Harlyn

A small coastal hamlet above Harlyn Bay, where a beautiful sandy beach meets an ancient burial ground. Quiet, scenic, with a sense of Cornwall's deep past.

History: Harlyn is famous for the Harlyn Bay cemetery, discovered in 1900 when coastal erosion exposed a major Iron Age burial ground. Over 130 graves were excavated, containing slate-lined cist burials dating from around 500-200 BC. The finds (now in the Royal Cornwall Museum) shed light on prehistoric life in this coastal area. Beyond its archaeological significance, Harlyn has always been a modest settlement – a few farms and cottages above the bay. The beach at Harlyn Bay, a sheltered sandy cove, became popular with Victorian and Edwardian visitors who reached it by horse-drawn carriage from Padstow. In the 20th century, Harlyn developed modestly as a holiday destination, with beach chalets and a small cafe. The hamlet retains its quiet character, with the ancient burial ground a reminder of the thousands of years humans have lived and died on this beautiful coastline.