Finding mermaid tears on a Cornwall beach

Fragments of the past are reborn as treasures on Cornwall's shores, attracting collectors drawn to sea glass

- Teja Lele

A blustery cold day calls for huddling in front of a fireplace with hot chocolate, but the rhythmic sound of the waves and the thought of "treasure hunting" lure me out of my comfy hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, in the UK.

Over the last few years, I have switched allegiance from the sea to mountains, from beaches to alpine forests. But in Cornwall, a ceremonial county bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, Devon to the east and the English Channel to the south, I find a whole new lens to look at the ocean.

Sea glass, a natural treasure that's been shaped by time and tide.

Cornwall is the UK's southernmost county and diverges greatly in its geography. North Cornwall is rugged and wild with coast-hugging cliffs and sandy wind-swept beaches. South Cornwall is gentle and mild with a calm coast, sheltered coves and historic fishing villages.

As I step out of the hotel lobby, cap and gloves in place, I get a bird's-eye view of the beautiful bay. The glistening blue waters and craggy cliffs embracing the smooth beach seem idyllic. The town is named for the "new quay" built in the mid-15th century. Once a fishing village, Newquay gained popularity as one of Britain's favourite seaside destinations after the arrival of the railway in 1876.

I step on to the high path that looks down at the high cliffs, rolling sand dunes, and dramatic headlands that bookend Fistral Beach. "The many beaches, including Tolcarne, Towan, Great Western, Harbour, Lusty Glaze and Porth are ideal for sunbathing and surfing," says Lauren Fountain, the operations manager who's manning the reception at Esplanade Hotel. "The powerful waves regularly reach heights of 6-8ft and draw surfers from across the country," she says.