I visited Poltesco, near Cadgwith on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, on a cold winter’s day and spent half an hour sitting quietly as the light faded over the sea. The scene was so peaceful that I wanted to capture it. I filmed a still view, like a moving photograph and this video is now available on our YouTube channel.

Weather and light

I nearly didn’t share this video as it was recorded on my iPhone, so the sound isn’t quite as clear as our usual recordings. But the light and colours were too beautiful to miss. 

It was bitterly cold. The weather app said 5°C, but it felt closer to –1°C, with a weather warning in place for snow and ice.

Soundscape

Gentle waves rolling in, stones shifting and crashing on the beach, and a small stream bubbling away through the centre of the cove.

Wildlife

There wasn’t much wildlife visible on the beach itself, but the small woodland area just behind it was full of birdsong. Using the Merlin Bird ID app, I picked out wren, blackbird, thrush, dunnock and robin, all singing their early evening tunes.

Location

If you’re planning a visit, there’s a small National Trust car park nearby, with clear signs leading to the coast path and down to the beach.

Poltesco is a beach with a rich history of fishing and serpentine quarrying. The old buildings sit right on the shoreline, and grooves carved into the rocks by saws are still visible.

If you’d like to spend a little time with the scene, the full video is below and is ideal for:

• Meditation and mindfulness
• Background calm for reading or studying
• Evening wind-down and sleep preparation

It was such a quiet, still moment. I hope the video gives you a little of that same calm.

Sound Badger 🦡