Beach saunas
Wood-fired barrel saunas have quietly taken over this coast. Book a slot at Polzeath, sweat with a sea view, then enjoy a little sea air between sessions.
The Haybarn · For relaxing
Hot sauna, cold sea, and nowhere in particular to be
Out of season this corner empties out and the coast belongs to you. In summer it's about finding the quiet hours: an early swim, a sauna as the light goes, a long lunch with the doors open.
The slow list
Spa afternoons
The St Moritz spa in Trebetherick is five minutes away for treatments, a pool and a properly lazy afternoon.
Cold water swims
Choose a lifeguarded beach and follow local guidance on tides, currents and conditions. The estuary can have strong currents; we’ll help you find current safety information.
Empty walks
Pentire Head, the Rumps and the church path across the golf links — all within a few minutes' drive and busy only in your imagination.
Evenings in
An evening in the garden, the last of the light and the cows next door going quiet — sometimes staying home is the loveliest plan of all.
Winter weeks
Christmas here is woodsmoke, empty beaches and a table booked for the 27th. It's our favourite time to come.
From our door
The slow map
Saunas, swims, spas and walks, with the driving kept to a minimum.
- 6minsPolzeath beach saunaWood-fired, sea view, cold dip a few steps away
- 5minsSt Moritz spaPool, treatments and an easy afternoon out of the wind
- 7minsDaymer Bay swimSheltered estuary water — the gentlest place to get in
- 2minsThe coast pathPentire Head and the Rumps: an hour of nothing but sea
- 10minsSt Enodoc golfLinks golf through the dunes, Betjeman's church below
- 15minsPadstowA slow lunch, a bookshop, and the ferry back
Approximate driving times; allow longer in summer. Padstow is reached by ferry or a longer drive around the estuary.