Initially a rocky bay, Carlyon Bay’s current beaches were formed by decades of china clay material being washed down Sandy River in the 19th century. This is why the ‘sand’ here is much coarser than you would normally find on a Cornish beach.

In the 1920s, the site consisted of the beach, a few beach huts and a cafeteria with access via a footpath down the cliff. In 1930, tennis courts were built and Edward VII and Mrs Simpson visited whilst staying at the nearby Carlyon Bay Hotel.

In 1934, architect Louis de Soissons was commissioned to create the original concept for the Coliseum building and a high class sports club but the scheme was never finished. This partially-completed building was opened in 1938 with several famous people reputed to have used the indoor tennis courts and swimming facilities.

During the war, the site was closed although it was used by American servicemen for concerts, and as a school and gas mask store.

It was reopened in 1952 and run as it was during the pre-war years but following financial difficulties only the beach huts and cafeteria remained operational.

In 1960, the main building was renovated and reopened as a concert venue. The project again hit financial problems and was sold in 1968. It was then run solely as a beach complex and open only in the summer.

In 1976, the site was acquired by Exchange Travel who developed the complex further and created a large auditorium which once again hit the headlines, this time as a favourite venue for musical heroes such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, The Who, Queen and many many more.

The beach festivals still hold a special memory for the thousands of WOMAD followers who pitched up with their tents, VW camper vans or maybe only a blanket and the stars for a roof.

In 1988, consent was granted for a holiday village with an 81-bedroom hotel, 444 self-catering holiday homes, 10 shops, a themed water area and new arcade and office suite.

In 1989, a further planning application was submitted for 511 holiday dwellings and refurbishment and extensions to central entertainment and leisure facilities with planning permission granted in 1990.

Ampersand acquired the neglected site in November 2002 with the vision of transforming it into a world-class destination resort.