Take to the waters with three of our favourite wild swimming spots in Cornwall, each paired with a quality dining find to provide top-level replenishment
1. Jubilee Pool/Battery Rocks + Artist Residence, Penzance
For newbie wild swimmers, the UK’s largest seawater pool, which is lifeguarded and has showering facilities, is a great diving-in point. Prefer to be out in the open water? Right behind Jubilee Pool is Battery Rocks, an accessible swimming spot (there are steps and handrails for entering the water) that’s a favourite with locals.
Whichever you choose, there are plentiful dining options in Penzance for a post-swim feast – a smart choice would be Cornish Barn, an all-day neighbourhood bistro housed within the Artist Residence hotel. Plump for a poofy sofa in the lounge or a sunny seat on the large terrace to enjoy a full Cornish, smashed avo, local eggs, brioche french toast and the like.
2. The Gannel Estuary + Box & Barber, Newquay
Skip the surf-centric beaches of Newquay and head to the quieter alternative of the Gannel Estuary. Calm waters and picture-perfect scenery make it an idyllic choice at high tide.
For your post-swim brunch, make tracks to Box & Barber, a coastal cafe with sandy-toed vibes and a menu stuffed with pancakes, breakfast burritos, smoothies, juices, salads, açai bowls and more. Impossible-to-resist freshly baked goods are delivered daily from nearby bakeries.
3. Bude Sea Pool + Temple, Bude
There’s a plethora of sea pools across Cornwall, offering sea swimming enthusiasts the chance to access the salty ocean minus any fear of riptides and rogue surfboards. Bude Sea Pool is one such haven, a semi-natural construction that curves under the cliffs at Summerleaze Beach.
Few places do a coastal brunch better than Temple, just a few hundred metres from the sands. The indie restaurant, cafe and bar majors on seasonal food packed with local produce. Head there for weekend brunch from 9am till midday (plus bank hols) for crab omelettes, St Ives Smokehouse salmon, granola with whipped coconut yogurt and vanilla poached rhubarb, and more.
When planning a trip to Cornwall swim spots, always be sure to check the tide times and stay safe.
Enjoyed our curation of places for R&R in the South West? Check out 5 of the best spots for sauna and Sunday lunch.
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