The Rame Peninsular, often referred to as Cornwall’s forgotten corner, can be found in the South Eastern Corner of the Cornish Coast. With its spectacular rugged coastline and mesmerising scenery this really should be on your wish list to visit during your visit to Cornwall.
Given the close proximity to Plymouth it’s quite amazing that the Rame Peninsular gets overlooked by many tourists. If you haven’t come across this little gem before you really need to take some time out to explore all that it has to offer.
The peninsular stretches from the Devon and Cornwall border at Saltash in the East to Down Derry in the West. Despite its ancient connections to the county of Devon, this secret peninsula is definitely Cornish in every way. Just take a stroll around Kingsand and Cawsand and you will see exactly what a proper Cornish Village has to offer. The larger shopping towns on the edge of the area at Saltash and Torpoint offer a wider selection of shops than the smaller villages on the peninsular.
One of the great attractions of the area during the peak season is the absence of huge lines of traffic. As tourists flood over the Tamar bridge they simply keep on going, heading deeper into the congested parts of Cornwall. If they just stepped off the gas and turned left at Trerulefoot they would have found this little secret gem of an area.
Rame Head offers a dramatic view along the Peninsular in both directions and the beautiful golden sands of Whitsand Bay can be seen stretching for miles into the distance. We always enjoy visiting the Coast Watch Station located at Rame Head and chatting with the volunteers who man this vital observation station.
The peninsula's isolation and almost secret status has protected it from the excesses of tourism and from ugly modern developments. It is largely unspoilt, with some wonderful natural attractions such as the historic Mount Edgcumbe Estate and the National Trusts Antony House, both of which offer an insight into days gone by.
The Peninsular is connected to Plymouth by three ferries and can be reached by foot using either the Cremyll ferry, which operates throughout the year from the Mount Edgcumbe Arms to the Royal William boat yard in Plymouth, or the Cawsand Ferry which operates directly off the beach at Cawsand and stops at the Barbican landing stage. This service only operates between Easter and October. Both ferries are quite an experience and offer a maritime perspective of the Rame Peninsular.
The beaches on the Peninsular are nothing short of spectacular. You simply won’t find abetter selection of beaches in such a short distance, some of them are a little tricky to access but all are well worth the effort. You won’t be struggling to find a spot as they are never overcrowded.
There is also a fine selection of places to eat and drink in the local area. From the wonderful cuisine from the acclaimed Matt Corner at the magnificent View Restaurant sat high up on the cliffs at Whitsand Bay to the exquisite food created by Neil and Erica at the Carew Arms at Antony.