Until 1844, Kingsand belonged to Devon and Cawsand to Cornwall. The ‘border’ river that separated the villages is long gone, but the old border house, the Devon Corn, still stands and is clearly markedby a sign. Both villages, regardless of their previous border, have a long history of not only fishing, but also smuggling (although the old smuggling tunnels have been sealed up by now).
The Rame Peninsula is still unspoilt by mass tourism, and those who visit here keep a low profile and just want to relax in one of the holiday homes and cottages in the villages ‐ you won’t find any fancy hotels or tourist traps here. Thanks to this, the villages have changed little over the last century.
Culture & attractions around Kingsand and Cawsand
Kingsand lies at the shores of Cawsand Bay, and the wonderful South West Coastal Path runs right through the village, making it an excellent starting point or stopover destination for a walk around the Cornish countryside. Other great walks include the walk from Mount Edgecombe Estate and Country Park towards Plymouth and the road to Penlee Point and Rame Head, the tip of the peninsula.
The Rame Peninsula is home to a large artist community which resides mainly in Kingsand. If it’s for the art or the views, you shouldn’t miss the Westcroft Gallery, which is housed in a converted boat shed by the beach in Kingsand.
The most notable event in the villages of Kingsand and Cawsand is the Black Prince Procession, something different from your average religious or carnival procession: each Mayday bank holiday, The Black Prince, a lavishly decorated model boat, is paraded from one village to the other and then set out to sea to say goodbye to the winter and welcome the warm summer sun.
Must-do highlights around Kingsand and Cawsand
One of the icons of Kingsand is the clock tower at the seafront, which was built as a commemoration of King George V’s coronation. The adjoining hall includes a giant tapestry picture of the village that residents made to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. But this is not the only architectural point of interest: Maker Church, on the road towards Cremyll was built so that you can see it all the way from Plymouth!
If you only have a little time, you can visit the villages by ferry from Plymouth on a day trip by bus or boat and combined by a walk around the villages or some relaxing hours by the beach ‐ but to really soak in the charm of Kingsand and Cawsand, it pays to stay a couple of nights.
Regardless of how long you stay, the half hour ferry crossing from Plymouth on the Cawsand Ferry should not be missed, as it’s the best way to enjoy the unspoilt coastline and scenery of the Rame Peninsula. The passenger ferry only runs in the summer, but the ferry company organises a number of other cruises and tours, including fishing tours and shopping trips to Plymouth.
Eating & drinking around Kingsand and Cawsand
There aren’t many choices for food and drinks in the area, but fortunately the quality of the places is superb. If you are hungry after or want to get some energy for a boat trip, The Old Boatstore Café is a good place for a bite.
The Devonport Inn is a gastropub that not only offers standard pub grub, but a wide selection of finer options.
The largest selection of Cornish ales can be found at the The Rising Sun in Kingsand, which also offers fresh fish and a variety of daily specials.
Accommodation around Kingsand and Cawsand
Neither village has been discovered by large scale tourism, so most visitors who stay here rent their own holiday house or apartment.
The Blue Monkey in Kingsand is a Grade II 18th century house which is refurbished to a high standard and located just 30 metres away from the beach via a walk through your own private garden.
Lyndale Cottage is another historical building which sleeps up to six guests. It’s unlike any other cottage in Kingsand, as it has been built entirely from wood that was salvaged from a shipwreck!
For those planning a romantic getaway, The Firlet in Cawsand can be your home away from home. This one bedroom apartment offers great views over the valley and is located just a 5 minute walk from the village.
So that’s our round up of things to do on a weekend around Kingsand and Cawsand. Have you ever been there? What would you recommend doing if someone went there for the weekend? Please share you experience with us…