Close to the North Coast village of St.Agnes, Trevaunance Cove is a popular family beach with much to offer. Compared with most beaches along this stretch of coast it is slightly more sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds and feels like a ‘cove’. It faces north and is backed by high cliffs that are riddled with former mining adits and is surrounded by a wealth of mining history. It is known locally as ‘Aggie Beach’.
TR5 0RT - From the A30 at Chiverton Cross, (8kms from Truro) take the B3277 to St.Agnes (5kms). Go through the village and down the hill to Peterville and at the bottom take the first left which is Quay Road; after about 600m there is the main car park on the left (capacity approx 110 cars) – the walk along the road to the beach is 300m. Slightly nearer the beach is a small car park 100m above the beach (capacity 46 cars) but this is always full at peak times. Roadside parking is very limited due to parking restrictions all along Quay Road and part way up Rocky Lane so parking can be an issue during holiday periods. Parking in St.Agnes involves a walk of 1.5kms.
Access on to the beach is down a slipway from Quay Road which although fairly steep is relatively easy; adjacent is a boat slipway. There is also a long flight of steps down the cliffs to the beach on the westerly side. At low water it is possible to cross the foreshore (500m) from Trevellas, the small cove to the east, or, alternatively use the Coast Path which despite the steep climb up and down, is well worth it for the views overlooking both coves.
At spring tides there is no beach at high water but at neap tides there is usually a strip of sand and shingle about 250m long right across the beach. It is also stony around the boat slipway. At low water a flat expanse of fine yellow sand is revealed that makes the cove seem much larger than it is. A stream crosses the beach that is popular with children. At low water there are stony and rocky areas either side of the beach when the tide recedes. On the easterly side the rocky foreshore extends all the way to Trevellas. It is still very much a fishing cove with the boat hard-standing always well in use.
There is a safety/rescue point above the beach. RNLI lifeguards are on duty during the summer months from the last week in May until the end of September. There is a designated bathing area which is flagged in the usual way.
It is normally not safe for swimming due to strong currents, especially at low water. However, when the lifeguards are on duty then bathing can be possible in the designated area; at high water in very calm conditions a swim can be a possible.
When the conditions are right it can be packed with surfers of all types, including beginners and those more experienced. It usually has some reasonable surf but it is always a lot calmer than Chapel Porth and Porthtowan the other side of St.Agnes Head or nearby Perranporth in the other direction. It is a classic right hand beach break that is best when the wind is from the south-west and between low and mid tide. It is generally regarded as a perfect north coast beach for beginners.
Because of the normal swell, it is not a snorkelling beach. However, on a relatively high tide in calm conditions it can be extremely good especially around the remains of the old harbour on the westerly side of the beach. Also snorkelling towards Trevellas can also be well worthwhile but should be emphasised it can be a long wait sometimes for conditions to make this possible.
The abundance of rock pools is one of the reasons it is such a good family beach. In summer, lots of children (and adults) with nets is a common occurrence. However rock pooling is best undertaken at very low tide. Fishing off the rocks is also popular especially on the westerly side of the beach around the harbour remains.
There are no restrictions on dogs but it is requested that dogs are kept on leads.
There are toilets less than 50m up the slipway access on the left hand side which includes disabled and baby changing facilities.
There is a cafe, beach shop and restaurant off the slipway down to the beach. There is a well known pub that has its own micro brewery 200m from the beach along Quay Road. There are further facilities further along Quay Road at Peterville (1km from the beach), and also in the village of St.Agnes itself.
The slipway can be used to launch small craft but this may be somewhat difficult at the height of the summer season when it is busy.
Although the beach is not cleaned, it is relatively free from water borne litter. Although it was Marine Conservation Recommended in 2009 because of its excellent water quality, in 2010 the quality was more variable due to the nature of the water from the stream. Care needs to be taken when near the very unstable cliffs. It is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site so has much to offer, including a number of caves and lots to explore and the remains of the former harbour which stood for 118 years until 1916 when storms washed it away.
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