Cornwall's north coast faces straight into the Atlantic, and that gives its beaches their character: wide sands, big skies, rolling surf and dramatic cliffs. From Bude down to St Ives there are dozens to choose from. This guide picks out some of the best, with a note on what each one is good for, so you can match the beach to the day.
Before you go: tides, flags and parking
The north coast has a large tidal range, so a beach can look completely different at high and low water. Check a tide table before you set off, especially for coves that shrink to almost nothing at high tide. On lifeguarded beaches, swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags and surf between the black and white ones. Lifeguard cover is seasonal, so check the RNLI website for which beaches are patrolled when you visit.
Most popular beaches have pay-and-display car parks, usually run by the council or the National Trust. In summer they fill early, so arrive before mid-morning or late in the afternoon.
Bedruthan Steps (Carnewas)
Bedruthan is one of the most photographed stretches of the Cornish coast: a long beach scattered with huge rock stacks, seen from the cliff top near the National Trust car park at Carnewas. The views alone are worth the stop. Access down to the sand has been closed in recent years because of cliff falls, so treat it as a viewpoint and a cliff walk rather than a beach day, and check the National Trust's latest advice before you go.
Watergate Bay
Just north of Newquay, Watergate Bay is two miles of flat sand at low tide, backed by tall cliffs. It is a favourite for surfing, kitesurfing and long beach walks, and the space means it rarely feels crowded once the tide is out. There is parking at the top of the beach and places to eat nearby.
Holywell Bay
South of Newquay, Holywell Bay is a sandy beach backed by dunes, with two rocky islets offshore known as Gull Rocks. The walk from the car park through the dunes is part of the fun. It is a good family beach in calm weather, but the currents can be strong, so stick to the flagged areas when lifeguards are on duty.
Perranporth
Perranporth has one of the longest beaches in Cornwall, stretching about three miles at low tide towards Penhale. There is room for surfers, walkers, dog owners and families all at once, and the village is right behind the beach, so cafés, toilets and shops are close by. Look for the natural rock arch and the tidal pools at the southern end.
Treyarnon and Constantine Bay
West of Padstow, these two neighbouring beaches are quieter than the big Newquay names. Treyarnon has a natural tidal pool in the rocks, popular for a swim at low tide, while Constantine Bay is a wide arc of golden sand backed by dunes. Constantine can have strong rips, so check conditions and swim only where it is supervised.
Polzeath
On the eastern side of the Camel Estuary, Polzeath is a gently shelving beach with consistent small waves, which makes it one of the best spots in Cornwall to learn to surf. Board hire and surf schools are close to the sand. The coast path north takes you to Pentire Point and the Rumps, with sweeping views back along the coast.
Bude's beaches
At the top of the county, Bude has several beaches within walking distance of the town, including Summerleaze and Crooklets. A highlight is the Bude Sea Pool, a partly natural tidal pool at Summerleaze that is refilled by the sea at each high tide. It is a safer place for a dip when the surf is big, but check the tide times and whether it is supervised before you swim.
Good to know
- Rip currents are the main hazard on north coast beaches. If you are caught in one, don't swim against it: float, raise a hand and shout for help.
- Many beaches have seasonal dog restrictions between spring and autumn. Check the signs at the beach entrance.
- Bring layers. Even in summer, the wind off the Atlantic can be cool.
- Take your litter home and keep to paths on the dunes, which are fragile and easily damaged.
Photos: Bedruthan Steps by CharmaineZoe's Marvelous Melange, CC BY 2.0; Watergate Bay by Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0; via Wikimedia Commons.
