How to Spend the Perfect Summer’s Day in Crantock

28th June 2022

This weeks blog has been kindly written by our great friends over at The Bowgie! Carry on reading to find out 'How to Spend the Perfect Summer's Day in Crantock' 

Summer is in full swing here in Cornwall with the longest day fast approaching. All the hedgerows are lush and vibrant and humming with life, and the beaches are looking like they belong in the tropics! This is our favourite time of year when our home here on West Pentire really puts on a show, especially with the poppies blooming across the headland and painting the neighbouring fields a beautiful red. 

So what’s the ultimate way to spend a summer’s day here on Crantock Beach, to really make the most of this breathtaking part of the world in its prime?

To start with, make sure you come on a day when the sun is shining and the blue skies are stretching endlessly out over the ocean - we all know, even in summer, the Cornish weather can be a little unpredictable…! We’d also suggest checking the surf forecast before you come - a little swell running would be perfect, but anything too big and powerful won’t make for the most relaxing of swims! 

Every beach day needs a picnic, so be sure to pack your favourites, along with all the other beach essentials: beach mats and towels, sun cream, swimmers, a good book, buckets & spades (if the little ones are coming along!) and a rubbish bag for any empty packets or litter you need to take home with you at the end of the day. A parasol might also be a good idea if you’re not a huge heat fan or if you’re bringing a four-legged friend with you, plus plenty of water (for them and yourself!) 

Now, we know some of you may not be content to sit on the beach all day, which is why Crantock is one of the best beaches to visit in Cornwall - there’s so much to explore! The beach is filled with caves and other nooks and crannies to investigate and get lost in for an hour or two - another tip, go on a day where low tide is around mid morning or midday, so all the caves will be easily accessible and there’s no risk of the incoming tide making access dangerous. (If the tide is coming in, we strongly advise against exploring in any caves.) 

There is also our South West Coast Path that runs in either direction from Crantock, both north and south routes are equally enjoyable and provide endless, jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Heading north you can look up the coast to see Newquay, and on from that both Park Head and Trevose Head (with a white lighthouse on the end of it) jutting out into the sea. If you walk south you’ll come across the beautiful Polly Joke Cove and Holywell Bay, as well as passing through the incredible crimson blanket of poppies which are blooming at this time of year on West Pentire Headland. 

After working up an appetite with a walk or an explore across the beach (or a sunbathing/ book reading session if you decided to stay put!), it will certainly be time to break out that picnic, sit back and take in the sunshine. The sun will be at its strongest and hottest at midday, so take extra care with the sun cream and sun hats! 

Once lunch has been enjoyed (and you’ve waited at least an hour after eating) an afternoon swim is always the perfect thing to cool off from the heat. There’s a choice of swim spots at Crantock - The Gannel or the sea. Often children will play in The Gannel as it’s normally very safe and calm, which also makes it great for kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. But if you fancied a little more action for your swim, the sea will likely provide lots of fun if there’s a small swell running, with waves to splash about in, dive underneath and bodysurf. (Remember - there are always lifeguards on the beach at this time of the year to keep you safe in the sea, so be sure to swim between the red and yellow flags and ask them if you’re uncomfortable or concerned about anything.) 

By the time you’ve finished in the water, dried off and are sat warming up on the sand, the day will slowly be drawing to a close, but of course, there’s one very important thing left to do before heading home - dinner! And we happen to know a great little spot, right on the cliffs on the far side of the beach…

A visit to Crantock wouldn’t be complete without dinner at The Bowgie! So after you’re done on the sand, flip-flop along to our beer garden where you can relax with a glass of something chilled and your favourite pub meal while you watch the sun sink down towards the horizon…Pure bliss.

Now that’s what we call a day well spent. 

We’ll see you soon!

Team Bowgie x

For more informtion on The Bowgie please click here: The Bowgie Inn