A complete guide to Talland Bay beach

Picturesquely nestled midway between Looe and Polperro, Talland Bay is flanked by rolling countryside, and it is a hugely popular beach to visit. The beach is made up of two coves and is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As you’d expect, being situated in such an area, it is unspoilt and serene. Talland Bay also boasts a stunning crystal-clear sea and is suitable for swimming, rock pooling, fishing and lots of other activities.

If you are planning to book a Cornwall camping holiday with us here at Tencreek Holiday Park, then Talland Bay is just over a mile away – meaning you can walk there!

In this guide, we look at Talland Bay and will give you an insight into what you can expect by answering frequently asked questions about the beach.

Where is Talland Bay?

Talland Bay is in Cornwall, and it is located on the South East coast in between Polperro and Looe.

How to get to Talland Bay?

Talland Bay is around three miles from Looe and 22 miles from Plymouth. If you are driving from or through Plymouth, you will head over the Tamar Bridge into South East Cornwall and at Trerulefoot, turn onto the A374 (signposted to Looe). You should then follow the signs to Looe, and once you get to Looe, you need to follow the A387 over a bridge. Just after that, you will turn left (signposted Talland) and follow that road down to the beach. The postcode for Talland Bay is PL13 2JA.

ALSO READ: Which beaches in Cornwall have Blue Flag status?

Is Talland Bay dog-friendly?

If you are looking to book pet-friendly holidays in Cornwall and are bringing your dog with you on your trip to the county, then you will be pleased to know that Talland Bay is a dog-friendly beach, and dogs are allowed on it all year round.

ALSO READ: Great walks around Looe in Cornwall

Are the public toilets in Talland Bay open?

There are public toilets at Talland Bay, and they are located close to the west Talland Beach. The toilets near the main beach are seasonal.

Where to eat near Talland Bay?

All the swimming, snorkelling and sandcastle-building can make you hungry, and if you are looking for places to eat near Talland Bay, there are many options.

• Talland Bay Beach Café: At the café, you can enjoy freshly ground cappuccinos, lattes and espressos, homemade cakes, muffins, tray bakes, fresh-to-order sandwiches and ciabattas, soups, pasties, cream teas and 11 flavours of Roskillys Cornish Ice Cream for dessert.
• Castaways: With our Tencreek Holiday Park just a short distance from Talland Bay, you can wait until you return to the park and tuck into a tasty meal. From hearty breakfasts, scrumptious lunches or traditional evening meals, Castaways will be able to cater for you.
• Smugglers Rest Café: This family-run licensed café and BBQ overlooks Talland Bay, and it offers locally sourced food and drinks. It is a great place to grab some lunch, and you can try gourmet sandwiches that are made from amazing bread and stuffed with BBQ meats and vegetables, crispy salad, and delicious sauces. There are also Cornish Pasties that you can enjoy.
• The Three Pilchards: Located in Polperro, this family-friendly and dog-friendly pub is a great place to visit after a day at the beach. In the summer, you can enjoy views of Polperro Harbour from the rooftop beer garden, or in the winter, you can cosy up in front of the log fire. The pub is renowned for having the freshest seafood, and diners can enjoy a variety of wines, beers, and lagers.

ALSO READ: 9 foods you must-try in Cornwall

Can you park at Talland Bay?

If you are looking for Talland Bay parking, then there are ample spaces at the pay and display car park at The Beach Café. There is a small, free car park near Smugglers Cottage and at Rotterdam Beach, which is a part of Talland Bay, there is roadside parking and a customer car park at Smuggler’s Rest.

Is the bay at Talland suitable for children?

The simple answer to this question is yes.

Talland Bay offers children and adults plenty of great activities to do. The crystal-clear sea at the beach is perfect for beachgoers to grab a snorkel and explore some of the marine life that lives in the local waters.

The waters are suitable for swimming, but there is no lifeguard cover, so parents should keep an eye on their children when they are in the water.

You should check the Talland Bay tide times because when the tide is out, there are plenty of rock pools to discover between the beaches, and there are some popular spots for fishing and crabbing. Amongst these rocks, you can find the boiler of the French trawler, which ran aground in 1922.

There are plenty of walking routes around the area, so you and your family can go off and explore nearby towns and villages. The Looe to Talland Bay coastal walk isn’t that far in terms of distance, and you can enjoy some spectacular views over the cliffs and beaches. Another popular route is the Hendersick and Talland Bay loop, and along this trail, you can enjoy the secluded beach at Portnadler Bay and great views of Looe Island.

Becky Scholes, the writer behind the family travel blog called Planes, Trains & Buggies, says the Talland Bay beach kept her children occupied: “The beach itself is really quite stunning. We were there at low tide; there was loads of space to run and explore. The girls were thrilled. We walked down to the water’s edge and they spent an hour or so splashing and paddling. It was still too cold for full-on swimming in April…but they were soaked by the end (fortunately, we had spare clothes :-)). In the Summer months, it would be a lovely beach to come and spend the day at. We’d love to go back.

“It definitely feels like a bit of a hidden treasure and well worth the tiny roads to get to it.”

ALSO READ: 30 things to do in Cornwall with kids

Is Talland Bay busy?

Talland is a quiet hamlet that consists of a few houses and cottages, and an ancient church, and it is away from the busy tourist areas to the north and west. The beach can still get busy in the summer, but it is quieter than some nearby beaches.

Is Talland Bay accessible?

There is a short sloping path to Talland Beach, and there is a short slipway to the west of Talland Beach. There are car parks close to the beach, and it is accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

ALSO READ: A guide to beach safety

If you are heading down to our Looe holiday park and want to visit one of the amazing beaches that are within walking distance, then this guide should share all the information you need about Talland Bay.

For more tips, guides, and advice, visit our blog.