Hotels in Pentewan: Beach, cycle route and historic buildings

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Pentewan combines a beach more than half a mile long with listed architecture, cycle routes and watersports. You can choose different priorities when planning your stay: the coast, architectural history or a cycling route. Between St Austell and Pentewan, the Pentewan Valley Trail follows the route of the former Pentewan Railway. Watersports equipment is available to hire at Pentewan Sands beach; Harbour Quays and the Church of All Saints are both Grade II listed buildings.

Beach and watersports

Pentewan Beach stretches for more than half a mile. Paddleboards, kayaks, windsurfers and boats are available to hire at Pentewan Sands beach; activities depend on sea conditions. The length of the beach and the watersports hire represent different aspects of the coastal theme: one describes its extent, while the other names specific activities on the water. If watersports are part of your trip, factor sea conditions into your plans for the day.

Listed buildings

Harbour Quays is a Grade II listed building, built in 1826. The structure includes granite quays and a lock leading to the harbour basin. The harbour entrance is now completely silted up. At Harbour Quays, the described architectural features and the condition of the entrance are thus different aspects of the harbour complex.

The Church of All Saints is also a Grade II listed building. It was built in 1821 as part of a planned group of buildings with houses Nos. 4–8 on Church Row. The front and the beginnings of the side walls feature ashlar made from Pentewan stone. Ashlar refers to masonry made from worked, square-cut stones: the term describes the building technique, while Pentewan stone identifies the material. In the church, both the material and its specific placement are therefore part of the architectural design.

Chronologically, the Church of All Saints was built before Harbour Quays: 1821 compared with 1826. The two Grade II listed buildings also differ in their form: the church was built as part of a planned group on Church Row, while Harbour Quays includes granite quays and a lock leading to the harbour basin.

Cycling routes between Pentewan and St Austell

The Pentewan Valley Trail is 3½ miles long and mostly flat. Between St Austell and Pentewan, it follows the route of the former Pentewan Railway. Much of the route is wooded, with some sections running close to the riverbank. Its length, mostly flat terrain and former railway alignment provide different points of reference for understanding the trail: they describe its extent, route and historical course. The woodland and riverbank add further landscape features to the description.

From Pentewan, you can also follow the Cornish Way cycle route. This gives you two different options when choosing a route: the Pentewan Valley Trail, with its specified length and mostly flat course, and the Cornish Way, which you can follow from Pentewan.

Discover more destinations: Saint Just in Roseland, Lanivet, St Agnes, Linkinhorne, Torpoint, Bodinnick, Saint Minver, Maxworthy

For the main travel overview: Cornwall.

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