the classic guide

A guide to the West Country from the people that know…

Sennen Cove

A wide crescent of white sand, Sennen is great for sandcastles and surfing and joins up with neighbouring Gwenver at low tide. 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.

2 Stars

Aug 2017

Sennen Cove

If you want to have a good swim forget Sennen cove!
We are from the generation of swimmers that believe you don't actually need to don a wet suit every time you venture into the sea. We went up to the far end of the beach where it was quiet and away from the multitude of surfers so that we could have a pleasant swim without being hounded by them, only to be told by a lifeguard (belly down on a surf board!) that it was too dangerous as it was a bit 'rippy'. Talk about health and safety gone mad! We are both experienced swimmers and the beach is a gently shelving one with no evidence of rip tides at all. Added to that there were beginner surfers in the very area we were swimming in.
We believe that deterring people from swimming on this beach is totally money motivated as surfing is such big business on this beach; we spotted at least three different surfing schools advertising lessons. It's not in their interest to have swimmers getting in the way of their precious hoard of learner surfers. It's disgraceful that there isn't a designated area for swimmers only - blatant discrimination against people who only want to swim.
Thankfully we found two beautiful beaches further west to swim off, one being Porthchapel, the other, Porthcurno. Thank God they still exist!

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4 Stars

Aug 2015

LOVELY BEACH TO VISIT

You drive down a steep hill into Sennen Cove with a tight turn at the bottom into the busy car park. Right ahead of you is the Ben Tunnicliffe Beach Café; slightly more upmarket than the average beach café with a fantastic outdoor terrace with beach views. The food was excellent and it is a great place to read a book with a nice glass of wine or a cocktail.

The beach itself has beautiful white sands and is a great place for the kids.

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5 Stars

Feb 2014

This is the perfect family friendly place.

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5 Stars

Jul 2012

Stunning location

Fantastic beach and location - great place to visit

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5 Stars

Oct 2011

Sennen Cove, wide sandy beach with plenty of scope for surfing, swimming or paddling, 5 star. A place of pure joy! Easy parking, excellent cafe and a vast beach to make ones own. Steep descent into the Cove but plenty of passing places. Would that I could live close by..........

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4 Stars

Oct 2011

Well worth a visit!

Have visited Sennen Cove many times over the years and never tire of going back there. Interesting village and a superb beach, a lifeboat station to visit, wonderful view to Cape Cornwall etc etc! But, we were there only last week on a busy afternoon and - despite the harbour car park being more than 60% full - the public loos there were locked and barred! Not impressed by that. The good news is that there are alternative loos at the beach car park, so all was not lost!

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5 Stars

Aug 2011

A magnificent beach, especially at low tide, which stands comparison with any other. Framed by the cliffs, and with the water's azure hue and the song of the Atlantic rollers, it has a magical quality which draws you back to it. Facing north-west it has fabulous sunsets, and only a churl could fail to be indelibly impressed by it.

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5 Stars

Apr 2010

The curve of the bay from Sennen in the south to Gwenver in the north with it's two great headlands and steeply sloping backdrop put this beach into a natural amphitheatre. It also creates a gentle variation in sea-state along it's length, more exposed as you head North, so you can often find conditions that suit your confidence.

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4 Stars

Apr 2009

Beautiful beach - amazing at sunset!

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4 Stars

Apr 2009

Beautiful at sunset!

This beach is gorgeous with beautiful sand and amazing water! My last visit was early evening at sunset when it was stunning and peaceful. The cafe above is great for a coffee or meal too!

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5 Stars

Nov 2008

The ultimate beach

...actually it's the journey BACK UP the hill to the car park which is a bit of a trek - but hey, it's only 5 minutes away! This beach is literally stunning. The sand is golden and endless, the water blue and the waves a joy to ride. As with most beaches there is an Easter-September dog ban on Whitesands (the one nearer to Sennen Cove); but just beyond the rocks, Gwenver is dog friendly all year round. There is a discreet cafe right on Whitesands, a very helpful surf hire outlet, and during the summer months both Whitesands and Gwenver are served by lifeguards. The kind of beach which reminds you of those long perfect sandy days of childhood, and it's probably the main reason I moved down here.

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5 Stars

Aug 2008

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3 Stars

Jul 2008

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5 Stars

Jul 2008

Sennen Cove

A beautiful beach, fantastic surf, white sands (hence the name Whitesands Bay) turquoise seas. Depending on the height of the sand there are some rock pools too. In summer there tend to be sand pools on the beach so safe for toddles and good for sand castle engineers! The parking is occassionally difficult and with a small car park at the bottom of the steep hill filling by 10 on a summers day, thre is ample parking at the top of the hill, a bit of a treck down but at least a space is guaranteed.

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4 Stars

Jul 2008

Surfing

Good surfing beach, but can be quite windy. Take your windbreak!

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