Your Watergate Bay memories

We’ve always thought of Watergate Bay as a ski resort on a beach…

A place full of people who love being outside and are there for the same reason as you: the elemental playground that’s on our doorstep, the beach.

Living for being outdoors. Feeling energetic and alive. Relaxed and social. Year round. Mountains or beach. Snow or waves. Then coming inside to good food, drink and conversation. A buzzing culture and unexpected experiences.

We're sharing your memories from over the years...

From The Beach Hut opening… and closing after the hurricane, and solar eclipse in 1999, the jet ski and sledge lent to the RNLI Beach lifeguarding service starting in 2000, the Kiteboard Pro Tour event, World record kite surfing crossings, the launch of Fifteen Cornwall in 2006. Polo on the Beach starting in 2007, and ending in 2017.

We want to remember all the events which have shaped what Watergate Bay means today.

We’re celebrating Watergate Bay’s unique spirit from the last 25 years and channelling it into memorable new experiences for today and tomorrow.

We asked you to send in your memories, no matter how big or small and now we're sharing them for everyone to enjoy.

"I am now 51 (spent my 50th in a beach loft last year!) Been coming to Watergate since my grandparents brought me around 7 years old. We used to have full board plus afternoon tea! Lots of old memories of the hotel and the self-catering apartments where the village is now. Great evening entertainment and games machines! I then started bringing my own children from 3 weeks old, my son is now 18!"

Kirsty Moss

"Spent our honeymoon at the Watergate Bay Hotel 10th April 1976. Receipt attached for a week full board, £70.44!"

Jon & Sue Channon

"Many wonderful memories from Watergate Bay, stayed lots, and have had very special occasions. My 40th celebrations, taste of the Bay stay with cocktails in The Living Space. We stayed again for taste of the Bay last December and my partner Pete proposed in Zacry's. Amazing times!"

Louise Kinder

"We came to Watergate Bay Hotel for the first time in May 1977. For the next six years we came each May with an increasing family until school holidays got in the way, then switched to October Half Term. Beach sports, sandcastle competition, swimming gala, fancy dress, horse race night, hat game and of course Ken Stratton. Always too busy to leave the hotel and see the sights! Overall we have stayed here 30/35 times. Stayed again Nov '24, and met by chance a lady I last saw here in 1984. Once a Watergate Bay person, always a Watergate Bay person."

Andrew Cooper

"I just wanted to say that Watergate is a really special place for us! It’s somewhere that my husband and I have as an escape for the two of us! I’ve introduced friends to the hotel on a girls weekend and have gone all out and spent a family weekend in the beach loft to celebrate my 50th birthday! My youngest who has SEN amongst other things absolutely loved our gorgeous server who taught her how to make waffles and had the patience of a saint!

Always glorious, relaxed and welcoming! It always feels like coming home."

Jan Pearce

"We used to come every year with my parents and sisters. Absolutely amazing memories, the pools, the green room, the fancy dress competitions. I even recall having an early tea as a child in the room to the right of the big staircase.

Loved the captain pug wash playroom with the waves floor and climbing the rigging. Loved the outdoor trampoline. Really loved the little path down the cliff side to the beach and the sandcastle competitions.

We have retuned with my family many times in more recent years and got engaged at Watergate Bay. Such an exciting place. One of my favourite parts is driving round the cliff top and seeing the view of the bay open up in front of you. Wow!!"

Liz Mearns

"It was our puppy, Ruby’s first holiday. We saw her swim for the first time and fall in love with the beach at Watergate Bay. I will never forget the joy of watching her. A moment in time."

Lesley Knight