The best beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall certainly doesn’t have a lack of beaches; in fact, the county is home to some of the best beaches in the UK, if not the world! Whether you are looking for somewhere to relax and unwind, catch a few waves, or enjoy some classic seaside fish and chips on the shore, you will be spoiled for choice whilst staying at our holiday park in Cornwall. Read on and discover some of the very best beaches in Cornwall.

What are the best beaches in Cornwall?

• Porthcurno Beach
• Godrevy Beach
• Polperro Beach
• Kynance Cove
• Porthmeor Beach
• Watergate Bay
• Crantock Beach
• Sennen Cove

READ MORE: Best beaches in and near Looe

Porthcurno Beach

A hidden paradise on the Cornish coast, Porthcurno Beach could easily be mistaken for a tropical destination. Jasmine, a blogger from The Life of a Social Butterfly, explains why Porthcurno is home to one of the nicest beaches in Cornwall:

“Proudly perched and carved into the cliff’s edge, The Minack, an open-air theatre, has a coastal path overlooking the picturesque Porthcurno Beach. Porthcurno is nestled into a small area below the iconic theatre and is accessible via the coastal path for those steady enough on their feet. It is also possible to drive directly to Porthcurno Beach to enjoy the café and park in the pay-and-display car park.

“Porthcurno is a popular beach for tourists, attributed to its close proximity to The Minack Theatre and is within three miles of Lands’ End. The South-East Bay could almost be a hidden gem as the high cliffs protect the beach from the wind, creating a secluded oasis. Whilst Porthcurno is one of the smaller beaches lining the Cornish Coast, it is easily one of the most beautiful. Porthcurno’s white sand beach is a slice of paradise, and on sunny days, you could be mistaken for thinking you are in the Mediterranean when you gaze upon the glistening turquoise water. It’s a place that captured my heart on my first visit to Cornwall last year and inspired me to visit Cornwall again!”

• Are dogs welcome?Dogs are not allowed between 1^st May and 30^th The rest of the year, dogs are welcome.
• Is there a café nearby? The Porthcurno Beach Café is a 5-minute walk from the beach.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, but only in high season.
• Is it easily accessible? The beach is accessed via steep steps.
• Are there toilets? 
• What is the nearest town?

Godrevy Beach

Godrevy Beach had to secure a spot among the best beaches in Cornwall with an impressive expanse of golden sand, picturesque dunes and cascading waves. It’s a hot spot for surfers, thanks to its exposure to the Atlantic swell that can reach up to 8ft or more. However, it’s also perfect for those who want a relaxing day, as the beach stretches for three miles; even in summer, you will find yourself a secluded spot.

You don’t need to worry about feeling peckish during your visit to Godrevy Beach, as there are cafés situated just the other side of the dunes. The Godrevy Beach Café serves a delicious full-English fry-up, as well as tasty light bites, such as scones with jam and cream – just remember, this is Cornwall, so the cream is always on top!

• Are dogs welcome? Dogs are not allowed between 1^st May and 30^th The rest of the year, dogs are welcome.
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, there are cafés nearby, including The Rockpool and Godrevy Beach Café.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, but only in high season.
• Is it easily accessible? The beach is accessed via steep slopes and steps.
• Are there toilets? 
• What is the nearest town?

Polperro Beach

Situated next to the harbour walls, Polperro Beach may not have the longest stretch of sand, but it remains one of the prettiest beaches in Cornwall. When the tide is out, Polperro Beach is the perfect spot to relax and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Walking just along the coastline, you’ll also find a natural pool amongst the rocks, a hidden spot to unwind with wonderful views of the Cornish coast. When swimming in the sea, look back to shore for a brilliant view, with rows of fishermen’s cottages and the coastline covered in wildflowers. As you’re only a stone’s throw away from the village, you’ll have plenty of choices of independent cafés and restaurants for something tasty to eat.

• Are dogs welcome? 
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, in the village you’ll have a choice of cafés and restaurants.
• Are there lifeguards? 
• Is it easily accessible? The beach is accessed via the harbour steps.
• Are there toilets? Yes, there are public toilets in the village.
• What is the nearest town?

Kynance Cove

Just off the Lizard Peninsula, the most south-westerly point in the UK, you will find Kynance Cove. Tourists and locals alike marvel at the natural beauty of this cove, with its jagged cliff edge, a multitude of caves and rock formations, along with the brilliant white sand and clear water.

We asked Meg from travel blog Mapping Megan for her favourite Cornish beach: “Kynance Cove – quite simply because it’s the prettiest! The cove is made up of beautiful white sand, which contrasts against stacks of dark red and green marble-like serpentine rock, and the water, which turns a brilliant turquoise blue. There are large caves, and a fantastic two-mile scenic walk around the coast to Lizard Point, the mainland UK’s most southerly point. The local facilities are good, but because it’s a popular spot, you’ll have to get there early in summer if you want to find parking. There’s a cafe on-site with great hot chocolate too!”

• Are dogs welcome? Dogs are not allowed between Easter Day and October. The rest of the year, dogs are welcome.
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, in the village you’ll have a choice of cafés and restaurants.
• Are there lifeguards? 
• Is it easily accessible? There is a 15-minute walk from the car park to the shore and steps down the cliff.
• Are there toilets? Yes, in the car park.
• What is the nearest town? Lizard Village.

Porthmeor Beach

Found beneath Tate St Ives, Porthmeor should be on everyone’s beach bucket list. The natural beauty of Porthmeor has been a muse for many artists and photographers who are a part of the creative scene St Ives is famous for.

The beach is a hot spot for surfers and swimmers, with its clean water that often picks up a great swell for watersports. It is one of seven beaches in Cornwall that has been awarded the Blue Flag Award for having excellent water quality, safety and environmental management.

It’s the perfect beach for those who want to enjoy a mixture of activities, with an abundance of places to explore on the doorstep of the beach, including art galleries and independent shops, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.

• Are dogs welcome? Dogs are not allowed between Easter Day and September 30^th. The rest of the year, dogs are welcome.
• Is there a café nearby? Porthmeor Beach Café is located on the beach, as are dozens of cafés and restaurants, a short walk away in the centre of St Ives.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, in high season.
• Is it easily accessible? 
• Are there toilets? Yes, in the car park.
• What is the nearest town? St Ives.

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

Watergate Bay

Situated on the coast of North Cornwall, just a few miles from Newquay, Watergate Bay is undoubtedly one of the nicest beaches in Cornwall. Watergate Bay boasts a two-mile-long sandy beach, which is especially vast at low tide. This is also a great surfing beach and is popular for other water sports, such as stand-up paddleboarding.

There is dramatic scenery to be enjoyed at Watergate Bay, with high cliffs looming large in the background. There are some excellent facilities nearby to help complete the experience, including cafes for a refreshment. There are surf schools available, and you can look forward to plenty of events throughout the year, including surf competitions and beach festivals, such as Boardmasters.

• Are dogs welcome? Yes, Watergate Bay is a dog-friendly beach.
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, there are several options, including The Beach Hut and Zacry’s, right on the beach or very close by.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, during the main season (typically from Easter to the end of October).
• Is it easily accessible? Yes, it is relatively easily accessible by car, with parking available. The beach itself has sloped access in parts, making it more accessible than some cliff-backed beaches.
• Are there toilets? Yes, there are public toilets available at Watergate Bay.
• What is the nearest town? The nearest major town is Newquay, which is just a few miles south of Watergate Bay.

Crantock Beach

Crantock Beach is certainly among Cornwall’s very best. Located on the northern coast of the county, just south of Newquay, Crantock Beach is a beautiful and expansive sandy beach. With the River Gannel estuary bordering one side of the beach, Crantock offers a mix of sea and river environments.

Visitors can look forward to impressive dunes as part of the backdrop, which are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing Crantock Beach with a natural and wild atmosphere.

This gorgeous beach is a popular spot for swimmers, and its large sandy area makes it easy to grab a sunbathing location. It’s also an ideal beach for surfers, especially beginners, and those who want to spend time exploring dunes and rock pools.

• Are dogs welcome? Yes, dogs are welcome on Crantock Beach all year round, without any restrictions.
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, there is typically a beachside café or kiosk at Crantock, especially during the main season.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, Crantock Beach is a lifeguarded beach during the main season (typically from Easter to the end of October).
• Is it easily accessible? Access to Crantock Beach requires a walk down from the car park, which can be quite steep in some areas. It’s generally considered accessible, but those with mobility issues might find it challenging. There’s also access via the ferry across the River Gannel from Newquay at high tide.
• Are there toilets? Yes, public toilets are available at Crantock Beach, typically located near the car park or beach access points.
• What is the nearest town? The nearest major town is Newquay, located just across the River Gannel to the north, or a short drive away if the tide is high.

Sennen Cove

Sennen Cove is considered by many to be one of Cornwall’s best beaches. It is an especially popular spot for families and those seeking a scenic, spacious, and safe seaside experience.

A recent study ranked Sennen Cove as the best family beach in England, scoring 9.97 out of 10 for safety, space, cleanliness, and family-friendly features. With a mile-long stretch of golden sand on display, there’s plenty of room even during peak season.

Its location near Land’s End provides a beautiful backdrop, and the RNLI Lifeguard patrol makes it a safe choice for swimming and water sports. Sennen Cove also has a fantastic 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.

• Are dogs welcome? Yes, but not on the main beach from May to September between 8 am and 7 pm. Outside these hours and during the off-season, dogs are welcome.
• Is there a café nearby? Yes, Sennen Cove has several cafés and pubs, many of which are dog-friendly and offer outdoor seating with sea views.
• Are there lifeguards? Yes, RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months, making it a safe spot for swimming and surfing.
• Is it easily accessible? Yes, Sennen Cove is easily accessible by car, with parking available near the beach. There are also paved paths leading down to the sand, though some areas may be steep for those with limited mobility.
• Are there toilets? Yes, public toilets are available near the beach and car park.
• What is the nearest town? The closest town is St Just, approximately five miles away, and Penzance is located around nine miles to the east.

Enjoy Cornwall’s best beaches on holiday

Whether you’re drawn to the golden sands of Crantock, the family-friendly shores of Sennen Cove, or the hidden gems scattered along Cornwall’s rugged coastline, one thing is certain: this region offers some of the most breathtaking beaches in the UK.

To make the most of your seaside escape, consider a caravan holiday in Cornwall at Tencreek Holiday Park. With its fantastic facilities, coastal views, and easy access to Cornwall’s top attractions, it’s the perfect base for your beach-hopping adventure. 

Book your holiday today and start planning your unforgettable Cornish getaway!