Discover Rinsey and Trewavas

Published:: 17 February 2023

An engine house perched on cliffs — The Wheal Prosper engine house perched on cliffs at Rinsey Head | © John Dietz

Positioned on the SW coast path, Rinsey & Trewavas boast views down to the Lizard Peninsula and West across Mounts Bay. Exploring Rinsey & Trewavas never disappoints; from spotting wildlife, watching the waves crash onto the beach or exploring the mining remains perched high on the cliffs.

Tides

Rinsey cove is a small and remote beach only accessible at low tide so make sure to check tide times before visiting.

Facilities

There is a small National Trust car park, donations welcome.

Closest toilets and refreshments located at Porthleven or Praa sands, accessed via the coast path or by road.

Access

Access down to the beach is via slippery rocks so be aware of the risk of rockfall in the area. Strong waves and currents with no lifeguard cover so take extra care if going in for a dip.

Wildflowers growing on a cliff with a stone structure in the distance. — Trewavas Cliff in Cornwall | © David Noton

Wildlife

An abundance of wildlife call Rinsey & Trewavas home.

Cornish Choughs, Peregrine falcons and Kestrels can all be seen soaring and dancing through the sky.
Gazing out to sea on a flat calm day you may be lucky to spot a fin or two from a passing porpoise, dolphins jumping or the magnificent basking shark feeding on plankton
A patchwork of gorse, heathland and bracken adorn the cliffs but take a closer look and you’ll find thrift, sea champion, violets, and wild carrot to the delight of pollinators.

A female kestrel on Rinsey | © Shuan Boyns

Conservation

During the winter months (Oct – Feb) you may come across some Dartmoor ponies grazing the cliffs. This is often the most effective and natural way to maintain and improve certain habitats like heathland. The ponies do a fantastic job of nibbling and trampling encroaching scrub and coarse grasses meaning these more aggressive species don’t dominate the landscape.

Please do not approach or feed the ponies

These ponies are wild animals, and we’d like to keep them that way. Please do not approach or feed the ponies and keep dogs on a lead around the animals.