Marazion beach is one of the most popular and stunning beaches in Cornwall. In the summer the waves can be gentle and the water shallow, with plenty of beach for everyone and views stretching away to Mousehole to the west and the Lizard to the east, and the majestic St Michael’s Mount providing a unique backdrop to your day’s relaxation. For scavengers, the beach always seems to have plenty of driftwood to collect, and children will be kept busy finding a wide variety of shells and pebbles.
There is a mixture of either sandy dunes or the sea wall at your back, depending on how near the town you want to be, and there are cafes either in town, the main car park or the station car park towards the west. The beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards in the high summer season for total peace of mind, and there is a large car park at the entrance to the town in Folly Field. If you have a dog, the section of beach to the east of the Godolphin Arms is suitable for you throughout the year, although you will not be allowed on the rest of the beach from May to September. For a day on the beach in summer, Marazion can offer everything a family may need.
Do not underestimate the power of Marazion Beach out of the main summer season. Dogs are allowed along the whole beach, giving you the freedom to explore with all the family! The weather can add to the fun, with wind drawing out the kitesurfers and those with stunt kites to entertain those merely walking. Misty days add to the enchantment of St Michael’s Mount, and when the castle disappears behind swathes of mist the legends associated with the Mount become all the more believable! There is a flat walk from Marazion all the way to Newlyn should you want to stretch your legs, and this route is easily and safely covered on bikes too.
Watersports and Kitesurfing
This is a growing culture in Marazion, and when you visit the beach you will see why! The long, open beach is ideal for taking advantage of the wind, as windsurfers have known for a long time. Kites provide adrenaline seekers with a new way of harnessing nature and using its power to perform stunts and acrobatics. If you have watched these sportsmen and women in awe, you now have the opportunity to have a go yourself, as Ocean High Boardriding at the west end of Marazion Beach can provide tuition in kitesurfing, power kiting and (the slightly calmer) stand-up paddleboarding. They will also transport you to a beach with suitable conditions for your lesson should the weather at Marazion not be up to scratch. It is certainly something different – whether you have tried surfing and other watersports before or not, why not give this a go?
Folly Field Playground
This is an added bonus to a day out at Marazion and can be a blessing if you have small children that demand constant entertainment. The playground is situated just alongside the main car park at Folly Field, at the entrance to Marazion itself, and is open all year round. The playground has something for everyone – swings for young and old children, slides, a zip wire and even a pulley system for moving sand around. There is a grassy area to play football on, toilet facilities (limited but still available out of the main season) and food and drink available in season in the main car park. Make sure you add on enough time for a mad half hour in the playground before you leave Marazion!
St Michael’s Mount
This National Trust property speaks for itself, and wherever you go in Marazion you will be afforded a magnificent view – a view that changes according to the time of day and the weather. Keep an eye on it; it is never the same to look at twice! The Mount has its own website of course, and it is well worth a visit as the castle is atmospheric with lots to look at, and the gardens are truly lovely.
If you are short on time, it is still well worth a wander across the causeway to meander around the harbour and the village, which is free of charge. You can, however, enjoy the thrill of timing your visit properly to avoid being stranded on the Mount as the tide rises – this is a real risk, and we often see people rolling up trouser legs and carrying shoes as they negotiate the slippery cobbles and the lapping waves! Consult your tide timetables and keep an eye on the tide!
The National Trust charge an entrance fee to walk up the hill to the castle and access the gardens, and these are open from Easter to November. When the castle and gardens are open local boatmen provide a reasonably priced ferry service back to Marazion, so the pressure is off a little and you can enjoy your visit without worrying. There is one gift shop open outside of the National Trust area, but of course, facilities are much better once you have paid your entrance fee. Research the legends of Jack the Giantkiller and the appearance of St Michael before your visit, and the sense of mystery and mysticism will follow you as you explore!
For more information, check out our blog post on St Michael’s Mount.
If you fancy a bite to eat after a long day at the beach, why not visit one of Marazion’s eateries mentioned in our Guide to eating out in Marazion.
For other beaches that are well worth a visit, check out our Sandy Beaches in West Cornwall blog post.
View all of our Marazion Holiday Cottages >
Tags: Beaches | Kite Surfing | Marazion | St Michael's Mount | Watersports |