We seemed to be experiencing some sort of Indian summer yesterday here in Cornwall…can’t believe it’s October! With this as the perfect excuse to get out there, we decided to explore the South West Coast Path.

We found ourselves settling at Porthluney Beach, a lovely sandy beach nessled between rolling hills and working farms towards Caerhays and Gorran, Cornwall. With it’s own carpark it was easy to be on the beach in minutes and it seemed everyone many others loved this area too. We couldn’t resist taking a few shots for a panoramic!

Towels down and few chapters of my book read, it didn’t take long before i needed to cool down and take a dip. One, two, three i counted before diveing under a wave. I managed a few ‘lengths’, bobbing around other swimmers, children playing and kayakers coming back to shore.

Refreshed and ready for lunch i headed back up the beach. Although we had a picnic prepared there is a shop and cafe by the beach which was great to top up with water throughout our visit. With public toilets also situated very near by it seems Porthluney has everything to offer.

Time passed quickly and so to keep to our plan we packed up and went for a stroll before leaving. The beautiful Caerhays Castle is directly across the road, set in 60 acres of woodland. Although, shut at this time of year you can still get a glimpse of the gardens and English Heritage Grade 1 Listed Building from the road. Built by the famous architect, John Nash for the Trevanion family in the early 1800s. It houses a magnificent selection of plants brought back from China and the Far East by the plant hunters of the early 1900s. The gardens also hold the National Magnolia Collection. So with our little nosey over we started to make our way back.

At the top of the hill there was such a fantastic view South towards Nare Head and Gull Rock, we had to stop for a better look. Cows were drinking in the next field and walkers were taking advantage of the beautiful coastal footpath. It felt so high up and the fields simply rolled down to the sea. The view was immense, and the air so fresh, any cobwebs were definitely blown out!

What a great way to spend one of the last few days of summer this year!