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Beaches in Cornwall
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Polpeor Cove
This tiny cove next to the Lizard Point was home to the Lizard's first Lifeboat station.
49.959
-5.209
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Polzeath Beach
Park right on the beach (be careful of the tides), stumble out of the car - and you’re on one of Cornwall’s finest surfing beaches. Shops, ice cream parlours and cafes tumble haphazardly towards the beach.
50.576
-4.92
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Port Gaverne Cove
Due to its sheltered nature this narrow cove is very safe for children offering a small sandy beach with rock pools to explore at low tide. In a peaceful beach-front village around the headland of Port Isaac, the beach is overlooked by high cliffs on either side with amenities close to hand.
50.593
-4.823
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50.592
-4.834
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Porthmeor Beach
Just below the crazy white geometry of the Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach is a busy slice of seaside life. Surfing, sunbathing, beach cricket, sandcastles, ice creams - grab a piece of the action.
50.216
-5.484
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Sennen Cove
A wide crescent of white sand, Sennen is great for sandcastles and surfing. When the tide is out, walk the length of the beach, scramble over the rocks and find the lovely neighbouring beach, Gwenver - it’s beautiful and tranquil. Easy access and parking make Sennen a popular choice with families. All amenities are close by, including toilets, beach shops, cafes and a pub, plus the Beach Restaurant which has great sea views.
50.07949
-5.696882
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Porthcurno Beach
Get to the bottom of the hit-and-miss path to Porthcurno, and you’ll feel as though you’ve stumbled into the Mediterranean - steeply shelving powder-fine sand, an almost luminous blue sea and cliffs sheltering you from the sea breezes.
50.042
-5.651
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Godrevy Beach
At low tide this stretch of beach joins up with neighbouring Gwithian to create a long, impressive swathe of sand. It is fairly exposed, so can be quite windy. The lighthouse at it's northern tip was made famous in Virginia Woolfe's 'To The Lighthouse'.
50.234
-5.395
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Praa Sands Beach
A wide swathe of sand that draws families here every summer, Praa Sands beach faces south and is said to benefit from the longest sunshine hours of any place in the country. Praa Sands is one of the few south coast bays to enjoy great, consistent waves and as such is a magnet for surfers.
50.1
-5.382
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50.037
-5.268
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Kynance Cove
Probably the most photographed beach in the area - the rugged, rocky coastline, caves and gleaming white sand make it one of Cornwall’s prettiest.
49.974
-5.231
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Marazion Beach
About a mile long, Marazion beach becomes Longrock Beach, then Eastern Green, to make one stretch of sand running from Marazion to Penzance. It's a safe family beach with ample parking and amenities, including a good children's play area on the green next to the beach and some good beachside pubs. At low tide, you can walk across the stone causeway to the impressive island castle of St Micheal's Mount. At high tide a ferry runs between the beach and the island.
50.122
-5.476
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Mullion Cove
This pretty little harbour dates back to the late 1800s and the old net store and pilchard cellar can still be seen there today. It is still a working harbour, now under National Trust ownership. The sea walls protect it from the winds that can whip across from Mount's Bay, making it quite a sheltered spot. Mullion head, to the right as you look out to sea, is a breeding ground for colonies of razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes and lesser black-backed gulls.
50.014
-5.259
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Perranporth Beach
Perranporth is a large, sandy beach, over two miles long, with good surfing conditions. The beach is backed by extensive sand dunes and a nice walk can be found through the dunes to St Piran's Cross and the ruins of St Piran's Oratory. It's also on the South West Coast Path.
50.347
-5.157
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Chapel Porth
Chapel Porth beach near St Agnes is very picturesque with ruins of engine houses, but it can get busy in summer and there are only rocks at high tide, so choose the timing of your visit.
50.3
-5.238
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Coverack Beach
The beach is small, but good for swimming and fishing. Close to the harbour in the attractive fishing village of Coverack.
50.025
-5.095
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Crantock Beach
The next beach along (south west) from Fistral Beach with lots of soft sand and a tidal estuary to the River Gannel. When the conditions are right it is an excellent spot for longboarding.
50.406
-5.124
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Gyllyngvase Beach
Falmouth has many family-friendly beaches, Gyllyngvase being perhaps the most popular (and the most bizarrely named).
50.143
-5.069
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Harlyn Bay
Over half a mile of sand, backed by dunes and cliffs. Great for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, with some good cliff walks. Close to car park, toilets, cafe, shop and pub.
50.541
-5
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Kennack Sands Beach
Sandy family beach; good for rockpooling at low tide. Facilities include toilets and refreshments.
50.006
-5.157
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Loe Bar Beach
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Loe Bar is a sandbank that formed in the 12th or 13th Century, cutting off the Cober estuary from the sea to create Loe Pool, the largest natural fresh water lake in Cornwall. Until then, ships could sail up the estuary as far as Helston. Strong currents make it unsuitable for swimming here, but it is a popular spot for sea fishing and kite flying, while Loe Pool is a haven for bird watchers. The area is great for walking; a circular walk from Porthleven around Loe Pool takes in woodland and rolling fields and the National Trust owned Penrose Estate.
50.07
-5.295
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Porthminster Beach
This large, sheltered, sandy St Ives beach is great for families, close to all facilities and home to the excellent Porthminister Beach Cafe.
50.209
-5.478
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Priests Cove
This rocky little fishing cove sits next to England's only cape, Cape Cornwall. Climb the cape and see if you can spot the point where the Atlantic currents split, going to the Bristol Channel to the north and the English Channel to the south. A manmade tidal pool makes a good, safe place for children to swim and there is plenty of rockpooling to be done. There are parking and loos nearby and, in the summer, a snack van.
50.125
-5.706
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Rinsey Cove
Just along the coast from Praa Sands, Rinsey is a sand and boulder cove reached down a steep cliff path. The climb is worth it for the stunning views of old mine workings perched on the clifftops.
50.094
-5.367
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Carbis Bay Beach
Just outside St Ives, surrounded by hills for protection, is a popular sheltered family holiday beach.
50.198
-5.465
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Gwithian Towans
Miles and miles of the flattest, golden sand make Gwithian popular amongst kitebuggyers and horse riders. Dramatic cliffs and windswept sand dunes give this beach real wilderness appeal.
50.227
-5.394
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Swanpool Beach
Swanpool Beach is outside Falmouth between Gyllynvase and Maenporth beaches. Spend a while on the sand and then meander up to enjoy the view and have a bite to eat at on the terrace of the Three Mackerel restaurant.
50.14
-5.077
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Maenporth Beach
Maenporth Beach is slightly outside the town of Falmouth and therefore a little quieter.
50.125
-5.093
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Poldhu Cove
Sand dunes to play in and level access from the car park make this a good choice for families with young children.
50.032
-5.264
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Bassett's Cove
A small, sandy beach, reached by a steep descent down the cliffs. Near to Hell's Mouth, Cornwall's Beachy Head.
50.248
-5.317
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Daymer Bay
A sheltered crescent of sand and a perfect spot for watching windsurfers and sailors harnessing the wind and whipping along the shore. Few facilities (loos and a small cafe) give Daymer a peaceful feel.
50.56
-4.931
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Looe Beach
This large sandy beach is ideal for families, with shallow waters that are safe for paddling. In the height of summer it can get very busy here; head for the quieter, rockier eastern end of the beach. Banjo Pier at the western end is a popular hangout for rod and line fishing and is also just a lovley spot to sit and watch the trawlers as they come and go from the harbour.
50.352
-4.452
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Polurrian Cove
Lack of facilities makes this lovely, sandy beach a good choice if you are after some peace and quiet. Park in Mullion and walk down from the village.
50.022
-5.255
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Porthallow Beach
There are great views across the Fal estuary from this sheltered little cove. Sit and watch the comings and goings of the boats, or go rockpooling at low tide.
50.068
-5.08
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50.323
-5.197
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Fistral Beach
A legend of a beach, known across the world for its surfing heritage. The new building housing restaurants and shops on the beach gives Fistral a hint of a cosmopolitan air.
50.416
-5.102
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Bamaluz
Below St Ives Museum, between Porthgwidden beach and the harbour, this ia a sheltered little spot. The Breakwater is a secret surf hotspot when conditions are right. In a pretty big northerly swell, it breaks in a long left-hander.
50.216
-5.475
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Bedruthan Steps Beach
This dramatic beach takes it's name from the slate outcrops that litter it, said to have been put there by a giant, Bedruthan, and used as stepping stones. At low tide, the sand stretches for over a mile, but watch out for the tide coming in - there is potential for being cut off.
50.485
-5.03
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Benoath Cove
Sandy cove near Tintagel. Reached down a cliffpath, visit at low tide as it all but disappears at high tide.
50.672
-4.734
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50.197
-5.43
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 | Geography has bestowed a unique character upon Cornwall - there is just something special about being at the end of the line. Wide sandy beaches, tiny coves, moors, tree-lined estuaries, towering cliffs, with so much variety you're spoilt for choice. |
 | Leave the car behind, hop aboard and set off to explore Cornwall's magical peninsular.
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 | Browse our selection of hand-picked activities for days out and short breaks in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. |
 | View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday. |
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