Beaches in Cornwall

Castle Beach is a small, south-facing beach sitting below Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall. Low tide exposes rock pools to explore. High tide reclaims most of the beach. Sandier areas of beach are accessible nearer neighbouring beach Gyllyngvase.

Durgan is a small, picturesque village near the mouth of the Helford River in Cornwall boasting two south-east facing beaches. Both are shingle and pebble beaches, sitting at the foot of the subtropical Glendurgan Gardens, from where beautiful views of the Helford can be enjoyed.

Flushing faces the bustling harbour town of Falmouth, Cornwall. At low tide, small areas of beach are exposed, from where fine river views can be enjoyed. A small ferry provides access to Falmouth town.

The largest beach in Falmouth, Gyllyngvase is beach popular with holiday-makers and local residents alike. A sandy, crescent-shaped beach, at low tide shallow rock pools can be explored. Gyllyngvase is a 2011 Blue Flag beach.

Helford Passage Beach is a south-facing, sand and shingle beach near the mouth of the Helford River. The small, narrow beach is accessible at low tides only and sits below the Ferry Boat Inn. The area is a popular destination for families and boating enthusiasts and enjoys picturesque views of the Helford River.

Hemmick Beach is a sandy, south west-facing beach near Mevagissey, on the south Cornwall coast. Due to its relatively inconvenient location it is generally a pleasantly uncrowded beach, which sits in the shadow of Dodman Point.

Photo: Chycor

Maenporth is a sandy, east-facing beach near Falmouth. A popular family beach, the shallow waters are suitable for bathing and the low cliffs either side of the beach provide shelter.

Nansidwell is a small, east-facing sand, shingle and rock beach near Falmouth, Cornwall. It is situated between Maenporth and Mawnan Smith, just north of Rosemullion Head. Access to the beach is via a footpath through the attractive woodland that gives the beach its alternate title, Woodlands.

Pendower Beach is a popular family beach on the Roseland Peninsula on the south Cornwall coast. At low tide, Pendower and Carne beaches unite to form a 1½ mile long stretch of crescent-shaped beach. The beach boasts fine coastal views of Gerrans Bay.

Pentewan Beach is a south east-facing, sandy beach near Mevagissey, Cornwall. A disused quay stands at the north end of the beach, which at low tide stretches to around a half a mile. The relatively safe waters provide good conditions for swimming and watersports.

Porthbeor Beach nestles in a quiet, secluded spot on Cornwall's Roseland Peninsula, near the hamlet of Bohortha. It is a south east-facing sand and shingle beach, which at low tide reveals rock pools.

Porthcurnick Beach is a sandy, south-facing beach nestling in a small cove near Portscatho, on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall. At low tide, when rock pools are revealed, the neighbouring beach of Portscatho can be reached.

Porthluney Cove Beach, which sits in the shadow of Caerhays Castle, is also known as Caerhays Beach. It is a south-facing, sandy beach which sits in a sheltered cove near Dodman Point in south east Cornwall. The beach is part of the Caerhays estate.

The villages of East and West Portholland have two small pebbly beaches in two coves. The beaches are accessible only at low tide, when the coves present the appearance of one large cove and one large beach. Portholland lies on the mid-south Cornwall coast, around 5 miles from Mevagissey, 8 miles from St Austell and 9 miles from Truro.

Portscatho Beach is an east-facing beach on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall. It is a predominantly rocky beach with sandy areas. At low tide the neighbouring beach of Porthcurnick can be reached.

Prisk Cove beach lies to the south of the picturesque headland of Rosemullion Head, around 5 miles from Falmouth, Cornwall. It is a largely shingle, south-east facing beach with numerous rock pools.

St Anthony Head, on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, boasts two small beaches - Great Molunan and Little Molunan. They sit in a commanding location, to the north of St Anthony Head, with fine sea views over the Fal Estuary and Carrick Roads.

The largest beach in St Mawes, Summers beach is a south-west-facing, largely pebbled beach, with rock pools to explore at low tide. Like neighbouring Tavern Beach, on the other side of the harbour wall, it boasts wonderful views of St Mawes bay.

Swanpool beach lies less than half a mile to the south west of the larger Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth, Cornwall. Swanpool is a pleasant, east-facing, sheltered beach with excellent facilities. It is a predominantly sandy beach, with some rocks.

Tavern beach is a small, south-facing beach situated below the Tresanton Hotel in St Mawes. It is a popular family beach with wonderful views of St Mawes bay. A good swimming beach with clear waters, windsurfing is also possible given the right conditions.

Towan Beach is a quiet, south east facing beach near St Mawes on the Roseland Peninsula, Cornwall. Towan is a sand and shingle beach, with rock pools revealed at low tide. This beach should not be confused with Towan Beach, Newquay.