Beach Guide & Practical Information  •  Rame Peninsula, Cornwall

Cawsand & Kingsand, Cornwall

Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages on the Rame Peninsula, Cornwall, split by the old Devon–Cornwall boundary until 1844. This is an independent guide from a family who both grew up in Plymouth, with decades of visits to these villages and to Whitsand Bay just along the coast.

Four beaches. A seasonal passenger ferry to Plymouth. A smuggling history that predates the county line itself.

Explore the Beaches
Find Accommodation

Written by Ellie and Tim, visitors to Cawsand and Kingsand for many years

Hero photography pending. Drone and walkthrough footage planned (Part C, future phase)
4
Beaches
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Villages
1844
County Boundary Redrawn

About Cawsand & Kingsand

Two villages, one shared history

Cawsand and Kingsand sit side by side in Cawsand Bay on the Rame Peninsula, facing east into Plymouth Sound. Until 1844 the county boundary ran between them, with Cawsand in Cornwall and Kingsand in Devon, and both villages made the most of it as one of the most active smuggling centres in south-west England.

Today they’re best known for their four beaches, their whitewashed cottages, and a seasonal passenger ferry straight into Plymouth’s Barbican.

✓  Four beaches across two villages
✓  Seasonal ferry direct to Plymouth Barbican
✓  A genuine, walkable smuggling history
✓  No dogs on Cawsand Beach in summer. Kingsand, Girt and Sandways welcome them year-round

Discover the villages

Village photography pending

The Beaches

Four Beaches, Two Villages

Each with its own character, access and dog policy, not one blended writeup.

Photo pending
CawsandSandy

Cawsand Beach

Sandy, backed by pubs and cafés along The Bound. No dogs 1 July–31 August, 10am–6pm.

Full guide →

Photo pending
KingsandShingle

Girt Beach

Small, mainly shingle, backed by Kingsand’s Clocktower landmark. Sits between the two villages.

Full guide →

Photo pending
KingsandSand & Shingle

Kingsand Beach

Mixed sand and shingle along The Cleave. Dogs welcome year-round, no seasonal restriction.

Full guide →

Photo pending
North of KingsandDay visits only

Sandways Beach

A short walk out along the rocky foreshore or coast path towards Fort Picklecombe. No overnight stays, rockfall risk confirmed by the council.

Full guide →

Getting Around

Beyond the beaches

The ferry, the coast path, and where to eat across both villages.

Photo pending
Practical Information

The Cawsand Ferry

Seasonal passenger ferry, Plymouth Barbican to Cawsand Beach, 1 April–31 October. About 25 minutes each way.

Ferry guide →

Photo pending
Walking

Coast Path

The walk out to Rame Head, and coastal connections through to Whitsand Bay and Mount Edgcumbe.

See the walks →

Photo pending
Food & Drink

Where to Eat

The Cross Keys, the Devonport Inn, the Halfway House and more, across both villages.

Find somewhere to eat →

Holiday Accommodation

Cottages in Cawsand and Kingsand

We’re building out full listings for cottages across both villages: fishing cottages, village houses, and self-catering stays, each with its own honest, detailed page.

See accommodation

Family History

Written by People Who Actually Visit

Ellie and Tim both grew up in Plymouth, with visits to Cawsand and Kingsand across the water many times over the years. Ellie, who also writes whitsandbay.co.uk, spent her childhood staying in Whitsand Bay along the coast too.

This site is written together, from real, repeated visits from both sides of the family, not a single trip written up for a blog.

Read our story

Family photography pending

Getting Here

Getting to Cawsand & Kingsand

→ By ferry from Plymouth: seasonal passenger ferry, Barbican to Cawsand Beach, 1 April–31 October, about 25 minutes each way.

→ By car: via the Torpoint Ferry or Tamar Bridge, through Millbrook.

→ Parking: Cawsand car park is the main option; Kingsand’s only car park is on Fore Street, 100 spaces.

→ If the ferry is not running: No. 70 bus to Cremyll, then the Waterlink Ferry.

Full getting here guide

Before You Go

Practical Information

→ Dogs: no dogs on Cawsand Beach 1 July–31 August, 10am–6pm. Kingsand, Girt and Sandways beaches welcome dogs year-round.

→ Tides: several of the beaches shrink significantly at high tide. Check tide times before you go.

→ The road between villages: narrow, with a width restriction, so check before driving between Cawsand and Kingsand.

Full practical guide

FAQ

Common questions about Cawsand & Kingsand

Everything you need to know before your visit.

How long does the Cawsand ferry take?

The passenger ferry between Plymouth Barbican and Cawsand Beach takes about 25 minutes each way, running seasonally from 1 April to 31 October.

Are dogs allowed on Cawsand Beach?

Not between 1 July and 31 August, 10am–6pm, as this is a Cornwall Council seasonal restriction. Outside those dates, and at any time on Kingsand, Girt or Sandways beaches, dogs are welcome.

Can you walk from Kingsand to Cawsand Beach?

Yes, the villages sit next to each other along the shore, connected by a short road and coastal paths, with Girt Beach in between.

Is there parking at Cawsand?

Yes, the main car park is in Cawsand. Management of the car park is currently transferring to a third-party operator; check current tariffs directly with Cornwall Council before you travel.