A Guide To The Best Beaches In Cornwall

Surf's up 

Fancy riding some waves? Fistral beach is famous for being one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall. For that reason, it definitely gets busy in summer — but we think it’s worth it to soak up Newquay’s fun atmosphere (before coming home to the peace and quiet of your forest cabin, of course!).

Further up the coast there’s also Polzeath, another one of Cornwall’s surfing beaches you won’t want to miss. It’s a great idea to book yourself a lesson at a nearby surf school, too.

Best family beaches in Cornwall

We’re all going on a summer holiday… When you think of a quintessential English family holiday, you probably picture a Cornish beach. And you can see why — there’s just so many amazing family beaches to choose from. 

 

In terms of the best beaches in north Cornwall for a family day out, there’s Perranporth and Summerleaze, which are both accessible for buggies. There are a number of carparks in Perranporth, one of which is right by the beach, and from the car park there is a short slope to the beach suitable for wheelchairs. There is also a large pay and display car park by Summerleaze beach which means the car is only a short walk away after a long day of having fun at the seaside! 

 

Two of our favorite beaches in South Cornwall, Talland Bay and Cawsand Bay, are also great for a fun family day out! Both beaches have many rock pools to explore and are considered a safe place for swimming. The main beach at Talland bay has a pay and display car park at The Beach Cafe, however it is not easily accessible and there is limited car parking near the sea.  

If you’ve got tiny tots, you might want to avoid any beaches with sharp rocks. We recommend Daymer Bay, as it’s one of best sandy beaches in Cornwall. There is a large car park north of Daymer Bay Beach which is only a short walk away, and a shop in the car park for you to grab a sweet treat after a fun day.

Secret beaches in Cornwall 

There’s nothing more magical than finding what feels like a hidden beach in Cornwall, tucked away from the hustle and bustle. 

If you’re after something quiet and secluded, you’ll love Tregardock Beach, with its dramatic cliffs and hidden waterfall. Just keep an eye on tide times, and try to go when it’s low tide — that way there’ll be more space for you to enjoy! 

Finally, another hidden beach in Cornwall you might want to try is Bossiney Cove. You’ll need to be extra careful on the steep path down, but the reward at the end is totally worth it!