If you want to escape Cornwall’s crazy summer busy-ness, you have to get inventive with Google Maps.
This is my #1 suggestion if you’re on the lookout for secret Cornish coves at any time of year, but during August it’s always a necessity for locals wanting to find a bit of peace and quiet.
Last month, in the middle of heaving August, a group of us drove down to the Lizard peninsula, where I’d spotted a beautiful river-side cove on Google Maps. It’s always a dilemma whether to share the names of these peaceful places we discover, but in this case I’m going to keep it to myself. I’ve written before about some tips for finding your own secret beaches when visiting Cornwall, though, so definitely check that out!
Anyway they’re never really that secret, because anyone can find them and post about them online. This particular one is on the Lizard side of the Helford river, with beautiful views across to some of my favourite coves and beaches in Cornwall, and it’s definitely worth the trek.
From Truro, it takes around 50 minutes to drive to this area, and down some insanely small and windy Cornish country roads, too. I wouldn’t recommend it if you get very car sick, or if you’re not comfortable driving down these types of lanes.
We parked near Helford village, and walked along the coast path to find the cove once we arrived, with Google Maps rough directions as our guide. The walk is probably about 20 to 25 minutes to get there, but as I say – it’s worth it!
Of course, we weren’t the only ones there (no beaches are really that secret, because everyone does the same as we do!) and let’s remember it was mid-August too. But it was still 100x quieter than the more popular beaches on the North and South coasts, which looked like a total nightmare on this hot, summery day.
We clambered over some rocks to find the most secluded, quiet spot we could, and ended up with basically a whole little beach to ourselves to relax out onto.
We spent the afternoon dipping in and out of the water and climbing over rocks taking photos. We couldn’t quite believe how stunning this little piece of paradise truly was, and also majorly regretted not bringing a picnic with us…
Instead, we popped into Helford village on our way back in search of some food, but (predictably) had no luck on this front. The Shipwright Arms (a gorgeous, quaint creekside inn) was more than fully booked, and the village shop had run out of pasties – nightmare! But to be expected in August I suppose…
I visited again a few weeks later (this time not forgetting the picnic!), and once again was wow-ed at the stunning colours of the water of this cove and how peaceful it was on a bank holiday August weekend.
If only you’d stopped at Gear Farm on your way there, their pasties and savouries are fantastic. Always like to pick something up there before trekking on the Lizard.