St Agnes Holiday Guide

ST AGNES WEATHER

UPDATED 28/07/2026

Why you should visit St Agnes?

If you love Poldark, you will recognise St Agnes, adorning the gloriously historical Heritage Coast, which featured in Winston Graham’s original novels and in the popular TV series starring Aidan Turner in the lead role.

Perhaps best known for its row of ‘Stippy-Stappy’ houses up-along a short lane from Trevaunance Cove, the 200-year-old higgledy-piggledy sea-captains’ cottages define the village, the essence of rural Cornwall.

The village got its name from the local legend of Bolster the Giant, who terrified villagers and, legend has it, ate small children. However, he fell in love with the beautiful Agnes who asked him to prove his love for her by filling a hole in the rocks in Chapel Porth with his blood. Agnes was a clever girl, brighter than Bolster. The hole she chose ran right down the cliffs and into the sea, so Bolster the Giant bled to death – and fair Agnes became a heroine.

‘Aggie’, as it is known to the locals, is in a designated Cornwall National Landscape (previously known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It is popular with people who love the rugged landscape and mining heritage. St Agnes Head is a brilliant place to spot dolphins.

How to get there

Getting to St Agnes is fairly straightforward. From London, you just take the M4 then the M5, and finally the A30. An alternative route is the A303 if there are hold ups on the M5, as this also takes you to the A30. It is 10 miles south-west of Newquay.

St Agnes is around 20 minutes from Newquay and 30 minutes from Truro by car.

If you’re driving to North Cornwall in a plug-in electric vehicle, see our list of charging locations here.

Where to park in St Agnes

St Agnes has three main car parks. Check out St Agnes Village Car Park on Trelawny Road, which is ideal for pottering around the shops or heading to the beach. It’s free for up to 90 minutes, then very reasonable after. Tariffs are managed by St Agnes Parish Council and may change, so it’s worth checking the on-site signage before parking.

Rappers Coombe Car Park is a handy spot if you’re heading for a pint or to explore the more tucked-away Trevaunance Cove. Charges apply from 9am to 4pm in season (April–October): £1.00 for an hour, £1.80 for 2 hours, £3.00 for 4 hours or £4.20 for 24 hours. Free outside these hours and in winter.

Lastly, there’s Trevellas Cove Car Park, a small National Trust car park close to the South West Coast Path. Spaces are limited and it fills quickly during the summer months, so it’s best to arrive early.

Best places to eat in St Agnes

There are a variety of eating places including the friendly Miners Arms. A historic pub with a fascinating past, having served as a court, a smugglers’ hideaway and even a house of ill repute. Today it pairs its rich history with a modern menu showcasing seasonal Cornish produce, fresh seafood and classic pub favourites.

Schooners is a casual stop serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, seasonal small plates and an excellent selection of Cornish beers, alongside cocktails, wines and soft drinks. It is a popular beach-front spot, run by Verdant Brewing Co. You can always count on its popular Helles Lager and Lightbulb Extra Pale Ale, along with the brewery’s newest addition, Schooners, a juicy Pale Ale.

The Tap House is a funky and lively venue with regular live music, an excellent range of local beers and gins, and a menu celebrating fresh seasonal ingredients and Cornish seafood.

Genki is a relaxed beach-style café serving speciality coffee, breakfasts, brunch, smoothie bowls, waffles and light lunches made with fresh local ingredients. Its sunny garden makes it a popular spot to unwind after a morning on the beach.

Meanwhile, the kids will love artisan pizza with a Cornish twist (fresh, local and authentic) at the Cornish Pizza Company.

For takeaway fresh cakes, bread and pasties, try St Agnes Bakery.

What to do:

Child-friendly activities in St Agnes

View the beaches and the coastline from a different angle with a trip out with Koru Kayaking – you will pass under high cliffs and maybe even enter sea caves, including some that were later enlarged through Cornwall’s mining history, so enjoy a little taste of life on the ocean wave and see if you can spot a friendly seal along the way.

Watersports

There is a thriving surf vibe at St Agnes, several surf shops and a high standard of surfing.

Known as the capital of ‘The Badlands’ (a term used during the 1980s-90s when visiting surfers would upset the locals by not adhering to etiquette and dropping in on their waves) the area between here and St Ives developed a tough reputation in the surfing world, one which is thankfully now much more positive.

There are surf schools here to try your hand such as Breakers for visitors and locals. Gwithians is also an attractive surf beach for beginners and not too far away.

Nearby Porthtowan also has a great surfing beach, popular with both beginners and experienced surfers throughout the year. They regularly host surfing events and competitions during the summer.

Art & Crafts

Local artist, Celia Creeper, has a studio in St Agnes where she paints scenes of Cornish harbours and local views using a variety of media.

Jo Polack is a contemporary textile artist, so for something truly unique and different, visit her studio.

Little Feathers Gallery is also well worth a visit, showcasing handmade gifts, jewellery, ceramics, artwork, and crafts by local and British makers.

Best beaches to visit in St Agnes

There is a shingle beach at Trevaunance Cove just below the town which reveals a sandy beach at low tide.

Trevaunance is popular with families and surfers; it is also perfect for children due to the gently shelving beach. When the tide is out, there is a small stream to splash around in and numerous rock pools to explore. If your canine companion is with you, please note that dogs are allowed all year round on leads.

The beach at Chapel Porth is similar but has a seasonal dog ban. The good news is that both beaches have lifeguards in attendance during the season. Trevellas Porth is not suitable for swimming but most of the television series, Poldark, was filmed around this area so it is quite interesting in terms of mining history – and dogs are welcome all year round.

Shopping

St Agnes is home to a great selection of independent shops. Churchtown Arts is in one of the oldest listed buildings in St Agnes with an eclectic collection of items. Meanwhile, Finisterre may be nationally known but its heart is here in Cornwall, with headquarters here in St Agnes. As you’d expect there is also a surf shop, called Aggie. You can give back by shopping at the local RNLI shop, too.

Things to do on rainy days in St Agnes

Just a few miles away in Porthtowan, Mount Hawke is the South West’s largest indoor skatepark, with a 24,000 sq ft warehouse packed with ramps, bowls and zones for skateboarders, BMX riders and scooter enthusiasts of all abilities. A brilliant rainy-day activity for families, groups and anyone looking to try something different.

Something different

For a dramatic glimpse into Cornwall’s mining heritage, visit Wheal Coates, one of the county’s most iconic coastal engine houses. Perched high above Chapel Porth, the atmospheric ruins offer spectacular views along the Heritage Coast and are especially impressive on stormy days when the waves crash below. The site is managed by the National Trust and is a fascinating place to explore Cornwall’s tin mining history.

Best walks in St Agnes

The town is an ideal centre for walking holidays for those wishing to explore the splendid North Cornwall coastline. The cliffs, caves, and wildlife make it especially attractive to visitors, so look out for sunfish, porpoises, dolphins and even turtles, alongside the more common seals and sea birds.

It is possible to follow the mining trail beginning at the famous Wheal Coates Tin Mine on the cliffs near Chapel Porth and continuing along the coastal path to the old workings at Pulborough and Wheal Kitty. The trail ends at Blue Hills, at the last remaining tin production centre in Cornwall.

Make sure you walk up to St Agnes Beacon which is 628 feet high. Survey the world, for from here it is said that you can see 23 miles of coast and 32 church towers.

There is a challenging 6 mile circular walk taking in St Agnes Beacon, St Agnes Head and the iconic Wheal Coates engine house if you park at a Trevaunance Cove or Chapel Porth.

Special things to know about

St Agnes was a centre of the tin and copper mining industries, so many of the old engine houses can be seen around this area.

Visit the Town Church to see its unusual ‘poor box’, which reflects the village’s past community traditions. One sight not to be missed is the aforementioned famous row of ‘Stippy Stappy’ sea captains’ cottages, a charming stepped terrace of historic homes overlooking the village. The name comes from Cornish dialect, referring to their steep, step-like arrangement. There is also a free museum on the edge of town on the road to Truro. There is also, of course, a unique May Day weekend Bolster Festival. Yes, it celebrates the defeat of the infamous giant!

St Agnes Weather

The best time to visit St Agnes for warm weather is July-early September. Summers can be cool and a little windy on exposed coasts. February is normally the coldest month. Cloud and rain is variable but January is thought to be the wettest month.

Toilets

Public toilets are at Porthtowan Beach (50p charge) and Trevaunance cove (accessible). There are further toilets at Churchtown.