A smuggler’s walk and a beach with a story

Setting out from Acton Castle near Rosudgeon, on this perfect day in December 2016, we were just ambling but stumbled on a fantastic little beach. It’s slightly remote but perfectly accessible — our favourite kind! A bit of research uncovered the name, and a story. “Piskey’s Cove” (or Piskies Cove) is reputed to be one of the places where John Carter “The King of Prussia” landed his smuggled goods. This whole area was a hub for smuggling activity in the late 18th century. It’s got suitably hidden caves which would probably remain dry on a neap tide (although would be treacherous with surf running!). You can find out more about the Carter brothers’ smuggling activity here.

The coastal path here takes in the Bessy’s Cove, Piskie’s Cove and Portleah Cove, which became known later as Prussia Cove.  It is mainly gently undulating, but does have a few steepish sections. The views are spectacular all the way, with sweeping vistas toward the Lizard Peninsula to the south and Penwith and Land’s End in the west. Below are some photos of our walk and Piskey’s Cove. You can also have a look inside one of the caves in this video…

You can also make a longer circular walk from Kennegy Sands to Perranuthanoe along the coastal path (returning across fields inland but with wonderful views). There are  spectacular views as you reach Cudden Point and Stackhouse Cove. Perranuthnoe is a sweet village with a lovely beach and an excellent gasto-pub too, the Victoria Inn. Making your way back across various fields and roads leads back to the starting point. Find a map of the route here – you can start at either end.

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Walking down to the coastal path from Acton Castle.

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St Michael’s Mount, bathed in low winter sunshine, with golden gorse and crystal clear water….

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Our first glimpse of Piskey’s Cove… actually two mini-coves separated by a platform of rocks and rock-pools…

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Poppy cannot understand why we are not on the beach already. But we have to sit back for a moment and soak up the sun, and the view…

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A moment’s rest…

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We can’t wait to come back in the summer — with snorkels!

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There is a path cut through the rocks, to the beach below…

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Smuggling aside — this is the most perfect beach for taking in some of nature’s amazing details… like clusters of limpets, carefully selecting the nooks and crannies that offer the best protection from the raging seas….

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A view from inside one of the spectacular caves… you can see more in this short film.

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