Also known as 'The English Riviera' Cornwall has some unrivalled beaches that you have got to visit whilst you're there. I have now spent two summers visiting this amazing part of the UK and couldn't recommend a better spot for a staycation! Keep reading to find out my favourite beaches to visit along the Cornish coastline.
1) Porthcurno Beach
This is a beach that every travel blog and advice forum will have as a must see in Cornwall, and if they don't, they're wrong! A cove of white sand and crystal clear blue water will greet you at the bottom of the gentle walk down to Porthcurno.
Located on the South West coast of Cornwall, just a few miles from the town of Penzance it is a fairly long drive for those staying anywhere North of Newquay, but a worthwhile one. A large car park is located at the top of the path down to the beach, but I would recommend getting there in the morning or you may be searching for a space rather than relaxing on the soft sand. There is a little café opposite the carpark selling Cornish Pasties and ice cream - what more could you want?!
At the top of a steep, but climbable cliff is the Minack Theatre, another must see place in Cornwall. Offering spectacular, panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean this ancient theatre still puts on a variety of shows throughout the year, so it is worth booking one! If you don't fancy a show you can pay to go in and have a look around too.
2) Watergate Bay
Love to surf? Watergate Bay is the perfect beach for both beginners and more advanced surfers. This vast beach is not just for surfing, the collection of cool bars and delicious eateries, and the breath taking backdrop makes this beach a must visit for everyone.
Located a 10 minute drive from the centre of Newquay, this beach is easily accessible from most locations in Cornwall. A large Cornwall Council car park, among other privately owned car parks, is located just a minutes walk from the beach.
Grab a takeaway pizza at one of the many restaurants and eat it on the beach whilst you watch the world go by or sit in at one of the fantastic eateries overlooking the water and watch the waves roll in (I will go into more details on places to eat on a later post).
So grab your wetsuit and head down to the water, whether it's for a swim, surf or bodyboard, this beach is one worth adding to your to-do list!
3) Towan Beach
Sitting directly below the bustling town of Newquay, Towan Beach has got to be on your Cornwall beaches bucket list. This impressive beach is surrounded by imposingly beautiful cliffs, home to many rock pools perfect to explore. Golden sand and gentle waves are what makes Towan so attractive for visitors.
Newquay is known as the surf capital of Cornwall, so you'll find plenty of surf schools if you want to learn how to ride those waves! An abundance of restaurants, shops, bars and arcades can be found in the town above if you ever get bored of lying on the expansive, beautiful beach or playing in the waves.
Why not head down in the evening and watch the incredible sunset with a beer from the beach bar, they even have a live DJ on some nights!
4) Sennen Cove
Set right at the bottom of Cornwall, close to Lands End, Sennen Cove feels as though you're sitting on the edge of the world. The rolling waves crash into the shore, and the rocky walkway creates a rugged atmosphere. This golden sand beach has plenty of room to find a comfortable space for your beach towel.
If you fancy a go in the water, there is a surf school set on the beach where you can book lessons or just hire a board and dive right in!
Sennen is absolutely magnificent at sunset so it's worth heading down in the evening, be careful though, when the tide comes in it's a tricky walk across the rocks to the sand.
5) St Agnes Beach
When you walk down through the tiny town of St Agnes you'll reach St Agnes Beach. The water is crystal clear and beautifully calm on a still day, perfect for swimming if you're willing to brave the cold! There are a few lovely eateries close to the beach, including one that sells Cornish Pasties, which we obviously had to sample.
Set on the North Coast, St Agnes is an easy drive from most places in Cornwall and has a large council carpark, as well as some private ones dotted around and they're all an easy walk to the beach.
It is definitely worth coming down to St Agnes for an afternoon but just check the tide times as when it comes in there is not much space on the beach to sit!
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