08 May Enjoy the Perfect Family Day Out in Charlestown: Be Transported Back in Time by the Tall Ships Experience, Rent Kayaks and Paddle Boards, Walk the Coast Path and Treat Yourself to Fish and Chips on the Beach
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- Experience the charm of Charlestown Harbour
- Discover the underwater secrets of the Shipwreck Treasure Museum
- Explore the South West Coast Path with a walk to Porthpean Beach
- Enjoy a sea swim, kayak or SUP tour
- Treat yourself to Fish and Chips on the beach
- Let the kids run wild at The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Charlestown: 13 miles from Atlantic Reach, 30 minute drive
One of the best things about Atlantic Reach is its prime location, close to many of Cornwall’s greatest attractions and beaches. By basing yourself at Atlantic Reach, you’ll have a wealth of ocean and inland adventures at your fingertips, the North and South coasts within striking distance, and endless options for days-out that are perfect for families who love Cornwall.
Our insider knowledge will help you plan the best family day out in Charlestown
Like a scene straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean, a completely unique Cornish experience awaits you at Charlestown, just 13 miles away from Atlantic Reach. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place where the bygone era of tall ships is brought to life with incredible vividity.
The following itinerary is a local’s guide to the top things to do in Charlestown, everything has been tried and tested by us, and we loved every single minute of it! Use this list to help create your own dream day out on the south coast.
Charlestown has a real buzz about it
Firstly, whilst Charlestown is a small village, dwarfed by other harbour towns like Newquay or Padstow, it is no sleepy backwater. There is a charming energy to the activity here – hospitality, retail and art industries thrive and new businesses are popping up all the time. You’ll find a wide choice of eateries in Charlestown, as well as some interesting shops and galleries to explore, if you are that way inclined. There are interests to suit the whole family, and if you’re travelling with multiple generations you’ll find that everyone interprets the magic of Charlestown in their own way.
Get ready to be transported back in time to a world of pirates and tall ships
Charlestown Harbour is a jewel on the stunning, South Cornish coast, and the only remaining 18th Century Georgian harbour still in operation in the UK today. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the unique landscape of this vibrant working port, witness the majesty of the classic tall ships and imagine yourself back in the time of Jack Sparrow.
Originally built in the late 1700s as a port for St Austell, Charlestown Harbour provided the ideal sheltered spot for the transport of lucrative china clay. Charlestown remains a working port today, however its days of heavy industry are behind it, and in recent years it’s been more in demand as a film location for productions such as Poldark, Taboo and BAIT.
A wide range of historic sailing vessels still enjoy safe harbour at Charlestown, some of which are recognised for their importance on the National Register of Historic Vessels. A few interesting ships to look out for are Charlestown’s flagship topsail schooner Anny of Charlestown, Ryder a traditional Cornish lifeboat and the beautiful Lady Daphne.
Discover underwater secrets at The Shipwreck Treasure Museum!
The Shipwreck Treasure Museum houses Europe’s largest private collection of shipwreck artefacts – nearly 8,000 pieces from over 150 shipwrecks. You’ll learn about the objects brought back from the waves, and the stories of the divers who took great risks to recover them.
See a real cannon ball, which will bring to life the impact these weapons would have had on the wooden ships of the day. You’ll also see the only barrel of coins to have ever been salvaged from a wreck intact, as well as gold bullion bars, copper ingots and manillas, the currency of slavery. Each of these exhibits tells a story of the journey the ship was on when it met its end, some were dark journeys of horror whilst others were feats of human endurance. The stories give us a snapshot of life as it was then, in the era of tall ships and perilous voyages.
Leaving the waters of Cornwall behind, immerse yourself in the world of early polar exploration in the Shakelton exhibition that’s been brought to Cornwall in association with the Royal Geographical Society. ‘Shackleton’s Experience’ takes you underground into a network of icy tunnels to give you a real feel for what the brave explorers had to endure in order to discover these wild frontiers.
You won’t go hungry in Charlestown
There is a real buzz around the harbour food-wise, and you have your pick from independent pop-ups who spring to life in the summer months, or the more established bricks and mortar around the harbour who service the village year round. Most of the pop-ups are geared up for takeaway, so if the tide is right (check first!), why not take your food down to the beach and eat it there. Just please be responsible and leave our beautiful Cornish beaches as you find them, and please take all of your litter away with you.
HarbourQ is an outdoor BBQ place right on the harbour. It is finger lickin’ good, with all the best things about southern BBQ food on one menu.
Charlestown Fish is again right on the waterfront and offers every seafood delicacy you could want; mussels, prawns, fish burgers, crab on toast, seafood tacos and of course wonderful traditional fish and chips.
Charlie’s Coffee House is great for a range of hot drinks of course, but also nice snacks and sandwiches. It’s super dog friendly, and the staff are always friendly here, so it’s a wonderful place to pop into.
Charlestown Beach
Again, a more subtle, low key vibe than Cornwall’s main tourist beaches, but Charlestown has two charming shingle beaches to enjoy; perfect for a paddle or a picnic, any excuse to connect with the coastline. The eastern beach is the larger and more popular, although the western side does have some cool rock formations that beg investigation. There are some small caves in the cliffs that may tempt children to go and explore, but please be cautious of falling rocks and remain observant of your surroundings.
Enjoy a walk along the coast from Charlestown to sheltered Porthpean beach
This 1.2 mile walk (each way) is a perfect coastal stomp in all seasons, however like most parts of the South West Coast Path it follows the topography of the cliffs and can be steep in places. It can also be narrow and uneven under foot, so is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs and walking shoes or trainers are advised over flip flops.
A few minutes into the walk you’ll come across the designated World Heritage Site of the Charlestown Gun Battery, which was built by Charles Rashleigh to watch over the entrance to his new harbour and defend it with all its might. The workers on the local estate were drafted into a Company of artillery volunteers, and regular gun-drill training sessions were held here until 1896.
The path then descends down to the long stretch of sand and pebbles that is Duporth Beach. Enjoy a pit stop here if you wish, it’s a delightful spot, or press on up the steep hill on the far side of the beach which will soon enough bring you to the steps to Porthpean Beach.
For the return journey, you can either retrace your steps along the coast path, which is well worth doing as you see all the beautiful views from a different perspective. Or, you can make it a circular route by taking an inland route back to Charlestown. You can find a route to follow here.
If walking isn’t your thing, or you have too many wee ones in tow, simply hop in the car and head over to Porthpean Beach. It’s very close by, and a world of Cornish family fun awaits you there.
Porthpean Beach
Porthpean Beach is arguably the best beach in the St Austell area, although not the largest you’ll come across it has a huge amount in its favour. On the right day you can mistake Porthpean for the Mediterranean, the steep cliffs that back it are topped with trees and the clear water looks turquoise in the sunlight.
Porthpean is a sheltered beach and generally considered safe for swimming, which makes it ideal for families. Please note that despite its popularity there are no lifeguards positioned here during the summer, so please take care in the water and don’t let children swim unattended.
During the summer months toilets are open and there are refreshments available on the beach.
Porthpean Outdoor
Porthpean beach is perfect for numerous water-based activities due to its easy access and calm waters. Porthpean Outdoor hires out Single kayaks, Double kayaks, Single Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) and Mega SUPs, and they also offer excursions if you’d like to explore the breathtaking coastline under the guidance of a knowledgeable local activity instructor. We recommend that you book your hire or excursions in advance of your arrival.
Discover The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Whilst in the area you may like to explore The Lost Gardens of Heligan, and its 200 acre adventure landscape – the South West’s largest outdoor play area. During WWI this garden was lost to the brambles and undergrowth, and it wasn’t until the 1990s, and one of the biggest restoration projects in Europe, that the sleeping giant awoke.
This is a garden where young legs and minds can run free and have the ultimate outdoor play experience. Your children will love the jungle with its iconic rope bridge, the jumping pillow which can take up to 38 kids at once for inflatable fun, Bugginghum Palace – UK’s Largest Bug Hotel, Giant’s Head Adventure Play area and the super cute Heligan Farm Animals.
After an inspiring day in Charlestown…
After a fun filled day in Charlestown, returning the short hop to Atlantic Reach will feel like coming home. Everything you could wish for is on your doorstep, so relax, there’s no reason to leave again this evening. If anyone has any energy left, then head over to the Cornwall Slip and Slide; who do you reckon will squeal the loudest?
Campers and guests of our self catering cottages can either rustle up some grub themselves, or let the team at The Manor Arms pub and restaurant do the work instead. Either way, an evening spent relaxing with the family is on the cards, recounting the majesty of the tall ships, the wonder of the walk along the coast path, the adventure of the kayak and paddle board hire and the delicious food eaten on the quaint harbourside.
After a brilliant day in Charlestown, you’ll have seen a different side to holidays in Cornwall, and be even more in love with Kernow’s subtle charm.
But the holiday is far from over yet! What would the family like to do tomorrow?