstow is extremely busy. If you don’t mind the walk, the easiest parking option is the Main Road car park (PL28 8EX) with hundreds of spaces and a 15 minute walk to the harbour, this will remove the stress of trying to park in the town.

Newquay

Newquay is one of the most popular places to visit, rich in surfing culture with the home of British surfing at Fistral beach. Newquay has long had a reputation of being a haven for stag do’s, but in recent years has become much more family orientated with several family friendly beaches, lots of water based activities, the fascinating Blue Reef Aquarium, with the harbour street food market adding a special element to Newquay.

Newquay is a short trip from Padstow and well worth it, especially if you love water sports with an abundance of beaches such as Fistral beach, Town Beach, Great Western Beach, Tolcarne Beach. Newquay is also neighbour to one of the best stand-up paddleboarding spots in Cornwall – the Gannel estuary. Somewhat similar to the Camel Estuary near Padstow, but narrower and more sheltered with not as much boat traffic.

Fun Fact

Newquay owes its name to the historic formation of its harbour. The graceful curvature of the headland served as a safeguard for ships, eventually evolving into the town’s harbour. During the 15th century, the townsfolk undertook the construction of a new “quay,” which led to the transformation from the town’s original name, Towan Blystra.

Port Isaac

Located just up the North Cornwall coast from Padstow is Port Isaac. This beautiful fishing village has been seen in many movies and popular tv series like Doc Martin and Fisherman’s Friends. Winding paths and roads lead you to Port Isaac harbour where you can enjoy a family beach day at low tide or a cool ice cream on a hot day.

Port Isaac harbour is still a working harbour with many fishermen bringing in the catch daily for the nearby restaraunts to serve up the freshest of fish and chips.

During the 19th century Port Isaac was famously known all over the county as a port where cargoes like stone, coal, timber and pottery made its way in from all over and was loaded and unloaded.

Picturesque as Cornish villages come, most cottages are built in the 18th and 19th century and listed as architectural or historic importance, protecting the heritage of Port Isaac.

Fun Fact

Port Isaac originates from the Cornish term “Porth Izzick,” which translates to the ‘corn port.’ Unfortunately, the advent of railways brought challenging times for Port Isaac, as the convenience of transporting goods and materials by land overshadowed the town’s role as a thriving port.

Harlyn Bay

Harlyn Bay area is an amazing location for visitors, offering wide expanses of beaches in a short stretch and coastal walks to suit everyone. Harlyn bay has a great advantage over most beaches as its positioned in a slightly more sheltered environment compared to other nearby beaches.

Stretching out in a crescent shape, Harlyn boasts a broad expanse of golden sand providing you enough room to have fun with the family. There is a wide variety of activities to do in the area from rock pooling to hiring a surfboard catching waves.

Fun Fact

In 1865 an astonishing discovery was made right by Harlyn Bay. A labourer found two crescent shaped pieces of gold known as lunulae, dating back to the early Bronze Age. They are thought to have been objects of great ritual and ceremonial significance.

Polzeath

Polzeath is a charming village on the headland on the opposite side of the Camel Estuary from Padstow. Known for its appeal to surfers and beach lovers, it offers family-friendly lifeguarded sandy beaches. Polzeath village provides a range of shops, pubs, and restaurants, while the coastal path leads to stunning landmarks like The Rumps, St Enodoc Church. Polzeath is an amazing family destination, combining natural beauty with coastal adventures.

For a more sheltered beach from the waves of the Atlantic, Daymer Bay offers a more suitable place for stand-up paddleboarding or, for the more adventurous, a great wind surfing or wing boarding spot on a windier day.

Fun Fact

During World War II the beach would, alongside other beaches in Cornwall, have barbed wire on it in preparation for a German naval invasion.

Kynance Cove

One of the most photographed beaches in Cornwall is Kynance Cove. When you first lay eyes on this place in a beautiful summer’s day then you can really see why. Famous for its white sand, turquoise sea and rock stacks it can get very busy during summer season so its bets to plan ahead and set off early if you’re going to visit.

Not much is known about Kynance Cove before tourism hit Cornwall in the early 80’s, but in recent years, Instagram has attracted more and more tourists to this picturesque cove. A café sits above the beautiful beach offering scenic views. While enjoying a day on the beach, you’re bound to feel peckish and the café offers everything from hot and cold drinks to tasty sandwiches and ice creams.

Kynance Cove’ Mermaid Pool is an exciting low-tide activity, offering a deep pool where jumping from a ledge is an fun activity for you and your family. However, be careful if you do adventure here as high tide can cut off this section of the beach.

Fun Fact

You may hear unusual noise at Kynance Cove during mid tide. This is a blowhole known as the Devil’s Bellow which produces a sound only at mid tide and can be heard from up to 1 mile away.

Good to know

Kynance Cove is tidal so there is little beach space available at high tide. Plan a trip on a day with low tide in the middle of the day to allow you to enjoy this beautiful spot for most of the day and be sure not to get cut off as the tide can come in very quickly.