Beaches & Coves

Cornwall is blessed with hundreds of beautiful beaches from secluded gems to wide open spaces, many dog friendly - far too many to list here but the following is a small example of what is close by:

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

PAR SANDS BEACH

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/par-sands.htm

Distance: 2.3miles

Par Sands is a wide, sandy beach in Par, just outside St Austell. The-south facing beach is backed by low sand dunes through which there are many paths as well as a small lake with lots of birds.

The beach slopes fairly gently here meaning there it's ideal for paddling. However, there is no lifeguard service so care should be taken if swimming.

Dog friendly all year, wide open sands and dunes, popular for flying kites, large car park and easy access.

PAR SANDS BIRD LAKE & PICNIC AREA

Website: www.birdingplaces.eu/en/birdingplaces/united-kingdom/par-beach-pool  

Distance: 2.3miles

If visiting Par Sands Beach, it is worth visiting the bird lake just behind the sand dunes and access road.

There is quite a variety of birds present on the lake and a sign board to help you identify them. Do be careful though as the lake is quite deep.

Between the beach and the lake there is a sheltered grass picnic area with tables and benches.

There is easy parking a there are public toilets and a café just up the road.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

POLKERRIS BEACH

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/polkerris.htm

Distance: 2.3miles

Polkerris is a sandy beach which gently shelves, sheltered by harbour wall. Sheltered, discrete & quaint, fantastic for families, pub, restaurant and facilities on the beach (parking a hundred metres up the hill)

Ramped access onto the beach along with comprehensive facilities provided by owners Menabilly Estate. These include disabled toilets and a choice of places to eat. Dog restrictions in Summer.

Polkerris is a tiny hamlet, west of Fowey, down a winding lane past Kilmarth, the last home of Daphne du Maurier. It is also the next cove to Menabilly, the long-time home of the author. 

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

READYMONEY COVE

Website:  www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/south-east/ready-money-cove.htm    

Distance: 3miles

Sandy cove overlooking the Fowey Estuary easy walk from Fowey and carpark. It is sheltered by cliffs close to the mouth of the River Fowey Estuary and bounded, on one side, by the medieval part of the Fowey and, on the other, by St Catherine's Castle. The beach can be covered during spring tides.

Reasonably safe bathing within cove, but not in the Fowey Estuary. However, can be water pollution after storms and heavy rain.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

POLRIDMOUTH COVE

Website:  www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/south-east/polridmouth-cove.htm 

Distance: 4.7miles

Located between Gribbin Head and Fowey is the twin cove of Polridmouth, access is via a wooded track and the coves have a leafy, untouched feel about them. Given their location and access the coves are rarely busy. Dog friendly all year.

At low tide there are 2 distinct beaches separated by a low rocky headland. The western cove is accessed directly from the farm track and backs onto the coast path. The cove to the east is quite unusual in that it backs onto the lawns and lakes of Polridmouth cottage. Well worth the walk.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

CARLYON BAY

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/carlyon-bay.htm

Distance: 4.8miles

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

CHARLESTOWN BEACH

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/charlestown.htm  

Distance: 5.9miles

Shingle and sand beach with area of pebbles and some geological interest. There are a number of small caves in the cliffs but beware of rock falls.

The beach is divided into two by the harbour. The bigger and better side is located east of the harbour whilst the other side offers some interesting rock formations to investigate.

Nearby Charlestown Harbour is home to tall ships and has been used as a film setting for many films and TV series, such as Poldark.

There is much to see and do in Charlestown with plenty of bars, restaurants and refreshment kiosks around the harbour - well worth the visit.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

PORTHPEAN

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/porthpean.htm

 Distance: 7miles

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

PENTEWAN SANDS

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/pentewan.htm

Distance: 10.5miles

A large stretch of near-white sand, Pentewan Sands is located between St Austell and the fishing village of Mevagissey. The beach is actually privately owned by the Pentewan Sands Holiday Park that sits just behind. The beach is well-maintained and there are plenty of facilities.

The beach is generally sheltered from the wind and the swell. This makes it a great spot for swimming and all water sports - windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing and sailing. Jet skis are banned but canoes and sailing dinghies can be hired from the Holiday Park.

There is a large pay car park at the rear of the beach and is easy, level access to the beach from the car park. Seasonal dog ban in force from 1st March to 1st November.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

GORAN HAVAN

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/gorran-haven.htm

Distance: 16.9miles

Gorran Haven is a pleasant sandy beach just in front of the village. It is fairly sheltered, sitting in the lee of the 400ft high Dodman point just to the west. Along with all the facilities of the village close to hand this makes for a great family beach and despite the lack of lifeguard cover this is a safe beach to swim at.

The beach is right on the seafront and you have all the facilities of the village close at hand. There are public toilets just up the slipway too. Parking for the beach and village is provided by a large car park a few hundred metres up the road. Dog friendly all year.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

PENDOWER BEACH

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/pendower.htm

Distance: 20.1miles

Pendower Beach is a lovely sandy, south facing beach in the heart of the Roseland Peninsula. Towards low tide Pendower joins up with neighbouring Carne Beach to form a huge sandy beach stretching over a mile across Gerrans Bay.

One side of the beach is much sandier than other and is popular with families during the summer, while the west end of the beach is quite rocky with many good rock pools. There is also a stream running across the beach which will keep kids occupied for hours.

There is a large car park behind the dunes, around 100 metres from the beach. Disabled access to the beach is possible and there is a café serving a variety of snacks and drinks. Dog friendly all year. 

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

CARNE BEACH

Website:  www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/carne.htm  

Distance: 20.4miles

Along with adjoining Pendower beach, Carne Beach on the picturesque Roseland Peninsula, is one of the best beaches in the area with its generous stretch of golden sand. Being a little off the beaten track it never really gets busy. With a gently sloping beach and plenty of rockpools towards the end of the beach there is plenty to keep children occupied.

To the eastern end of the bay is the imposing Nare Head. Rising nearly 300ft above the sea this headland commands great views in all directions. It is also the site of a couple of historic military installations; a World War II control bunker and a Cold War nuclear bunker which has now been restored. The beach is dog friendly all year.

Courtesy of Cornwall-beaches.co.uk

PORTHCURNICK BEACH

Website: www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/austell-riviera/porthcurnick.htm

Distance: 21.3miles

A beautiful unspoiled and family friendly sandy beach, on the Roseland Peninsula, well worth the effort to visit. There is a  café hut above beach great for snacks drinks etc. Lovely clear sea great for swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking

There are walks along a coastal footpath to Portscatho around St Anthony Headland to the west, or to Carne and Pendower beaches in the opposite direction. Watch the sea for cetaceans and basking sharks.

There is a large car park close to Portscatho with an easy walk down to the beach giving great views. Dogs are allowed but no dog bins are provided.

Worth a visit the Three Feathers pub in Portscatho after a day on the beach.