While you’re down in Cornwall for Port Eliot, we highly recommend staying a bit longer and visit some of our corner’s wonderful beaches. With over 300 to choose from, Cornish beaches are as wildly vast as they are beautiful, with golden sands, white dunes, rocky coves and wide-open bays. Here are some favourites, sorted by character.
The best beach for…
Adrenaline junkies: Towan Beach, Newquay (PICTURED)
There’s an unspoken rule that you can’t step on the sand at Towan Beach without getting your heart rate pumping. Surfing, coasteering, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking; thanks to Newquay Activity Centre this sheltered golden beach with the famous ‘house on an island’ has got it all going on!
Bookworms: Polridmouth Cove near Fowey
Grab a copy of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca and trek down to the sheltered cove where the book is set. Spend the day thumbing the pages of this classic tale as the story unfolds around you.
Fashionistas: Rock
All the cool kids head to Rock, Cornwall’s well-heeled holiday haunt. The fine sandy beach is a catwalk for the latest in swimwear haute couture while the water is a true playground with everything from sailing to water-skiing.
Dreamers: Kynance Cove, The Lizard
Turquoise waters and white sand. It’s all a bit exotic at Kynance, which could have you slumbering on the beach thinking you were somewhere in the Caribbean. Don’t forget to put a banana Daiquiri in the cool box.
Foodies: Watergate Bay
From ice creams and fish and chips on the beach to a full-blown eight-course taster menu at the Jamie Oliver inspired Fifteen Cornwall, this stylish bay has a pick of brilliant places to eat. Bring an empty belly and try them all!
Wellness seekers: Chapel Porth, St Agnes
To say that fresh sea air is, well, fresh is an understatement at Chapel Porth’s secluded beach. The rolling surf, the sea spray and the breeze coming off the ocean is the best natural therapy we can think of.
Sea swimmers: Gorran Haven, Mevagissey
As the name of the village implies, haven means a place of shelter and at this beach on the south coast you’ll find a safe sandy shoreline and a calm sea protected by the impressive 400-ft high Dodman Point peninsula.
Creatives: Porthmeor, St Ives
Located right under the Tate St Ives, Porthmeor is where coast and art collide. Go from gallery to sand and create your very own piece of art from seaweed and other beach finds.
Image: Towan Beach by Dune Dreams Photography
