Lat 50.2917° N, lon 4.7857° W●Cornish village

PentewanPentewan Valley

Pentewan is a coastal village on Cornwall's south coast, about 3 miles south of St Austell.

Where to stay

Pentewan at a glance

Pentewan: a sheltered private beach, an old china clay harbour and the trail to St Austell

Pentewan is a coastal village on Cornwall's south coast, about 3 miles south of St Austell. It sits at the mouth of the St Austell River, inside the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You reach it on the B3273 from St Austell towards Mevagissey.

Pentewan beach is sheltered and east facing, with over half a mile of pale, shingly sand. It is privately owned and lies mostly in front of Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, which has covered much of the beach to the west since 1945. Visit Cornwall lists swimming, surfing, paddling and windsurfing here.

The village grew as a fishing and quarrying community. Sir Christopher Hawkins rebuilt the harbour between 1818 and 1826, and at its peak it shipped a third of Cornwall's china clay. Silt and competition from Charlestown and Par ended its trade, and the last trading ship left in 1940. Today the harbour is a basin cut off from the sea.

A tramway linked the harbour to St Austell in 1829, later replaced by a narrow gauge railway that closed in 1918. Its route is now the Pentewan Valley Trail, a mainly flat path of about three and a half miles to St Austell through London Apprentice. From Pentewan, The Cornish Way continues to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mevagissey.

Pentewan stone from the local quarry was used in many medieval Cornish churches and in Antony House, and the harbour and older village buildings are built from it. The Ship Inn is the village pub. Buses run between St Austell and Mevagissey and stop at Pentewan.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions about Pentewan

Where is Pentewan Sands Holiday Park?

Pentewan Sands Holiday Park is at Pentewan, St Austell, PL26 6BT, on its own private beach. The park advises driving via St Austell and taking the B3273 towards Mevagissey, with the entrance on the left. It warns that sat navs may send you down narrow lanes that are unsuitable for larger vehicles.

Can I take my dog to Pentewan Sands?

No. Pentewan Sands says dogs and other pets are not allowed anywhere on the park, including the beach. Registered assistance dogs are the only exception. Its sister site, Heligan Caravan and Camping Park, does accept dogs.

What is Pentewan beach like?

It is a sheltered, east facing beach with over half a mile of pale sand and clear water. The beach is privately owned and sits mostly in front of Pentewan Sands Holiday Park. Visit Cornwall describes it as family friendly and good for swimming, paddling and watersports.

Where is the Ship Inn in Pentewan?

The Ship Inn is at 31 to 33 West End, Pentewan, PL26 6BX, close to the beach. It is a St Austell Brewery pub with two bars and a beer garden across the road by the river. CAMRA says it gets busy in summer and serves food, including breakfast.

What pubs are there in Pentewan?

The Ship Inn is the village pub, owned by St Austell Brewery. Mevagissey, a short drive or bus ride down the B3273, has more choice. The former Pentewan Board School in the village is now a restaurant.

Can you walk or cycle from St Austell to Pentewan?

Yes. The Pentewan Valley Trail follows the old Pentewan railway for about three and a half miles between St Austell and Pentewan, and it is mainly flat. You can join it at London Apprentice or Polgooth. From Pentewan, The Cornish Way carries on to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Mevagissey.

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