9 Of The Best Beaches In Cornwall
There’s stiff competition when it comes to the best beaches in Cornwall – England’s most south-westerly county has more than 300 stretches of sand sprinkled across 250 miles of stunning coastline.
And while you won’t be able to take them all in on one holiday, that's all the more reason to begin planning your return trip.
From tucked-away coves to family-friendly favourites, here are 9 of Cornwall's best beaches to get you started.
Kynance Cove
Cliff-top walks and inspiration for Lord Tennyson
We've got a soft spot for Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula. And we’re not alone: in the summer months, the car park at one of Cornwall's prettiest places fills up fast early in the day.
Visit outside of peak times to swerve the crowds and avoid high tide when the caves – with Victorian names like ‘Ladies Bathing Pool’ – are inaccessible.
The 45-minute route from Kynance Cove to Lizard Point, the most southerly section of Britain's mainland, is one of the most popular cliff-top walks in Cornwall.
Find campsites near Kynance Cove.
Perranporth
The best beach in Cornwall for live music
As the UK’s only beach with an events venue on the sand, Perranporth is a pilgrimage site of sorts for live music lovers.
When The Watering Hole isn’t hosting acts, the mile upon mile of blonde sand still makes the beach a sought-after choice for visitors ranging from swimmers and sailors to walkers and windsurfers.
Fancy a stroll? Head to Ligger Point, a couple of miles away from the village (at low tide) or chase butterflies in the sand dunes backing the beach.
Pitch up at Perranporth campsites.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Calm waters for paddleboarding and sailing
This beach near the student town of Falmouth often draws a younger crowd. But it’s also fantastic for families as it has lifeguard protection in summer and the Lizard Peninsula sits to the west, shielding it from strong wind and waves. With Pendennis Point and its castle in the distance, the views are easy on the eye too.
When you’re not paddleboarding, coasteering, snorkelling and kayaking – the local watersports schools have lessons and equipment – explore the lush green St Mary’s Gardens backing the beach.
Go camping in Gyllyngvase or Falmouth.
Sennen Cove
Cornwall’s clearest water and whitest sand
Having conducted a scientific experiment to assess this category (ahem, polling Pitchup's staff), we can comfortably claim that Sennen Cove has the sparkliest white sand and bluest water of any beach in Cornwall. Squint on a sunny day and you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in the Caribbean.
During high winds there’s shelter from the Pedn-men-du promontory, which is also a lookout spot. Sit here above this west coast beach and see if you can get a glimpse of basking sharks gliding through the turquoise waters below.
Search for Sennen campsites.
Penzance
The best bay in Cornwall for sea pool swims
Want to stick close to the coast but avoid the sand? Go on a jaunt to the Jubilee Pool – reopened in 2016 after a renovation – to swim in Art Deco splendour. This seawater lido harks back to 1935 and has a café overlooking Mounts Bay (perfect for a post-swim flat white).
If you're in north Cornwall rather than down south, the 90-metre tidal sea pool at Bude’s Summerleaze Beach is just the spot for practising your front crawl. There's also a rather lovely spot near here where you can go wild camping in Cornwall.
Peruse Penzance campsites.
Fistral Beach
The best surfing beach in Cornwall
Whether you want to ride the waves or experience Newquay’s vibrant aprés-surf scene, Fistral Beach is just the ticket. While powerful waves lure in expert riders, beginners flock here for the resort's reputation and gear-rental shops. This place, hemmed in by two promontories, is also a spectacular sight for sun-worshippers seeking the best sandy beach in Cornwall.
Less experienced surfer? You might prefer the long, slow and consistent breakers at Watergate Bay.
Check out our campsites near Newquay.
Porthcurno Beach
A wildlife-spotting hotspot overlooked by an iconic 1920s theatre
Porthcurno isn’t just known for being a pretty west Cornwall cove towered over by the open-air Minack Theatre; it’s also where beachcombers have sighted orcas swimming in the turquoise waters off the coast. Climb up to one of the two towering cliffs flanking the beach and keep your eyes on the sea in the hopes of seeing aquatic animals.
Porthcurno is also famed for being the setting of BBC drama Poldark’s Nampara Cove. Unfurl your beach towel for days sunbathing on the soft, pale yellow sand before taking a break from the sun to explore the defensive World War II tunnels at the nearby Telegraph Museum.
Search for campsites in Porthcurno.
Porthgwidden Beach (St Ives)
Lighthouse panoramas and a characterful seaside café
Rent one of the colourful beach huts at Porthgwidden for a classic British seaside experience at one of Cornwall's nicest beaches. You’ll have views over to Godrevy Island, topped by a handsome lighthouse, and the shimmering blues of St Ives Bay. Lounge in the white sand for hours with sustenance from the local coffee shop.
The phrase ‘spoilt for choice’ gets bandied about a lot, but it really is fitting when it comes to St Ives: the town has six beaches to choose from in a picture-perfect setting.
Find a campsite in St Ives.
Treyarnon Bay
The best family-friendly beach in Cornwall
This clean sandy beach on the north coast has rock pools aplenty for the kids to explore. And the dogs: canine pals are allowed all year round. In the summertime, the low water, lifeguards, easy-access slipway and relative shelter from Treyarnon Point and Trethias Island add to the family-friendly appeal. Kids can hunt for shrimp and crab in the beach's nooks and crannies or submerge themselves in the natural swimming hole.
Settle in at a Padstow campsite near Treyarnon.
Camping with kids? Now you’ve browsed the best bits of coast to bask on, narrow it down further by checking out the top family beaches in Cornwall. You might also like to take a look at the best campsites in Cornwall.