St Agnes is a popular holiday destination for those looking to explore the Cornish coast and its hidden gems – and it’s not hard to see why
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the north Cornish coast, St Agnes is a hidden treasure that proudly sits within both a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site.
This coastal hamlet thrives on its lively local community, which supports a host of independent shops and businesses. With breathtaking, dog-friendly beaches, top-tier pubs and restaurants, and access to some of Cornwall’s most awe-inspiring coastal paths and walks, it’s no surprise it’s touted as a traveller’s paradise.
St Agnes, a delightful seaside village nestled on the north coast of Cornwall, England, boasts several scenic beaches for travellers to explore including Trevaunance Cove, Chapel Porth, and Porthtowan, all incredibly popular spots for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.
The area is steeped in nearly a century of Cornish industrial history, encapsulated in sites like the disused 19th-century tin mine Wheal Coates. The beauty and rich history of St Agnes have caught the attention of the United Nations, earning it UNESCO World Heritage Site status and impressing thousands of visitors.
Despite being one of the largest coastal villages in Cornwall, St Agnes maintains a cosy charm. One of its most notable landmarks is St Agnes Beacon, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area and historically serving as a lookout point, reports the Express.
St Agnes, a quaint seaside village often overlooked by tourists, offers stunning coastal views with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and idyllic countryside landscapes. It’s also home to The Peterville Inn, which has previously been crowned the UK’s best pub by the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
The village is steeped in history, with its roots firmly planted in the tin and copper mining industry that dominated the area during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, remnants of this mining heritage, such as engine houses and mine shafts, still dot the landscape.
This charming seaside town, with its maze of lanes and delightful shops, is a haven for holidaymakers. Its narrow streets, filled with Cornish charm, make St Agnes a hit among tourists.
Chapel Porth Beach is a must-see attraction, and the Chapel Porth Beach Café, famous for its hedgehog ice creams made from cones, clotted cream and hazelnuts, comes highly recommended by visitors.
Other attractions in and around St Agnes include the St Agnes Museum, Perranporth Airfield, the Chapel Porth to St Agnes Circular Walk, and the St Agnes to Trevellas Porth Circular Walk.
St Agnes is also known for its lively community of local artisans, shops, and eateries that offer a taste of Cornwall’s unique culture and culinary delights.
The television connection
St Agnes Head, a scenic spot on the Cornwall coastline, features a beach tucked away within a cove which is accessible via a coastal path.
Fans of Ross Poldark will be chuffed to learn that Winston Graham, the author of the Poldark series, resided just a stone’s throw away and used the entire Parish as inspiration for his novels, dubbing it ‘Poldark Country’.
This Cornish National Trust site has garnered global recognition due to its connection with the popular British telly series and has been lauded as one of the world’s most stunning locations.
The site is instantly recognisable, with its chapel peeking out from swathes of heather and gorse, serving as the backdrop for the BBC’s smash hit TV series Poldark.