Best Beaches in West Cornwall

Towering clifftops, smugglers’ coves, abandoned tin mines and long, sandy bays lapped by emerald-blue waters, the west coast of Cornwall remains one of the most impressive coastlines in the British Isles. From the sparkling rocky coves of the Penwith Heritage Coast to the sseascapes of the Kerrier Peninsula, Toad Hall Cottages’ impressive collection of holiday homes places the natural wonders of West Cornwall at your doorstep.

Here’s a roundup of the best beaches to visit in West Cornwall.

Porthkidney

Set on the mouth of the River Hayle, at low tide the mile long sands of Porthkidney appear boundless. Stretching as far as the golden dunes of Carbis Bay, this stunning beach provides the scenery for the St Ives Bay Railway Line, offering passengers their first view of the Atlantic. Dogs are welcome on the beach all-year-round, but swimmers should be warned about the bay’s unpredictable currents and tides.

 

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Porthmeor

Sheltered by tufted headlands, Porthmeor is a popular surf spot, particularly during the winter months when the swells are most abundant. Overlooked by the Tate St Ives, the beach is recognised for its five-star water quality, receiving the much-coveted Blue Flag award. It’s easy to see why Porthmeor is considered one of West Cornwall’s most popular beaches.

Pedn Vounder

The white sands and gin clear waters of Pedn Vounder (pronounced by locals as “Pednee”) beach are a sight to behold on a sunny day from the clifftops. Flanked by the rugged perches of Treryn Dinas, at high tide this oyster-shaped bay becomes a tranquil lagoon, making it a big hit with wild swimmers. Fans of the BBC costume drama, Poldark, will recognise the beach as Nampara Cove, setting for some of the drama’s most memorable scenes. At low water, you can round the headland and visit the neighbouring sands of Porthcurno. Newcomers to the cove should be aware that this dreamy spot is known to be an unofficial naturist beach, so don’t be alarmed if you see beachgoers relaxing in their birthday suits.

Porthchapel Beach

Found along a winding cliff path that transcends a scenic wooded valley, Porthchapel Beach is worth the hard yards and rocky climb. As is so typical of beaches along this stretch of the Penwith Heritage Coast, it’s encapsulated by stocky, granite headland softened by gleaming bays and soft sands. Porthchapel lies three miles shy of Lands’ End, sheltered by Gwennap Head and buffeting by the swells of the Celtic Sea. Nature enthusiasts often report sightings of seals bobbing off-shore, chasing flashes of mackerel through the reefs and skerries.

Penberth Cove

Another filming location for the hugely popular Poldark, Penberth Cove is steeped in maritime history and still retains a small fleet of fishing boats. This timeless setting presents a quintessential Cornish scene, lobster pots stacked outside cobbled fisherman’s cottages, old dories hauled up along the historic slipway and mewing gulls in the skies above. The ebbing tide reveals a pebbly beach popular with swimmers and snorkellers who can enjoy the calmer waters of the cove.

 

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Perranuthnoe

The golden sands of Perranuthnoe lie on the eastern cusp of Mount’s Bay, not far from the historic seafaring town of Penzance. The outbound tide leaves behind a generous sandy stretch flanked by rocky bars, great for beach games, rock pooling, and galloping dogs (dog restrictions are in place 1st July to 31st August). You’ll find a trio of cafés and a friendly local pub in the village which overlooks the beach. Perranuthnoe also has a devoted following of local surfers who cherish the beach’s “off radar” status. It’s also a great resting post for ramblers exploring the South West Coast Path who can spot the bay’s familiar red clay cliffs as they round Cudden Point.

 

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Nanjizal

When the sun shines, this secret cove wouldn’t look out of place on a tropical island – some calling it the “Cornish Seychelles”. Nanjizal Beach’s most distinctive feature is the narrow arch or chasm that has been forged by the sea over the centuries. Known as the Zawn Pyg or Zawn Peggy (the Song of the Sea), the arch is accessible during low tide. During winter, the sun conjures a remarkable sunset beyond its turquoise tidal pool, overlooked by the Higher Bosistow cliffs. Nanjizal offers a quiet spot for coastal walkers to stop for a swim or spot seals swimming off Zawn Reeth (Red Cave). Doctor Who aficionados will recognise the beach from a 1966 episode titled “The Smugglers”, when the TARDIS arrives on the coast of 17th-century Cornwall, a hotbed of pirates and smugglers.

 

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Porthcurno

Arguably the Cornish west coast’s worst kept secret, the dreamy shores of Porthcurno regularly appear on the front of travel guides, such is its allure. The sands here sparkle due to the region’s unique geology, millions of years in the making and responsible for the strikingly turquoise waters. Guarded by the granite cliffs above, these lofty contours are home to Logan Rock (the rocking stone), one of the coast’s most famous landmarks. They also cradle the Minack Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre perched on the clifftops. Kids love to play beach games and build dams along the stream that often pools into a mini lagoon, which is ideal for paddling. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months and the Porthcurno Beach Café is open for treats and light bites.

Porthgwarra

The small coastal village of Porthgwarra lies near the glistening sands of Porthcurno. The village overlooks a tiny cove and old slipway, a legacy of the parish’s once-vibrant fishing heritage. This is one of the West Cornwall coast’s lesser-known coves, loved by coastal ramblers and plucky sea swimmers. Among its many caves, fissures and crevices are said to be roosted by bats, which provide a magical sight at dusk.

The cove is riddled with smugglers’ tales, so it should come as no surprise that it too was chosen as a location for the BBC Poldark drama, a scene made famous when Ross Poldark is spied upon (skinny-dipping) from the cliffs by a curious Demelza.

The slipway berths the village’s only remaining fishing boat, bird watchers regularly go twitching along the headland, and the bay’s cream tea hut offers some welcome hospitality for walkers.

Gwenver

The views from Gwenver Beach are nothing short of spectacular, sweeping along the Penwith Heritage Coast from Sennen Cove all the way to the meeting of the seas at Cape Cornwall. Named after Lady Gwynevere, wife of King Arthur, this secluded stretch spans a quarter of a mile, and due to its remote location, doesn’t attract the crowds. Gwenver also conjures some spectacular waves, some say the best peaks in the region, and thus attracts a loyal following of local surfers. On a clear day, the Isles of Scilly can be spotted on the horizon. Lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer and swimmers should be aware of the tricky, steep shelf that sits below the high tide. Your reward for a hearty 10-minute walk down steep cliff steps is one of the most spellbinding bays in West Cornwall and a front row seat for a dazzling sunset.

Rinsey Cove

The secret shores of Porthcew, also known as Rinsey Cove, lies tucked below the rocky cliffs of Rinsey Head. It can be found along the stretch of the South West Coast Path that links the harbour town of Porthleven to the crags of Prussia Cove. At low tide the cove encompasses a sandy beach which adds to its rugged charm, and on a clear day, from the headland above, views sweep as far as Land’s End to The Lizard. Wild swimmers love the remoteness of this lesser-known beach, but are also wary of the bay’s trickier currents and powerful swells. Set in the tussocks above the cove are the remnants of the Wheal Prosper tin mine, its chimney stack clearly visible from the beach, an iconic landmark and bearing for walkers.

 

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Praa Sands

Another of the west coast’s surf spots , Praa Sands is known for big waves, particularly when the northeast wind meets with the southwest swells. Both the beach and water can get rather crowded during the summer months, hence the need for seasonal lifeguard cover. Sheltered by Cudden Point and Rinsey Head, Praa is one of several sparkling coves to line this sweep of the peninsula and has the bonus of a beach shop and surf shack right on the shoreside. Families flock to these sugar-soft sands, ideal for beach games. There is some debate on the pronunciation of name, locals divided between “pray” and “prah”, but all are agreed that these shores help showcase one of the region’s most celebrated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Piskies Cove

For every sparkling bay along the west coast, there’s a secret cove waiting to be discovered. Far from the crowds, these hidden inlets and smugglers’ coves add so much to the character of Cornwall. One such haunt is Piskies Cove, hidden in the rocks below the Prussia Cove headland and well off the beaten track. Low tide reveals a shingle corridor and emerald-green water, a lovely setting for a paddle or swim. The surrounding caves evoke the bay’s smuggling past, with the tales of John Carter, the “King of Prussia” and leader of one of Cornwall’s most notorious smuggling gangs, synonymous with the Kerrier Coast. Most people discover the cove whilst exploring the South West Coast Path, but you can park at Bessy’s Cove which is a 15-minute walk away. Dogs are allowed all year round, but be wary of the steep path down to the shore.

 

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Bessy’s Cove

Another of west Cornwall’s lesser-known shores, Bessy’s Cove is a small, white sandy beach tucked between the skerries, popular with snorkellers keen to explore the coast’s abundant marine life. It has all the hallmarks of a smugglers’ cove and was no doubt one of infamous Carter Gang’s many illicit haunts. It’s neighbour to Piskies Cove and is a beautiful, quiet spot that’s most frequent visitor is the turquoise tide.

 

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Treen Cove

Found only along coastal paths, at low tide Treen Cove reveals its small beach, lapped by sheltered waters. During the Victorian era, Gurnard’s Head was a popular outpost for day trippers, but these days you’ll be lucky to bump into the odd handful of coastal ramblers. In bygone times you’d have seen pilchard fishermen landing their hauls here. Not far from the beach is the village of Zennor, famous for its legends of mermaids, and on a clear moonlit night, it’s said you can hear a mermaid’s melody resonating from the outcrops.

 

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Marazion

Se to the backdrop of Mount’s Bay’s magnificent azure waters, the sandy shores of Marazion stretch as far as the eye can see – a boundless expanse where families can relax, play, and explore. Water sports enthusiasts also flock to the bay, sailors, kite surfers, windsurfers and jet skiers are frequent visitors to the waters, and for those of you keen to have a go, there’s equipment for hire. Capturing the seascape is the iconic tidal island known as St Michael’s Mount, a medieval citadel linked to the mainland by a giant granite causeway exposed at low tide. Overlooked by the coastal town of Marazion, budding naturalists will enjoy exploring the rockpools around Chapel Rock at the end of the causeway, and also around Marazion Harbour.

Loe Pool

The Loe Pool is the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, believed to have once been the mouth of an estuary and a historic cargo port for the town of Helston. A naturally formed sand bar separates the lake from the shoreline, ever changing with the storms and tides. Records suggest it was fully formed by the turn of the 13th century when Helston was finally cut off from the sea. What’s been left is a stunning lagoon and a haven to wildlife, so much so it’s been named as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). To add to its mystique, the pool is believed to be the lake where Sir Bedivere cast King Arthur’s sword to the place of its origin, as King Arthur lay mortally wounded from battle, the sword received by the Lady of the Lake.

 

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Porthleven

The harbour town of Porthleven can claim one of the longest beaches on the west coast, a three-mile stretch of sand and shingle spanning east from the harbour. The seas along this stretch have gained notoriety for shipwrecks, a theatre for some of the coast’s most ferocious swells. For that reason, swimming isn’t recommended, however, the beach is a wonderful setting for a coastal stroll to the Loe Bar and back. Porthleven is regarded as one of the region’s best surfing spots but prior knowledge of the local reefs is a must for those new to the scene, hence the beach attracts seasoned wave-riders only.

 

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Ready for a beach break? Explore the coves, crystal clear wates and soft sandy shores when you book a stay in one of our West Cornwall holiday cottages.