RENOWNED FOR BEST BEACHES IN CORNWALL

Beaches Nearby

Cornwall is renowned for its beaches and many of the best are in North Cornwall. We’ve listed those nearest to us. All have golden sands and, except where indicated, are dog friendly and patrolled by lifeguards in the main season.

Click here to see a map of local beaches.

A beautiful isolated sandy beach with rocky cliffs

Porthcothan (600m) in Summer (Above) and Spring (LHS)

A lovely sandy beach flanked by cliffs and National Trust headland and backed by sand dunes. Opens out at low tide to uncover lots of rock pools, caves and places to explore. Shallow lagoon for paddling on one side. Surf can be good but not consistent. The best for beginners and families, bathing and taking in the sun and sea air.

A beautiful isolated sandy beach with rocky cliffs and wild grass

North Towards Padstow

Treyarnon (2 miles)

A small attractive beach with fine sand and low headlands. Plenty of rock pools and hollows and a large natural swimming pool at low tide. Popular with families and novice to intermediate surfers so can get crowded in peak season.

Constantine (3 miles)

Beautiful wide bay about a third of a mile long flanked by dunes and with fine views of Trevose Head. An all-round beach and popular with all ages. Lots of rock pools at low tide and some of the biggest surf nearby. Those less experienced need to watch the currents at high tide and families might prefer Boobys.

Boobys (4 miles)

Just north of Constantine and separated from it by a wedge of rocky headland. The two join together at low tide. Quieter and with wonderful rock pools and views. Submerged for 2 hours at high tide.

Mother Ivey’s (4 miles)

Beautiful isolated sandy beach in a picturesque cove. Best for swimming and families. Reached via footpath. No lifeguard.

Harlyn (3 miles)

Delightful crescent of sand surrounded by dunes, fields and low cliffs. Protected from the full ocean swell and one of the ‘safer’ beaches. Suitable for all levels of surfer at all tides and popular with families.

Trevone (4 miles)

Sandy cove bordered by cliffs. The beach opens out into a wide rocky bay at low tide but narrows when the tide rises. A smaller bay on its western side has lots of rock pools. Beach and access road can get busy in peak season. No dogs in Summer.

Tregirls and Hawkers Cove (5 miles)

Wide sheltered bay with lovely views of the estuary and Pentire Head. Possibly one of the most beautiful anywhere. Ideal for paddling, sandcastles, watching the boats go by, walks and picnics. No surf, no lifeguard and no facilities – just perfect.

South Towards Newquay

Bedruthan Steps (3 miles)

Spectacular sandy beach broken by giant granite stepping stones. Over a mile long at low tide. Accessed by steep steps. Not for swimming or novice surfers but the scenery is stunning – as are the cream teas in the National Trust café. No lifeguard.

Mawgan Porth (4 miles)

Deep sheltered attractive curving cove with fine sands and a small stream on the south side of the beach. At low tide there are a number of caves and rock outcrops to explore. Popular with families and sometimes excellent surf at mid tide.

Watergate (6 miles)

Large open bay backed by steep rugged cliffs with over two miles of fine sand at low tide. Consistent surf and good for learning. Also popular with families. Extreme Academy offers surf lessons, kite buggying and other water sports. Home to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant and the Beach Hut bar and café below it.

Fistral (11 miles)

The classic surf beach: sandy, a mile wide and backed by steep cliffs. Venue for surfing competitions and popular with families and surfers of all ages and abilities. Best at low water but has waves at all stages.

An illustration of Porthcothan House and the coastline it sits on