Nestled in the far southeast of Cornwall, the twinned villages of Kingsand and Cawsand offer a heavenly dose of coastal escapism. Exuding timeless allure, their cobbled networks of winding streets are overlooked by quaint cottages in ice cream hues and soundtracked by the sea. On the edge of the ocean, each is decorated with swathes of golden sand that tempt in all seasons, perfect for shoreside strolls and exhilarating dips. To refuel, an array of eateries await with menus of local fare to complement days of salt-kissed adventure.
To uncover the hidden secrets and treasured gems of these beloved villages, uncover our curated guide to Kingsand and Cawsand.
History
Separated only by a silvery stream, the historic smuggling villages of Kingsand and Cawsand once resided in different counties. Kingsand lay to the north, part of Devon, and Cawsand, just below, sat tucked within the Cornish border. With the Devon and Cornwall border redrawn in the 19th century, Kingsand became part of Cornwall in 1844. Around the same time, the villages’ unlicensed trading activities began to fade, with a fleet of over 50 smuggling boats gradually withdrawn into retirement. Today, the villages are best known for their winsome charm and quixotic streets, secret passageways, and multi-coloured cottages overlooking the sea and the glittering cityscape of Plymouth in the distance.
Places to Eat
The Old Bakery
Follow the flow of picturesque avenues in Cawsand to find The Old Bakery on Garrett Street. A welcoming establishment beckoning with wafts of freshly baked bread and a golden glow from floor-to-ceiling windows, this inviting hub is a real treat. Linger awhile over the bakery’s breakfast menus served from morning until midday, or choose from a buttery array of sweet and savoury delights. Open from Friday to Sunday, each day promises a different sourdough offering, as well as an assortment of loaves and pastries, from Cornish pasties and pain au chocolat to melt-in-the-mouth cinnamon and orange morning buns.
The Stores Cornwall
A delicious go-to for coffee, bakes, sourdough loaves, and divine deli bites is The Stores. Residing in the village of Kingsand, The Stores promises a tantalising array of shelves, cupboards, and countertops adorned with feasting fancies. Head over for a cup of aromatic coffee to-go and take a seat beside the lulling tide, complemented by freshly baked joys such as banana and custard brioche buns and frangipane-filled croissants. For a curated spread to take back to your Boutique abode, peruse displays of moreish local cheeses, Cornish wines, and charcuterie bliss.
The Edgcumbe Arms Waterfront Country Pub & Inn
A whisper from the twinned villages of Kingsand and Cawsand is The Edgcumbe Arms. A ‘country pub by the sea’, this 17th-century inn can be found on the verdant fringes of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, opposite the Cremyll Ferry landing. Warmed by roaring log fires in winter and tempting with alfresco seating in the sunshine, it provides a year-round destination for leisurely adventure followed by satiating repasts, be it post-waterside walks around the peninsula or further afield in Plymouth. As well as weekday lunches and dinners, weekends are especially anticipated for the pub’s traditional Sunday carvery.
Àclèaf
Bestowed with 4 AA Rosettes and a wealth of accolades, Àclèaf is renowned for its expertly crafted plates of modern British cuisine. At home within the striking grounds of Boringdon Hall, this Michelin Star restaurant in Devon invites diners to enjoy a taste of elegance overlooking the estate’s Great Hall. Reserve a table for dinner on select days throughout the year and anticipate a feast for the senses, with dishes harmonising tradition and innovation for creative culinary journeys. Pair the restaurant’s signature tasting menu with an expertly prepared wine flight for utmost enjoyment and relish the ambience as each course is served.
Sardine Factory
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, The Sardine Factory nestles on the harbourside in Looe, gazing out over the course of the East Looe River as it makes its way to the sea. Renowned for seafood cuisine, the restaurant’s team works in tandem with local dayboats to procure the freshest fare, served alongside daily specials and, in winter, Sunday roasts. Cast your eye over the à la carte menus, choosing from sharing nibbles, small plates, and a choice of larger mains, with favourites such as market fish tacos with sauerkraut slaw and battered fish and chips with seaweed tartare sauce.
Beaches
Cawsand Beach
Nestled at the foot of the village, Cawsand Beach calls for sunshine hours throughout the year. Carpeted with a sugary cloak of sand and shingle, it’s an idyllic destination for relaxation with a book in hand, or stepping into the refreshing seawater on clement days for endorphin-boosting swims. Dogs are welcome outside of summer’s seasonal hours, and a selection of shops and eateries await nearby.
Kingsand Beach
A sheltered, south-east facing beach on the Rame Peninsula, Kingsand Beach is an unmissable haven for healing doses of salt-jewelled goodness. Overlooked by Kingsand clocktower and a puzzle of whitewashed cottages, this dog-friendly beach sets a picturesque backdrop for sunrise strolls and reposeful afternoons. Head over on an ebbing tide to make the most of the sun-drenched swathes.
Sandways Beach
Take the South West Coast Path from Kingsand along The Minnadhu to find a quiet path leading down to Sandways Beach. A peaceful gem a short walk from the villages, its rocky foreshore often lends itself perfectly to swimming and snorkelling on balmy days. Gather a hamper brimming with artisan treats and wend your way over to this beach. There are no facilities here, adding to the tranquil charm.
Sharrow Beach
With parking nearby and lifeguards in the summer months, the dog-friendly Sharrow Beach near Cawsand is a beloved destination amongst visitors and locals alike. Decorated with rocky outcrops that split the beach in two at high tide, it proposes unforgettable coastal reveries in all seasons. Enjoy a scenic circular walk or venture straight to the shoreline for hours of leisure and play with a backdrop of blue.
Tregantle Beach
Part of the otherworldly Whitsand Bay, Tregantle Beach offers an abundance of space for ocean forays. Make the most of the sandy expanse and immerse in timeless beach games along the shore, before relaxing atop a soft blanket. With a hamper of treats in tow and seemingly endless views of the glistening horizon, magical moments come easily. Be sure to keep an eye on the tides and head elsewhere when red MOD flags are flying.
Places to Visit
Mount Edgcumbe
An historic park perched above the sea, Mount Edgcumbe’s 865-acre estate sets a spellbinding scene for leisurely exploration. Step through 500 years of history to uncover the ancestral home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe, or head outside to roam the Grade I listed landscapes. From the 16th-century gardens and National Camellia Collection to the year-round calendar of activities and events, the estate has a magnetic quality in all seasons. To reward your efforts, seek refreshment from a choice of onsite eateries, open on select days of the year.
St Michael’s Chapel
Also known as Rame Head Chapel, this striking landmark resides on a rocky knoll on the Rame Peninsula. Sitting pretty high above the sea, the chapel occupies the site of many relics before it, with evidence of hillforts atop Rame Head dating as far back as the Iron Age. Today, the hollow frame of the chapel, which is dedicated to St Michael and dates back to the 13th century, makes for a striking focal point during coastal walks. Wander out under crisp blue skies and walk to the top of the headland to see the chapel and the breathtaking panoramas that unfurl around it.
Port Eliot House & Gardens
Tucked within a secret corner of the county, Port Eliot House and Gardens call to wanderlust seekers with a world of wonder. Renowned for its annual music festivals and spellbinding grounds, it promises fairytale adventures for revellers and wayfarers alike. Coincide your escapades with one of the estate’s enchanting events or simply arrive in time to drift through its manicured landscapes at a slower pace. Providing menus of culinary delectation is the onsite Eliot Arms pub too.
National Trust Antony
Set between Torpoint and Saltash, National Trust Antony encourages days of storybook exploration from spring until autumn. One of the filming locations for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the estate’s lovingly tended gardens, yew tree hedge, and heritage trees create a beguiling window into fairytale realms. Make your way to Antony in spring to absorb a kaleidoscope of bulbs and blooms, before basking in the serenity of the summer garden alight with roses, poppies, peonies and alliums.
Maker Heights
Maker Heights is a former military site lovingly reimagined into a creative hub with sweeping views over countryside and coast. Home to five scheduled monuments and 17 Grade II* listed structures, it entices visitors to connect with both the area’s rich history, natural allure, and creative heart. Across its thriving spaces, an eclectic tapestry features the beloved Canteen café, Garrison Gallery, and The Guardhouse, as well as dedicated music and art spaces and seasonal sauna.
Things to Do
Walk the South West Coast Path
Embrace the simple pleasure of walking with a soul-stirring peregrination along the South West Coast Path. From the villages of Kingsand and Cawsand, journeys in each direction unveil spectacular coastalscapes, from the heavenly views from Penlee Point and wide sandy shawl of Whitsand Bay to the siren call of Devon beyond the River Tamar. Complement your walk with the tastiest artisan supplies to fuel your energy and inspire further footsteps amongst the area’s stunning surrounds.
Day Trip to Plymouth
For those seeking to savour a taste of city living, hop aboard the ferry from Cremyll Quay and make way towards Admiral’s Hard in Plymouth. An historic passenger ferry taking day-trippers on foot or bike across the water, it offers a novel way to travel between the tranquil depths of Cornwall’s forgotten corner and Britain’s Ocean City. With The Barbican, Royal William Yard, The Box, Market Hall, and The Hoe just some of the places to visit, all manner of award-winning activities and attractions await to be discovered.
Go Paddleboarding
Kingsand and Cawsand are home to a number of inviting sandy beaches, including two Kingsand and Cawsand beaches, Girt Beach, and Sandways Beach. Ideal for paddleboarding on calm days, the beaches’ gently shelving shorelines entice for ocean-dipped pursuits. Wander down to the waterline with your board, or hire equipment from one of the villages’ local operators. To adventure slightly further afield, stretches of the River Tamar are also adored for paddleboarding excursions, framed with bowed archways of myriad leaves and banks overlooked by open countryside.
Enjoy a Leisurely Boat Cruise
For a different way to explore the waterways surrounding Kingsand and Cawsand, why not flee the everyday with a leisurely boat cruise? With various departure points and destinations to choose from, you can experience dreamworthy scenes from the magic of the water. From Plymouth Boat Trips and Torpoint Sailing Club to Looe Island day trips, weigh anchor and uncover the coast from a whole new perspective.
Whitsand Bay Golf Club
Established in 1905, Whitsand Bay Golf Club boasts a unique 18-hole golf course. Located on the clifftops overlooking the incredible scenery of Whitsand Bay, its backdrop alone makes for an irresistible proposition. Open year-round, it also offers golfers the chance to play a challenging course in a plethora of conditions, with each season bringing its own dynamics and charm. Book your tee time on this 6,015-yard, par-70 course and look forward to unforgettable play, before heading to the clubhouse’s Dovecote Café to satiate appetites with a side of diamond-studded sea vistas.
Feeling inspired for a soulful sojourn? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Kingsand and Cawsand.
