Beat the tide at Maenporth: Falmouth’s sandcastle race is back

The sea always wins in the end. The trick is how long you can hold it off, and on the last Sunday of August a stretch of Maenporth Beach will fill up with people trying to do exactly that, one bucket of sand at a time.

The Town Mayor’s Tide Race is back for a second year, and Falmouth Town Council is inviting residents and visitors to spend an afternoon building against the water while raising money for a good cause.

Revived last year, back for more

The event was brought back to life last summer by Town Mayor Cllr Alan Jewell, and its success first time round has earned it a return. The format is simple. Gather your family and friends, pick your patch of sand, and see whether your creation can outlast the incoming tide.

You can go all out on an elaborate masterpiece or just pile up the biggest sand mound on the beach. Everyone is welcome to have a go, and prizes will be awarded across Adult, Junior and mixed categories. One thing to remember from the organisers: bring your own equipment.

Raising money for a new pool

This year’s Tide Race raises funds for the Mayor’s Charity, Pendennis Leisure, and its push to secure a new swimming pool for Falmouth. All proceeds go towards that effort.

There is a suggested donation of £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, which goes straight to supporting the cause.

When and where

The Tide Race takes place on Sunday 30 August 2026 at Maenporth Beach, running from 12pm to 6pm. Digging starts at 2pm, so there is time to stake your claim before the first spades go in.

To book a place, call 01326 315559 to pay by card in advance, or visit Falmouth Town Council at The Moor, TR11 3QA. Bookings will also be available on the day for anyone who fancies it on the spur of the moment.

Competitors of all ages are welcome. Whether the sandcastles survive the tide is another matter entirely.