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The Eden Project.
An unforgettable
experience in an
epic location.
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Download one of our Newsletters to find out what the Classic team think of their favourite areas.
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View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday.
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Bantham
A wide stretch of sand by south coast standards, Bantham is backed by dunes. When conditions are right, surfing is possible here.
50.278
-3.882
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Berrow Beach
Forming part of a seven mile stretch of sand, the flat beach here is perfect for kite sports, walking and horse riding.
51.263
-3.021
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Bigbury-on-Sea Beach
Bigbury-on-Sea Beach is a popular family destination, with easy access and good parking. Just across the water is Burgh Island, where Agatha Christie and Noel Coward once kicked up their heels. You can visit the island during the summer courtesy of a special ‘sea tractor’.
50.281
-3.895
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Blackpool Sands
Just around the corner from Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands is known for its clear waters. Backed by heavily wooded cliffs, this crescent-shaped beach is one of the prettiest in the area.
50.317
-3.610
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Blue Anchor Bay
Not one for sunbathing - the terrain here is rather rocky - but excellent for budding palaeontologists, since there is an abundance of fossils. The limestone in the rocks sparkles with a pink hue.
51.195
-3.427
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Brean Cove Beach
A sandy beach with good parking and easy access. Cliffs shelter the sands and the surrounding countryside is a haven for wildlife.
51.291
-3.015
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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
-5.464
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Carne Beach
Carne Beach joins Pendower Beach to form one gloriously long stretch of sand, popular with families due to the easy parking right behind the beach.
50.205
-4.938
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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.
50.300
-5.237
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Chesil Beach
Studied in geography lessons across the land as a prime example of ‘long shore drift’, Chesil Beach is a long, long strip of shingle stretching out into the sea.
50.622
-2.544
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Church Cove
A good family beach with National Trust parking and a small cafe. The tiny 15th Century church on the north side of this cove is slowly being buried in sand but still manages to lend an ethereal feel to this beach.
50.036
-5.267
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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.
50.405
-5.123
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Crooklets Beach
One of the biggest beaches in Bude, Crooklets always has plenty of sand to sit on, even when the tide is in.
50.835
-4.557
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Croyde Bay
Devon’s answer to Fistral Beach in Cornwall, Croyde Bay is one of the best known surf spots in the country. It draws a young and sporty crowd, and when the surf’s up, there’s a real buzz on this beach.
51.129
-4.241
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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.
50.560
-4.930
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East Portlemouth Beaches
Along with Sunny Cove, Mill Bay opposite Salcombe on Kingsbridge Estuary can be reached via a regular pedestrian ferry from Salcombe, there is also parking available. The beaches are lovely, there is a stream and good facilities.
50.230
-3.767
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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
-5.101
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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
-5.393
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Gyllyngvase Beach
Falmouth has many family-friendly beaches, Gyllyngvase being perhaps the most popular (and the most bizarrely named).
50.142
-5.068
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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.
49.973
-5.230
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Loe Beach
Situated near Feock and running south west to Restronguet Point, Loe Beach is popular for watersports all year round and oyster boat watching during winter months.
50.206
-5.048
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Lulworth Cove
Almost perfectly circular, Lulworth Cove is a much-photographed pebbly beach. Just along the cliffs is Durdle Door, one of the best natural archways in rock you’re ever likely to see.
50.618
-2.246
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Lusty Glaze
Watching the sun set at Lusty Glaze, a small but exquisitely pretty cove enveloped in high cliffs, is one of the summer’s highlights.
50.421
-5.066
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Lyme Regis Beach
A classic English seaside town with a flat and sandy beach. Lyme Regis’ most famous landmark is The Cobb, a pier that was immortalised by the John Fowles novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
50.721
-2.937
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Maenporth Beach
Maenporth Beach is slightly outside the town of Falmouth and therefore a little quieter.
50.125
-5.092
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Mothercombe Beach
Large, sheltered and unspoilt this beach has lots of fine sand at low tide and safe areas to bathe in shallow waters. Situated at the mouth of the River Erme and forming part of the Flete Estate, the beach has plenty of rocks to explore and climb.
Good parking (although a 15 minute walk down a winding pathway) is nearby along with a shop, café and toilets. The beach is open to the public on Wednesdays and weekends.
50.310
-3.952
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Pendower Beach
Pendower Beach joins Carne Beach to form one gloriously long stretch of sand, popular with families due to the easy parking right behind the beach.
50.204
-4.945
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Perranporth Beach
Over 2 miles long, the Perranporth Beach is large and sandy. There are extensive sand dunes and good surfing conditions. A nice walk can be found through the dune system to St. Piran's Cross and the ruins of St. Piran's Oratory, it is also situated on the South West coastal path.
50.347
-5.156
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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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Polzeath
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.
50.575
-4.920
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Porlock Beach
Although pebbly, this four mile beach is popular for fishing, swimming and sailing. There are good facilities including a cafe and toilets.
51.215
-3.611
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Port Gaverne
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
-4.822
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Porthbeor Beach
Nestling undisturbed on the Roseland peninsula, Porthbeor is pleasantly sheltered and dotted with unusual rock formations.
50.149
-4.992
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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
-5.650
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Porthluney Cove
Combine an afternoon on the sands at Porthluney with a visit to Caerhayes Castle, which overlooks this pretty beach.
50.234
-4.843
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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.
50.215
-5.484
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Praa Sands
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.
50.099
-5.382
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Prussia Cove
A lack of facilities make Prussia Cove a tranquil spot even at the height of summer, so if you can live without a beach cafe and loos, this is the one for you.
50.098
-5.418
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Readymoney Cove
A perfect scooped-out circle of sand backed by ancient looking vegetation.
50.328
-4.646
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Rockham Bay
One of the few hidden little coves on this stretch of coastline, Rockham is also not the easiest beach to get to. A bit of a walk plus three flights of steps are off-putting for many, so if you’re after a bit of peace and don’t mind making the effort, this is a great choice.
51.193
-4.208
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Sennen Cove
A wide crescent of white sand, a beach that is great for sandcastles and surfing alike. When the tide is out, walk the length of Sennen, scramble over the rocks and find the lovely neighbouring beach, Gwenver - it’s beautiful and tranquil.
50.079
-5.696
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Slapton Sands
Narrow strip of coastal road with a pebbly beach that stretches for three miles with windsurfing, sailing and canoeing.
50.288
-3.650
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Soar Mill Cove
The mile long walk from the car park discourages some, but it is worth the effort - Soar Mill Cove is a perfect little beach of fine sand and rock pools.
50.222
-3.828
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Studland Bay
A National Trust nature reserve, this long curve of sand is home to many breeds of rare bird. Studland is also a popular family beach famous for its nudist section.
50.652
-1.952
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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.
50.139
-5.076
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51.210
-4.128
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Watergate Bay
A huge expanse of sand and consistent surf makes Watergate Bay a favourite among surfers, kite flyers and kitesurfers.
50.444
-5.045
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Woolacombe
At first glance, Woolacombe appears to have been somewhat swamped by modern holiday facilities, with rows of hotels, shops and cafes. Once on the beach, however, it’s easy to ignore the tussle of commerce going on in the town - extensive dunes shield the development and leave you to enjoy three miles of flat, wide sand. Even on the busiest summer day, if you’re happy to take a stroll along the beach, you’ll find a quiet spot to lay your towel.
51.158
-4.214
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