Following the recent spate of cliff falls across Cornwall, the council is asking members of the public to ‘stay away’ from cliffs and embankments.

Cornwall Council has warned members of the public that the risk of rockfalls along the Cornish coastline is ‘greater than usual’ due to the wet weather.

A spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: “Following recent cliff falls and landslides around Cornwall, we’re urging people to stay away from cliffs.

“Due to the wet weather, the risk of rockfalls along Cornwall’s coastline is greater than usual.”

The council has also urged members of the public to call 999 immediately when an emergency arises.

The first of the recent cliff falls in Cornwall occurred in November 2023, when the Packet reported that a large section of cliffs had fallen on Whipsiderry Beach in Newquay.

Since then, there have been four more collapses across the Duchy.


The following timeline details the date and location of falls in Cornwall:

Whipsiderry Cliffs, Newquay: November 29, 2023

Falmouth Packet: The cliffs at Whipsiderry, Newquay The cliffs at Whipsiderry, Newquay (Image: Stock)

Following the fall in November last year, Cornwall Council announced that the steps and surrounding footpath would be closed off to the public for ‘their safety’.

Whipsiderry Cliffs, Newquay: December 19, 2023

Just 20 days after the first fall, there was a second collapse at Whipsiderry. With a risk of further falls, the council asked people to ‘stay away from the cliffs, and the area of the beach below’.

Chapel Porth, St Agnes: December 31, 2023

Falmouth Packet: Chapel Porth, St Agnes Chapel Porth, St Agnes (Image: St Agnes Coastguard)

Another cliff in a different part of Cornwall saw rocks fall onto the St Agnes beach. At the time, the St Agnes Coastguard Search and Rescue Team reported how members were called out after reports from members of the public. They then continued to make sure that everyone was safe, and that no one had been injured by the falling rocks.

Porthtowan Beach, Porthtowan: February 13, 2024

Falmouth Packet: Porthtowan, Cornwall Porthtowan, Cornwall (Image: St Agnes Coastguard)

People were strongly warned to ‘stay away’ following the substantial fall on February 13. The crew from St Agnes Coastguard arrived at the scene cordoned off the pathway above the cliff and advised people to stay away from the area on the beach, keeping a distance equal to the height of the cliff.

Portreath Beach, Portreath: February 21, 2024

Falmouth Packet: Portreath Beach, Cornwall Portreath Beach, Cornwall (Image: Portreath Coastguard)

The most recent collapse saw rocks falling into a large cave cliff in Portreath. Coastguards from the area were called to the caves on Monday evening (February 19) where they found that the fall was in a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purpose of access to drainage, known as an adit.