This area shares similar landscape characteristics to the Helford River but on a much larger scale. The main channel is formed where the River
Fal meets the open sea, this stretch of water is known as the Carrick Roads. It is broad and deep, providing shelter in its deep-water
harbour for ocean going vessels. From the Roseland & Mevagissey to St Austell Bay the key landscape characteristic is a ridge which separates the Roseland from the Carrick Roads, consisting of a narrow strip of land barely half a kilometre wide between Zone Point and Gerrans Bay, broadens to include a stretch of varied and scenic coastland around Veryan Bay. The core part of the Roseland includes the five parishes of St Just-in-Roseland, Veryan, Gerrans, Philleigh and Ruan Lanihorne. St Mawes is a key coastal settlement at the mouth of the Fal, now largely established on tourism, with a busy and picturesque harbour.