West Cornwall Cottage Holidays

Beaches

GODREVY, GWITHIAN AND UPTON TOWANS, HAYLE

At low tide, Godrevy in the north, Gwithian in the middle and Upton Towans in the south make up almost three miles of glorious sandy beach – one of the finest in West Cornwall. This fabulous stretch of coastline caters for all activities from sand buggies to kite surfing, rock pooling to sand castles and every form of surfing.

CARBIS BAY, St Ives

Carbis Bay or Porthreptor or Barrepta beach as it is known locally is a glorious stretch of fine golden sand and one of the best beaches in the area. Easy access from a halt on the main St. Erth to St Ives railway branch line. Short drive to St. Ives

PORTHMINSTER – St Ives

Stunning crescent shaped little beach reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Child friendly and dominated by the award winning Porthminster Beach Café for first class al fresco eating. Small shop for pasties and ice cream etc. Short walking distance to railway station (St. Erth connection from mainline) and car park.

ST IVES (TOWN BEACH)

This is the main crescent shaped harbour beach which encompasses the RNLI station at one end and the breakwater with Smeaton's Pier at the other. A working harbour, it can be very busy in the summer. Child friendly at low tide as the entire harbour becomes dry.

PORTHGWIDDEN BEACH, ST IVES

Porthgwidden Beach lies to the east of the town and is the smallest of all the local beaches. However, due to its very fine golden sand (brilliant for building sand castles!), it is the favourite for young families and is close to Porthmeor and all of the town facilities.

PORTHERAS COVE/BEACH, PENDEEN

Described as one of West Cornwall's hidden secrets, Portheras beach is can only be reached via a coastal footpath that takes around 30 mins (Not for the infirm or elderly). Stunning little crescent shaped beach, very few visitors, no facilities. Access via the car park at the Pendeen Watch Lighthouse. Frequent sightings of seals. Swimming not advised due to wreck damage.

PRIEST'S COVE, CAPE CORNWALL

A rock and shingle beach, Priest's Cove is home to several local fishermen who still ply their trade from this windswept promitory. At low tide a small square pool is uncovered which was used by the local miners to wash before returning home. Car Park and ice cream van in the summer. National trust owned.

PORTH NANVEN, COT VALLEY, ST JUST

Located between Sennen Cove and Cape Cornwall is Porth Nanven which lies at the foot of the Cot Valley. A smooth boulder strewn beach it, is a Mecca for photographers and walkers alike as they traverse the South West Coastal Path. Car park, no facilities. Views of the Brison's Rocks.

GWYNVER BEACH, SENNEN COVE

Gwynver Beach forms part of Sennen Cove or Whitesands Bay and is accessed via a steep set of steps from the Trevedra Cliffs. A magnet for local surfers due to its open proximity to the mighty Atlantic Ocean, Gwynver is smaller and slightly rockier than its larger neighbour. Paying car park at the top of the cliff and no facilities.

SENNEN COVE BEACH (WHITESANDS)

A mile and a half of white sand, Whitesand Bay or Sennen Beach is consistently awarded an EU Blue flag for its bathing water quality. A fabulous family friendly beach with great surfing at all levels, sand castles, paddling, rock pools. Good beach restaurant, surf school and local amenities. Vigorous clamping in the car park! Walking distance on the cliff path to Land's End.

PORTHGWARRA

Small rocky little inlet off the beaten track but well worth the visit just for the wonderful pasties sold in the tiny shop. Smugglers tunnel from the car park to the beach for the younger pirates and breaktaking views for the older buccaneers! – swimming in the inlet but strong currents off the point.

PORTHCURNO & PEDNVOUNDER, PORTHCURNO

Iconic and much photographed beach that lies at the foot of the Porthcurno valley and just below the world famous Minack Theatre that was carved out of the granite cliff in the 1930's. Magnificent beach particularly at low tide which encompasses the second beach at Pednvounder (watch out for the naturists!).Access via steep cliff path to Penberth Cove and the Logan Rock. Formerly owned by communication giant, Cable and Wireless, the valley supports all of the major subsea transatlantic cables. Car park, pub, shop, café and underground wartime telegraph museum which is well worth a visit on a rainy day.

LAMORNA & LAMORNA COVE

Still privately owned, the cove was made famous by Lamorna Birch and the world renowned Newlyn School of Artists. A small rocky harbour with a great little café serving fresh crab sandwiches, this is ultimately good walking country with stunning cliff tops views. Glorious walks through the Bluebell strewn wooden valley in the spring.

MOUSEHOLE

Described by Dylan Thomas as “the prettiest village in all England”, Mousehole (pronounced Mouzel) is the most picturesque little fishing harbour in Cornwall. The crescent shaped harbour does have a small sandy beach which is ideal for smaller children and extremely safe. Donkey wide cobbled streets, tiny little terraced fisherman's cottages, galleries and restaurants combine to make this village a "must see" whilst on holiday in West Cornwall.

PENZANCE

The bustling regional hub of West Cornwall does not have a beach to speak of rather more of a shingle rocky strewn area that sits below the promenade and is mostly covered by the tide. It is a lovely embracing walk from Newlyn along the promenade to the art deco Jubillee Pool which is one of only two seawater pools that remain in the UK today.

LONG ROCK, PENZANCE

At low tide, this is a stunning three mile beach that stretches from Penzance to Marazion with the Long Rocks almost at mid point. One of only a handful of “dog friendly” beaches in West Cornwall, (just the middle section at Long Rock), this beach attracts some of the best wind and kite surfers in the UK. Further towards Marazion, the beach opens up and is backed by large sand dunes. There are several car parks, cafes and pubs that service the beach and the entire stretch of coastline is dominated by the majestic island of St. Michael's Mount with its fairy tail castle.

MARAZION

Much overlooked by the casual visitor, Marazion does have a good and safe sandy beach which is easily accessible. Plenty of water bourne activities such as sailing, wind ands kite surfing. Access to the magical island of St. Michael's Mount is possible at low tide and via an ancient causeway. (ferry transfer at high tide) well worth the visit and still home to the St. Aubyn family

PERRANUTHNOE BEACH - PERRAN SANDS

A beautiful half mile stretch of golden sand that very rarely gets busy even in the peak summer weeks. Perran Sands and the traditional little Cornish village of Perranuthnoe attracts families and couples alike. The beach is serviced by a great little café and the award winning Victoria Arms is an absolute must in the evening for foodies.

PRUSSIA COVE

Actually three little coves, Piskies, Bessy's and Eny's, Prussia Cove is named after the local smuggling hero, John Carter who was obsessed with King Frederick the Great of East Prussia. Superb cliff top walking, some sandy beach areas and very basic accommodation in some self catering properties in the cove.

PRAA SANDS

At just over a mile long, this straight strip of beach is a haven for families and active sports enthusiasts. Golden sand and a great pub and café combine to make this beach one of the most popular in West Cornwall. Two large car parks and a regular bus service between Penzance and Helston.