Cornwall: Sunsets, Surf & Seaside Towns

My Cornwall Escape

After Devon, I drove to Cornwall to base myself there for two months (April to May). There’s something about Cornwall, its mix of cliff trails, surf, and sea air, that keeps you chasing the next view. Days begin with the sound of seagulls, and end with fiery sunsets over the ocean. Somewhere in between you’re walking cliffs, swimming in turquoise coves, and finding cafes that make remote work feel like holiday.

In April, I based myself in Perranporth, a long golden stretch on Cornwall’s north coast. My days found a natural rhythm: morning walks with Roly along the beach, hours spent working from a boho cafe or my seafront cottage Airbnb, and evening runs at low tide. There’s an effortless ease to life here, the kind that makes even ordinary moments feel cinematic.

North Cornwall. Beach Days & Coastal Living

Perranporth quickly felt like home. In April, the town had a calm, easy flow before the summer crowds rolled in, so it often felt like Roly and I had the beach to ourselves, sharing it with the locals and their dogs. People here are genuinely friendly; everyone smiles, says hello, and it doesn’t take long before you start recognising the same faces on your morning walks.

At low tide, Perranporth Beach stretches for miles, an 8 km expanse of golden sand where you’ll see everything from surfers and wild swimmers to riders cantering their horses along the shoreline. It’s the kind of beach that changes by the hour: calm in the morning, lively by afternoon, glowing amber at sunset.

No.4 Breakfast & Bistro is a good go-to for a post-walk brunch. Seiners Arms was the local spot for hearty pub food and local energy. The Tywarnhayle Pub, The Deck Bar, and Pickwicks Fish & Chips were also go-to's depending on the mood; whether it was a casual pint, fish and chips, or a glass of wine.

For sunset, Summerhouse, is a sound choice as it has an elevated view perched right above the sand, or The Watering Hole, the bar set directly on the beach perfect for drinks with ocean views and that warm, golden light that makes you forget what time it is.

When I wasn’t out exploring, I’d work from a cafe window or my seafront cottage Airbnb, watching the tide roll back in, surfers catching the last waves of the day, dogs chasing tennis balls into the surf. It’s the kind of place that balances energy and calm perfectly.

Just up the coast, St Agnes Head and Wheal Coates delivered beautiful clifftop trails. From the path, you can look out over the old Wheal Coates mine, rusted stone walls set against the bright Atlantic, with surfers catching waves at Chapel Porth below.

I enjoyed The Peterville Inn and The Driftwood Spars in St Agnes for cosy pub vibes and Sunday roasts. The Tap House, just up the road, is another favourite, laid-back, friendly, and always serving something good on their weekly lunch specials.

Newquay. Surf Vibes & Boho Cafes

A short drive from Perranporth is Newquay which is where I stayed for my second month in Cornwall. It blended surf culture with coastal energy. Beaches like Fistral, Great Western, and Tolcarne were ideal for long walks and sea swims, while Pentire Headland offered panoramic views over Crantock Beach.

Between calls, I’d set up at local cafes like Saltd, NALU Coffee House, Project Eighty Three, or Counterculture, all great for remote work with a side of sea breeze. One of my favourite spots, though, was The Colonial Seafood & Grill on Tolcarne Beach. It’s got that perfect beachfront vibe, you can work from their glass conservatory or patio, order something fresh off the menu, and feel like you’re on holiday even mid-workday. The food’s excellent, the service is warm, and honestly, nothing beats taking a break straight onto the sand on a sunshine day. 

In the evenings, I enjoyed live music at Project Eighty Three, wine and homemade pasta at Little Ears Italian (yummy Italian, simple, authentic, and full of flavour), or a drink at The Red Lion pub. 

Further along the coast, Mawgan Porth and Holywell Bay stretch wide and open, the kind of beaches where Roly could run for miles. Porthtowan and Mount Hawke are smaller surf towns with a quieter, more local feel that were perfect to wander through between workdays.

Road Trip Day Adventures

St Ives

No Cornwall trip is complete without venturing west. St Ives was every bit as pretty as promised, cobbled lanes spilling toward the harbour, local art galleries tucked between cafes, and that unmistakable sea-salt energy in the air. I spent the afternoon wandering from boutique to beach, ending with fresh oysters and a glass of wine at Cintra Seafood Bar, watching fishing boats sway in the tide.

Sennen Cove & Land’s End

Further west, Sennen Cove felt straight out of a film, turquoise water, sweeping dunes, and surfers catching the last light of the day. After a windswept walk along the coast path toward Land’s End, I stopped at The Old Success Inn for a drink and a plate of something hearty.

Penzance

I spent a day in Penzance, exploring its waterfront and narrow backstreets. The town has a quiet charm, working harbour, creative shops, and locals who’ll happily point you toward their favourite bakery. It’s a perfect jumping-off point for exploring Cornwall’s far west, with St Ives, Mousehole, and Sennen Cove all close by.

Newlyn

Next door to Penzance, Newlyn is smaller and more creative, an old fishing village with a modern twist. It’s known for its art scene and seafood, and Argoe is the spot everyone talks about. The view from the window tables looks straight over the working harbour, and the food, local fish, with lots of flavour and perfectly cooked is worth the detour on its own.

The Eden Project

Heading inland, The Eden Project was a total contrast, a rainforest hidden inside giant glass domes. Tropical palms, Mediterranean gardens, and waterfalls fill the air with humidity and colour. It’s part science project, part escape, and completely worth the detour.

Mawgan Porth & Holywell Bay

Back on the north coast, are Mawgan Porth and Holywell Bay, wide, open beaches perfect for long walks, sea, sand, and endless horizon.

Porthtowan & Mount Hawke

Porthtowan and Mount Hawke offered a slower pace, small surf towns with local cafes and restaurants and hidden coves. Perfect for low-key afternoons between workdays, and watching surfers chase the tide.

South Cornwall. Secret Coves & Garden Calm

Heading south, I fell for the creative, bohemian energy of Falmouth, one of my favourite towns in Cornwall. I spent the day wandering its harbour streets, popping into little boutiques and galleries before dinner at Cribbs, a Caribbean restaurant full of good vibes and warmth. Nearby, Glendurgan Gardens was a dream to explore, winding paths, exotic blooms, and leafy trails that open onto hidden views of the Helford River.

Further along the coast, the Lizard Peninsula was a hidden gem. Kynance Cove felt almost tropical, sheer cliffs dropping into turquoise water and soft white sand tucked between rocky coves. I also drove out toward Helston for my mum’s birthday dinner at The Greenhouse in St Keverne. It's husband and wife owned and specialises in fresh local ingredients, the perfect end to a coastal day.

East Cornwall & Hidden Corners

Inland, Golitha Falls was a peaceful woodland walk leading to waterfalls on the River Fowey, while Bodmin Moor and Lanhydrock Estate added a dose of history and open space.

Padstow proved worth the hype, seafood at Prawn on the Lawn and a walk along the harbour made for a perfect day.

Dog-Friendly Cornwall  🐾

Cornwall is a dog’s paradise. Almost every beach and trail welcomes dogs, and pubs like Driftwood Spars and The Peterville Inn go out of their way to make them feel part of the family. Roly loved all of the beaches, swimming and running wild across endless sand.

💌 A Note from the Road

Cornwall was a mix of everything I love, beach walks, good food, friendly people, and that constant pull to get outside. From morning swims to working from boho cafes in and exploring coastal towns, every day felt different and effortless. It’s one of those places where you can work, wander, and feel completely at ease all at once.