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The Camel Estuary on Cornwall's north coast is a much-loved destination for good reason. There's plenty of beaches along the estuary, stunning coast p...

Camel Estuary

Daymer Bay is a stunning beach on the east side of the Camel Estuary. At low tide it forms long stretches of golden sand backed by dunes from Daymer B...

Daymer Bay

Devoran is a village located in the upper reaches of the Carrick Roads in Cornwall, near the city of Truro.

Devoran

Fowey is a small town tucked up the River Fowey on the south coast. The town itself is very popular offering a good variety of shops, restaurants, caf...

Fowey

The village of Gweek is located at the head of the Helford River and is the furthest navigable point on the tidal river. It is now mainly used to stor...

Gweek

The estuary town of Hayle is nestled on the picturesque north coast of Cornwall, close to St Ives.

Hayle

Hayle Beach is a stunning tidal beach is on the northern side of Hayle Estuary. 

Hayle Beach

Hayle is beautifully positioned by the sea with a full three miles of golden sandy beaches which have helped it to become a popular holiday destinatio...

Hayle Estuary

Centred around the 300 year old Ferry Boat Inn and a picturesque cluster of cottages, the sand and shingle beach at Helford Passage is a popular launc...

Helford Passage

An idyllic river running through unspoiled creeks and ancient woodlands, the Helford is one of Cornwall's most picturesque estuaries.

Helford River

Founded in 1948 and located on the south bank of the Helford River in some of the best sailing waters in England with shore facilities and pontoons.

Helford River Sailing Club

The King Harry Ferry is a chain ferry crossing the Carrick Roads, which connects St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula with Feock, Truro and Falmouth.

King Harry Ferry

Lerryn is a village in south Cornwall situated near the upper reaches of the River Fowey but has its own waterway; the River Lerryn (a tributary of th...

Lerryn

Loe Beach is a charming and picturesque spot nestled on the south coast of Cornwall. Located near Feock, just a short drive from Truro, Loe Beach offe...

Loe Beach

Lostwithiel is situated in a beautiful wooded valley at the tidal reach of the River Fowey. Located in central Cornwall, it is within easy reach of bo...

Lostwithiel

The village of Malpas is situated along the bank of the Truro River about a mile outside the city. It is here that the rivers of Truro and Tresillian ...

Malpas

Mawgan Creek is located on the far upper reaches of the Helford River. The village of Mawgan is a couple of miles up the hill from the creek itself an...

Mawgan Creek

A picturesque marina, that has so much to offer. From the watersports enthusiast to the experienced sailor, Mylor is a fantastic location for anyone w...

Mylor Harbour

Just a stones throw from Falmouth, the sleepy settlement of Penryn has effectively become an extension of its larger counterpart over the years. To ge...

Penryn

Point is a small settlement about four miles south of Truro, in the parish of Feock, situated on a small promontory where the Penpol Creek joins Restr...

Point

Tucked well away on the Helford River lies the idyllic and peaceful hamlet at the head of one of the river’s seven creeks.

Port Navas

Port Navas Creek is one of the many passages on the Helford River. The waterway leads to Port Navas itself; an idyllic and peaceful hamlet.

Port Navas Creek

Porthkidney Sands is a breathtaking beach located near Hayle with stunning views of Hayle Estuary and St Ives. 

Porthkidney Sands

Restronguet Point is a narrow headland on the upper reaches of the Carrick Roads.

Restronguet Point

The River Gannel separates Newquay from Crantock village and is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long.

River Gannel

Rock is tucked away on the north side of the Camel Estuary opposite Padstow. A popular village with superb cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Rock

Tucked away on the Tresillian River is the small village of St Clement. It has a very different feel to the city of Truro, which is just a couple of m...

St Clement

St Just in Roseland is a very peaceful and tranquil spot - a sheltered tidal creek, tucked away from the elements.

St Just in Roseland

St Winnow is a thinly-populated and scattered parish and village located on the eastern banks of the River Fowey, just south of Lostwithiel.

St Winnow

Tremayne Quay is a truely timeless location on the banks of the upper reaches of the Helford River. The quay was built by Sir Richard Vyvyan in 1847 f...

Tremayne Quay

Centrally located within the county and well-serviced, Truro is Cornwall's only city. Wide cobbled streets and hidden winding lanes ensure there is al...

Truro

Take a 360° virtual tour of some of Cornwall’s rivers and estuaries

With the longest coastline in Britain, it’s no surprise that Cornwall also has many stunning estuaries and rivers. Most of these have villages and towns situated near on on them, and Truro itself, Cornwall’s one and only city, has a river running through it – the Truro River.

The landscape of these areas changes dramatically with the tides. At low tides, estuaries and bars such as the Doom Bar between Padstow and Rock, reveal wide sandy expanses. Others are less dramatic, yet provide fantastic views with many footpaths to be found, perfect for walkers. In towns such as Penryn, mud flats are exposed when the tide is low and these can be surprisingly deep and viscous, so care should be taken when visiting such areas. Always check the tides as when the land is very flat, the tide can race in very quickly, potentially stranding unwary walkers.

The rivers and estuaries of Cornwall provide a wealth of natural habitats for birds such as avocets, curlews, herons, little egrets and so on. Eelgrass can be found on the sheltered riverbeds of the Helford Passage and the lush underwater grassy tufts provide vital shelter for crabs and young fish. Other marine creatures also use the eelgrass as a nursery and to anchor their eggs.

Colourful boats anchored or pulled up on the exposed flats are a common sight in many of the rivers and estuaries around the county, and on a sunny day there is nowhere better to enjoy a refreshing drink at a local pub and watch the world go by.