8 Best Beaches to Visit in Cornwall, England
Sian Victoria © - Overlooking Perran Sands beach from South West Coastal Path
Cornwall sightseeing & tourist attractions
Sitting on the peninsula of southwest England, the county of Cornwall is a beautiful haven of sandy beaches, islets, bays, coves, rich history, culture and, of course, the famous Cornish pasty.
Discover the myths and legends of Cornwall, such as how it was the birthplace of King Arthur. Originally a Celtic nation, you can explore the history of Cornwall, too.
Making up Cornwall's landscape are breathtaking cliff tops, home to wonderful coastal walks where you can take in the panoramic views of the gorgeous water. The county is renowned for boasting the longest coastline in Britain, stretching across 422 miles, as well as the 300 plus beaches that sit along the coast.
If you're keen to soak in some sunny weather (if you are lucky!) and try your hand at surfing, why not head down to one of the county's famed beaches? Have a read to discover some of the best beaches in Cornwall and start planning your next trip to the beach with a visit to this sensational gem in England.
Cornwall is somewhere I visit every year with family, so I'll be updating this post each year when I visit new beaches that I think are worth visiting while on holiday here.
1. St Ives Bay
Sian Victoria © - St Ives Bay Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - St Ives Bay Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - St Ives Bay Beach, Cornwall
Located on the north coast, the town of St Ives is largely considered to be the most beautiful place to visit in Cornwall. A popular choice amongst tourists, visitors of the fishing town can soak in the picturesque harbour views, quaint cobbled streets, and idyllic sandy beaches.
Without a doubt, the crown jewel of the town is its beaches. Choose from an array of stunning seaside resorts that will give those abroad a run for their money. If you're a surfing fan, pay a visit to Porthmeor Beach – stretching across half a mile, this golden paradise features a surfing school.
Porthgwidden beach is another beautiful beach in St Ives. Although it isn't the largest beach in Cornwall, it's a great sun trap as it's sheltered under grassy slopes and cliffs, making it a perfect choice for a day out with the family where you can take a dip in the tranquil waters while enjoying views across St Ives Bay.
After you've relaxed at the beach, you can enjoy some of the incredible sights across the town. Art-lovers will love the exhibits at the Tate St Ives, one of the most iconic attractions in the town.
Stroll the atmospheric streets and browse the charming boutiques and souvenir shops before stopping to enjoy some traditional Cornish food.
2. Holywell Bay
Sian Victoria © - Overlooking Hollywell Bay Beach from coastal path, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Hollywell Bay Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Gull rocks, Hollywell Bay Beach cave, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Gull rocks, Hollywell Bay Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Hollywell Bay Beach rock formations, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Gull rocks, Hollywell Bay Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Gull rocks, Hollywell Bay Beach, Cornwall
On the North coast of Cornwall and just three miles from the town of Newquay, you’ll discover Holywell Bay. Home to an idyllic coastal village, and a gorgeous beach engulfed by huge sand dunes and reaching cliff tops.
Holywell has a large National Trust carpark, a pub, and public toilets near the entrance. As you walk down to the beach you’ll be greeted by wildflowers and a stream that leads you to a small footbridge before you get to a beautiful sandy beach that’s a popular choice amongst surfers for its large swells and perfect waves.
Like Croatia, it was also a filming location for the Game of Thrones. The beautiful, rugged cliffs were used for scenes of the GoT prequel House of Dragon. So, if you're a fan of the show, why not explore Holywell Bay and see these locations yourself.
Tucked away in a secluded spot at the very end of the beach away from the main area you’ll find a mysterious cave to explore. Upon walking out you’ll have the perfect view of the iconic rocks named ‘Gull rocks’ or ‘Carter's Rocks’.
There’s also a smaller cave along this path to the end of the beach where you may have to crawl into, to discover ancient rock formations and stalagmites. If you do search for the caves keep an eye on the tide, it can come in considerably fast. So, it’s best to have someone with you to keep watch.
If you’re looking for food after a day at Hollywell Bay, I recommend the 13th Century traditional pub down the road called The Treguth Inn, they have great vegan options. Whereas the Gull Rocks Bar next to the carpark doesn’t but does have a great beer garden within steps of the beach.
3. Perranporth
Sian Victoria © - Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Rock arch at Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Chapel rock, Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - View from The Watering Hole, Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Also, on the north coast of Cornwall, you'll find the stunning seaside resort of Perranporth. Its main attractor is undoubtedly its beach. Reaching across two miles, Perranporth Beach is a sandy oasis, surrounded by the Penhale dunes which are perfect for a stroll on a warm summer day.
Take a swim in the crystal-clear waters – enjoyed by surfers nationally – and take advantage of the scenic coastal paths. My family and I embarked on the South West Coast path from Hollywell Bay to Perranporth its an approximate 8-mile round trip where you’ll pass some incredible rugged landscapes and the secluded Penhale Camp used ahead of World War II.
As well as being home to an iconic beach and incredible cliff walks, you’ll find some beautiful Cornwall staycations too. As well as a bustling town with convenience shops and pubs and plenty of places to get a Cornish pasty, ice cream or seaside ‘fish & chips’.
If you fancy a stroll while you enjoy your ice cream the Perranporth Boating Lake is a lovely tourist attraction to visit. And for a drink on the beach, The Watering Hole is always our go-to bar. You’ll find it with a view of the Chapel Rock Pool, it’s the perfect place to swim at the beach without getting in the sea.
4. Perran Sands
Sian Victoria © - Overlooking Gravel Hill mine pool, Perran Sands Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Perran Sands Beach sunset, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Sunset from sand dunes at Perran Sands Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Views from Hollywell Bay to Perran Sands coastal walk, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Sand dunes at Perran Sands Beach, Cornwall
While facing the sea if you take a right and continue walking along the golden sandy beach at Perranporth you’ll discover Perran sands beach further down. This is part of the S W Coast Path to Hollywell Bay.
If you walk along Perran sands beach and Ligger Bay until you reach the end, you’ll discover the Gravel Hill Mine a historical landmark. Walking up the rugged dune path past the mine rock pool you can either go left to walk the coastal path to Hollywell or go right to explore the Penhale Sands and search for the St. Piran's Oratory.
The St. Piran's Oratory located on a Christian site from at least 800AD is a church that was lost around the year 1150 and buried beneath the sand dunes during high winds and rediscovered in 2014.
The historic church isn’t the only lost piece of history near this site. There have been many archaeological findings beneath the sand dunes in Cornwall, including villages, forests and bodies dating back to the 800AD.
The dunes help form beautiful grassy cliffs and a rugged natural landscape that remains unspoilt due to its secluded location. Watching the sunset from the dunes at Perran Sands is something we do every year, it’s a lovely quiet place with nothing but the sound of birds and crashing waves.
5. Fistral beach
Sian Victoria © - Fistral Beach, Cornwall
On the North coast a short drive from Newquay you’ll find Fistral beach. It is one of the world’s top surfing destinations as well as Watergate Bay in Cornwall. Named the home of British surfing it is where all the UK surfing competitions take place as waves reaching 6 and 8 feet can be experienced here.
Bordered by sand dunes enriched with wildflowers it is one of Cornwall's many idyllic locations. At this popular beach destination with views of the Atlantic, you’ll enjoy clear turquoise waters and golden sand beneath your feet stretching 750 metres.
To keep you entertained during a day at the beach you’ll find a shopping and dining complex at Fistral beach. Home to surfing gear, alfresco dining and enjoying a pint with a view.
You may also recognise a large historical hotel named The Headland on top of the cliff overlooking Fistral. The grand hotel is where the original 90’s movie The Witches was filmed. I loved this Roald Dahl movie growing up, so I instantly recognised it the first time I visited Fistral.
6. Towan & Great Western Bridge beach
Sian Victoria © - Towan beach & Great Western Bridge beach in distance, Newquay
Sian Victoria © - Iced coffees at Fort Inn, Newquay harbour
Sian Victoria © - View of Great Western beach from Towan, Island suspension Bridge, Newquay
The Great Western Bridge beach in Cornwall got its name from the Great Western Railway which made this area of Newquay a popular destination towards the end of the 18th century.
Located by neighbouring Newquay beach you’ll find plenty of food, drink, carparks, and entertainment places nearby. Including the Great Western beach complex so you won’t have far to go if you’ve worked up an appetite relaxing at the beach.
Towering above Great Western Bridge beach is a slimline suspension bridge providing access to a tiny island home away from the mainland. Named ‘The House in the Sea’ this isolated retreat located 90-ft above sea level on top of a rock on the beach is surrounded by water when the tide is in giving it exotic home vibes.
Great Western Bridge is one of many Newquay beaches, and you’ll discover rock pools and caves hidden inside the high cliffs. If you stroll along the stretch of sand to ‘The Island’ sea house and walk under the bridge, you will be at Towan Beach. It’s nearby here where we enjoyed iced lattes at the Fort Inn with a view of the harbour.
7. Newquay Beach
Sian Victoria © - Newquay Beach, Cornwall
One of the most popular towns in Cornwall is Newquay so you’ll find its main town beach to be busy. But is equally as beautiful and has better accessibility than most and of course more options for children as well as places to go for food, drink, and entertainment.
The town of Newquay has 11 golden sand beaches but the one in the heart of town has plenty of supermarkets so if you are on a budget or simply want to grab snacks to bring to the beach it’s ideal as some Newquay beaches such as Crantock or my favourite Hollywell Bay don't have anywhere but a pub to get food, so you must come prepared when visiting those. But you won’t have to when visiting Newquay’s main strip of golden sands.
So, the main Newquay beach may be ideal for some. There’s also the Newquay train station making it the easiest beach to get to if coming to Cornwall without a car.
When we visited it was busy and I didn’t want to take photos of families on the beach, so this photo is of the beach further down away from the main area.
8. Crantock beach
Sian Victoria © - Crantock Beach, Cornwall
Sian Victoria © - Crantock Beach, Cornwall
Typically, it started raining when we arrived at Crantock beach. But regardless of the dark clouds and tide, I can understand why this National Trust beach is a must-visit and named one of the best beaches in Cornwall.
Home to golden sands and sheltered by desert-like dunes this picturesque beach is a conserved area. Overlooked by the Pentire Headland above and joined by the Gannel river Crantock beach is an idyllic location on a beautiful summer’s day in England.
You will find a coffee and ice cream van but due to its slightly secluded location, I’d recommend coming prepared when visiting especially with children as there is limited food and drink options with it being away from the busy town.
Parking here is relatively pricey if you’re not a member with it funding the National Trust to look after the area. However, it is worth a visit on a bright day, and you will find toilets located in the carpark. The dunes are high here and can be steep in areas so accessibility may be an issue so bear that in mind when considering visiting Crantock.
Please note, I always advise doing extra research ahead of visiting places to ensure that they are ideal for you to avoid disappointment.
To conclude
So, there we go, a selection of some of the best places to visit in Cornwall to enjoy sensational beaches and tranquil waters that will make for an incredible seaside holiday. I'll be spending a week in Cornwall again this summer with my family and will be re-visiting these scenic places and many more to add to this list.
