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Down The Cove
Place guide3 min readUpdated 8 Apr 2026

Trevaunance Cove

is the main beach at St Agnes on Cornwall's rugged north coast, a sand-and-shingle bay sheltered between dark cliffs and the remains of an old harbour. Popular with families and surfers alike, it reveals broad areas of rock and rock pools at low tide and has long sat at the heart of the village's mining and seafaring story.

A calm Down The Cove places guide for slower coastal days, family visits and local detail.

Beach and cove guide

Plan your visit

A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.

Trevaunance Cove is the kind of place where the day is shaped by simple things: tide, weather, a picnic, and time to notice the coast properly.

Best forOpen coastal character with sand, pebbles, cliffs or coves depending on the tide and weather.

Families, beach days, coast paths, rock pools and relaxed exploring.

Getting thereParking, arrival and the practical first steps.

Plan the final walk from the car park and check whether the beach is easy with pushchairs, tired legs or beach bags.

What to look forA calmer way to plan with children or visitors.

A useful read before visiting with children, especially for tides, paths, facilities and simple beach expectations.

Before you goThe small checks that make the day easier.

Look up tide times, swimming guidance and weather before you go, especially on wilder beaches.

The full guide

Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.

No RNLI Lifeguards are on duty

Trevaunance has a wild, rugged feel, set between dark cliffs in a landscape that forms part of Cornwall's National Landscape. The beach is shingle at the top with sand opening out as the tide falls, and the whole cove sits at the foot of the valley that runs down from the village of St Agnes above.

Its history is written into the rocks. The cove was once a working harbour, its large breakwater patched and rebuilt over many years before finally being given up around the time of the First World War; at low tide you can still find the great granite blocks that built it scattered beneath the cliffs on the western side. This was tin and copper country, and the surrounding mine remains now form part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, with ore still worked using traditional water power up the valley at Trevellas Coombe.

Today the cove is a lively spot for families and a serious one for surfers. St Agnes has a thriving surf scene with shops and lessons close to hand, and the standard in the water here is reckoned among the highest in the country. Caves and the old harbour ruins give plenty to explore once the sea has drawn back.

Browse coastline guides
Beach Safety Guide

Common questions

Where is Trevaunance Cove?
Trevaunance Cove lies just below the village of St Agnes on the north coast of Cornwall, within easy reach of Truro, Redruth and Perranporth.
What is Trevaunance Cove known for?
It is the principal beach for St Agnes, known for its mix of sand and shingle, dramatic cliffs, the ruins of an old harbour and caves to explore. It is also a reliable, relatively sheltered surf spot popular with beginners.
Is Trevaunance Cove good for surfing?
Yes. The sheltered cove offers consistent waves and is considered a reliable spot, especially for beginners, with board hire and surf lessons available locally. Surf tends to be smaller through the summer months.