St Mawes and The Roseland

The Roseland Peninsula has been designated as part of Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the quality of its landscape and unrivalled coastal scenery. Here you will find secluded coves, delightful creeks, wooded countryside, pretty fishing and rural villages, tranquil beaches and scenic cliffs and headlands.

St Mawes, the principal village in the area, is situated at the southern end of the Roseland Peninsula. An important port in medieval times and now a picturesque harbour with a small fishing fleet, it is protected by the most perfectly preserved of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, St Mawes Castle. The village remains a major centre for a range of marine activities and is linked to Falmouth by the St Mawes Ferry which runs year round across the harbour from Falmouth. Linking St Mawes to Place, a ferryboat operates during the summer months to the remote St Anthony in Roseland.

Other villages in the area include the twin villages of Gerrans and Portscatho, Veryan with its famous roundhouses and Portloe with its tiny harbour.

Explore the cliffs and creeks, swim off secluded beaches, browse the shops and art galleries, sail, windsurf, water ski, dive, snorkel fish and bird watch. Take in one of the carnivals and fetes, or watch sailing regattas and gig racing. The mild climate sustains some unusual flora and fauna and Gull Rock, off Nare Head, is home to one of the largest seabird breeding colonies on the South Coast of England. Throughout the Roseland there is a wide range of places to eat and drink, with flower covered pubs and cream tea cottages.

Visit the St Mawes and The Roseland website for more information on this area.