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Beaches - West Cornwall
PorthcurnoWithin
a stones throw of each other only 4 miles East of Lands End are
two of the most strikingly beautiful beaches in Cornwall. Nestling
under granite cliffs, themselves a mass of wildflowers in Spring.
Both beaches have a crystal clear sea and golden sand and are
south facing sun traps. Porthcurno, with the Minack Theatre to
the West has a large car park a short walk down a level path
behind the beach, so is the more accessible to families. In season
life guards are on duty.
Pednvounder just around the corner from Treen Porthcurno
with Logans Rock as a backdrop is reached via a stiff mile and
a half walk from the nearest parking in Treen Village. The walk
is 1 mile along and then down a steep path. There even is a all
hands and feet scramble required just above the beach, hence
not a beach suitable for young children, or the unfit. Stout
footwear is essential. You should also check the state of the
tide to avoid being cut off at high water.Both beaches have undertows
and rip tides in certain conditions , so take heed of the warnings,
and particularly at Pednvounder don't swim alone. No lifeguard
patrol at Pednvounder.
Beaches North Cornwall
The coast from Newquay and stretching as far as Bude and the
County border boasts some particularly fine beaches, offering
huge expanses often backed by sand dunes, many with easy parking
nearby. Mawgan Porth, Watergate Bay,Constantine, Trevone to name
but a few.
Trebarwith Strand 3 miles from Tintagel. The beach has
Gull Rock as a backdrop, a huge expanse of sand at low water
and lots of rock pools for the kids to explore. Parking nearby,
and life guards on duty during the Season. Trebarwith bears witness
to many spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean, particularly
on a high tide. Equally impressive is a stroll along the beach
at low water with a Winter storm raging. Lovely food and great
ale available overlooking the beach.
Widemouth
4 miles along the Coast from Bude. A huge 2 mile long sandy beach,
with plenty of car parking right behind it. Popular with surfers
and families too. Tuition and board hire. A place for all the
family. Life guards on duty in Season. Please take heed of the
warnings and swim where indicated by the flags. Keep out of the
water near the rocks. Like Trebarwith scene of spectacular sunsets.
Duckpool
3 miles North of Bude, near to Kilkhamton. A large beach with
some small pebbles. In a beautiful setting. Like nearby Sandymouth
reached down narrow country lanes with high hedges. Rarely busy,
hidden in at the mouth of a deep valley, with a stream running
down it. Lifegaurd in Season but swimming advised only for the
experienced. Well worth a visit for the peace and quiet.
Watergate Bay 3
miles north of Newquay. One of Cornwall's more spectacular rural
beaches with 2 miles of golden sand at low tide backed by 300
foot cliffs. There is car parking right behind the beach, shop
facilities, food is available too. One of Cornwall's gems. In
Season Surfing Tuition from qualified instructors is available
from West Coast Surfari . For beginners, intermediates and advanced
surfers. Watergate Bay is an excellent destination for a brisk
walk with a purpose. It is about an hour's walk along the Coastal
Path north from Newquay. Life guards on duty in Season.
Fistral Beach Newquay
is indeed spoilt with several of the best surfing beaches in
Cornwall. Fistral facing the Atlantic is very popular with surfers
of all abilities. Venue for International Surfing Competitions.
Like Watergate Bay and many other Cornish surf beaches surfing
tuition is available from Professional Coaches. Several areas
are kept for swimmers alone. All Newquay's beaches are popular
with families. Most have nearby car parking and life guards on
duty in Season .
Beaches South East
Cornwall
Mention must first be made of the unspoilt Rame Peninsula, that
stretch of Coast between Looe and Plymouth Sound. Some say the
forgetten Corner of Cornwall, with some wonderful beaches. Whitsands
and Sharrow Bay popular with surfers. Portwrinkle and Downderry
hidden under cliffs. Click here for pictures.
Lantivet Bay
Real gems, three south facing sandy beaches hidden in a Bay mid
way between Polperro and Fowey, reachable by a stiff 2 mile walk
from the nearest road, with lots of steps. The Bay is popular
as a mooring with yachts hopping along the Cornish Coast. South
facing beaches None are ever busy due to their inaccessibility.
Well worth the walk for the sheer beauty and isolation of the
three beaches.
Gorran Haven
Near St Austell. Beautiful East facing beach sheltered by the
Harbour walls. A wide expanse of sand at low water. Often lots
going on. Popular as a launch for dive boats. If you are there
at the right time of year Gig Racing. Car Parking few minutes
away in the village
Between St Mawes Castle at one end of this Cornish Riviera and Pencarrow
Head at the other there are many sandy beaches and coves.
The following represents a selection of these: Remember beach
conditions vary considerably according to wind and sea conditions.
Always take care when bathing in the sea
Readymoney Covesmall
sandy cove on Fowey Estuary. Car park 1/4 mile from beach. No
dogs allowed
Polkerr is a small, sandy harbour beach. Car park available
and cafe and pub next to the beach
Par Sandslarge flat sandy beach, with pub, cafe and sports
facilities at the rear. Dogs welcome.
Crinnis also known as Carlyon Bay, large, sandy, private
beach, excellent facilities, daily car park charge, popular for
bathing and watersports. At the far end of Crinnis is Shorthorn
Cove which is an Official Naturist Beach.
Porthpean St Austell s Town Beach . Small, sandy beach,
popular for bathing and watersports. Car park close by. Dog ban
in operation
Pentewan wide, sandy beach, popular for bathing and watersports.
Pub, cafe, tea rooms and shops close by.
Portmellon next to Mevagissey, a small fairly sandy beach,
good for bathing with a small slipway for boat launching. Dogs
welcome
Gorran Havensmall sandy cove, car park, shops and cafe
in village close by
Porthluney Cove(Caerhays) fairly wide, quite sandy beach.
Car park (daily charge) and cafe at back of beach.Caerhays Castle(limited
opening) forms a wonderful backdrop. Dogs welcome
There are tens if not hundreds of beaches
in Cornwall, only a few are mentioned here.
Part of the delight of a Cornish Holiday
is finding a beach to yourselves.
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