Hidden in a remote corner of England, a wild and windswept cove known locally as Dinosaur Egg Beach could well be one of Cornwall’s best kept secrets.
Tucked down a winding road where few tourists venture and phone signal is potluck, Porth Nanven feels like it’s from a different time entirely.
Perfectly smooth, egg-shaped boulders spill over the beach, located at the bottom of Cot Valley near St Just, resembling hatching dinosaur eggs.
The iconic rocks were shaped by storms around 120,000 years ago – and after a few too many people tried to take them home as souvenirs, the National Trust stepped in to protect the ancient stones.
Despite not being on the tourist trail, it made a surprise – yet wholly deserved – appearance on the Guardian’s Top 50 Beaches in Europe.
The egg-shaped boulders formed during ancient times can be seen on the beach and within the cliffs themselves, due to its “raised beach” which historian Elizabeth Dale was formed during the ice age.
Historian Elizabeth Dale explained in her blog: “Porth Nanven beach has in fact what is known as a ‘raised beach’ formed sometime since the last ice age. Also known as a ‘marine terrace’, this raised beach was originally formed during the last ‘inter-glacial highstand’, a period of raised sea levels caused by melting of the ice sheets.”
She continues: “Then, when those extreme sea levels fell again, the beach was left high and dry. During rough seas and very high spring tides the waves can sometimes reach the ancient seabed and wash down some of the rounded boulders on to the modern beach.”
These rocks are held in place by sand, granite pebbles, and clay, all remnants of past glacial periods. It’s during fierce storms or after periods of cliff erosion that more of these “eggs” are revealed, washing up onto Porth Nanven’s shores.
A scenic walk goes from the St Just car park, which leads down to the beach through Cot Valley. The beach can also be reached directly by car, though it misses a beautiful scenic trek.
Those wanting to see the sand should plan their visit accordingly, as it’s only exposed for a couple of hours per day during low tide.
For those lucky enough to witness them, Peregrine falcons can also be seen nesting on the cliffs above.
