13 Best Beaches In Cornwall You Need To Visit This Summer

Regularly topping the list of Cornwall’s best beaches, Perranporth provides an expanse of golden sand for groups of family and friends to space out. During the summer, lifeguards are on patrol and designated safe swimming areas make it ideal for those looking to splash in the Atlantic. Snorkellers will find plenty to see under the sea in Perranporth’s beautiful coves and caves.

Don’t Miss: For food, ice cold refreshments and live music head to The Watering Hole, which bills itself as the UK’s only bar located on the beach.

While every seasoned surfer in the UK will claim a favourite spot, few would argue that Fistral Beach is the country’s surfing epicentre. Home to the annual Boardmasters Festival in August and boasting regular waves of more than eight feet, this iconic beach rivals Bondi with its barrel waves and buzzy beach bars.

Don’t Miss: Eat some of the best fish and chips in Cornwall at Rick Stein’s eponymous eatery. The casual restaurant is self-service and doesn’t take reservations, but there’s plenty of space to eat out in the sun.

There are those who skip their sweets to prepare for a trip to the beach, and then there are those in-the-know who go to the beach for a quintessential Cornish feast. The Hidden Hut in Porthcurnick is a tiny, open-air cafe located on a National Trust coastal path serving up seafood, curry and the tastiest pasties in Cornwall.

Don’t Miss: Tickets for The Hidden Hut’s famous dinnertime 'feasts' typically sell out within an hour of being posted online. The BYOB meals are enjoyed al fresco, with diners gathered in conversation around cosy fire pits.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a view you won’t want to photograph at this ruggedly beautiful bit of coastline. Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula boasts sandy beaches, turquoise waters and stunning formations of the region’s serpentine rock. As with any well-photographed spot, expect bustling crowds of tourists in the summer.

Don’t Miss: The area boasts one of the warmest climates in the UK, so book your trip early in the season or wait until September to skip the tourist crush.

There’s a reason Porthcurno’s curve of white sandy beach, contrasted with tropical blue waters and moss-covered granite cliffs, often features on the cover of Cornish holiday brochures. The scene is as alluring as any tropical island getaway. If you go for a splash, have a care at high tide as there is a steep shelf that can be dangerous for swimmers.

Don’t Miss: Catch a performance at the open-air Minack Theatre, perched on the rugged cliffs and offering unrivalled sunset views.

Kids (and adults) of all ages will find something to entertain them along Watergate Bay’s two miles of sandy beach. Little ones can explore the rock pools or swim in designated safe zones, while older adventure-seekers can try kitesurfing, wave-skiing or stand-up paddle boarding. The area has the highest UK standard for bathing water and boasts the Watergate Bay Hotel, one of Cornwall’s top stays for families.

Don’t Miss: Keep the kiddos occupied with lessons at Watergate Bay’s well known Extreme Academy, which offers classes in various water sports for all ages and levels.

For many during lockdown, Cornwall’s stunning coastline vistas were only viewable while bingeing the popular BBC series, Poldark. With travel restrictions lifted, a trip to experience the show’s epic scenery in person tops the list of to-dos. Take a dip in Porthgwarra’s cool, crystal clear waters - the same where a certain leading man swam shirtless for the show.

Don’t Miss: Poldark super fans will want to head to Porthgwarra Cove Cafe, a spot favoured by the show’s cast and crew for meals during filming.

Though often overshadowed by the nearby island village of St. Michael’s Mount, Marazion beach provides beautiful views of the mount as well as a sandy spot for building sandcastles, swimming or exploring rock pools at low tide. The nearby Marazion village has plenty of shops and restaurants, and of course St. Michael’s Mount can be explored via a small causeway at low tide, or by boat at high tide.

Don’t Miss: Couples may seek to summit St. Michael’s Mount for panoramas of the sea as well as a chance to touch the highest point of the Mount’s bedrock. Cornish lore says romantic wishes made while touching this rock will be granted.

Light wind, postcard perfect scenery and sundrenched sands make this sweet seaside spot the perfect picnic destination in Cornwall. Out in the sheltered bay a wooden platform anchored beneath the cliffs makes a great spot for swimmers. The nearby fishing port boasts plenty of shops and colourful cafes for pasties and ice cream.

Don’t Miss: Cool off with ice cream or a milkshake from the cleverly-named sweet shop, Game of Cones.

Not everyone wants to spend their holidays lounging in the sun. For the more activity-inclined among us, head to Sennen Cove. If you’re not one for surfing the Atlantic swells of Sennen Cove’s astonishingly blue waters, you can spend the afternoon hiking through fields of wildflowers and butterflies. The beach is just around the corner from Land’s End, among Cornwall’s most popular landmarks.

Don’t Miss: Enjoy a pint paired with views across the bay at the cosy Old Success Inn, built in the 17th-century.

Reachable only by steep, rocky paths, Whitsand Bay is a hidden oasis in south-east Cornwall. The rarely crowded three-mile stretch of beach is great for long scenic walks and jogs along the shore. An ex-naval frigate sunk in 2004 to form an artificial reef that makes for a popular dive site.

Don’t Miss: Lugger’s Cave, a grotto excavated by hand in the late 18th-century by a reclusive sailor who spent his time inscribing verses on the grotto ceiling.

Lantic Bay beach is definitely one of those that, at first, will have your friends asking, ‘Why did you bring us here again?’ That is, until they crest the hill and see this sparkling crest of sandy beach beneath towering green cliffs. The unspoilt environment brings an immediate sense of peace and relaxation, and is worth the 20-minute hike to get there.

Don’t Miss: The chance to spend a full day exploring once you’ve arrived - pack plenty of essentials for a long, leisurely afternoon.

The name says it all. Crowned ‘Beach of the Year’ by The Times in 2017, Lusty Glaze is a private beach and popular wedding destination owned by the Lusty Glaze resort. Couples also come to share an intimate meal at the resort restaurant while enjoying stunning sunset views over the Atlantic.

Don’t Miss: Choose the resort’s glamping experience and fall asleep under the stars to the sound of waves crashing ashore.