Luxury holidays in Charlestown & Carlyon Bay

Charlestown and Carlyon Bay offer a different side to Cornwall, one shaped by sheltered bays, maritime heritage and a slower south coast rhythm.

Charlestown feels timeless, with its Georgian harbour, tall ships and whitewashed cottages creating one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric waterfront settings.

Around the harbour, restaurants, cafés and galleries give the village a lively but relaxed feel throughout the year.

Carlyon Bay offers something altogether more open and expansive. The bay itself is formed of three beaches stretching across St Austell Bay, backed by cliffs, coast paths and wide sea views.

Once known for its grand seaside glamour and entertainment scene, the area still retains a sense of space and coastal elegance today.

The surrounding coastline is ideal for exploring, with the South West Coast Path linking nearby beaches including Porthpean and Polkerris, while attractions such as the Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan are all within easy reach.

Together, Charlestown and Carlyon Bay combine coastal scenery, heritage and south coast tranquillity in a way that feels both refined and deeply connected to Cornwall.

This stretch of coastline is home to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful south coast beaches, combining calmer waters with wide sandy bays and sheltered coves.

Carlyon Bay is the area’s largest beach setting, made up of three connected beaches stretching across more than two miles of coastline. Popular for swimming, paddleboarding and long walks along the sand, the bay has a broad, open feel with dramatic sea views across St Austell Bay.

In summer, beach bars, pop-ups and seasonal events bring a lively atmosphere to the shoreline.

Nearby, Charlestown Beach sits beside the historic harbour, offering a smaller and more characterful beach setting framed by tall ships and harbour walls.

A short distance away, Porthpean Beach is known for its calmer waters and watersports, while Polkerris combines a sheltered beach with coastal dining, sea views and watersports.

Whether you’re looking for family beach days, paddleboarding or relaxed coastal walks, this part of Cornwall offers a gentler south coast beach experience.

Charlestown has become one of Cornwall’s best-loved south coast dining destinations, where historic harbour views, seafood restaurants and relaxed coastal pubs create a lively waterfront atmosphere.

Harbour favourites including The Longstore, Springtide, The Pier House, The Boathouse, The Rashleigh Arms and Rebellion Roast House have helped shape Charlestown’s reputation as one of the area’s standout food destinations, offering everything from seafood-led menus and steaks to relaxed harbourfront dining.

Around Carlyon Bay, the atmosphere becomes more beach-led and contemporary. Edie’s and the restaurants at The Carlyon Bay Hotel offer elevated dining with sweeping sea views across St Austell Bay, while relaxed cafés and beachside spots add to

the area’s coastal feel. During the summer months, Carlyon Bay comes alive with its popular beach food and drink village, bringing together pop-up food stalls, beach bars, live music and seasonal events directly on the sand.

Nearby beaches and villages including Polkerris and Porthpean add further waterside dining options, while the nearby St Austell Brewery's Visitor Centre offers brewery tours, tastings and a chance to discover the story behind one of Cornwall’s most iconic breweries. Visitors can also enjoy food and drinks at the on-site Hicks Bar, making it a great stop for relaxed lunches, local ales and picking up Cornish beers to take home.

Charlestown and Carlyon Bay are ideally positioned for exploring Cornwall’s south coast.

Head east towards Mevagissey, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Roseland Peninsula, or travel west towards Fowey, one of Cornwall’s best-loved harbour towns.

Nearby beaches including Polkerris, Porthpean and Duporth are all within easy reach, while inland attractions such as the Eden Project offer another side to Cornwall’s landscape and heritage.