Best beaches in Cornwall
More people are flocking to Cornwall for their summer holidays than ever before, and with so much to do and see it’s easy to see why. The stunning South West getaway has loads on offer, from the Eden Project, Kynance Cove to the tastiest Cornish pasties possible to find. Not to mention, Cornwall has over 400 beautiful beaches and Watergate Bay where you can catch a few waves, explore the rock pools or take a stroll down miles of golden sand. Here at Snaptrip we’ve taken the test and named our top five best beaches in Cornwall.
Crantock Beach
Located near Newquay, this small sandy beach is set between the east and west Pentire headlands. Despite being voted one of the country’s best beaches in 2013, Crantock Beach is still a bit of a hidden gem. Even in high season, you’re likely to have the beautiful South West coast to yourself.
Great for sandcastles and surfing, it’s a favourite for families and surfers alike. Best of all, it’s looked after by the National Trust, meaning you can expect the best golden soft sands. When you’re done exploring the coast, you can walk up to the Bowgie Inn, a pub that serves local Rattler cider along with the best view of Crantock beach.
Fistral Beach
If you love surfing, this is the best beach to visit. Having hosted most of the UK’s surfing competitions (including the ever-popular Boardmasters) Fistral Beach is an iconic Cornish beach for surfers to catch a wave. Most people who travel to Cornwall will have heard of this beautiful beach. Located in the centre of Newquay town, on good days, waves here can reach more than eight feet high. As well as surfing, it’s great to walk along and watch the world go by. With plenty of restaurants onsite you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Porthminster Beach
Portminster Beach offers a stunning turquoise sea and golden white sand. The best beach for tropical vibes, it’s easy to think you’ve left Cornwall and gone to the Caribbean. Even at high tide, there is plenty of golden coast to explore. A firm family favourite, the sparkling sand is cleaned and raked daily. At half a mile long, it’s easy to find a space to sit and relax.
Nearby beach shops offer everything you need for a day on the sand, including loungers, windbreakers, buckets and spades. Then, once you’ve finished relaxing on the beach, you’re just minutes from the centre of St Ives and all its pretty cafes. It’s hard to argue with this being one of the best beaches in Cornwall.
Perranporth Beach
With three miles of golden sand, Perranporth Beach is one of Cornwall’s own favourite beaches, offering something for everyone. It’s a beach for the family, the dog and the surfer inside you. For explorers, there’s plenty of fascinating rock pools. For those looking for some fresh air, there are wonderful walks in all directions. Because the beach is so big, it’s easy to feel like you have the place to yourself. Best of all, there’s a pub located right on the beach. What more could you ask for? If you’re visiting at the end of June you won’t want to miss the beach festival, Tunes in the Dunes.
Lusty Glaze Beach
Another award-winning beach on the list is Lusty Glaze, one of the five main beaches that make up the coast of Newquay. Winning ‘Beach of the Year 2017’ by The Times and the Sunday Times, we can certainly see what the fuss is about. This sandy beach is more secluded than the rest because of its horseshoe-shaped cove and high cliffs.
It’s easily accessible with a car park located nearby. It has its own restaurant, accommodation and an action-packed adventure centre, including abseiling and a long zip-wire. The beach also hosts lots of live music events throughout the summer months so there’s much for you to lust over!
