Our Guide to Cadgwith, South Cornwall
A traditional fishing village located on the south eastern tip of the Lizard Peninsula, Cadgwith is one of the most unspoilt places in Cornwall. Time has almost stood still in this lovely little village, offering visitors an escape from ordinary life. Holidays here are all about exploring the coastal footpath, landing a catch for the barbecue, and simply enjoying each other’s company in centuries-old smugglers’ inns.
Points of Interest
The main attraction for most visitors to Cadgwith is its characteristically Cornish charm - with thatched, whitewashed cottages, old pilchard cellars, and a former lifeboat house.
Fishing boats have launched from the main beach for generations; to this day, they sail daily, offering their catch to local pubs and restaurants on their return. A headland called the Todden separates this beach from a smaller, more family-friendly beach.
The natural landscape surrounding Cadgwith is particularly beautiful; abound with refreshing cliff tops walks, awe-inspiring vistas and all sorts of local wildlife including the Cornish chough. Bring your walking boots and your binoculars, and lose track of time re-discovering nature at its best…
… and if you fancy a scenic or fishing boat trip, then speak to local fisherman Nigel Legge – who featured on the BBC’s Fisherman’s Apprentice with Monty Halls. Nigel offers trips around the coastline in his fishing boat Razorbill.
Shopping
There are a handful of shops in Cadgwith, including The Watch House gift shop which sells toys, beachware and snacks, a craft shop selling work by local artists, a fishmonger and Cadgwith Crab Shop - where you can buy dressed crab and crab sandwiches.
There is a very good butcher’s and deli at Lizard village - also home to Ann’s Pasties, a mini supermarket and a Post Office. The nearest large supermarkets are in Helston, where there is a Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl and Somerfield.
Helston Farmers’ Market takes place in the Old Cattle Market, next to the town’s boating lake, on the first Saturday of each month. Here, over 40 local producers sell everything from fruit and veg to meat and dairy products, sushi, cheese, bread and cider.
Where to Eat
The village pub, Cadgwith Cove Inn, is friendly and welcoming, and serves good pub grub as well as fish and lobster caught in the cove. Their small beer garden at the front overlooks the beach, and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy a summer evening with a cold beer.
Cadgwith is also home to The Old Cellars – an excellent restaurant with a beautiful courtyard and views of the sea. The Old Cellars is very family-friendly and welcomes four-legged members of the family, too!
Nearby Porthleven is home to a range of excellent restaurants; our favourites are the SeaDrift Kitchen Cafe, Kota Kai, The Square and Rick Stein’s.
Events
The village pub is a real hub of community life in Cadgwith, with folk music and sea shanty nights every week. During the summer months, the village also hosts gig racing, a regatta, summer barbecues and plenty of live music – not forgetting the fortnightly fishing competition! A sense of community is important to the residents of Cadgwith, and visitors are encouraged to take part in all events.
Car Parking
There is very limited parking near the beach and shops, however there is a large car park roughly 300 yards up a steep hill from the beach. This car park is run by local residents rather than the council, with funds raised going towards the local fishing community.
ATMs & Banks
There are no banks or cash points in Cadgwith; the nearest ATM is at Lizard post office. The nearest banks are in Helston – where there is a Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest Barclays and Santander.
