Carlyon Bay, a wonderful sweeping stretch of seashore not far from St Austell, has always been something of a playground on the Cornish Coast! Made up of three white sandy beaches – Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver – it has been a popular entertainment destination for visitors for over 100 years. So if you are looking for a beach day out with a difference, one that offers so much more than sunbathing and swimming, then Carlyon Bay is the place to be!
Cornwall’s Riviera Club
Between the 1920s and 1940s the bay was home to the Riviera Club, later called the New Cornish Riviera Lido, an entertainment complex featuring a spa with swimming pool, tea rooms and tennis courts. King Edward VIII, then the Prince of Wales, and Wallis Simpson are reputed to have spent some time relaxing there while visiting the region on the royal yacht.
The Cornwall Coliseum hosted some of world’s most famous celebrities
The Second World War brought the fun to an end for a few years, during which time the beaches were used for military operations, but the recreation complex reopened in the 1950s with the addition of a large concert venue, with a capacity of over 2000 seats and a number of bars. This venue evolved into the Cornwall Coliseum, at one time the largest and hottest music hall in the south west – acts such as Thin Lizzy, The Clash, The Jam, Iron Maiden, Simple Minds, The Police, The Cure, The Who, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Tina Turner, Manic Street Preachers, Debbie Harry, Wham!, Cliff Richard and Paul McCartney all performed there.
The Coliseum continued to be used as a disco and nightclub for many years, until it was demolished after falling into disrepair in 2015. These days however there is still much more than the usual buzz around this Cornish beach!
Crinnis Beach
Not only does Crinnis Beach boast some amazing crystal clear water and white sand there is also so much to do and enjoy! The Shoreside Bar offers live music along with drinks and snacks but there are also lots of pop-up food vendors during the summer season including The Mussel Shoal, which sells tempting seafood dishes, Manor Made provides delicious homemade cakes and HERD offers burgers made from local ingredients. Alongside these you can find the Crinnis Crib Hut, ice cream stalls and of course a pasty shop and there is even a beach shop where you can buy all your seaside essentials. In recent years however this beach has become known for its wellness and water sport facilities too.
The Salt and Steam Saunas offer wood fired saunas just a short walk from the sea, while The Movement Room and Elm Yoga both provide relaxing yoga sessions to suit all ages and abilities right there on the sand. And if you are looking for something a little more adventurous why not go on a jet ski safaris with Wave Runner Safaris – a guide takes you along the coast for about 15 miles visiting hidden coves and getting an unexpected view of this stunningly beautiful area!
So much to do! So little time! A visit to Carlyon Bay and Crinnis Beach really makes a fun packed day out!