Captain Blake's Retreat is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all hideaway.
Wow, just look at this location!
The entrance leads straight into the sitting-area, with the kitchen and bedroom beyond.
Just imagine waking up to that view!
The perfect place to enjoy the sun rise and set over the glistening blue sea.
Perched high on the cliff, above stunning Whitsand Bay with no near neighbours and reached only by foot, this is second to none.
There are comfy sofas and a TV for cosy evenings in.
Sit back, relax and watch the comings and goings of coastal life - from sailing vessels to dolphins.
Located on Captain Blake's Point, named after a 17th Century Commander of the Commonwealth who took his last voyage past this coastline.
The panoramic views look towards the Rame Head Heritage Coast in one direction.
Dining al fresco is an absolute must here.
Enjoy lazy mornings and breakfast in bed.
The open plan living-room is both spacious and stylish.
Dive into the king-size bed after a day out and about exploring this 'forgotten corner of Cornwall'.
The bedroom has been beautifully decorated and styled.
Have a leisurely lunch in the great outdoors with the stunning view reaching out in front of you.
The incredible view can be enjoyed from the dining-table too.
The interior is just gorgeous.
The toasty wood-burner will keep you cosy out-of-season.
Very well-equipped, the kitchen includes an electric cooker, microwave, dishwasher and fridge (with freezer).
The shower-room is really spacious.
A hot shower awaits after a day exploring the coast path.
Every little detail has been carefully thought out and provided.
What will you spot with the binoculars?
Seeing as you are staying at Captain Blake's Retreat, why not try and learn some Royal Navy lingo?
A nod to the name and the location's past.
Will you spot any dolphins or porpoises?
The theme runs throughout.
Whether you're a captain or not, this is the place to escape from modern life.
Your four-legged friend is more than welcome to join you here.
You'll want to return here time and time again.
The outdoor shower is ideal for rinsing off sandy dogs and bodies.
At low tide, there is a 3 mile stretch of golden sand.
The coast path heads over to the Rame Head Heritage Coast in one direction (the Mount Edgcumbe Estate is well worth a visit).
Exploring the coast path is a must - tracks lead from the path down to the beach below.
The beach never gets busy, so you can enjoy it as you wish.
Truly a one-of-a-kind location.
Wander along Wiggle Cliff to Captain Blakes's Point.
The perfect getaway.
Lose yourself in this landscape.
A stay here is worth every step from the parking-area.
The nearby pretty twinned villages of Kingsand and Cawsand.
The folly on the Mount Edgcumbe Estate with views across Plymouth Sound to the city of Plymouth.
Captain Blake's Retreat
43302.2 miles SE of Whitsand Bay | Sleeps 2 (no children under 12)
7 Nights from £781
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Sitting in the heart of the traffic free village, this pub is popular with visitors and locals alike. Park in one of the many car parks nearby and call in for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Children are welcome however they dine from the main menu (half portions available), and dogs are allowed on leads. Note, the pub is closed on Tuesdays during term time.
March 2024
Devonport Inn
A lovely friendly pub overlooking Kingsand beach serving tea and coffee in the morning, and food/ cream teas lunchtimes and dinner in the evenings. We enjoy a dog walk in the morning and stopping there for a coffee or a bite to eat watching the world go by. Dog friendly and very reasonable prices. One of our favourites.
March 2023
Evening Meal
Inn the very welcoming and food is good, best to book as they are busy even during the week in March!!
January 2022
Mrs Wingrove
Had a wonderful meal here the staff were very friendly and attentive a must if you are staying in kingsand /cawsand
November 2021
Birthday Dinner
We had a lovely evening at the Devonport. Very friendly staff (to humans and dogs!), delicious food and they surprised me with a birthday pudding. Highly recommended.
August 2021
Lovely food
Stopped off at the Devonport after a walk from Captain Blake’s and had the salmon and pate. Followed by cream tea and washed down with some Cornish gold cider sitting outside overlooking the beach.
August 2019
Sarah
Lovely pub with a gorgeous view and the food looked fab. We walked from Captain Blake’s retreat (about 35 mins downhill) and caught the bus back. The bus stopped at the top of the road. Both the bus and pub dog friendly!
Nearby beach
To reach this small cove you will need to be willing to climb over the rocks. The beach is very secluded with fingers of rock at low tide. There are several rock pools to be explored.
October 2021
Genial
Super
Nearby walk
An interesting thirteen mile hike along the Cornish Coastal Path with stunning coastal views taking in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and several pretty Cornish villages with obligatory watering holes! Make sure you plan your journey back as public transport in the area is limited.
December 2020
Coastal walks
Would highly recommend this and all local walks in this area. You can make the walks as long or short as you wish, little villages to stop off for a lunch or coffee and everyone offered a warm welcome to us and our dog!
Nearby town
Together with its twin village, Cawsand, Kingsand is a little piece of holiday heaven. Tiny, twisting streets, a string of three beaches separated by rocks (excellent rockpooling to be had here) and calendar-perfect fishermen’s cottages have inspired many a photographer here. If you’re looking for an oasis of peace, you’ve come to the right place.
April 2024
kingsand
Probably more than a mile from Captain Blake's but well worth a visit, as is Cawsand. If you walk there, you can get the bus back to the top by Polhawn Fort.
November 2021
Cawsand
A lovely (long) walk from Captain Blake’s Retreat around the Rame peninsula leads you to the delightful villages of Cawsand and Kingsand. Lovely narrow lanes, great little bay with a visiting seal, and the restaurant Bay serving very good food.
Also nearby
Making up part of the three-mile long Whitsand Bay, Tregonhawke Beach is a great spot to sit and while away the hours. Access is via a series of fairly steep steps or along from neighbouring beaches. Just be careful though as although low tide reveals large tracts of sand, at high tide this is all but covered up. Popular for surfing, swimming is only advised in lifeguarded areas.
November 2022
Excellent beach
Massive expanse if beach worth the steep walk
October 2019
Lovely stretch of beach
You can walk for a few miles at low tide...beautiful sandy beach with rocky outcrops every so often...steep climb but a couple of options for tea along the way!
August 2019
Florrie the dog
Really easy to get to along the coastal path..if you fancy a slightly easier walk head up on to the road once you have gone up the first set of steps and walk along to beach view cafe for the descent onto the beach (check the tide times) but it’s a lovely 3 mile beach and completely unspoilt. Eddies cafe is particularly good after all the walking and before you start the climb back up the steps!!
August 2016
Unspoilt!
Parking is first come first served on the road at top. Not for the faint hearted or those with small children as the way up and down is very steep but once at the bottom the views are fantastic. Miles of sandy beach, well served by lifeguards within the flagged area. Cafe half way down. Not for those looking for a family beach with facilities but good for beach games, paddling and beachcombing. Go on a clear day when it's less windy.
July 2011
Perfect for views far out to sea, large sandy beach well worth the climb with a welcoming cafe.
Having re-opened in November 2019, this little pub is now thriving and enjoying a new start. Open daily, call in for drinks and food with regular events and quiz nights. Dogs are welcome.
November 2024
Delicious
Great service and great food. If you go when it is dark make sure you have a torch with you as the country lane isn’t lit. There is a footpath you can take but this is also very dark, but keeps you off the road, though not a busy road.
April 2024
Sunday lunch
This pub never fails to impress - Sunday lunch is amazing, reasonably priced, and best to book a table to avoid disappointment.
October 2023
Amazing food, lovely atmosphere
The food was amazing, there was something for everyone in our large group. Staff were polite and very helpful. Highly recommend..
July 2023
Finnygook Inn
It is definitely worth a visit. Great food. You do need to book.
July 2021
Welcoming
Welcoming staff, great food, good beer. Booking well in advance is essential for food
Beautiful sand and pebble beach, popular with surfers and bodyboarders. Short walk from car park (get there early in summer!) and cafe nearby. Finnygook is the eastern end of Portwrinkle, which itself consists of two beaches and marks the western extremity of Whitsand Bay.
April 2023
Gorgeous!
Perfect piece of coastline.
June 2012
Rain Rain Rain...
...But the cafe was good - fast & friendly service while the rain lashed the outside! Nice walks though.
January 2012
really great pub! Dog friendly
We took our two dogs there on new years eve for lunch. very friendly, great food and beer.
we also had their take away fish and chips one night which was some of the best fish and chips we have ever had!! well worth a visit!!
July 2011
Gorgeous sandy beach just the right size for letting children run free while small enough to still keep an eye on them. Convenient car park and small cafe. Slightly off the beaten track so a great place to get away from the crowds.
Bantham Beach is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has numerous awards tucked under its sandy belt. Overlooking Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island, you can take the famous sea tractor and head to the island or sit and enjoy the views from the shore. A great surfing beach, the huge swathes of sand and sea allow plenty of space for everyone. Well-provisioned and life guarded in the summer, Bantham is a fantastic family-friendly beach.
June 2024
Bantham Beach
We love this beautiful beach.The estuary runs into the sea here ,there’s a pretty boathouse and the views are stunning with vast expanses of sand and pretty sand dunes. Lovely views across to Burgh Island, you can only access the Island from the Bigbury side of the estuary though. Dogs are restricted on the main beach during the main season but if you walk over to the far right as you face the sea there is a huge area where they are allowed.
There is a charge for car parking, £7 when we visited in June, or you can purchase a weekly ticket for £30.00
Usually ,there are gastro vans in the warmer weather and Bantham Village stores(great views from their outside terrace area ) is not far away where you can get some provisions or eat in the cafe there. The Sloop Inn is nearby too.
You can walk directly from Bantham Beach along the SW coastal path to Milton Sands, about 2miles away or about another mile further to Hope Cove.
Bantham Beach had lifeguards patrolling when we visited in June.
March 2024
Misleading information
Bantham Beach is south of the estuary with no sea tractor access to Burgh Island which is from Bigbury Beach , north of the estuary.
When visiting Bantham we tried The Sloop Inn in the village for Sunday lunch but would not revisit.
October 2022
Beach walk
large car park and a short walk to a small ferry to Bigbury on sea, a great beach walk
June 2022
Perfect beach
Something for everyone here plus a good cafe.
August 2021
Great beach with views across to Burgh Island
Lovely privately-owned, wide, sandy beach. Beautiful views across to Burgh Island, walking access is possible at times, depending on the tide. Good facilities, lots of parking (there is a daily charge, so check before going). We enjoyed a great pizza from one of the gastro-buses in the car park. There are picnic benches in the gastro-bus area, and hot, and cold drinks, and other food available.
September 2008
Privately owned beach open to the public. A truly beautiful beach. Wide sands, surfing and wind-surfing, rock pools and a delightfully gentle introduction to the South West Coast Path with views over Burgh Island. No dogs allowed during the summer months. Charge made for car parking.
August 2008
Great family fun beach
Lovely beach with little coves to hide away in, rock pools and lovely clean sandcastle sand; wide enough for kite buggies, best surfing beach on the south coast along with Bigbury on Sea beach opposite. Burgh Island out to sea with its restored evocative 1930's hotel clinging to the edge was the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island as well as a number of Agatha Christie novels! Dogs allowed on the beach Oct- April and then along the far right hand side (west) during the remainder of the year. Beach balls and skimboards etc plus coffees and teas available from the post office cafe back in the village- great estuary view while sipping away on the deck out back. Lunch or supper in the Sloop pub- best to pre book in season
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park sprawls over 865 acres of the Rame Peninsula. Built in the 16th Century, the house contains 500 years’ worth of history, artefacts and treasures. Explore the house before turning your attention outside and heading out into the grounds and parks, where paths and trails weave their way around picturesque routes. You may even see some of the park’s fallow deer, too.
April 2019
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
The park grounds are extensive, spectacular views and great for long walks.
May 2012
Wonderful parkland with many walks and beautiful gardens with views of Plymouth.
Staff at Mount Edgcumbe House helpful and informative , interesting house to wander around beautifully maintained.
Articles | From around the area
Things to do
Christmas markets in Cornwall 2024
Things to do
A guide to Christmas in Cornwall 2024
Things to do
Miracle Theatre
Things to do
