About Pentewan

Welcome to Pentewan, a charming coastal village with a fascinating history, nestled on the south coast of Cornwall. Today, visitors know it for its stunning sandy beach and peaceful harbour basin, but this quiet village was once a bustling industrial port. In the 19th century, Pentewan was a key harbour for the booming china clay (kaolin) industry, shipping the valuable white clay from the pits near St Austell all over the world. The historic harbour, designed by renowned engineer John Smeaton, is still the heart of the village, though it is now a tranquil haven for wildlife rather than a port for tall ships.

The old china clay railway that ran to the port has found a new life as the popular Pentewan Trail. This approximately 3.5 miles (around 5.6 km), mostly flat cycle path and footpath follows the route of the old railway alongside the St Austell (or ‘White’) River, providing a beautiful, traffic-free link from St Austell right to the beach. This trail, which is central to our cycle hire, is rich in natural beauty and industrial heritage.

Beyond the trail, Pentewan’s main draw is its magnificent, east-facing sandy beach, Pentewan Sands, which offers safe swimming and watersports. The village itself, though small, has a traditional pub and a few shops, and it serves as a wonderful access point to the South West Coast Path. Whether you’re here to cycle the trail, relax on the beach, or explore the area’s history, Pentewan is a true Cornish gem.