Which beach should you visit in Cornwall?
Ever wondered what a complete review of every single beach in Cornwall would look like?! Then look no further, because we’ve been to them all....and now, so can you!
Portwrinkle Beach
Location - Portwrinkle Beach, Crafthole, Nr. Looe, Cornwall, PL11 3BP
Description - Portwrinkle is on the western end of Whitsand Bay, on the south coast of Cornwall. There are two sand and shingle beaches with numerous rock pools and a small harbour. Portwrinkle is popular with families and the east beach, known as Finnygook beach, can be used by experienced surfers. There are steep paths down to both Portwrinkle beaches.
Portwrinkle was traditionally a fishing village and the old 17th century walls of the pilchard cellars are still standing, although they have been incorporated into housing. Although the village has no shops, apart from the beach car park cafe, there is a shop and post office in nearby village of Crafthole.
Also known as: Hoodny and Finnygook
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban, Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Access is relatively easy via the path down to the harbour
Facilities: There is a beach cafe at Finygook along with toilets on the opposite side of the road.
Parking: There is a reasonably sized car park directly behind Finygook beach. Beyond this parking opportunities are few and far between in the village.
Porthmeor Beach
Location- Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1JZ
Description - Situated in the shadow of the iconic Tate St Ives building, Porthmeor is sandy, safe beach popular with surfers and swimmers alike in an ideal location just a stone’s throw from the centre of St Ives where you’ll find ancient pubs, trendy cafes and lots of art galleries the town is famous for. A perfect place for a beach picnic - you can easily get all you need from the town, the beach is busy in summer with families who enjoy the easy access and in winter the surf brigade from the town have all those rollers right on their doorstep. Porthmeor is one of only eight beaches in Cornwall that hold the prestigious Blue Flag Award 2017, given in recognition of water quality, safety, environmental management and education.
Lifeguard cover from the 30th of March until the 28th of October (2018).
Parking - the car parks in St Ives get full very early in main season, and the large car park at the top of town can bit a hike back up. Why not try parking at St Erth station or Lelant Saltings and enjoy the scenic branch line into the heart of St Ives.
Please note: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between the Sunday before Easter and 30 September when a seasonal dog ban is in place.
Nansidwell Beach
Location- Nansidwell Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5HN
Description- Between Maenporth and Mawnan Smith there is a footpath that leads down through some beautiful wooded areas and ends at the little beach of Nansidwell, part of an area looked after by the National Trust.
Nansidwell is part of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretches from St Michael’s Mount near Penzance to the outskirts of Falmouth, taking in the whole of the Lizard Peninsula and the Helford River.
Mixture of sand with some shingle interspersed with rocks. A five to ten minute walk. Maybe longer on the way back if you have children, but don't try taking a pushchair!
Nansidwell is a year-round dog-friendly beach. There are no facilities at the beach.
Peter’s Point Beach, Hayle
Location- Peter's Point Beach, Hayle, Cornwall, TR26 1SZ
Description- Peter's Point beach is at the far end of the three mile stretch of golden sands at Hayle that allows visitors to get away from the crowds.
A sandy beach at low tide with rocky areas and little distinct coves at high tide. The beach is backed by fairly unstable shale cliffs with a footpath carved into the cliff face providing limited access.
Also known as: Godrevey, Peter's Point
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: There is a summer lifeguard service located on Peter's Point from 19 May - 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Well equipped, pleasant cafe located in the car park
Parking: Godrevy is National Trust Property as is the ample car parking.
Polridmouth Cove Beach
Location- Polridmouth Cove Beach, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1HW
Description- Polridmouth Beach is set in an attractive, sheltered cove to the east of Gribbin Head and west of the popular town of Fowey.
Much of the south-facing beach is reclaimed by the sea at high tide, which divides the beach into two distinct, small beaches. Polridmouth Cove is passed on the South West Coast Path with stunning coastal views from Fowey to St Austell, a journey which also encompasses Polkerris beach and Par Sands beach. Small attractive sandy south facing cove mostly covered at high tide.
Polridmouth Beach is set in an attractive, sheltered cove to the east of Gribbin Head and west of the popular town of Fowey.
Type of beach: Sand and shingle
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: Access to the beach is by an unmade track about 15 minutes from car park – track may not be suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs etc.
Facilities: There are no facilities at the beach.
Parking: There is a car park by the farm about 10 minutes walk up a farm track from the cove
Polurrian Cove Beach
Location- Polurrian Cove, Mullion, Cornwall, TR12 7EN
Description - Polurrian Cove lies close to the village of Mullion on The Lizard and is a southwest-facing beach with golden sand and patches of fine shingle.It is especially popular in summer with excellent cliff walks northwards along Angrouse Cliff towards Poldhu Cove and south towards Mullion Cove and its tiny harbour.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: There is a summer weekend only lifeguard service from 7 July to 2 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Cafe
Parking: nearest parking is in Mullion village, about 10 minutes walk from the beach
St Ives Harbour Beach
Location- St Ives Harbour, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1PU
Description- Located in the town’s harbour sheltered by thick harbour walls a soft sandy beach is revealed when the tide’s out which is a perfect sun trap even on less balmy days.
An ideal safe spot for swimming and building sand castles, the beach has easy access and is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of this popular resort, so you won’t go short of ice creams and hot pasties and there are many shops, galleries, cafes and pubs along the street that runs parallel to the sea.
St Ives is still very much a working port and from the beach you can watch local fishermen landing their daily catches of fresh seafood like mackerel and bass and the town’s Lifeboat Station, situated on the harbour for over 100 years, is open to the visitors during the summer season.
Please note: Seasonal dog ban applies on this beach, Sunday before Easter to 1st October.
Also known as: St Ives Town Beach
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Facilities: All amenities very close by - numerous cafés, restaurants and shops. Amusement arcade close to beach.
Parking: Car parks in St Ives are often full. For anyone staying out of town it is often better to leave the car at St Erth or Lelant Stations and take the train to St Ives. The view from the train is superb.
Porthleven Beach
Location- Porthleven Beach, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 9EA
Description- Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide Recommended 2015 - excellent water quality
Three glorious miles of sand and steeply shelving shingle, stretching in an easterly direction, when the tide is out, past Loe Bar and the Penrose Estate. Porthleven beach is next to the the granite pier of the harbour and accessed from Porthleven village.
Bathing is not advised as there are strong undercurrents here.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguard Summer cover daily from 7 July to 2 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: All facilities in town of Porthleven.
Parking: Parking around harbour area
Watergate Bay Beach
Location- Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA
Description- Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide Recommended 2015 - excellent water quality.
Watergate Bay beach, about 3 miles from Newquay on the North Cornwall coast, is a large beach. Two miles of golden sand at low tide stretches towards Newquay and out to sea enormous waves come in from the Atlantic providing a spectacular sight and a popular surfing and kitesurfing spot.
It is a large, open bay and frequently picks up swell from the Atlantic and is popular with families and surfers. Watergate Bay is a 15 minute drive from Newquay or a 45 minute walk, however this is a strenuous walk with many hills and valleys. The two miles of golden sand and azure sea make this a fantastic beach for surfers and activity lovers of all ages and abilities. Watergate Bay hosts demonstrations, events, championships and festivals in a variety of sand, sea and air sports as well as the annual Polo on the Beach.
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restaurant and social enterprise directly overlooks the bay, along with the contemporary Watergate Bay Hotel and shoreline restaurant, The Beach Hut, and the beach shop and Venus take-away.
Also known as: Tregurrian.
Type of beach: Sandy.
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguard Summer cover daily from 5 May to 30 September and Easter bank holiday.
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year.
Disabled access: Beach is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Main steps to beach rebuilt to aid ambient disabled users.
Facilities: The facilities include a beach side cafe, restaurant, toilets and shop.
Parking: There are 2 car parks towards the middle of the beach both of which charge.
Portheras Cove Beach
Location- Portheras Cove, St Ives, Cornwall, TR19 7TU
Description- A real 'locals' beach, off the beaten track and tricky to find without local knowledge.
On the northern edge of West Cornwall between Morvah and Pendeen. The cove is sandy and located at the end of a small valley. Until recently parts of the beach were out of bounds due to razor sharp fragments of an old wreck under the sand, but in 2004 the wreck was finally cleaned up making the beach safe once again. Seals are a common sight here.
As a surfing beach it does occasionally have a quality shorebreak on a high tide and is popular with local body-boarders.
Also known as: Portherras Cove
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: Either park in the farm car park at the end of 'Rose Valley' or park in the Pendeen Watch car park.
Porthgwarra Beach
Location- Porthgwarra Beach, Porthcurno, Cornwall, TR19 6JR
Description- A picturesque fishing hamlet in West Cornwall, with some boats still launching from here, Porthgwarra has a small secluded beach just around the corner from Porthcurno. Once a thriving fishing cove, the beautiful Porthgwarra sits at the heart of St Aubyn Estates and boasts a peaceful existence surrounded by wildflowers and birdlife.
Minimal sand at low tide. Surf rescue equipment present at the beach.
Poldark connection: The popular scene in series one featuring Ross taking a swim in the crystal clear water while watched from the cliff tops by Demelza was filmed here, as well the pilchard fishing scene and many others.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dogs friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Toilets, telephone box, and old fashioned seaside shop selling assorted souvenirs and snacks.
Parking: Ample car parking in field just by the village.
Cadgwith Cove Beach
Location- Cadgwith Cove Beach, Cadgwith, Cornwall, TR12 7JZ
Description- This attractive fishing village on the Lizard has two small east-facing shingle beaches either side of a rocky promontory called the Todden.
Cadgwith is home to local fishing boats and the familiar ink-well pots used for crab and lobster.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dogs friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Toilets, shop, cafe.
Parking: 75 space car park a few minutes up the road.
Loe Bar Beach
Location- Porthleven, Cornwall, TR13 9DZ
Description- Loe Bar beach is a half mile shingle bank which separates the Loe, the largest natural fresh water lake in Cornwall, from the sea. Loe Bar was originally the mouth of the River Cober which led to a harbour in Helston. However, by the 13th century the bar had cut Helston off from the sea and formed the pool.
Loe Bar has a well earned reputation for being treacherous and over the years several lives have been lost. The combination of powerful waves, a steep slippery shingle bank and vicious currents make it a very dangerous stretch of beach. Don’t even think about swimming here.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No but plenty of signs saying NOT to swim here!
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: There is a small car park to the east of Porthleven, about 15 minutes walk away.
Chapel Porth Beach
Location- Chapel Porth Beach, St Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0NS
Description- Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide Recommended 2015 - excellent water quality. This is one of Cornwall’s natural assets at its best. When the tide’s out there are rock pools and caves to explore and when conditions are right the surf here is fantastic.
The dramatic ruins of the old Wheal Coates tin mine are perched on the cliffs above the beach, and the walk from here around the coast to the village of St Agnes gives stunning views.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 19 May – 30 September
Dogs friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: National Trust café and toilets.
Parking: National Trust owned car-park. (Car park free to National Trust members).
Marazion Beach
Location- Marazion Beach, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0EG
Description- At low tide access to St Michael's Mount is by way of a granite causeway, once walked by pilgrims. Whilst at high tide a gentle boat ride take visitors to the historic castle on the island.
Simply relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this enchanting beach is pleasure enough but with windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing and sailing all on offer there is plenty to keep even the most energetic busy.
The long sandy beach is very safe, and a short walk along the sand dunes will enable you to find a private sun trap. There are rock pools to explore around Chapel Rock and Marazion Harbour, and a well equipped play park is situated just above the beach. Facilities for sailing and windsurfing are available, with a windsurfing school situated at the far end of Marazion beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Lifeguard service during summer months (7 July - 2 September)
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Plenty of facilities and easy level access from the main car park. There is also a ramp down to the beach near the western car park.
Facilities: Marazion town has all the shops and facilities you'll need including toilets by the beach, cafes, restaurants and The Godolphin Arms overlooking the beach in front of the Mount at one end of the beach and the Station House at the other.
Parking: There are a number of car parks on the beach front to the west of the town.
Hawkers Cove Beach
Location- Hawker's Cove Beach, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8LR
Description- Making a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Padstow, Hawkers Cove is best reached on foot from the town along the South West Coast Path, passing Gun Point, where you’ll find abandoned fortifications dating back to the Napoleonic war. Opposite are the golden sands of Daymer Bay while when the tide comes in, part of the beach is submerged to form the infamous Doom Bar sand bank that has been a perilous hazard to shipping for centuries. Just up from the beach there is a very pleasant tea garden located at the back of the two hundred year old Coastguard Houses.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: There is a car park serving Harbour Cove (which is only a few minutes walk away). To get to the car park follow the signs for Crugmeer and Hawker's Cove from the B3276. The car park is on the right as you drive through Crugmeer. Alternatively, there are a few parking spaces further up the lane by the farm.
Kingsand Beach
Location- Kingsand Beach, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL10 1NA
Description- In a secluded corner of South East Cornwall, Kingsand and its neighbouring beach at Cawsand are east-facing beaches of sand and shingle and great views of Plymouth Sound. The beaches are relatively sheltered by Picklecombe Point to the east and Penlee Point/Rame Head to the west. There are rock pools to explore at Kingsand and access to both beaches are via slopes and a few steps.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Perranuthnoe Beach
Location- Perranuthnoe Beach, Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 9NE
Description- Perranuthnoe beach is located on the south coast around a mile to the east of Marazion, with fine views of Cornwall's jewel, St Michael's Mount. At low tide Perranuthnoe is a sandy beach with some shingle and at high tide the beach is mostly claimed by the sea. The beach is a popular one with surfers. Known by locals as Perran Sands the beach can be confused with the beach of the same name at Perranporth.
Also known as: Perran Sands
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Parking: Car park close to beach.
Towan Beach – Newquay
Location- Towan Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1DT
Description- Towan Beach is at the heart of Newquay, one of the liveliest resorts in Cornwall, at the bottom of a steeply sloping hill. The beach is bordered to the west by the harbour and at the east by 'the Island' a towering rocky outcrop called which is connected to the mainland by a suspension footbridge.
The beaches at both Great Western and Tolcarne can be reached at low tide forming one extended sandy strip. The Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay is right by the beach is also a fascinating attraction for young and old.
A sand chair is available to hire, please book from the Aqurarium, call 01637 878134, for a nominal charge.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Daily from 5 May to 30 September, also Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year.
Parking: Newquay Town Centre parking is a few minutes away from the beach.
Talland Bay Beach
Location- Talland Bay Beach, Polperro, Cornwall, PL13 2RY
Description- There are two principal beaches in Talland Bay, both are quite small - the one to the west has sand both at high tide and low tide and is good for swimming at both high and low tides.
There are lots of rock pools to be discovered at low tide. The second beach, to the east, is less sandy and is easiest to swim from at high tide. There is a ramp for launching boats on the main beach and small boats can also be launched from the beach near Smugglers Cottage. There are small coves and beautiful natural tidal pools to swim in.
The main beach, Talland Sand, is the most westerly of the two and is a popular, well-equipped beach. There is a car park, toilets, shop and the Talland Bay Beach café with tables practically on the beach.
As the name suggests there is a good deal of sand here, albeit a little on the coarse side towards the high tide mark. As the tide drops it reveals a wealth of rock pools which are home to all manner of little sea creatures from hermit crabs to suckerfish. Along with safe swimming this makes Talland Bay an ideal family beach.
Type of beach: Sand and rocks
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: There is easy access to the beach in the car park close to the beach
Parking: There are a few parking spaces on the roadside near the sea along with a small, free car park near Smugglers Cottage along with a pay and display car park at The Beach Café. At Rotterdam Beach there is some roadside parking and a customer car park at the Smuggler's Rest.
Portreath Beach
Location- Portreath Beach, Portreath, Cornwall, TR16 4PH
Description- The large beach has soft fine sand, with shingle below the shore line, that is popular with families. The harbour wall and “rocky” is popular with surfers for its “vortex” surf break. Refreshments may be obtained from the Beach Café or The Retreat Restaurant & Take-Away which has a relaxed atmosphere with comfy sofas.
There are two surf/beach shops and an amusement arcade for families located on the seafront. Public toilets are also available close by. The village has a local supermarket, Post Office, Bakery and a tearoom located within The Square. The village also has three pubs – one of which overlooks the harbour and a smaller, sandy beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Full lifeguard service in the Summer (19 May to 30 September)
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Access to the beach via ramp at harbour end of car park. Some designated disabled parking spaces in the beachfront car park. Both adult and child sand chairs available from Portreath Surf Life Centre - 01209 842746
Facilities: Toilets, including disabled facilities, first aid post, lost child centre, café, restaurant, shops and surf life-saving club.
Parking: There is a reasonably large privately owned car park right on the beach
Porthcothan Bay Beach
Location- Porthcothan Bay Beach, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8LW
Description- Porthcothan beach is a north west-facing cove backed by grassy dunes popular for sunbathing and a favourite with families. The sandy beach opens out at low tide, connecting up with small coves to the north and south and at high tide the beach becomes very sheltered from swell and winds due to the cliffs.
Swimming and board sports are on offer in a sheltered sea with water quality that is routinely checked and currently approved by DEFRA. It is located south of Constantine Bay with the nearest village St Merryn only ten minutes drive away. The coast path gives splendid views to both the north and the south as well as displaying a variety of wildlife.
Surfers find Porthcothan to be a quiet surf spot and normally no decent consistent surf. Will work from low to mid tide and breaks on sand banks producing lefts and rights. Suitable for beginners. Dangers: Rocks, occasional bad rips on spring tides, surfable at low to mid tide. Wind: E/SE offshore.
Poldark connection: Porthcothan beach near Newquay is a north west-facing cove backed by grassy dunes, and was used as Nampara land along with shots of Hendrawna Beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Full lifeguard service daily in the Summer (19 May to 30 September)
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year.
Disabled access: Level access from main car park. Does involve crossing the road which can be quite busy.
Facilities: Shop and toilets.
Parking: Council owned car-park across the road from the beach.
Constantine Bay Beach
Location- Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8JJ
Description- With a reputation as one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall Constantine Bay beach offers a sweeping arc of gently shelving soft pale sands. This west-facing beach also has numerous rock pools to explore and is very popular for swimming and surfing. The water quality is routinely tested and currently approved by DEFRA
Constantine Bay is separated from its neighbour, Booby's Bay, to the north, by a thin rocky point; bordered by a large rocky reef to the south and backed by a network of sand dunes. Good marine wildlife
Surfing Information: Constantine is a very popular surf spot producing top quality waves in the North Cornwall area. It has a reef at the southern end of the bay that works through the tide, depending on swell size, that produces lefts running into the bay however, the wave can be fickle depending on swell direction. In the middle of the bay at high tide is a good peak producing rights and lefts with fast and sucky waves. There is also a point at the north end of the bay that produces good waves from mid to high tide. Suitable for experienced surfers only due to hidden rocks, dangerous rips and the beach shelves quickly at high tide.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 5 May - 30 September and Easter bank holiday weekend
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: Access to the beach is easy but parking is somewhat limited. There are disabled toilets.
Facilities: Toilets, lifeguards in summer, surf shop
Parking: Parking is limited at Constantine Bay. It’s best to park at Treyarnon Bay and then walk the coast path to Constantine Bay - takes about 10 minutes.
Tolcarne Beach
Location- Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2QN
Description-
Tolcarne Beach nestles in a beautiful crescent shaped bay set against a background of cliffs that joins up with its neighbouring beaches Great Western and Lusty Glaze at low tide. The beach offers soft sand, easy swimming, fun family surfing, exciting rock pools to explore at low tide, sea fishing and the unique 'Tolcarne Wedge' for boogie boarding. Cleaned daily in the summer.
The beach shop has all you need for the perfect day on the beach - buckets & spades, wetsuits, boogie boards, sun cream, swim suits & beach games. Beach huts, windbreaks & loungers available for hire, as well as surf & body boards (foamy, custom or boogie), wetsuit & accessories. Hire by hour or day.
The surf school on the beach offers individual and group surf lessons for novice or intermediate surfer. Open all year round. Qualified BSA instructors with top quality equipment and suits.
The Venus cafe, located right on the beach, opens from Easter all through the summer and offers an excellent range of local and organically produced food and drink. The Venus Company specialise in the best alfresco style dining experience and have been awarded the Gold England for Excellence Sustainable Tourism Award.
Great views of the harbour and headland plus some good but safe surf make this a popular beach with families, although some are put off by the walk down the high cliffs, which involves more than two hundred steps.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Full lifeguard service in the Summer (19 May to 30 September)
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Toilets, surf shop & school, crazy golf, café.
Trevone Bay Beach
Location- Trevone Bay, Padstow, Cornwall, TR8 4BU
Description- Trevone Bay beach, Padstow, North Cornwall is located to the south of Trevose Head and to the north of Harlyn Bay. It has been awarded the Blue Flag Award 2017, one of only eight beaches that have received the award in Cornwall.
This gently shelving, sandy beach is surrounded by cliffs and situated in an area of great geological interest
The beach has golden sand and little alcoves to sit and watch away the day
The cliffs to the north east of the beach provide fantastic walks and views to Hawkers Cove, the Camel Estuary and beyond. The cliff has a large blowhole as well, which appears on top of the cliff, so beware of getting too close to the edge if you're not good with heights!
Popular with surfers this small cove produces good waves from low to mid tide. Right handers from the rocks on the right and a peak in the middle that has mainly rights and shorter lefts. It also has lefts off the left-hand side of the bay. Suitable for: intermediate and experienced surfers.
Dangers: Extremely powerful rip on the right of the beach
Tides: Surfable low to mid tide. Wind: SE/E offshore.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Full lifeguard service in the Summer (19 May to 30 September)
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Easy access from the car-park.
Facilities: The beach has toilets, café and a sop. The village of Trevone has many amenities and is close to the beach.
Parking: Two large car-parks either end of the beach.
East Looe Beach
Location- East Looe Beach, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1HA
Description- A long-time favourite with holidaymakers, East Looe beach is a perfect location for swimming as the beach gently shelves providing easy access especially for the little ones. The sand is great for castle building and you can promenade along the sea front enjoying an ice cream. Backed by substantial sea defences where you can sit and watch the world go by, behind the beach is the vibrant main town home to cafes, restaurants and shops.
From the unusually shaped Banjo Pier next to the beach you can watch the many fishing boats come and go while crabbing is the favoured pastime for kids along the nearby harbour walls. Many boat trips leave from the town to explore the beautiful coastline and Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary just off Hannafore Point and there’s even a glass bottom boat from where you can observe the marvels of local marine life.
Being situated so close to Looe town centre has its good and bad points. There are plenty of facilities, including toilets and cafes, practically on the beach. The major drawback is that Looe is a very popular resort town and in the summer the beach is incredibly busy. Also access is generally by foot as traffic is prohibited from the town centre in the summer and the nearest parking (if you can find any) is a considerable walk.
Also known as: Looe Beach
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? All year dog ban in force
Disabled access: Access to the beach itself is easy but the nearest parking is a fair distance away, albeit level. A sand chair is available for hire via the Looe Town Trust Seafront Workshops - 01503 263709
Parking: Whilst there are several car parks in Looe, including a large one just by the bridge in East Looe, they tend to fill up quickly so getting here early is essential. From this car park there is a 5 minute walk through the town centre. Other alternatives involve parking across the river in West Looe and getting a ferry over - or walking around (approx 15 minutes).
Whitsand Bay
Location- Whitsand Bay Beach, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL11 3BY
Description- The beaches of Whitsand Bay offer three miles of stunning sand from Rame Head to Portwrinkle and are considered one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. Reached by steep paths and steps that wind down between the verdant vegitation, these beaches are never crowded. At low tide the long stretches of glistening sand provides great walking or jogging opportunities, whilst the constant swell keeps surfers happy riding some huge waves.
Rock pools dotted along the beach reveal fascinating marine life, and out to sea the bay is a popular dive site, home to HMS Scylla, an ex-naval frigate sunk in 2004 to form an artificial reef.
Please Note: Ripcurrents make swimming here potentially dangerous. Caution is advised.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 5 May - 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Facilities: nearby Golf / Country Club
Parking: Two car parks
Bedruthan Steps Beach
Location- Bedruthan Steps, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4BU
Description- Access to the beach is difficult, and down a steep narrow set of steps cut into the cliff. Only for the fit and agile, take care with young children. The beach itself has beautiful golden sands, and is only accessible at low tide.
Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is one of the most popular destinations on the Cornish coast and is an absolute must-see. The landscape is synonymous with shipwrecks and smugglers, and the spectacular clifftop views look out over Bedruthan Steps, where a rank of colossal, pointed stacks march out of the atlantic waves against a dramatic backdrop.
Enjoy magnificent walks meandering past a succession of picture-postcard coves, windswept headlands and old-fashioned holiday resorts, this stretch of the coast path running north of Bedruthan ranks among the prettiest in the south west.
The National Trust has rebuilt the steep cliff staircase to the beach, but visitors need to be aware of the risk of being cut off by the tide.
Also known as: Carnewas
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: There is a fairly substantial privately owned car park stretching to near the top of the cliffs.
Porthchapel Beach
Location- Porthchapel Beach, Lands End, Cornwall, TR19 6JS
Description- South facing sheltered cove, surrounded by cliffs.
Access is along a narrow cliff path with a rock climb down to the beach and therefore only suitable for the agile and able bodied.
You can surf this beach. Surf rescue equipment is present. Seals are regular visitors to the beach and are often seen swimming just off shore.
Generally quiet this sandy beach is a favourite with local families although never becomes crowded. Due to its location, access is only suitable for the able bodied; the narrow cliff path winds through a beautiful wooded valley followed by a climb down rocks to the beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October (applies only below high-water mark)
Facilities: There are no facilities at Porthchapel. The nearest shop is at the Minnack Theatre just along the coast path with further facilities in the village at Porthcurno.
Parking: Small field car park next to the church at St Levan. About 5-10 minutes walk from the beach.
Holywell Bay Beach
Location- Holywell Bay, Nr Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5DD
Description-This huge beach of golden sand backed by grass tufted dunes is a perfect example of the north coast’s wide open bays large enough for everyone to enjoy whatever comes naturally. Go body boarding in the water, storm watch in winter or stroll across the sands with the dog, Holywell is also an ideal place to just sit on the beach and read a good book while the kids play in the stream or enjoy the waves.
On the beach you can explore the fascinating grotto-like Holywell Cave with its calcium deposits and at low tide a wreck of an old Argentinian coaster can be seen just offshore. At high tide there is ample room amongst the dunes, some of which rise up 60 feet, for a beach picnic and it’s a suitably romantic spot to watch the sun go down. Nearby is the Holywell fun park with self-drive rides, pitch and putt and a kids zone.
Poldark connection:This huge beach of golden sand backed by grass tufted dunes is a perfect example of the north coast’s wide open bays. Holywell Bay and its iconic Gull Rock act as the backdrop to many of the beach scenes in series three.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 5 May - 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: Car-park right next to the beach (Car park free to National Trust members).
Seaton Beach
Location- Seaton Beach, Nr Looe, Cornwall, PL11 3JQ
Description- This lovely family beach with large cafe, shop and toilets set in a quieter part of Cornwall has everything you need for a memorable day out. The large beach of sand with small pebbles is south facing and located at the entrance of the River Seaton valley. Ideal for sailing (with slipway), surfing and shore fishing and for the younger ones some paddling and splashing out in the river.
You can also take a gentle stroll along the promenade to the nearby Downderry beach and if the tide is high you'll see local fishermen casting out their lines.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: Level access to the beach
Parking: Three nearby car parks, all only a few minutes walk from the beach
Lansallos Beach
Location- Lansallos Beach, Polperro, Cornwall, PL13 2PX
Description- Lansallos Beach is one of Cornwalls hidden treasures.
Lansallos beach (also known as West Coombe) is a quiet, attractive, south facing cove of sand and rocks just a few miles west of Polperro. There is a small waterfall on the western side of the beach known as Reed Water which used to power a small mill.
Access - There is a National Trust car park in the village (free to members) with footpath access to the beach from beside the church. It's around a 20 minute walk down delightful track, beside the stream with activity points for children. Other paths lead from the National Trust campsite at Highertown Farm, across the fields and down the coombe.
Also known as: West Combe, Lansallos Cove
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Parking: Nearest parking is in Lansallos village, near the church.
Castle Beach
Location- Castle Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4NZ
Description- Castle Beach in Falmouth consists mostly of shingle at high tide but there are plenty of interesting rock pools to be found at low tide.
This is a lovely location with stunning views out over Falmouth Bay in one direction and the historic Pendennis Castle and St Anthony headland in the other. Parking is on the main road, with sloping flat access path plus a few steps down to the beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Toilets, Beach café selling souvenirs also
Parking: Parking on Cliff Road
Porthoustock Beach
Location- Porthoustock Beach, The Lizard, Cornwall, TR12 6QW
Description- Known locally as Pro'stock, Porthoustock is an east-facing beach with a large flat expanse of coarse dark sand and shingle that is popular with divers as there are lots of shipwrecks in the area around the Manacles. Swimming with care. Parking is allowed at the back of the beach taking care not to obstruct the boats of the local fishermen. There are toilets behind the beach and some picturesque thatched cottages. Coastal footpath enthusiasts can walk north on the unofficial coastpath to Porthkerris.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Facilities: Toilets only
Parking: Car park on the beach
Porthgwidden Beach
Location- Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1PL
Description- The smallest beach of soft golden sand in St Ives, near to the Island, and very popular with families as it is very sheltered and quite an east-facing sun trap.
Despite the lack of lifeguards there are plenty of other facilities including a two-storey row of beach huts that are available to rent from the council. There is also a good cafe overlooking the beach.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Access from the Island car park behind via a gently sloped slip road down to the beach
Parking: Parking is difficult in St Ives and it is better to visit the town by bus or by train unless staying in the town itself. Porthgwidden is located right next to the reasonably sized Island car park, but this tends to fill up relatively quickly in the summer. There is a large car park above the town but this is a bit of a walk and can be a hard climb for young families.
Crantock Beach
Location- Crantock, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5RN
Description- Crantock offers a large expanse of golden sands backed by dunes between the Pentire Headlands to both east and west. Popular for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and wind-surfing with board/canoe hire on the beach. Dolphins accasionally visit too!
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 5 May - 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled Access: May not be suitable. Access is difficult through steep dunes.
Facilities / Parking: Cafes, toilets and parking with 150 spaces are nearby, along with a camp site.
Carbis Bay Beach
Location- Carbis Bay Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2NW
Description- One of Cornwall's eight award-winning Blue Flag 2018 beaches, owned by the Carbis Bay Hotel, with safe bathing beach surrounded by subtropical splendour.
Facing northeast and just one mile east of St Ives, the beach rarely has any surf so makes for an ideal spot for families with toddlers as the sea here is perfect for swimming. Served by the picturesque St Ives branch line and around a mile long, the golden sands bathe in the bright light of west Cornwall and a short walk on the east side of the beach at low tide brings you to Porth Kidney sands where you’ll find a RSPB bird sanctuary, an important habitat for sea birds.
Part of an array of beaches that make up St Ives Bay, listed as one of the world’s best by the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Organisation, the beach at Carbis Bay is surrounded by sub-tropical plants and lapped by turquoise waters which just might just have you thinking you were somewhere much further south.
Also known as: Barrepta Cove
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 7 July - 2 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Beach shop, cafe and toilets. Also has a lost child centre, first aid post
Parking: Plenty of parking available in beachfront carpark
Porthluney Cove Beach |Caerhays
Location- Porthluney Cove Beach, Caerhays, Mevagissey, Cornwall, PL26 6LY
Description- Porthluney Cove is a privately owned, secluded family beach with a large expanse of golden sand that's popular with the locals. South facing, in front of Caerhays Castle and Gardens, the beach enjoys a striking backdrop. There's plenty of room for beach games and exploring the rocks on the west side at low tide. The beach is excellent for swimming . The beach is directly in front of the daily charge car park and seasonal cafe, picnic area and basic toilet facilities are provided.
The opportunity to visit the grounds of Caerhays Castle is well worth while especially in the springtime. The beach is dog friendly all year round but visitors are requested to keep their dogs on leads from June-September. There is no Lifeguard cover provided. Water quality is routinely tested and is currently designated as meeting European bathing water standards.
Also known as: Caerhays Beach
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Nudist/naturist beach: Yes
Disabled access: Easy, level access from the car park behind the beach. Plenty of facilities
Facilities: Small shop and toilets
Parking: Large car park directly behind he beach. Also there is parking for visitors to Caerhays Castle nearby.
Kennack Sands Beach
Location- Kennack Sands Beach, The Lizard, Cornwall, TR12 7LT
Description- Kennack Sands, near the village of Kuggar on the Lizard peninsula, is comprised of two beaches with some grassy areas which are divided by the small hill of Carn Kennack and a shore rock feature called Caerverracks. The beach to the east is designated as a nature reserve so please treat it with respect, it can be reached via the footpath that runs along the back of the beach and over Carn Kennack.
Well known amongst the surfing fraternity, Kennack Sands has a big tidal range due to its shallow angle and regularly throws up 4 to 5 foot waves. As is usual for beaches on the Lizard Peninsula, Kennack Sands also has its own shipwreck stories and the remains of vessels can be seen from Kennack Sands on especially low tides.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover - weekends 19 May - 6 July and daily 7 July - 2 September
Dog friendly beach? No dogs Easter to October - 7am-7pm. East beach (furthest from car park) dogs allowed all year
Facilities: Large car park, shop, café and toilets.
Parking: Large car park at beach.
Long Rock Beach
Location- Long Rock Beach, Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 9BJ
Description- Long Rock is a safe family beach at the Penzance end of sands that stretch around Mount's Bay to Marazion. Favoured with Penzance locals as it is the most easily accessible stretch of sandy beach from town. Swimming here is particularly safe as it takes a lot of walking to get into even waist deep water and this is a popular spot for windsurfing.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Marazion lifeguards keep an eye on the eastern end of the beach during the summer months.
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Facilities: Longrock village has a shop, pubs and petrol station.
Parking: Parking available in Longrock village and right by the beach - although this fills up quickly in the summer.
Carne Beach
Location- Carne Beach, The Roseland, Cornwall, TR2 5PF
Description- Facing south and sheltered by Nare Head rising to 300 feet over the bay, Carne Beach is situated on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula and is a favourite haunt for walkers. At high tide there is a little beach but when the waters retreat some nice sand and shingle with rocks at either end are revealed. Popular with families and sometime surfers if the conditions are right.
Also known as: Gerrans Bay
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: Good facilities for a relatively remote beach. Easy access from National Trust car park next to beach
Facilities: The restaurant at the Nare Hotel is open to non-residents. Other amenities in Portscatho, Gerrans, Veryan and St. Mawes
Parking: Limited parking is available at the beach
Polzeath Beach
Location- Polzeath Beach, Polzeath, Cornwall, PL22 6TB
Description- An award winning beach near Wadebridge that attracts a multitude of surfers due to its easily accessible location and long slow breaking consistent waves. From novices to pros, looking like tadpoles bobbing in the water, the wet suited surfers all wait to catch the next perfect wave as do the occasional dolphins and seals that ride the swell alongside them too. The beach is one of only eight beaches in Cornwall that have received the Blue Flag Award 2017.
For something a little less competitive Polzeath’s little sister beach, New Polzeath to the right of the bay, is a favoured location for swimming away from the surfboards. The Waterfront Cafe Bar serves drinks and snacks during the main holiday seasons. At low tide the soft sand extends ¼ mile in either direction but when the tide comes in the beach is almost covered so a browse in the shops that line the village street or a drink in one of the cafes and pubs might be a relaxed option.
For walkers there’s is a nice easy 2 mile walk from the beach to nearby Daymer Bay and Rock which sit at the mouth of the Camel Estuary.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguard cover: Easter bank holiday, weekends during April, daily from 5 May to 30 September and weekends during October
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: Good disabled access and facilities.
Parking: There are several car parks in the vicinity of the beach, including the beach itself. Owing to the popularity of Polzeath these can fill up relatively quickly in the summer months.
Par Sands Beach
Location- Par Sands Beach, St Austell, Cornwall, PL24 2AR
Description- Par Sands offers a large expanse of firm sand backed by the dunes close to the village of Par, situated 4 miles from St Austell. This south-facing beach is popular in the summer.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: There is level access from the car park located right behind the beach
Facilities: Public toilets short walk behind the beach Shop/café and pub close by
Parking: At the rear of the beach
Charlestown Beach
Location- Charlestown Beach, Charlestown, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3NJ
Description- Charlestown Beach is a south-facing, sloping shingle beach accessed by steps on the east (left) side of the historic harbour, which is home to several tall ships and has many restaurants, cafes etc. The harbour is also used as a filming locations, most recently as the main quayside in the Poldark series.
Nearby is the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? All year dog ban in force
Disabled access: There is a gently slope down to the beach on the southern side of the harbour
Facilities: Pubs and other amenities around harbour area. Small shipwreck museum open in the season.
Parking: Car park near harbour
Priest Cove
Location- Cape Cornwall, St Just in Penwith, Cornwall, TR19 7NN
Description- Priest Cove at Cape Cornwall is one of those places that you can only find in Cornwall, a rocky beach with the remains of the Victorian mining industry all around and fishermen’s sheds overgrown by wild flowers. In the winter, the Atlantic storms batter the beach and surrounding cliffs, whilst off shore the Brisons rocks stand firm, despite everything thrown at them by the elements.
The beach itself is mainly a rugged collection of rocks and pools. A little bit of shingle can be found at the back and a small pool has been created amongst the rocks for safe paddling. At high tide much of the beach is underwater. A slipway onto the beach is still used by local fisherman, whose huts cling to the cliff, covered in flowers in the late spring/summer.
Also known as: Cape Cornwall
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Facilities: Toilets at car park
Parking: Cape Cornwall car park
Daymer Bay Beach
Location- Daymer Bay Beach, Rock, Cornwall, PL27 6SA
Description- A stunning beach that at low tide forms long stretches of golden sand backed by dunes from Daymer Bay to Rock with superb views across Camel Estuary.
At south the end of the beach is the grassy mound of Braey Hill which is worth a climb for excellent views of the area. At the foot of the hill a little way from the beach is St Enodoc Church or Sinking Neddy as it is sometimes referred to due to it's close relationship with the sea and sand. It is here that the former Poet Laureate, John Betjeman is buried.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: Large car park
Gwithian Towans Beach
Location- Gwithian Towans Beach, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5BT
Description- Blasted by the breeze off the Atlantic, the magnificent beach at Gwithian Towans is always a colourful scene of windsurfers on the water blokarts on the beach and kites in the sky. Backed by sand dunes tufted with wild grass, at low tide there is a vast amount of sand to enjoy and large areas of rock pools and caves are uncovered which are great for kids to explore.
The beach is a favourite destination for surfers as the constant swell coming in from the ocean provides good all year round conditions. Common seals are a regular sight near the beach and the area is a breeding ground for colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and cormorants. The Sunset Surf beachside café and bar overlooks the beach and is open all year, serving locally sourced, seasonal ingredients wherever possible and nearby the Jam Pot Café and Shop, a former 19th century coastguard lookout, is where you can enjoy home cooked snacks and be distracted by the stunningly natural views out over St Ives Bay.
Access to the beach is along a path through the sand dunes from the car park. Large areas of rock pools, which are great for kids to explore, some caves too.
Gwithian provides consistent, quality waves suitable for all surfing abilities. It conveniently gets gradually bigger the further towards Godrevy you go - so you can find a wave to suit your ability. On a good day expect long walling lefts and rights with the possiblility of a few barrels thrown in at low tide. Optimum conditions are medium sized north coast swell and southerly round to easterly winds (south east is directly offshore).
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: Well covered during summer months (5 May-30 September), Easter Bank Holiday weekend and weekends during October
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: There is a cafe and beach shop by the main car park plus another couple of places set back in the dunes.
Parking: Plenty of parking between the road and the beach.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Location- Gyllyngvase Beach, Cliff Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4PA
Description- Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth, on the South Cornwall coast is one of the most popular beaches in Falmouth.
Less than 10 minutes walk to historic Falmouth's town centre. Falmouth's largest beach, with a fine crescent of sand, popular with families due to its’ great amenities - good for watersports.
One of only eight beaches in Cornwall to receive the Blue Flag Award 2017 which recognises that the beach is clean, with the highest quality of water, well managed and safe.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguard cover daily from 19 May - 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: There is level access to the beach along with disabled toilets. A sand chair is available for hire from Gyllyngvase Beach Cafe and can be booked on 01326 312884
Facilities: Gylly Beach Café www.gyllybeach.com Disabled access, toilets, refreshments and lifeguard cover during the summer. Gyllyngvase Beach has a sand chair (needs to be hired in advance) for access to the beach and the water for people with mobility problems. Call 01326 312884
Duckpool Beach
Location- Stibb, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 9JN.
Description- A wild and romantic cove with a small west-facing beach, Duckpool is often less crowded when other beaches are buzzing at the height of the season.
Four miles north of Bude the wooded Coombe Valley (a very pleasant place to walk) meets the sea, where the spectacular peak of Steeple Point Cliff over 100 metres high dominates the beach. The beach is beautiful, but not suitable for swimming, as the currents are extremely dangerous and no lifeguard cover is provided.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: There is level access to the beach from the National Trust car park
Facilities: Toilets and level access
Parking: Small National Trust owned car park
Pendower Beach
Location- The Roseland, Cornwall, TR2 5PE
Description- Pendower is a south facing sandy beach about a mile long and popular with families with excellent views along the coastline. Owned by the National Trust, the beach joins with Carne Beach at low tide. Backing the beach there are low soft cliffs and rock pools which have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's).
Many activities to enjoy here, including: swimming, scuba diving, surfing, sea canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and snorkeling.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Disabled access: Easy disabled access to the beach
Parking: There is a large car park behind the dunes, around 100 metres from the beach.
Maenporth Beach
Location- Maenporth Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5HN
Description- The gently sloping beach has shallow water which is great for children. Situated approximately two miles south-southwest of Falmouth, Maenporth beach faces east across Falmouth Bay with views towards Pendennis Castle and the lighthouse on St Anthony Head. Neighbouring beaches include Swanpool and Gyllyngvase.
At low water the ship wreck of the Ben Asdale can be seen, while marine activities such as sailing, kayaking, diving and sea safaris are available for the more adventurous. Parking is right by the beach
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Disabled access: There is level access to the beach from the car park, which is right next to it.
Facilities: Beach cafe and shop selling snacks, drinks, ice creams, buckets and spades etc. Toilets
Parking: There is fee-paying parking on the beach
Crackington Haven Beach
Location- Woodford, Crackington Haven, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 0JG
Description- Crackington Haven is a lovely shingle cove dominated by majestic cliffs and offering a stretch of golden sand along with many rock pools when the tide is out. Suitable for swimming and surfing the water quality is routinely checked.
Surfing Info: Usually smaller (2ft) than Widemouth, so good on big days. Rights and lefts peeling into the rip. Waves can be steep at low tide (closeout) or spilling at mid tide, breaking on reef or sand. Suitable for beginners through to experienced surfers taking account of dangerous rocks left and right, experienced surfers can use river to enter water. Tides: Surfable at Mid tide only. Wind: E/SE offshore.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 2 - 10 June and 7 July - 2 September
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Two cafes, shop, pub, toilets and surf hire
Parking: Car Park at the beach (Pay and Display)
Lamorna Cove Beach
Location- Lamorna Cove Beach, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 6XH
Description- The cove has a small pebble beach beside beside the harbour and quay with lots of large boulders especially at low tide. The cove is on the South West Coast Path between Porthcurno and Mousehole. A nice quiet spot for swimming and a good spot for scuba diving.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Café, nearby Pub
Parking: There is fee-paying parking on the quay
Coverack Beach
Location- Coverack Beach, The Lizard, Cornwall, TR12 6TF
Description- Coverack is a picturesque Cornish fishing village with a small sand and pebble beach on the eastern coast of the Lizard peninsula. The beach is fairly rocky but a good family beach nonetheless, and can provide ideal conditions for anglers. The Manacles are located just off the Coverack coast, a group of dangerous rocks which have contributed to the sinking of many ships, leaving it a popular area for divers exploring shipwrecks.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Facilities: All facilities available in nearby Coverack
Parking: Dolor Point at the far end of the town
Trebarwith Strand Beach
Location- Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel, Cornwall, PL34 0HB
Description- Trebarwith Strand is just over two miles from Tintagel along the north Cornwall heritage coastline landmarked by Gull Rock. The sandy beach becomes completely covered at high tide and is accessed over rocks when approched from the pretty village of Treknow down a picturesque valley. The Strand Cafe provides drinks and snacks throughout the main holiday seasons.
Surfing information: rights and lefts - lots of cross waves make it a peaky wave to surf, with predominately close out, fast and barelling waves. Peak on the left of the beach, pub side at mid-ish tide. Suitable for: Intermediate and experienced surfers only. Dangers: Access problems at mid tide through rocky gully. Lots of rocks at the northern end of the beach. Tides: Surfable at low to mid tide. Wind: E/SE offshore.
Just around the corner from the main beach is a little cove which has the remains of a harbour. This is Port William (hence the name of the pub) which was formerly used in the export of slate. Another industrial legacy at the Strand is the gully-like pathway carved into the rocks at the beach entrance; this was carved out hundreds of years ago when sand and seaweed were taken from the beach by farmers.
Over the years Trebarwith Strand has been used as a location in several films. These include the 1974 film, "The Seaweed Children", "Saving Grace" (2000), "Oscar and Lucinda" (1997) and the 1996 production of Shakespeare\'s "Twelfth Night". All testimony to this beach\'s stunning natural beauty.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguards daily from 19 May – 30 September
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Parking: Two car parks nearby
Porthpean Beach
Location- Porthpean Beach, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6AX
Description- A popular sandy family beach near the historic village of Charlestown that offers swimming and space for beach games. Access to the beach is on a steep incline from the car park.
The cliffs to the east are used by nesting birds, and there are lots of rock pools to the west. Safe for swimming, windsurfing and sailing. No jet-skiing allowed.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: No lifeguard cover
Dog friendly beach? Seasonal dog ban. Easter day to 1st October
Facilities: Toilets and snack bar on the promenade
Parking: Large, privately owned car-park
Porthkidney Beach
Location- Porthkidney Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 3DY
Description- Porthkidney Sands is a north-facing beach at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary that lies just two miles from the picturesque harbour town of St Ives, West Cornwall. Porthkidney is a vast expanse of sands, facing Hayle Towans to the east of the estuary. At low tide the beach can stretch almost a mile out to sea.
The beach is backed by picturesque sand dunes. West Cornwall Golf Club overlooks the beach. The neighbouring beach of Carbis Bay, which sits the other side of the Hawks Point headland, is a short walk along the South West Coast Path, which then proceeds to St Ives.
At the Lelant end the beach is backed by gentle dunes and there are several access points from the coast path. As the beaches approaches Carbis Bay the dunes rise sharply to form a steep cliff from which the view along the coast is impressive. There is a path down from this end but it is a little more precarious and far from accessible to all. On the lowest of tides it is possible to walk around the point to Carbis Bay beach, to make an interesting detour from the coast path. A word of warning though, the tide moves fast here, so don’t get caught out.
The northern end of Porthkidney beach is a popular, but incredibly fickle, surf spot – Hawk’s Point. It needs a very big swell before it breaks here but can get good. Swimming is less advisable, particularly closer to the river mouth and on turning tides. Strong, unpredictable currents and a lack of any lifeguard cover make it potentially dangerous.
Porthkidney Sands are one of West Cornwall’s all year dog friendly beaches with no restrictions. Given the huge amount of space at low tide even the most energetic dogs should be satisfied.
Type of beach: Sandy
Lifeguard service: RNLI lifeguard Summer cover daily from 7 July to 2 September
Dog friendly beach? Dogs allowed all year
Nudist/naturist beach: Yes
Facilities: None
Parking: Limited parking at Lelant Church.