Lat 50.3450° N, lon 4.2100° W●Cornish village

CawsandMillbrook

Cawsand is a village on the Rame Peninsula in south east Cornwall, in the parish of Maker-with-Rame.

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Cawsand at a glance

Cawsand: a sheltered beach on Plymouth Sound, the Cross Keys and the ferry to Plymouth

Cawsand is a village on the Rame Peninsula in south east Cornwall, in the parish of Maker-with-Rame. It looks out over the western side of Plymouth Sound. Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages that run into each other, and Kingsand was once on the border between Devon and Cornwall.

Cawsand Beach faces east and is a mix of sand and shingle with rock pools and small inlets. Visit Cornwall describes its waters as calm and sheltered, which suits families, swimmers and kayakers. Dogs are banned from 10am to 6pm in July and August and are allowed at other times.

The village is first recorded in 1404. In 1596 local militia fought off an attack by Spanish forces, and Cawsand Fort above the village dates from the 1860s. Letters from 1801 to 1803 show that Admiral Nelson stayed in Cawsand.

Both villages lie within Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, an 885 acre landscape that is free to enter and open all year. The South West Coast Path runs for about nine miles through the park. Mount Edgcumbe House, the formal gardens and the Cremyll ferry to Plymouth are at the eastern end of the peninsula.

In the main season a passenger ferry crosses from the Barbican in Plymouth to Cawsand Beach in about half an hour. Buses run between Cawsand and Plymouth, Torpoint and Cremyll. Cornwall Council runs a car park in the village with 139 spaces.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions about Cawsand

What is Cawsand Beach like?

It is an east facing beach of sand and shingle on the edge of Plymouth Sound, with rock pools and inlets to explore. The water is usually calm and sheltered, so it suits families, swimmers and kayakers. The shops and pubs of Cawsand and Kingsand are a short walk away.

Are dogs allowed on Cawsand Beach?

Yes, for most of the year. Visit Cornwall says a seasonal dog ban applies from 1 July to 31 August between 10am and 6pm. Outside those times dogs are welcome.

Tell me about the Cross Keys in Cawsand.

The Cross Keys Inn is on The Square in Cawsand, PL10 1PF, about 25 metres from the beach. CAMRA describes it as a 17th century pub, once known as the Smugglers Inn, serving real ales with lunch and evening meals. It welcomes children and dogs, and dogs are allowed in the main bar only. It hosts live music on Sunday afternoons.

Are there other pubs in Cawsand?

Yes. Visit Cornwall notes traditional pubs in both Cawsand and Kingsand, a short walk from the beach. The Cross Keys on The Square is the one nearest the sand. The old Ship Inn burned down in 2013 and the site is being rebuilt as a cafe and affordable housing.

How does the Cremyll ferry work?

The Cremyll ferry crosses the Tamar between Admiral's Hard in Stonehouse, Plymouth, and Cremyll Quay in Cornwall. The crossing takes about 8 minutes and boats run about every 30 minutes, with well behaved dogs carried free. It lands at the main entrance to Mount Edgcumbe, and buses run between Cremyll and Cawsand. When the Cawsand ferry is not running, the operator suggests taking the bus to Cremyll and crossing there.

What is there to see at Mount Edgcumbe?

Mount Edgcumbe is a Grade I listed park and gardens owned jointly by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. The 885 acre country park is free to enter, open every day, and includes the National Camellia Collection, formal gardens and nine miles of coast path. Mount Edgcumbe House, first built in the 1540s and restored after wartime bombing, opens in the main season from April to September.

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