Penlee Point

Penlee Point is one of the most beautiful walks in the country. It lies on the South West Coast Path, and the views all around the headland are incredible. If you’re staying at Blue Monkey Cornwall, you’re just minutes away from this stunning coastal walk.

What Is Penlee Point?

Penn Legh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall, UK. The point lies at the entrance to Plymouth Sound, with its imposing lighthouse commanding views across the water.

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Penlee Point Walk: Distance, Time & Difficulty

Key Stats:

• Distance: 6-9.7 km (4-6 miles) depending on route
• Time: 1.5 to 3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation gain: 150-235 meters
• Route type: Circular walk on the South West Coast Path

The walk is easily achievable for families and casual walkers, though some sections involve steady climbing. The terrain is mostly on established paths, with a few steep areas. There are no major obstacles, though the path can be muddy in places, particularly near woodland sections.

How to get to Penlee Point from Blue Monkey

If you’re staying at Blue Monkey in Cawsand, getting to Penlee Point is straightforward: turn right out of Blue Monkey and keep walking – the road will take you all the way to Penlee Point. It’s a scenic walk through the village, taking approximately 20-30 minutes on foot before you reach the coastal path.

Alternatively, there’s a Penlee Point car park if you prefer to drive (PL101LN).

What To See At Penlee Point

Queen Adelaide’s Grotto

Above the point and little below the stunning Coastal Path is Queen Adelaide’s Grotto, built in 1827/1828 to commemorate the visit of King William IV and Queen Adelaide to Mount Edgcumbe.  Penlee Battery is the former site of a fort, and is now a nature reserve.

Penlee Battery Nature Reserve

A gun battery was constructed on Penlee Point in the late 1880s and used throughout both World Wars. It was initially armed with two 6-inch guns and a massive 13.5-inch gun, which weighed 67 tons and took eighty horses two weeks to haul it up a specially constructed flight of steps. On its first firing, the recoil from the gun split its concrete bed. The battery was decommissioned in the 1950s, and the buildings associated with it were demolished, but there are still enough remains to appreciate the scale of the defences. Wait around until low tide to see a private, hidden beach revealed.  This is also where nature lovers can see the Green Darner Dragonfly, first seen in Britain here.

Rame Head

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Penlee Point Walk Tips

What To Bring

• Good walking boots (the path can be muddy)
• Waterproof jacket (weather changes quickly on the coast)
• Plenty of water and snacks
• Sun cream and hat (exposed headland with no shade)
• Camera for the views

Best Time To Visit

Spring (April-May): Wildflowers in bloom, milder weather, fewer crowds

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, best for swimming at hidden beach, but busiest with visitors

Autumn (September-October): Blackberries, butterflies, and beautiful golden light; generally quieter than summer

Winter (November-March): Dramatic coastal views, fewer visitors, but shorter daylight and potentially muddy paths

Important: Stock Up Before You Go

Make sure you stock up with plenty to eat before you go. There are no facilities at Penlee Point itself, so pack a picnic lunch and snacks. You can grab supplies in Cawsand village beforehand.

Where To Eat In Cawsand

Try some of the great places to eat in Cawsand before or after your walk:

• The Bay Bar and Restaurant – Located on Cawsand Beach with sea views
• The Old Bakery – Traditional village spot

You can check what’s open here.

Where to stay: Blue Monkey Cornwall

Penlee Point is one of the most accessible coastal walks from Blue Monkey Cornwall, our luxury 5-bed self-catering holiday cottage in Cawsand. You can literally turn right out of the cottage and walk straight to Penlee Point – no car needed.

Blue Monkey is perfectly positioned as your base for exploring the Rame Peninsula, with easy access to:

• Penlee Point and Rame Head walks
• Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
• Three sandy beaches (Cawsand, Kingsand, The Cleave)
• Whitsand Bay (just a short drive)
• Village restaurants and shops

Book Your Penlee Point Adventure

Ready to explore one of Cornwall’s most beautiful walks? Blue Monkey Cornwall is your perfect base.

Contact us to book:

Call: 07845 468 487
Email: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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There are many Gourmet Restaurants in Cornwall, and there are some fantastic gourmet restaurants near Blue Monkey, not to mention our own personal chef who can prepare a meal in advance of your arrival or even provide a catered dinner party during your stay.  But many of our guests are gourmet enthusiasts and so here is a list of some of the best local restaurants.

The Barbican Kitchen, Plymouth

One of my favourite gourmet restaurants near Blue Monkey.  Acclaimed chefs and restauranteurs Chris and James Tanner’s own this hugely successful and popular casual dining brasserie in the Plymouth Gin Distillery.  The Tanner brothers have won many an award for their high quality food and ethos of local sourcing and seasonal flavours.  The Barbican Kitchen state that their aim is to ‘deliver fresh local food at a realistic price’ and kids under 5 eat for free!  Have a look at the menu which you can see here.

Salumi Bar and Eatery

Another fabulous gourmet restaurant near Blue Monkey is the newly opened Salumi.  The owner and chef, Dave Jenkins recently won the Sharp’s Brewery Best Chef 2019 award – need I say more!  The Salumi has a beautiful interior and exterior seating for hot summer nights and a BBQ at the end of each month during summer.

Have a look at their menus here.

Top Tip: Vegan options

The Greedy Goose, Plymouth

This gourmet restaurant near Blue Monkey is owned by Ben and Francesca Palmer.  Ben has worked with many award winning chefs and was himself a quarter finalist in MasterChefs: The Professionals, in 2011.  The restaurant is in the beautiful and romantic Prysten House, one of Plymouth’s oldest buildings with its own well.  They have lots on offer to tempt you to visit: Taster Tuesdays, BYOB Wednesdays, family friendly Sunday brunches and a very reasonable price of £15 for 3 courses.

Have a look at the menu here.

Availability and Special Offers

30 March to 4th April reduced from £599 to £549
18 to 24 April reduced from £624 to £549
10 to 15 May reduced from £1,099 to £999

We still have 1 week available in July 18th to 25th
We still have the first week of August free

Book Now to avoid disappointment on our secure online booking page

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Three miles of sand stretch from Rame Head in the East to Portwrinkle in the West.  These are the beautiful beaches of Whitsand Bay with glistening white sand, rock pools and waves.  Great for paddle boarding, surfing, ideal for an early morning jog, peaceful to picnic on and exciting to explore.

Rame Peninsula’s beaches are bordered by high cliffs steeped in history and drama.  Whitsand Bay is overlooked by the ruins of a 14^th century chapel dedicated to St Michael at the pinnacle of the peninsula.

In 1874 a hermit called Lugger dug himself out a cave at Sharrow Point and inscribed secret verses on the ceiling to keep himself entertained.  It is also popular with divers: in 1914 a submarine sank it Whitsand Bay and in 2004 it was joined by HMS Scylla to provide an artificial underwater reef.

Defenders of the Realm!  Rame Peninsula’s beaches have played their part.  In 1859 the Polhawn Battery was built to shore up our shores as Plymouth was considered to be a weak point in our defences.  Polhawn Battery and Polhawn Fort now play a different role in our culture as their beautiful views have transformed the fort into a popular wedding venue.

Whitsand Bay is one of the many beautiful beaches close to Blue Monkey Cornwall.  Follow my blog to learn more.

Top Tips: Whitsand Bay is dog friendly and has 3 coastguards on duty between May and September.  Beware the strong currents and steep descent down rocky paths to the beach.

Useful Links:

Where to Eat

Surfing and Coasteering

Weddings

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Easter Fun!

The Rame Peninsula is the perfect place to spend an Easter Break in Cornwall.  There are beaches, coastal walks with breath-taking views and lots of family entertainments planned.  Here are three of our favourites right on Blue Monkey’s doorstep:

Easter at Eden

From the 6^th to 25^th of April the Eden Project is running a very special Easter event.  There are indoor and outdoor games and activities for families to try (phew no need to worry about the rain!).  Have fun herding farmyard animals into their pens, win some golden eggs and learn about growing crops with the Eden farmers.

Top Tip: Free with Eden Admission

Plymouth Easter Egg Hunt

Plymouth is full of exciting things to see and do and there’s always something happening to entertain all ages.  If you are planning an Easter break in Cornwall, your children will be delighted to hear that they can join the free chocolate mini egg hunt in Plymouth City Centre.  Follow a map to find the giant eggs and claim your eggs!

Top Tip: The best way to get to Plymouth is to take the ferry from Cawsand Beach to Barbican Landing Stage and spot dolphins on the way.

Mount Edgcumbe House

Five minutes from Blue Monkey is the ancestral home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe.  Full of history, art and three 16^th century tapestries, the house is well worth a visit and opens for the season from 1^st April to the end of September, Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 4.30pm.

If you don’t want to visit the house, the country park is free of charge and open every day from 8am to 8pm. This is a fun day out for the family, with Adventure Segway, Golf, cycles, archery and many more things to do and explore.

Top Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome.  Family Ticket price: £12.50

April Offer

6th to 13th April is still available and we are offering 15% off listed Price
Please enter code APR at checkout on our secure online payment page here.

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Autumn

…is an exciting time of year in Cornwall.  The windy weather creates opportunities for all kinds of exhilarating fun!  The crowds are gone, the sea is still warm, the summer is Indian and we have some great Autumn surf break offers to add a little spice to your life.

Whitsand Bay

Ten Minutes from Blue Monkey are the beautiful sands of Whistand Bay.  This is a great place to learn to surf with lessons from Adventure Bay surf schoolwho offer private lessons, group lessons, beginners, improvers, family, kids parties and 3 session courses.  You can also have your efforts captured on video to broadcast to the world and help you improve your technique.  An Autumn surf break is about the sea and if the board is not for you, Adventure Bay will take you coasteering in a kayak around the coves and beaches of the Rame Peninsula.  Once you’ve learned where to go, you can take advantage of Blue Monkey’s free kayaks and explore to your heart’s content.

Top Tip: Check the surfer’s Bible, Magic Seaweed, for surfing conditions.  Search for Whitsand Bay.

Cawsand Beach

Five minute’s walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand Beach – an ideal place to start your own coasteering adventure in our free kayaks.  If you’re not ready to strike out on your own, then Cawsand Kayak and SUP Hire will take you around the beautiful sheltered local waters.  Lately we’ve been hearing that Paddle Boards are all the rage and Cawsand Beach is the perfect spot to get your balance as the bay is sheltered by the peninsula and the surf won’t knock you over.  You can hire a paddle board from SUP Rental.
 
Top Tip: This area is ideal for an Autumn surf break as you can hire everything you need including wet suits for just £3 from Cawsand Beach.  Email Annabel to organise for you at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com.

Kitesurfing

Pasty Adventures Kitesurf Coaching Holidays

1h 28m from Blue Monkey you’ll find Gwithian Beach where you can spend a breath-taking day with the Pasty Adventures Kitesurf School.  Run by a former British champion, you will be in good hands here with all the latest equipment which Pasty replace every 6 months.  A mixture of surfing, flying and sailing, Kitesurfing will make you so excited and happy that you won’t even realise you’re doing a honing and toning full body workout – a good reason to feel great about taking an Autumn surf break!

Top tip: You can also kite surf at Whitsand Bay, only 10 minutes from Blue Monkey.

Watch Kite Surfing at Gwithian bay here.

Available Dates and Offers

8th November 2018 to 19th December 2018: 25% off online listed prices.  Please email Annabel for this special offer on enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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Summer’s over – hooray!  That means it’s time to take an Autumn break in Cornwall.  No crowds, lower prices, and still plenty to do and see.  Dogs are delighted – they’re allowed off lead from the 1^st October on the beaches around Blue Monkey, so you can all go for a bracing coastal walk, followed by supper in one of the many fabulous dog friendly pubs or restaurants.  As Halloween and Bonfire night approach the events calendar hots up with a fortnight of magical activities at The Eden Project.  Here are three recommendations for an unmissable Autumn Break in Cornwall:

POLPERRO

A day trip to Polperro, 30 minutes down the coast from Blue Monkey, is a must for the creative soul.  Situated in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’, the unspoilt harbour, is brimming with artists and you can admire their work in the many local galleries and browse through quirky independent shops.  Polperro is famous for its seafood restaurants serving fresh fish caught by the local fishermen.

This is the perfect place for a romantic walk as the coast either side of the harbour will blow both your mind and the cobwebs away.   If you’re feeling energetic, take the 5-mile path from Polperro to Looe – the spectacular views along this coast will be a highlight of your Autumn break in Cornwall.

THE LOOE VALLEY LINE

Talking of Looe… if you’re feeling less like walking but you’d still like to admire the views then catching a train along the Looe Valley Line may suit you better.  See the final stretch here.

If you’re taking an Autumn break in Cornwall then this is not to be missed.  Along the route from Liskeard to Looe you will travel through woodland valleys opening up to the estuary where the river meets the sea.  At low tide you’ll see all sorts of beautiful birds wading through the water: Herons, Oystercatchers and Curlews.

Top Tips: The train runs regularly throughout the day, dogs are welcome and a ticket costs just £4.60.

THE EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project at St Austell is Cornwall’s most famous landmark, built to study the environment and conservation to find new ways to provide a cleaner and greener future for the world.  The bubble shaped biomes are the world’s largest greenhouses, each housing a miniature ecosystem that supports the appropriate climate for the wildlife living within it.  Younger children will be excited to explore a steamy rainforest biome with a tree top walkway winding through a jungle canopy.  Over the half term fortnight there will also be strange Halloween creatures wandering the biomes, pumpkin displays, and ice skating at the Little Monsters Halloween Ball.

Older children will enjoy England’s longest zip wire, a giant gravity swing, a 12m bungee drop and a 25m free-fall jump into an airbag (over 18s only).  Do something you’ll never forget on your Autumn break in Cornwall!

Top Tips: Dogs are allowed on the site but not inside the Biomes.

AUTUMN AVAILABILITY

We still have a few gaps to fill over the coming weeks:

29th September to 4th October
8th to 11th October

14th to 20th October
27th October to 1st November

Please email Annabel for a quote: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com
Or book securely online here

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“KAYAKING is one of the biggest rushes you can have on the water, letting you play in lakes, river rapids, waterfalls and even the sea. It’s also a great way to get up close to nature and check out the world around you from a brand new point of view, paddling silently through remote areas that most people will never get to visit.

Kayaking in Cornwall should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. It’s one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, known for its craggy rugged coastline, crystal clear blue water and plenty of awesome wildlife to see. Dolphins and seals are commonly spotted all over Cornwall.

If you are a beginner kayaker, there are plenty of spots to visit. From the calm, placid waters of the south to the windswept north coast, you won’t struggle to find some of the best places to go kayaking in the UK.”

(Kayak blogger Mpora)

Cawsand Beach

Two minutes walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand beach where Mat will give Kayak lessons to absolute beginners and you can also book him to guide you around the coast.

Top Tip: Kayaking will exhaust your children – ensuring parents of a good night’s rest!!!

Portwrinkle

For the more adventurous, this Cornish Angler likes to fish from his Kayak! He recommends Portwrinkle, a former fishing village and harbour at the centre of Whitsand Bay. You can kayak close in or explore the reefs further out. Launch your kayak from within the tiny harbour, or Hoodny Cove to the west of it or Finnygook Beach to the East when there is low swell. Beware the strong tides that can flow across Whitsand Bay on Spring Tides.

Top Tip: Many species of fish can be caught from your kayak including Makerel, Plaice and Bass when in season.

Millbrook

The River Tamar marks the border between Devon and Cornwall with green rolling hills on either side. Start your paddle at Cotehele Quay, part of a National Trust property and head up past the Cotehele estate, Danesfield House and underneath the famous Calstock viaduct. You’ll pass Okel Tor Quay and Gawton Quay which were once key parts of the copper mining industry. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, kingfishers and peregrine falcons.

Top Tip: Blue Monkey has 2 Kayaks for our guests to use, free of charge. We provide life jackets and ask that you take full responsibility for your party’s safety whilst using the kayaks.

Thanks to Mpora where you will find many other articles on Kayaking in Cornwall.

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We’ve compiled just three of the best pram friendly walks in Cornwall, that are near to us at Blue Monkey Cornwall:

1. MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS

The waterside perimeter of the estate provides an uplifting  pram friendly walk, with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound and a host of eighteenth century follies, fountains, seats and shelters for you and your pram to rest along the path.  The route travels through the parkland and woodland of the historic family seat of the Earls of Edgcumbe, who built the house at the heart of the estate in the mid-sixteenth century.

The house, gardens, tea-room, restaurant and shop are open to the public during the summer season but the South West Coast Path, passing through the estate, is open throughout the year.  A pram friendly walk for all seasons!

Top Tip: An especially inspiring walk in early spring, when the National Camellia Collection is in full bloom, and in autumn, when the leaves in the woodland start to turn.

2. PLYMOUTH WATERFRONT WALKWAY

A gentle walk, mainly on pavement, this pram friendly walk is a breeze!  Walk around the Hoe, the Barbican and Mount Batten breakwater and enjoy the seaside views.  This unique section of the South West Coast Path is an entertaining and enlightening journey with plenty to learn along the route about the city’s history and heritage.

Top Tip: you will find toilets and a car park at Admiral’s Hard (postcode for sat navs PL1 3RJ) and refreshments dotted along the path.

3. PLYMBRIDGE WOODS

This pram friendly walk is also a must for cyclists as it follows the route of an old Great Western Railway track.  Leave Plymouth behind, push your way through glorious oak woods and emerge into peaceful open countryside.  Breathe!!  This exciting and pram friendly trail leads you past dramatic industrial remains, over towering quarry faces, and across breathtaking viaducts. 

Top Tip: Take your bird book!  In season these woods are famous for spotting nesting wild peregrines.

Are you looking for accommodation in Cornwall that caters for babies and young children? At Blue Monkey we have everything you will need to make your trip stress free! Find out more about our baby friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall.

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Kingsand in Cornwall is a really special place. Here at Blue Monkey we just love our local area, and we wanted to tell you why! So here goes:

1: The Local Beaches

The small pebbly beaches of Kingsand and Cawsand are typical of an old fishing village.  Kingsand Beach has rock pools for your children to explore with their shrimping nets and Cawsand beach has canoes and kayaks for the more adventures to hire during the summer.  There are three pubs near the beaches:

• The Devenport on The Cleave,
• The Rising Sun on The Green; and
• The Halfway House Inn on Fore Street
• The Cross Keys Inn, The Square, Cawsand

…and three cafes within five minutes walk:

• the Old BoatStore cafe on the cleave
• The Old Bakery on Garrett street; and
• The Shop in the Square

Top Tip: You can supervise older children playing on Kingsand beach whilst you relax at The Devonport. 

The villages of Kingsand and Cawsand are typically Cornish but not commercialised. 

2: The Coastal Path

Turn right out of the front door of Blue Monkey and you can follow the coastal path along the Rame Peninsula all the way to Pen Leigh Point and beyond!  Penn Leigh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall at the entrance to Plymouth Sound.  Rame Head is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Top Tip: Pack yourself a picnic and enjoy the amazing views over lunch.

3. The Plymouth Ferry

After a lovely walk from Kingsand through Mount Edgecombe, across the ferry at Cremyll and a walk into the city centre via the lovely Barbican, it is an absolute treat to catch this long serving ferry service and cross Plymouth sound back to the beach at Cawsand, step off the boat and be back at your accommodation, or nearest pub in 2 minutes.

Top Tip: The fare is very reasonable for the half hour trip, the view superb and if you’re lucky you may encounter dolphins.  (NJC, Trip Advisor)

Are you visiting this area and looking for accommodation in Kingsand, Cornwall? Blue Monkey Cornwall is luxury self catering accommodation perfect for your families next holiday in Cornwall. Find out more about our Kingsand accommodation or check out our availability here.

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