At the far end of a large and popular beach, is the village of Pentewan with its old harbour and a dock basin filled with fresh water which is nowadays popular with both the local swans and ducks, this all separated from the sea by around 400 yards of the beach. The dock was built between 1818 and 1826 by a Sir Christopher Hawkins, a local mine-owner who wanted an outlet for his mines and, in particular, his china clay pits. Although the harbour was fairly busy, it was never very popular with the clay magnates nor with ship owners and captains, I suspect due to it not having the facilities for a good run ashore for the ships officers and crews ?

The last trading ship called at Pentewan in 1940; for another 20 years or so it was possible for a rowing boat to enter the harbour, but now the channel has been taken over by the beach, what a project it would make for restoration.

My Wife and I always enjoy a stroll around the village and wonder what it must have been like when the harbour was in use all those years ago especially when you come across things like the old Avery Weighbridge.

The coastal path is accessible from here and worth a walk along it to the top of the Village for the views also there is a cycle route along the river and you can hire a cycle at the village, enjoy.