From the long, exposed stretches of sand of Gwithian and Godrevy near St Ives, to the surfing beaches around Rock and Polzeath further north, the Cornish beach lifestyle is everywhere you look.
Cornwall has long been home to passionate surfers, sea swimmers and beach lovers. Proximity to the sea, and the active lifestyle that inspires, is one thing our current properties for sale offer in abundance.
However, life in Cornwall isn’t all one long trip to the beach. Behind the scenes, designers and entrepreneurs are hard at work, inspired by the region’s creativity and independent spirit.
Many exciting emerging brands are busy creating swimwear, wetsuits and beach products which celebrate the Cornish lifestyle while putting sustainability centre-stage. Their mission is to help protect this beautiful coastline for future generations.
Maybe you’re a keen surfer, a sandcastle architect or a sun worshipper? If so, it’s time to discover the essentials you’ll need for beach days here in Cornwall. Because whether you’re in the market for a new home or shopping for sun cream, it’s good to support local Cornish businesses!
Sunscreen
No trip to the beach is safe without sunscreen and Cornish brand Scence has got you covered. Handmade in their seaside lab in Falmouth, the Scence range is meticulously crafted vegan skincare, completely free of parabens and plastics. They produce a SPF30 Sunscreen which is suitable for all the family and all skin types.
Hydration
We all know staying hydrated in the sun is a must. Perranporth based company Circular & Co have developed a pioneering eco-friendly reusable water bottle made from 14 single-use plastic bottles. It’s specifically designed to be easily recycled back into the next new product.
Beach Blankets
You’ll be cosy and comfortably set up for the perfect beach picnic with an Atlantic Blanket Designed in Cornwall, and made in the British Isles, they prioritise sustainability practices in the production of their blankets and their designs are inspired by the Atlantic ocean, with cool blues, sea greens and warm greys.
Windbreaks
There’ll be no mistaking where your camp is on the beach with Cornish brand Stick In The Sand’s eco windbreaks. These bright, fun tie-dyed screens are all designed, measured, cut, sewn, dyed (and each eucalyptus pole is hand-pointed) in their workshop in Mullion.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are definitely a beach essential, but not all sunglasses are created equal. How about sporting some sunglasses made from repurposed ghost fishing gear and plastic found on the Cornish coastline? Waterhaul uses end-of-life fishing gear to produce stylish and UV safe sunglasses. They also run great hands-on workshops for kids to educate the next generation about the issues surrounding ghost nets and ocean plastic.
Picnic time!
Your beach trip won’t be complete without a picnic. If you can’t face making one yourself, why not order a hamper full of Cornish delights from Cornish Food Box. Their food boxes and hampers are packed full of treats. Support local, and avoid the stress and hassle of the supermarket shop!
Water safety
If you’re planning to get in the water or visiting any of the lesser-known coves that get cut off by the tides, it’s essential to understand the tide times in your area. Download the Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast App. for your phone or buy a tide times booklet online.
Swimwear
Cornwall’s rich seaside heritage means there is an abundance of amazing independent Cornish brands creating sustainable swimwear.
In surfing hot spot Newquay you’ll find Made of Water and Tide and Seek. Made of Water’s products are made by and designed for female wild swimmers; “Women of the high seas who swim fiercely all year round.” They stock two eco swimwear brands; Winki and Ohoy, as well as their own Made of Water Clothing which is ethically made from 100% organic cotton.
Tide and Seek make all of their swimwear with Repreve fabric; a fabric that is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
St. Agnes is home to the headquarters of cold-water surf brand Finisterre. Their wetsuits are made from Yulex® Natural Rubber, a clean, plant-based alternative to traditional toxic neoprene, often used in synthetic suits.
Surf Equipment
Hiring surf or bodyboards for your day at the beach is a very environmentally friendly option. However, if you’re keen to get your own, why not make a board at an Otter Surfboards workshop? Based in Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan, Otter Surfboards hand-craft designed wooden surfboards to last a lifetime.
Cornish surf conditions can be unpredictable, so if you’re eager to hit the water as often as possible, why not try your hand at hand planing. Although it’s been around a long time, this sport has grown increasingly popular over the last five years. Hand planes allow you to plane effortlessly across a wave face when bodysurfing. No ambition surf club creates beautiful, eco-friendly and fun wooden hand planes in their Cornish workshop.
Changing Robes
Once out of the water, warming up is a priority! Falmouth based Zen Beach sells poncho-style towelling robes which are entirely manufactured in Cornwall.
Meanwhile Anne’s Cottage, which started as a small shop on the beach in Polzeath in 1978, stocks – Dry robe’s for your dogs, because they need to keep toasty too!
Dry Bags
Cornwall Swim Co. based in St. Austell, have fantastic dry bags, which you can take with you on a SUP adventure and know that your items will be safe and dry even if you take a tumble in the water.
Here at Harding Laity, we’re one of Cornwall’s leading estate agents with offices in St Ives and Wadebridge. As you can see, we love sharing our local knowledge! So, if you’re looking to buy a house in Cornwall or sell with a Cornish property specialist on hand to give you top-tips, why not get in touch and start the conversation today!
