BEST of CORNWALL 2020 Cornwall’S Beaches
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Cornwall’s beaches 16 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Cornwall’s beaches By Anna Ridley Cornwall is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes and with over 400 miles of rugged coastline, you are only ever 16 miles away from one of the region’s 300 stunning beaches. The north coast boasts golden sandy beaches and crashing waves that offer perfect conditions for surfing and bodyboarding, while the south coast is dotted with secluded coves and bays fringed with calmer azure waters. Cornwall plays a vital role in the maritime history of the UK with fishing and smuggling activities dating back as early as the 12th century and D-day embarkations on the shingly beaches of the Fal and Helford rivers and the Roseland Peninsula. Powder soft sandy beaches stretch along the north coast from Bude down to Land’s End, and granite cliffs tower over pebbly shores extending along the south coast of Cornwall. 17 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Duckpool Summerleaze Bude Crooklets Widemouth Bay There is a beach to suit everyone in Cornwall, Boscastle Bossiney Haven Café whether you are looking to stroll along the shores Tintagel Trebarwith Strand at sunset, sunbathe in rolling sand dunes, breathe Port Isaac Polzeath in the fresh sea air while walking the dog, build sand Trevone Bay Harlyn Bay Rock Constantine Bay Padstow Toilets castles with the kids, or scuba dive beneath the Bedruthan Steps Wadebridge surface of the Atlantic Ocean to explore the marine Bodmin ecosystem and sunken shipwrecks. Watergate Bay Lusty Glaze Fistral Lostwithiel Parking Discover the beauty of Cornwall’s coastline Crantock Newquay Looe Saltash Perranporth St Austell Fowey with our extensive guide to a selection of Polruan St Agnes Charlestown Carlyon Bay Whitsand Bay Polperro Porthpean Cornwall’s finest beaches. Porthtowan Mevagissey Dogs not Portreath St Ives allowed Godrevy Truro Starting at Bude in the north Porthmeor Gorran Haven July & Porthminster Zennor Hayle Towans Carne August east, the list of beaches Carbis Bay 10am to Hayle Porthcurnick Penzance 6pm runs in a southerly Falmouth Marazion St Mawes Sennen Cove Swanpool Gyllingvase direction down the north Praa Sands Maenporth Mousehole coast, around Land’s Lands End Porthleven Porthcurno St Keverne End and then along the Mullion Surfing Coverack south coast to Whitsand Bay. Kennack Sands Kynance Cove Pentreath The Lizard Lifeguard BUDE Summerleaze is within walking distance of Bude town Situated 3 miles south of Bude, this long open bay is a North Cornwall’s beaches boast miles of centre and is great for families with its expansive soft fantastic spot for families. The beach has an array of rock unbroken stretches of golden sand, hidden sands. The beach is sheltered by the breakwater and is pools, small waves that are perfect for learning to surf, and coves and rugged tall cliffs. The ocean’s perfect for paddling, building sand castles and relaxing in it is patrolled by RNLI lifeguard during summer months. Blue Beach crashing waves offer plenty of swell for surfing, the rolling sand dunes. Lifeguards operate on the beach Dogs are allowed on the South Beach all year round and Dogs not kite boarding and bodyboarding activities, during summer months and visitors can bathe safely under facilities include cafes, toilets, shops and surf schools. allowed while calmer waters enable swimmers to take their watch in the Sea Pool. There is disabled access from mid May to end a refreshing dip in the gentle bobbing sea all the car park with beach chairs available in the summer and TINTAGEL AND PORT ISAAC of Sept year round. nearby facilities include shops, beach hut hire, toilets and Tintagel is famous for its historic legends a café. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round but surrounding King Arthur and the Knights of the DUCKPOOL must be kept on leads between 10am and 6pm from May Round Table at Tintagel Castle. The coastline to September. boasts dramatic cliffs, turquoise green ocean CROOKLETS waters, fantastic surf conditions and golden sandy beaches. BOSSINEY HAVEN This large sandy beach is a hidden gem and most people miss it while travelling straight from Tintagel to Boscastle. Surrounded by high cliffs that are teeming with flora and fauna, the beach is only accessible by a footpath over This beautiful secluded cove offers breathtaking views of farm land and steep steps down the cliffs. Once on the the northern coast of Cornwall and is the perfect place to sandy shores, visitors can absorb the stunning scenery and escape the crowds during busy summer months. The peak This beach is a favourite for surfers of all levels with larger tranquil surroundings comprising golden soft sand, azure of Steeple Point Cliff towers over the small pebbly beach swells than its neighbouring beach, Summerleaze. Home to ocean waters and a waterfall cascading down the side of a and visitors can access Duckpool via the wooded Coombe the Bude Life Saving Club, Crooklets has lifeguards during cliff. There are no facilities and toilets are a ten-minute walk Valley or from the National Trust car park. The tides make summer months and when the tide is out there are plenty away. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. it dangerous for swimming and lifeguards do not operate at of rock pools to explore. Facilities include cafes, toilets, and TREBARWITH STRAND this beach at all. Dogs are welcome all year round. a large car park. Dogs are banned from the beach between Easter and the beginning of October. SUMMERLEAZE WIDEMOUTH BAY ©Peter 18 BEST OF CORNWALL 2020 Trebarwith Strand beach is located at the bottom of a deep ROCK CONSTANTINE BAY valley two miles from Tintagel. Access is via foot along the coast path by St Materiana’s Church at Tintagel or from Café Treknow and when the tide is out visitors can enjoy nearly a mile long stretch of unbroken golden sand, vast cliffs, caves and views of Gull Rock. At high tide the beach is submerged. Surfers can enjoy great conditions and facilities include a Toilets café and toilets. Lifeguards patrol the beach during summer months and dogs are allowed all year round. PORT ISAAC Parking The flat and wide beach features plenty of soft sand, rock pools and a mass of low sand dunes, making it an ideal spot Rock beach, also known as Porthilly Cove, is a long and for families and nature lovers. Constantine Bay is a well Dogs not sandy beach on the east side of the Camel Estuary facing allowed known haunt for surfers but there are strong rip currents Padstow and has sheltered calm and clear waters that make July & so the waters are best left to the experienced surfing August it a nice tranquil spot for walking, fishing and boat trips. The enthusiasts. There is a small car park with toilets and 10am to beach stretches for a mile round to Daymer Bay which can 6pm lifeguards are present in the summer. Dogs are welcome be reached at low tide. Daymer Bay has facilities including all year round. a car park, cafe, beach shop, and waters sports. Dogs are allowed all year round on both beaches. PORTHCOTHAN TREVONE BAY Surfing Port Isaac is famously known as the fictional setting for the ITV series Doc Martin and the home of the singing group, the Fishermen Friends. The beach is small and shingly Lifeguard and nestled in the historic harbour. Fishing trips can be taken from the harbour and there are toilets, cafes and restaurants. There are no lifeguards and dogs are allowed all year round. Blue Beach Dogs not allowed PADSTOW & WADEBRIDGE The headland and cliffs that lie to the north of Porthcothan mid May to end are protected by the National Trust and are thriving with Padstow is a traditional fishing port that has of Sept been put on the culinary map thanks to Rick colourful flora. The golden sandy beach is sheltered by Stein’s Seafood Restaurant. Wadebridge is grassy sand dunes and rocky headlands and its calmer ocean waters are great for swimmers and little paddlers. located eight miles inland from Padstow and One of the famed 7 Bays of North Cornwall it is found to the There are plenty of rock pools to discover at low tide and the town sits on the banks of the Camel River. north of Harlyn Bay. Trevone Bay was awarded the coveted life guards are present in the summer. Dogs are welcome The area boasts sandy beaches on the camel Blue Flag Award in 2017 and is in an area of great geological all year round and facilities include a car park, toilets and estuary as well as north-facing shores fringed interest. The beach is popular with surfers and it has golden a nearby shop. by the Atlantic Ocean. sands and a shallow lagoon at low tide that is ideal for small POLZEATH children to play in. However please be aware that there is a powerful rip tide to the right of the beach. NEWQUAY HARLYN BAY Newquay offers some of the UK’s most popular surfing beaches. But it’s not all about catching the waves; the area also boasts beautiful powder soft sandy beaches and spectacular rugged cliffs and headlands. BEDRUTHAN STEPS Polzeath is one of Cornwall’s most popular beaches for both surfers of all levels and families and is located six miles from Wadebridge. The 2011 Blue Flag award-winning beach is situated at the mouth of the camel estuary and is large, flat and sandy. Visitors will have the chance to This crescent-shaped bay is located just over two miles Bedruthan Steps Beach is one of Cornwall’s most dramatic glimpse sightings of dolphins and seals playing in the surf from Padstow and is a favourite for families and surfers.