Chapel Porth
OS Grid ref:- SW 6949
Chapel Porth beach, owned by the National Trust, lies in a cove between high dramatic, heather clad cliffs. The resort lies around two miles south of the village of St. Agnes.
At high tide the beach is quite small but at low tide extends to an expanse of white sand that spreads from St. Agnes Head to Porthtowan. Care should be exercised to ensure that you are not cut off by the incoming tide.
The beach is famous for its great surfing. The National Trust provides a car park at the beach and there is an additional car park at the top of the hill above the cove. A lifeguard service operates daily at Chapel Porth from May - September and there is a cafe on the beach.
The famous Wheal Coates engine house looms dramatically on the cliffs above, the mine produced mainly tin and is about a half a mile walk from the cove. The mine goes all the way down to the sea and at low tide, some of the mine workings can be accessed via a large cave at the far end of Chapel Porth beach. Local legend reputedly states that Wheal Coates is haunted. The buildings are owned by the National Trust.
The coast path from Chapel Porth to St. Agnes Head offers superb views.