Beaches in Cornwall
Beaches in Cornwall
Hannafore Beach, Looe. A long
rocky beach which stretches around Hannafore Point west of Looe. Mixture of
pebble and sand and some grassy banks above the beach, useful for picnics.
Access via a sloping path to the sea wall and steps from the sea wall to the
beach. Dogs are allowed all year round, but do please clear up!
Porthluney Cover, Caerhays.
A sheltered sandy beach near to Caerhays Castle and Gardens. There is a carpark
also used by visitors to the castle. There is a toilet and small shop next to
the carpark. Dogs are allowed all year round, but do please clear up!
Carne and Pendower Beach,
The Roseland. The largest beach in the area is
Pendower/Carne, which forms one long beach at low tide. There is fine sand at
the Carne (easterly) end, where the swimming is best, and a little coarser at
the Pendower end, where swimmers and dog owners should pay attention to
undercurrents. There are wonderful paddling opportunities for small children at
Carne by low tide, while at high tide this part of the beach is almost totally
flooded. The Nare Hotel (Carne end, 01872 501 279) overlooks the sea and is
open to non-residents. There is a car park at either end, with public toilets
in both car parks. Dogs on leads from May 1st between 9AM and 6PM.
Porthcurnick Beach, Portscatho. A lovely fine sand beach with excellent swimming at low
tide plus great rock pools for the kids to explore. Park at Portscatho main car
park (paying) on the cliffs and follow the footpath east. You can drive to
Rosevine and park on the side of the road by the beach (limited space). There
is a little beach shop and cafe which is open during the peak season. Dogs are
allowed, but not necessarily popular with swimmers.
Gyllynvase Beach, Falmouth.
A wide sandy beach incredibly popular all year round to the south of Falmouth
town over looking Falmouth Bay. Facilities include Gyllynvase Beach Café and
nearby parking. Access is beach level and dogs are allowed between October 1st
and Easter Day.
Praa Sands, West Cornwall. Praa Sands beach is a lovely large sandy beach ideal for families and surfers alike. There is a slipway down to the beach, a shop, café, and restaurant, with two car parks at the westerly end of the beach. Lifeguards are on duty and surfing is available. Dogs are allowed between October 1st and Easter Day.
Praa Sands, West Cornwall. Praa Sands beach is a lovely large sandy beach ideal for families and surfers alike. There is a slipway down to the beach, a shop, café, and restaurant, with two car parks at the westerly end of the beach. Lifeguards are on duty and surfing is available. Dogs are allowed between October 1st and Easter Day.
Porthcurno, West Cornwall. A perfect sandy beach with superb coastal scenery. There is a small
flight of steps to the beach. The nearby Minack Theatre can be visited during
the day. Facilities include a Café, Museum and the Theatre, with toilets at the
main car par. Pedn Vounder beach can also be reached via the coast path, but
note that access is difficult. Dogs are banned from 1st May to 30th
Septemeber.
Sennan Cove, West Cornwall. A wide sandy beach. Popular with surfers and families. There are restaurants
and café’s and plenty of parking and the Sennan end. At low tide the beach
stretches from Sennen Cove to Gwynver Beach. There is also parking at Gwynver
but with a very steep path to the beach. The coast path can be walked south to
Lands End for spectacular coastal views. Dogs are banned from 1st
May to 30th Septemeber at Sennan, they are allowed all year at
Gwynver.
Porthminster and Porthmeor, St Ives. There are also three
smaller beaches Porthgwidden, Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk and there is also plenty
of sand in the harbour. Dogs are banned on Porthminster, Porthmeor and
Porthgwidden beaches and the harbour from 1st May to 30th September (8am to
7pm). Dogs allowed all year at Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk. Plenty of shops,
café’s, toilets and nearby parking, although they can get very busy on sunny
days.
Gwithian Towans, Hayle. Gwithian Towans is effectively the middle part of Hayle Sands, a huge
sandy beach which stretches from the Hayle Estuary to Gwithian Towans and Godrevy
Point. Popular with surfers and for families there is plenty of sand. There are
no facilities here, but there are toilets and two small car parks. But well
worth a visit just for the views. Dogs are banned from 1st May to 30th
September.
Perranporth, North Cornwall.
Hugely popular seaside town, both with families and surfers, with a long sandy
beach stretching 2 miles to the north. There are also extensive dunes, plenty
of parking and shops and pubs. This beach has a lifeguard on duty during the summer
and dogs are allowed all year round.
Watergate Bay, Newquay. This is an excellent mile long beach with good surfing and
kite-surfing facilities. The beach is incredibly wide and sandy, perfect for
families. There are two car parks, lifeguards in the summer, a beach shop & café and dogs
are allowed all year round.
Padstow,
North Cornwall. To the north of the town and accessible by the coast path is a
super stretch of sand from St Georges Cove to Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove.
The walk from Padstow to St Georges Cove takes about 20 minutes. There are
great views across the estuary.
Crackington Haven, North
Cornwall. A nice mixture of sand and pebbles, exposing the sand at low tides.
The beach is accessible via slipway and has a pub, café, and two car parks
nearby. A lifeguard is present during the summer, and dogs are allowed between
October 1st and Easter Day. Dogs are banned at St Georges Cove from Easter Day to October 1. Dogs
are allowed at Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove.