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Colan

Top 9 Natural Monuments around Colan

Best natural monuments around Colan offer a diverse coastal landscape for exploration. The region features prominent rock formations, expansive sandy beaches, and geological features such as sea caves and natural arches. These natural attractions provide varied terrain for outdoor activities. The area's natural landmarks and viewpoints are characterized by their coastal settings.

Best natural monuments around Colan

  • The most popular natural monuments is Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations, a viewpoint featuring granite rock formations along the coast. A narrow staircase…

Last updated: June 17, 2026

Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations

Highlight • Viewpoint

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps comprise an iconic stretch of coastline synonymous with shipwrecks and smugglers. The granite rocks that are dotted across the beach are stepping stones for the Giant …

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Holywell Cave

Highlight • Beach

At low tide, you can find Holywell Cave under the southern cliffs of Kelsey Head. Whilst the cave entrance from the beach does not seem very large, if you follow …

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View of Bedruthan Steps

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A breathtaking rocky coast. A narrow staircase leads to the extensive sandy beach at low tide. Swimming is prohibited due to strong currents. A paid parking and campsite is available …

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Holywell Bay Beach and Gull Rocks

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A very long sandy beach, also suitable for surfing. Off the coast is a 69-year-old wreck, which can be seen at low tide.
The beach is with its upstream twin …

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Natural Arch at Porthcothan Bay

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For Poldark fans, this was the beach used as Nampara Cove for the popular BBC series. The cliffs above are where Ross was frequently seen riding his horse.

Although small …

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Julian
August 5, 2025, View of Bedruthan Steps

They are currently closed due to rockfall

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To be seen at low tide and with the sun

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This section is more beautiful than the Apostles on the Great Ocean Route. And far more accessible - the SWCP is a great trail, and part of the route at the top is ok for wheel chairs.

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Great view of the beautiful bay. If I come here again, I'll try to find the way down.

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The steps have probably been closed for a while, as have all beach access at Porthcothan Beach. It's hard to tell from the highlights. The panorama is gigantic, but unfortunately there is no swimming break...

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This is the best place to appreciate the vastness and rugged beauty of this iconic stretch of Cornish coastline.

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Breathtakingly beautiful rocks of the Bedruthan Steps. Unfortunately, access to the NT car park has been closed for some time due to a rock slide. From the viewpoint and the surrounding cliffs you can still enjoy the view of the rocks and the beach.

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Beautiful view of the rocks of the Bedruthan Steps. Unfortunately the access has been closed for a while due to a rock slide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of natural monuments can I explore around Colan?

The natural monuments around Colan primarily feature diverse coastal landscapes. You'll find prominent rock formations like the Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations, expansive sandy beaches such as Holywell Bay Beach, and geological features including sea caves and natural arches, like the Natural Arch at Porthcothan Bay.

Are there any natural sea caves to explore near Colan?

Yes, you can explore Holywell Cave, located under the southern cliffs of Kelsey Head. It's accessible at low tide and features colorful ceilings and limestone pools. Remember to wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch for exploration.

What are some of the most scenic viewpoints among the natural monuments?

For breathtaking views, visit the Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations, which offer stunning granite rock formations along the coast. Another excellent spot is the Natural Arch at Porthcothan Bay, where the cliffs above provide scenic vistas.

Are there family-friendly natural monuments around Colan?

Yes, Holywell Bay Beach and Gull Rocks is considered family-friendly, offering a long sandy beach suitable for various activities. Many of the coastal areas provide opportunities for families to enjoy the natural beauty.

What outdoor activities can I do near these natural monuments?

The area around Colan offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous easy hikes, such as the Piran Meadows loop, or more challenging running trails. For cyclists, there are also road cycling routes available.

Are there hiking trails near the natural monuments?

Yes, there are several hiking opportunities. For example, you can explore easy hikes around Colan, including routes like the St Columb Minor Church – Porth Beach loop. Some natural monuments, like Bedruthan Steps, involve steep steps to access the beach, offering a more challenging descent.

What should I know about visiting Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations?

The Bedruthan Steps Rock Formations are a stunning coastal site. Access to the sandy beach is via a steep and narrow staircase, only available at low tide. It's crucial to check tide calendars before visiting, as the beach can be completely submerged at high tide, and swimming is prohibited due to strong currents. Paid parking is available.

Can I see any shipwrecks or unique features at Holywell Bay?

Holywell Bay Beach and Gull Rocks is known for its long sandy beach and distinctive offshore rock formations. At low tide, you might spot a 69-year-old shipwreck off the coast. The area is also famous for being featured in the television series Poldark.

What is special about the Natural Arch at Porthcothan Bay?

The Natural Arch at Porthcothan Bay is a beautiful viewpoint. At low tide, the beach widens to reveal a network of coves and caves. The cliffs above are popular for scenic rides, and the bay itself was used as Nampara Cove in the BBC series Poldark.

Are there any less crowded natural monuments to visit?

While Bedruthan Steps is well-known, you can find Pentire Steps Beach nearby. It's a more rugged option, offering views of Diggory Island with its natural arch. Access to the beach involves a rocky scramble, or you can walk from Bedruthan Steps at low tide, but always check tide times carefully.

What do visitors appreciate most about the natural monuments around Colan?

Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking rocky coastlines, the incredible flower splendor on the clifftops, and the dramatic geological formations. The opportunity to explore extensive sandy beaches at low tide and discover hidden coves and caves is also highly valued.

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Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Colan:

DevonDorsetCornwallSomersetChurchillWinscombe & SandfordBurringtonBanwellWringtonBlagdonGloucestershireSancreedCongresburyCompton MartinUbleyLoxtonPaulSt. BuryanSt. JustWest HarptreeEast HarptreeButcombeMadronChew StokeWinfordNempnett ThrubwellSennenSt. TeathPuxtonSt. EndellionSt. MerrynSt. BreockPadstowSt. ErvanSt. IsseyWiltshireSt. LevanStowey-SuttonHinton BlewettSt. KewSt. Minver LowlandsPenzanceForrabury And MinsterLesnewthDavidstowAdventTintagelSt. JuliotCamelfordBackwellTrevalgaSt. IvesChew MagnaOgbourne St. AndrewPreshuteFyfieldAveburySt. Minver HighlandsWest OvertonEast KennettWinterbourne MonktonSt KeverneStanton St BernardAltonAll CanningsCompton DandoCherhillSavernakeEgloshayleMarlboroughOtterhamSt GennysLudgvanBerwick BassettChiseldonBishops CanningsMilton LilbourneHuishWinterbourne BassettPewseyWilcotAldbourneCuryMawgan-In-PydarMullionGrade-RuanMawgan-In-MeneageCalne WithoutCompton BassettSt. EvalCrowanMildenhallTowednackZennorHilmartonBarrow GurneyWarbstowMorvahWroughtonBroad HintonDundryClyffe PypardBroad TownOgbourne St. GeorgeWoodboroughEtchilhamptonKeynshamYattonSt. Martin-In-MeneageHayleWhitchurchKelstonHeddingtonDevizesWootton RiversWadebridgeSt. BrewardMichaelstowTreneglosHanham AbbotsManningfordSt. Columb MajorCorstonHanhamMarksburySaltfordGwinear-GwithianBittonSt. AgnesPatneyPortreathBishopstoneUpavonRushallBrockleyOldlandSt. ErthBath and North East SomersetFarmboroughWendronWanboroughNewton St LoeBreageMarazionLong AshtonPublowBeechingstokeEastonRedruthNorth StokeStertLiddingtonRamsburyDoyntonNorton MalrewardCold AshtonStokeclimslandCameleySt. NeotSt. CleerNorth HillHigh LittletonFarrington GurneyNorth NewntonSouth MarstonHighworthLydiard TregozeWick And AbsonIlloganCarn BreaCharltonCharfieldDyrham And HintonCalnePristonHillEnglishcombeAbbots LeighRedlynchBlislandAltarnunStanton DrewEnfordBaydonUrchfontFrampton CotterellCamborneSt. HilarySt. BlaiseCarlyonSistonCharlcombeSt. Austell BayTimsburyConstantineStoke GiffordWinterbourneFiltonJacobstowAustLezantWilsfordDevizesMardenLewannickMarshfieldAlmondsburyDowntonMenheniotMorwenstowSt. EweChelwoodSt. IveSouth HillGunwalloeOldbury-Upon-SevernSt. MewanLyneham And BradenstokeCallingtonChirtonWraxall And FailandSt. Michael'S MountLinkinhorneBradford-On-AvonBathamptonPilning And Severn BeachCamertonWarlegganQuethiockTywardreath And ParBathfordBromhamBradley StokeWhiteparishLandfordDobwalls And TrewidlandManaccanCleeveCalstockSalisbury

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