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Beach House, Gwithian Towans, Cornwall

Rockpools Beach House

By the beach at Gwithian Towans, St Ives Bay

Sleeps 7+1 in 4 bedrooms (+ cot) Saturday arrival Up to two well behaved dogs welcome
The Retreat

A contemporary beach house set in a small group of individual, privately owned holiday homes, and just footsteps from one of Cornwall’s best beaches. The retreat sleeps eight and has a comfy open-plan kitchen and living area. Rockpools provides you with the space to kick back and relax, or can be the launch-pad for an activity-packed holiday.

Rockpools Beach Chalet is a self catering home-from-home by the sea — set in a small group of individual, privately owned beach chalets and just footsteps from Cornwall’s best beach (not just our opinion!). Rockpools can provide you with the space to kick back and relax, or can be the launch-pad for an activity-packed holiday. Whichever you choose, you’ll have an inspiring place to stay with all the comforts you need on that well-earned holiday.

Rockpools beach chalet sleeps eight in four bedrooms and has a lovely big open-plan living area – ideal for family living or groups of friends. You’ll have a private, enclosed decked patio behind, with far-reaching views over farmland and another sunny deck to the front… from which you can meander in moments straight to the sand-dunes or to the stunning expanse of Gwithian beach, with its miles (yes miles) of sand, lifeguarded surf-spots, and as the chalet’s name implies, its myriad delightful salty rockpools…

Pull back the sun doors, step into Rockpools Beach Chalet and you enter a space designed to relax in. The living, dining and kitchen areas have been combined to create a happy family-and-friends space. You’ll find a large flat screened TV for lazy evenings and an elegant wood burner for cosy ones. The contemporary kitchen is well equipped for cooking and serving meals on the breakfast bar or on the big pine dining table. The sense of space is followed through to the decking front and back, where you can enjoy alfresco breakfasts bathed in the morning sun at the back, and apres-surf (or apres- anything you like) in the afternoon and evening sun at the front.

Also downstairs is a lovely king room, a compact bunk-room and a family bathroom, with generous shower… plus a handy utility and office space with woodburner. Up the stairs you’ll find the very spacious principle bedroom, which has sea-views from the front over traditional chalets taking in Godrevy lighthouse to the right, and St Ives and Carbis Bay to the left. From the back you can see over fields – the very top of Gwithian church tower peeping over the crops in the distance. Upstairs you’ll find and a further bunk-room, and a sparkling white family bathroom with bath and shower.

Outside Rockpools

The rear decked area is private, secure and well equipped. You’ll find a chunky picnic table, and big chairs that invite you to linger… plus a big built-in barbecue… but the pièce de résistance is a warm outdoor shower, perfect for when you’ve stayed in the sea a little too long. Which you do.

Outside there is a utility building where you can hang wetsuits and store spare bags and suitcases, and where you’ll find a second fridge freezer and washing machine. Please note there is no dishwasher at Rockpools.

The front deck is west-facing, so an ideal spot as the sun settles… it fronts onto your grassy  parking/amenity area. Rockpools is one of a group of a dozen dwellings that share a private drive in this quiet group of chalets, all of the chalets are different and privately owned.

Things we love…

Rockpools is the perfect holiday cottage in the perfect location, for beach-lovers, surf-lovers, and panoramic-sea-scape lovers. If you love Cornwall, you’ll love unspoilt beaches and wide open spaces. Gwithian Towans offers both, in beach-spadefuls. ‘Towans’ simply means sand dunes in Kernewek (the ancient language of Cornwall) and the clue is in the name. You can walk on sand literally for miles along the seashore, seal or dolphin spotting… and back again through waves of marram-grassed dunes. At the heart of it all is this unique collection of beach chalets. Originally built in the early and mid 20th century, the chalets are unique. Over the years, many have been extended or modified into comfortable retreats and boltholes, and Rockpools is one of the very best, designed for a beachy and relaxed lifestyle, and happy holiday memories.

A welcome retreat
Our third visit to Rockpools and 10 years since our first. We have beached, body boarded, surfed and thoroughly relaxed. As ever, Rockpools has provided a welcome retreat from daily life as well as at the end of each day. New renovations have been great additions — loved the little room for my daily yoga sessions. Thank you once again.
Sarah & family — August 2023
Features

Retreat Features

  • Classic modern beach chalet
  • Free WiFi
  • Private parking
  • Less than 5 minutes' stroll to the golden sands of Gwithian
  • Barbecue and decking perfect for al fresco dining
  • A short walk to local cafés and restaurants
SLEEPING
Principal bedroom: king bed
Bedroom two: king bed
Bedroom three: bunk beds
Bedroom four: single bed plus trundle
All bed linen and bath towels provided
LIVING & RELAXING
Two sofas
40” SMART TV and DVD player
DVD collection and rainy-day games
Superfast fibre broadband
Downstairs office space
COOKING & DINING
Large well-equipped kitchen
Electric oven and convection hob
Dining table for eight
Tea towels provided
BATHROOMS
Downstairs family bathroom
Upstairs family bathroom with bath and shower
En-suite with shower
Bathroom towels provided
OUTDOORS
Private decked area (not ‘dog secure’)
Charcoal Weber barbecue
Al fresco dining area
Warm outdoor shower
Utility and drying room
ACCESSIBILITY
Steps onto decked area which leads to the front door
Staircase without handrails internally to second floor
Both sides of staircase encloased by walls
Access to bedroom on ground floor
Contact us for more information
HEATING & POWER
Central heating
Contemporary wood burner
Green tariff electricity
Electricity at Rockpools is from renewable sources
BABIES & TODDLERS
Travel cot (no linen) and high chair on request
Sorry, it is not possible to fit stair gates in this property
PETS
Up to two well behaved dogs are welcome
PARKING
Parking for two cars
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
Saturday standard changeover
Check in after 4pm
Check out before 10am
Location

GWITHIAN

The beaches of Godrevy and Gwithian Towans are tucked away treasures on the North coast of Cornwall, backed by picturesque sand dunes that run alongside them. These unspoilt, golden beaches stretch along the easterly side of St Ives Bay, and as west facing beaches they bask in the summer sun all day long. With several surf schools lining the beach, Gwithian is a surfing mecca and is an area perfect for those wanting to try surfing for the first time or polish up their skill!

Travel times

  • Rockpools is about 7 miles from the nearest mainline station at Camborne. Regular and convenient services run from all over the UK.
  • Rockpools is situated in Gwithian Towans, on Cornwall’s North Coast coast adjacent to the delightful village of Gwithian, just five minutes north east of Hayle on the B3301. Driving time from London is around five hours in normal traffic while Exeter is around two hours away. We’ll send you detailed route information before your departure.

Things we love

  • A classic beach chalet - moments from the surf
  • A stroll to the cafés, restaurants and pubs nearby
  • In a quiet location but with supermarkets and other amenities just a short drive away
  • Access to the coastal footpath practically on your doorstep

The gwithian guide

Surfers

Water-sports Wonderland

With its rolling waves, golden sands and stunning sunsets, Gwithian and the surrounding beaches are a watersports lover’s paradise, a stone’s throw from our Gwithian Towans holiday cottages. Seasonal lifeguards serve the beach here, so it’s a safe place for those wanting to get in the water and discover what St Ives Bay has to offer in terms of aquatic adrenaline. Take advantage of Gwithian’s decent swell and jump on a surfboard with the help from our friends at Global Boarders. When the wind whips up, you can join the kitesurfers soaring over the waves.

If you’d rather just get in the water without a board, the sea swimming is simply spectacular. Time it right and you can be out in a calm sea, watching the sun sink below the Atlantic. Or, get up with the larks to have the beach to yourself on a summer morning before even the sand has warmed up. With plenty of shallow waters and rock pools to explore it’s also the perfect place to bring the kids with a bat and ball for some simple family holiday fun.

Safe, sheltered sand pools

Our Gwithian Towans chalets and cottages make an ideal base for families. As the tide retreats back across Gwithian’s golden sands, it reveals a myriad of rock pools and sand pools that heat up under the summer sun, creating safe, warm shallows that are perfect for kids to play in. Gwithian has seasonal lifeguards too, so children can try their hand sea swimming and bodyboarding worry free. For those with a four-legged friend in tow, make for the south-westerly section of Gwithian and the beaches beyond, where dogs are free to frolic, cooling off in the many sand pools along the way.

The vast expanse of beach exposed at low tide serves as a fantastic pitch for beach games, whether it’s rounders, cricket or football. Gathering up a group of friends or family for a match is an idyllic way to spend an evening. For post-game refreshments, head up into the Towans, fire up a barbecue and watch as the sun sinks down behind the Atlantic.

Cornish walking holidays Gwithian South West Coast Path

Miles of coastal footpath

With cliff walks to the east and gentle strolls through the dog friendly dunes to the west, Gwithian has direct access to fantastic walking. Head east along Gwithian beach and you’ll discover the steep cliffs at Godrevy Head, a stark contrast to the gentle slope down to sea level found at Gwithian. Peer carefully over the edge to Mutton’s Cove to count the seals lounging on the beach below, or continue further along the cliff for stunning views of the dramatic north Cornish coastline.

These north cliffs also join up with one of Cornwall’s richest woodland areas, Tehidy Woods. Home to friendly squirrels and a great cafe, these paths provide cooler shady walking during the summer months and sheltered strolls in the winter. Walk west from Gwithian and you’ll be greeted with beach, beach and more beach, stretching all the way to St Ives. With gentle sandy tracks, quiet lanes and almost continuous views across St Ives Bay, this gentle section of the coastal footpath is dog friendly all year round.

Beaches
Gwithian beach dunes, Cornwall

Gwithian

Backed by sand dunes, with a gentle golden slope leading down to clear waters, Gwithian’s lifeguarded shores are perfect for beach life. When the wind blows, watch surfers take on the Atlantic waves and kite surfers take to the air, with seasonal lifeguards looking on. If you want to test the waves yourself, you’ll find board hire and lessons, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering, at Global Boarders, just behind the dunes. On a calm day, the waters are dotted with swimmers, families playing beach games and kids finding their feet with bodyboards.

Godrevy lighthouse, Gwithian beach, Cornwall

Godrevy

With its rocky outcrops, great surf and sheltered shores perfect for sunbathers, Godrevy is the beach for those looking to find their own secluded spot of sand. Godrevy is under the watchful eye of seasonal lifeguards, so children can play happily in the sea, or explore the many rockpools and sandpools. Godrevy beach and the grassy cliff above looks out towards Godrevy Lighthouse, the inspiration behind Virginia Woolfe’s To The Lighthouse. It’s one of our favourite spots to watch the sun set, turning the sky a deep red as the sun slips down behind the lighthouse. The Godrevy Beach Cafe in the National Trust carpark is great.

Gwithian Beach and dunes, St Ives Bay, Cornwall

Hayle’s beaches

Gwithian is flanked to the east by a number of beaches that make up the three miles of sand that stretches across St Ives Bay to Hayle Estuary. Upton Towans, Mexico Towans and Hayle Beach are all dog friendly all year round, and they all interconnect as the tide goes out. The grassy dunes behind them are a perfect spot for a barbecue and there are caves to discover at low tide, just a stone’s throw from our Gwithian Towans chalets. From wartime structures to pillars used to facilitate the extraction of tin from the sand over a hundred years ago, there’s plenty to see for those who don’t fancy lounging in the sun all day.

Food & drink
Sunset Surf cafe at Gwithian beach, Cornwall

Cool cafes

Right on Gwithian’s sand, the quirky Hungry Horsebox Co is housed in a converted horsebox. They do a delicious dhal and great coffee. Set just back from the beach, Sunset Surf Cafe overlooks the beautiful beach and is a great spot for some hearty homemade food and a crisp glass of local cider. It’s also home to the surf school Global Boarders. With its showstopping views, The Jam Pot is an idyllic location for a tea or coffee stop, a mouthwatering bacon sandwich or a generous helping of cake. At the other end of the beach, the kid friendly, dog friendly and surfer friendly Godrevy Beach Cafe serves everything you’d want after a blustery beach walk or surf, from delicious breakfasts to indulgent hot chocolates. Grab a table upstairs for a brilliant view of Godrevy lighthouse.

Pubs and restaurants

A couple of miles up the road, Trevaskis Farm Restaurant is a great place for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Their seasonal lunch and supper menus include dishes such as crusted sea bream and lobster thermidor, and their Sunday roasts are very popular. In the centre of Gwithian, the Red River Inn is open every day for breakfast, lunch and evening meals, with plenty of local produce and Cornish ales on offer. It holds a popular annual beer festival at Easter. Behind the dunes at the far end of Gwithian beach, the Rookpool is full of sandy footed surfers and  serves small bites and sharing plates, hearty main meals, such as sea platters and seafood chowders, burgers and ribs.

Eating local in Gwithian and Hayle

With two brilliant farm shops within a couple of miles of the village and delis, ice cream parlours and pasty shops in neighbouring Hayle, it’s easy to get your hands on local produce in Gwithian, from fresh fish and meat to veg and local cheeses.

Find out more about buying local with our handy Local Food Guide to Gwithian.

Things to do
Surfing at Gwithian Beach, Cornwall

Take to the water

Gwithian is one of the most popular surfing spots on the north coast, and for good reason — it regularly welcomes medium sized clean surf to its shores, so it’s brilliant for all abilities. There are numerous surf schools around Gwithian and Godrevy, including Global Boarders, which is located at the Sunset Surf cafe near the Gwithian Towans carpark. They cater to all ages and abilities, and they also offer coasteering, kayaking and paddleboard hire and lessons, too.

Red Panda At Paradise Park, St Ives Bay, Cornwall

Paradise Park

With over a hundred species of birds, this brilliant wildlife park in Hayle is home to eagles, parrots and flamingoes, as well as Red Pandas, otters, and a petting zoo. Paradise Park caters for all ages too, with penguin feeding, a jungle train, free flying shows and the chance to hold a barn owl, make sure you check out their website to find out when these events are on. If the kids still aren’t tired out, make sure you take them to the Jungle Barn, Paradise Park’s whopping soft play area. A thoroughly entertaining way to spend a day!

Seals Mutton Cove Gwithian, Godrevy

Seal spotting

All year round, if you head across Godrevy Point to Mutton Cove and peer carefully over the cliff edge, you should be able to spot the herd of seals taking shelter on the beach down below. Watch them head out to sea and swim, their heads bobbing in the waves like little black buoys, or see fluffy grey pups lollop across the sand. If you’re lucky enough, you may be able to spot them in the water off Godrevy and Gwithian beaches, or take a boat trip with St Ives Boat Company and spot them lounging on the lighthouse island.

Guests Say
  • A perfect chalet!

    Lovely stay at Rockpools, it is a perfect chalet with all of the amenities we could wish for, both in and out of the property! Thank you for a beautifully presented chalet! The location to the beach is perfect and hearing the sea from our bedroom was so therapeutic and peaceful.

    The Gibbons & Watson Families — August 2019
  • Wonderful stay

    Thank you so much for the welcome gifts, we had a wonderful stay in this lovely place. Looking out over the fields and sitting outside the chalet by the beach has been lovely and relaxing. Thank you!

    The Finlayson Family — July 2019
  • Lovely week!

    We have had a lovely week at Rockpools, weather bit cool but picked up in the week! The owners have made the beach house a house away from home and it has everything you need. We hope to come back, thank you!

    The Smith Family — April 2019
  • Very well equipped

    Great stay, very well equipped chalet! Sunset Surf is a favourite, great food and relaxed atmosphere. Thank you for a great stay.

    The Horton Family — April 2019
  • Superb!

    What a gem! On arrival we were blown away by the beach house and the stunning location of Gwithian Towans. Rockpools is the perfect retreat and spotlessly clean. We have made more special memories to treasure during our stay. We would love to come back sometime in the near future....superb!

    The White & Smith Families — September 2018
  • Perfectly located

    Had a great time here, enjoyed bodyboarding and surfing! The house is perfectly located and made coming up from the beach in wetsuits effortless! Overall, a great experience.

    The Pearce Family — June 2018
  • Stunning

    We loved staying at Rockpools, thank you for having us. Gwithian is stunning: beach walks, seals, Sunset Surf cafe, sunsets, sitting on the front decking early evening then cosy nights in front of the fire and superb DVD collection. We would love to come back and Rockpools would be the perfect place to stay.

    Jan, Gary, Duncan, Liz, Abi & Yasmin — February 2018
  • Forever Cornwall Rockpools Testimonial
    Fiona — November 2017
  • Forever Cornwall Rockpools Testimonial 2
    Milly (aged 12) — November 2016
  • Warm surf shower is a real bonus!

    One of my favourite beaches in Cornwall. We've been meaning to stay on the Towans for many years, but couldn't find a place that was surf friendly, and here we had all we were looking for. Warm surf shower is a real bonus!

    The Peacock Family — September 2016
  • Lovely, open, light house

    We've had a wonderful week here in this lovely, open, light house. Being able to walk to the sea is wonderful. We hope to be back.

    The Abbatt Family — September 2016
  • Amazing place

    Thank you for letting us stay in your wonderful beach house. Amazing place. Everyone loved the hot outdoor shower. The sun on the front deck in the evening is a perfect place to sit listening to the waves.

    The Graham Family — September 2016
  • The perfect base

    Thank you for a great week in your lovely house. This is our second year in Gwithian and once again we had a full week of activity. Rockpools was the perfect base. We had lots of cosy evenings enjoying some home cooking and your great DVD collection.

    The Plunkett Family — August 2016
  • Wonderful week

    What a wonderful week we have all had at Gwithian! We have all enjoyed going to the beach for the day and seeing seals. We have had a lovely stay and loved the barbecue. So nice to be away from busy roads. One of our highlights was spotting dolphins! We are all hoping to come back soon.

    Gem, Dan, Daisy, Olivia & Noah — July 2016
  • Lovely little gem!

    Lovely little gem! Wonderful holiday home and beautiful scenery everywhere.

    Etheridge, Parks & Hosier Families — February 2014
  • What an amazing place

    Wow - what an amazing place…we paddled, body boarded, jumped waves, dug holes, built sandcastles and found crabs, as well as chilling out at Rockpools and enjoying the extensive DVD library. The boys loved the after dinner beach walks and revelled in the later bedtimes!

    Sarah, Charles, Sethie & Ewan — August 2013
  • A sanctuary

    Thank you for such a fantastic place to stay… Rockpools is a sanctuary to be savoured, and the beach at Gwithian is the perfect place for kids. Loved it all and so sad to say goodbye - next time we’ll be coming without the kids for a fix of tranquility!

    Julie, Justin, Jakey & Sophie — July 2013
  • Lovely home

    We love Gwithian and Rockpools was a lovely home for the week. Love the sunrise and sunset views and the big open-plan. Looking forward to returning again.

    The Hansons — May 2013
  • I stood up on the board!

    My favourite thing was surfing because I stood up on the board and my dad did not.

    Alfie (age 9) — April 2013
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Please note, we only release dates 11 months ahead, so please check back or enquire for more availability.