Pretty much anywhere on the North coast of Cornwall, you’re bound to find an amazing spot to see the sun set.
However I have a few select favourite spots that I’ve found the sunset to be extra beautiful! Now that the evenings are darker and the sun is setting around 5pm, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out and take some sunset pics on your way home from work or school, or head out on weekend evening to capture this stunning moment before a meal or seaside drinks.
Don’t get me wrong – sunsets can also be beautiful on the South coast of Cornwall too, but you get to see more of it and actually see the glimpse of light as the sun goes under the ocean horizon, which is especially exciting. There are also plenty of places further north of Wadebridge and further South than St. Ives that I have never visited, which could have equally as spectacular sunsets!
1. Godrevy
With its iconic lighthouse and panoramic views of St. Ives bay, on a clear evening, Godrevy beach and cliffs are an absolute dream for sunset watching. I have fond memories of beach BBQs here on the cliffs or nestled in the sand, followed by sunset sea swims and jumping off the rocks.
2. Basset’s Cove
I’ve written a billion times about the beautiful Basset’s Cove on this blog. It’s a small cove found on the North cliffs between Portreath and Godrevy, with a big National Trust car park opposite the Tehidy Woods north entrance. It’s an awesome South West Coast Path parking area, picnic spot, and sunset indulgence!
3. Perranporth
The great thing about Perranporth is that it not only has a range of seafront bars and restaurants to choose from (try the Watering Hole, Summer House or Alcatraz!), but it is also a dog friendly beach! When the tide is out, there’s so much space for the pups to run around and enjoy themselves while you relax and watch the sky turn into magic!
4. Fistral
Fistral is one of the last beaches on this coast that faces enough towards the West to see the full sunset on the horizon, before the Newquay headland and it gets harder to see the sun to the West. It’s also dog friendly with a choice of bars, and is also a well known surfing hotspot so you could head out for a dreamy sunset surf too!
Where’s your favourite place to watch the sun set?
I grew up in Penzance and know some great places to take photos of sunsets in both the South and the North. One of my favourites is battery rocks in Penzance, just on the other side of the Jubilee lido. October is a great time. This is a hidden gem, and many photographers don’t know it’s there.