Piskies Cove is part of a spectacular cluster of sheltered coves that forms Prussia cove in West Cornwall. Perfect to explore King’s, Bessy’s, Piskies and Coules are secluded sandy inlets, sheltered amongst the ribbons of rock, interlaced with sea caves. These must have been perfect for the historic smugglers who plied their trade here centuries ago.
Trace the artfully cut paths across the gently shelving slate ledges to explore a classic Cornish cove at its very best.
Where is Pixies or Piskies Cove?
Piskies Cove is about a twenty minute walk to the west of Bessie’s Cove. You’ll find it tucked under the shelter of Cudden Point in the arch of Mounts Bay.
OS grid ref: – SW5541 2776
A smugglers haunt
Once this romantic spot, was infamous for the 18th Century smugglers gang led by John Carter. They plied their trade here, safely seclude by Cudden Point from the excise men in Penzance.
From the unspoilt coastline to the tranquil silence of the coves, this is a very special spot.
Our visit to Piskies Cove
We visited Piskies Cove this Sunday in a glittering autumn day of fickle sunshine. It was a perfect afternoon, with the sea below us as tranquil as a millpond.
We lingered to look down into the cove at the small boats, pulled up on to the slipway, before heading off westwards to Pixies Cove.
The salty tang of the sea drifted up through the Tamarisk, until we spotted a narrow path cut through the blackthorn to the cove.
Our visit was just before high tide but I did mange to jump the last few feet down on to the sands for a brief few minutes. What a spot for the imagination to run riot with sea caves leading away into the lapping waves. (For a short entirely imaginary story see below!)
We sat for a while on the rocky shelves above the beach, before walking back around the headland.
The burnished coppers of autumn are clothing the cliffs now. The view as we walked back to our car was almost a dreamscape, as fingers of slate probed the silky sea, framed by the distant Lizard Peninsula.
As we reached Bessie’s Cove we stopped to watch two intrepid swimmers in the cove below. What a life these coves have seen.
A short story about John Carter
John squinted gloomily up into the starry skies as the clouds slid away. This was not the night he wanted with a boat due and revenue men out and about along the cliffs.
Still, a lifetime of walking across the rocks carried him safely down into Pixies Cove, just in time to flash a warning to the waiting boat.
The familiar silence of the cove enveloped him, then he heard the familiar creak of oars on the water. Never a word would be spoken on a night like this…………….
Only the occasional grunt escaped the men as they heaved the heavy barrels of brandy across the rocks, to the far cave.
Finally with his cargo stowed away, John leapt deftly back on to the gritty sands and climbed up out of the cove. Tomorrow maybe, when the tide turned he’d discreetly retrieve his goods to store in one of his better cellars. Meanwhile, he though, the revenue men should be safely in Prussia now- no doubt being entertained by Bessie Bussow in her tavern. Bessie could be very generous to excise men on a cold night like this. Very generous indeed, and he’s see her right of course!”
Parking at Prussia Cove
The car park on the Porth-en-Alls estate is a free, workmanlike affair but you may have to wait for a treasured spot.
From here, the estate drive leads down to a junction. Turn right here for Bessie’s Cove and continue to the coastal footpath for Piskies Cove. There is a narrow path cut through the blackthorn just above the cove.
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