Castle Beach, St Mawes, The Roseland, Cornwall
Ideal with any easterly wind (becomes a total suntrap in the right conditions). From the lower castle car park, there is a very narrow path at the far southern end. This path leads down to a little pebble beach which looks out across the Carrick Roads to Pendennis Castle. Although not the most comfortable beach in the world, it is a total suntrap in an easterly wind and also a great spot to watch the waterborne world go by. Also one of the favoured windsurfing spots of the area when the wind is either from the north or south. Watch out for shipping in the channel if you are windsurfing and also watch the tides which can be quite fierce at mid tide.
There are some smaller pebble beaches along the coast, north from St Mawes Castle towards St Just in Roseland, which can be accessed from the coastal footpath – all are good for swimming and ideal in an easterly. Also great if you want to get away from the crowds, as it is a little trek to get to these beaches.
