The best places to stay in Cornwall for wild swimming
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As summer draws to a close, we’ve been reflecting on our favourite swims of the season and all of the great memories we have made around the Cornish coastline. The weather may not have been the best this year, but it doesn’t mean the swims haven’t been. One of the great things about wild swimming is that whether it’s glorious sunshine, lashing with rain or even hailing, you never regret a swim! In fact, as much as we love calm seas and blue skies, there’s often a sense of fulfillment and achievement that comes with swimming in adverse conditions that you simply can’t get from fair weather days.
As we look back on a summer of swimming, we have also been reminiscing on our favourite swimming locations – of which there are no shortage in Cornwall! If you’re looking for new swim spots to visit, we’ve included some of the best places in Cornwall for wild swimming below. Or, if you’re looking for the ultimate inspiration, our book A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall includes 54 glorious swimming locations from all around the county.
We’ve also teamed up with our friends Unique Hideaways in this blog, to provide accommodation ideas for those traveling from further afield, or for those looking for a wild swimming staycation. Their quirky accommodation options are handpicked to provide visitors with unique nature-inspired experiences, many of which can be found in Cornwall. Our favourites are their eco-escapes along with their Cornish hideaways with sea views.
Have you ever noticed that sea views elevate your mood and make you feel more relaxed?
The Roseland Peninsula
Occupying the stretch of coastline between the eastern banks of the Fal River and St Austell, the Roseland Peninsula is one of Cornwall’s most unspoilt regions. It’s also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – a well deserved designation, given its preserved landscape of woodland, cliffs, beaches and estuaries. Its western edge is bordered by the Fal Estuary where a number of enchanting creeks make for quiet swimming locations. To the east, the coastline faces onto the English Channel where the beaches are backed by quintessential Cornish fishing villages. One of our favourite things to do on the Roseland is to go for a walk and see if we can stumble upon a new cove or swimming location. Due to the sheltered aspect of this stretch of coastline, it’s often possible to do this year-round.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay on the Roseland, the Pilchard Shed is a cosy cabin set back from the cobbled streets of St Mawes Harbour. If you’d like to know our favourite swimming locations on the Roseland, check out A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall.
Located just footsteps from the harbour, the Pilchard Shed is perfectly located for swimming in St Mawes
Falmouth and the Helford
Home to our local swim spot, Falmouth and its surrounds offer a chance to swim in both river and beach locations. Hidden in the Carrick Roads are a seemingly endless amount of tidal creeks and inlets, whilst Falmouth Bay is home to a number of beaches perfect for swimming. Falmouth is well-protected from all weather conditions, other than easterly gales, making it an excellent swimming location year-round. It is also home to a friendly swimming community, who can be found enjoying their dose of cold regardless of the weather. When strong easterlies appear, flock to the nearby Helford River which is a well-sheltered haven just a short drive away. Here, ancient oak trees flank the river banks and nature is all around.
The perfect accommodation for those seeking a daily dose of wild swimming, Skylark is a tiny house set in the woodland on the banks of Mylor Creek.
With a calm creek nearby, this tiny house is just a stone’s throw from the water
St Ives Bay
St Ives Bay is a crescent-shaped expanse of water that stretches for six miles between St Ives and Godrevy Head. Home to some of Cornwall’s most picturesque beaches and the iconic lighthouse on Godrevy Island, it’s no wonder this part of Cornwall is a favourite with tourists and visitors alike. Whilst St Ives Bay is well-known to surfers, it’s also a popular swimming location. On sunny days you can be forgiven for thinking you’re in the tropics, as immaculate white sand meets crystal clear waters making a swim near enough irresistible. The town’s beaches boast award-winning blue flag status and when weather and waves roll in from the Atlantic, Carbis Bay is often sheltered. If you can dodge the crowds in the summer, St Ives is paradisiacal.
Just a short drive from St Ives lies the Shepherd’s Hut at Georgia Bridge – a quiet bolthole, surrounded by tropical plants and a gurgling stream.
A remote hideaway surrounded by nature, near some of the best beaches in the whole of Cornwall
North Cornwall tidal pools
Nothing encapsulates the magic of wild swimming than stumbling upon a tidal pool and having it all to yourself. This is why we love the north Cornwall coastline all the way from Bude to Penwith. Whilst there are plenty of lesser-known tidal pools waiting to be discovered, there are also several to be found on well-known north coast beaches. Visit them at low-tide and you can watch surfers shredding the waves whilst going for a cold dip sheltered from the elements. Amongst the most well-known north Cornwall tidal pools are Bude and Porthtowan, however there are a huge number more to be found. Tie a tidal pool hunt in with a coastal ramble and you may be surprised by what you find. If you’d like to discover some of our favourite tidal pools, check out A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall.
Located in the middle of north Cornwall, near the A30, Ginger Hideaway is the perfect launchpad for exploring the coastline and tidal pools.
If you’re looking to discover multiple wild swimming locations, Ginger Hideaway is perfectly located near plenty of north coast tidal pools
South East Cornwall
Famed for its family friendly beaches and quaint fishing villages, south east Cornwall has a glowing reputation as a wild swimming location. It is home to some of Cornwall’s calmest waters and as you follow the coastline south towards the Roseland there are plenty of fantastic swim spots to be discovered. Whether it’s tidal pools, open water swimming sites or jaw-dropping coves which take your breath away, this part of the Cornish coastline has more than got you covered. Fowey River is amongst South East Cornwall’s most famous waterways and is best-known today as a mecca for sailors. However, it also provides beautiful swimming locations, especially towards the mouth of the estuary. Here, still waters and soft sand underfoot offer everything that could be wanted by a wild swimmer – all amidst a backdrop of steep valleys which are overlooked by a crumbling castle.
Further north, near the south Devon border, Captain Blake’s Retreat offers another south east haven for swimmers. Located on the edge of the cliffs overlooking Whitsand Bay, it is a remote hideout just a few steps from the waterline.
You can’t get much closer to the beach than this gorgeous house overlooking Whitsand bay
It’s safe to say that there are plenty of amazing places to swim in Cornwall, with plenty of amazing places to stay. So next time you’re feeling in need of some rest and recuperation, why not prioritise spending time in nature and enjoying the benefits of wild swimming?
You can also check out our find your group page, to meet up with a local swimming group near where you stay.
