Great Beaches
If you are looking for arguably some of the best beaches in the world, yes even right up there with Australia, well Cornwall has them in abundance to suit everyone’s needs! Whether for romance, seclusion, surfing & sport, families or just the awe of the most spectacular beauty, sunsets and seascapes, Cornwall has it all! (www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk )
Even on our doorstep in St.Ives, we are surrounded by several superb beaches, many having the coveted “blue flag status” award. The sands are golden, the sea is crystal and the beaches are safe and are all very close to each other for easy access with the majority being served by excellent restaurants & facilities. Looking for that perfect seaside holiday?…. it all starts here!!
Porthmeor, Porthminster & Porthgwidden Beaches (St.Ives)
Surrounding St.Ives, looking out to the Atlantic, these beaches are stunning. Each has beautiful golden sands with breathtaking views out to sea. Porthmeor is fab for surfing & people watching, Porthgwidden is a little hidden gem sandwiched between the two, very sheltered and ideal for families with young children while Porthminster, once a Victorian hotspot, probably has the finest sand for miles around! All beaches have excellent restaurants/cafes, literally on the beach!
Carbis Bay Beach
Absolutely fabulous ‘blue flag’ beach nestled below the beautiful Carbis Bay. Great for families and generally less crowded than the beaches in St.Ives. Superb facilities right on the beach: ’The Beach Club Restaurant’ sell THE best coffee in Carbis Bay along with fabulous homemade Pizzas, they are a must! The shop also sells beach balls/spades along with ice cream and other beach goodies! The Carbis Bay hotel www.carbisbayhotel.co.uk sits in a magnificent position above the beach is fantastic for a post beach drink either alfresco or in their lovely conservatory overlooking the azure waters of the Atlantic or be wined & dined in the excellent hotel restaurant where we highly recommend the set menu serving the freshest local produce and great seafood.
Plenty of parking & toilet facilities , you can even catch the train into St.Ives or walk along the coast path into town, a great day out for all!
Gwithian & Godrevy Beach (Hayle area)
One of our favourite all year round beach areas to visit for the more adventurous! A 20 minute drive from St.Ives you have a 3 mile expanse of beach which overlooks the Atlantic across to St.ives, and looks out to Godrevy Light house. Beautiful sand dunes run the entire length of the beaches (fantastic for the kids to play) .Superb surfing spot or just for a lovely walk, you will not be disappointed. Really good parking facilities and Godrevy cafe & Sunset cafe close by. Less crowded than the beaches in St.Ives, its well worth the drive!
Kynance Cove
A little further afield by car situated on the spectacular Lizard Peninsula, Kynance cove could be an advert for the Mediterranean itself; Close to Lizard village and part of the National Trust, dramatic cliffs surround one of Cornwall’s most beautiful coves encircled by turquoise waters! Park at the National Trust car park, walk along the coast path down to the beach and take a picnic and your beach towels!
Carry on the path into Lizard itself for a pasty & a pint to round off a great day
Porthcurno
Porthcurno, located in the far west of Cornwall is a multi award winning beach within a sheltered Cove. With gorgeous fine soft white sand and high cliffs on both sides providing shelter, it’s an oasis of stunning natural beauty.
The large beach, popular with families, has a stream that flows down one side which is great for kids to paddle in and up on the cliffs is the internationally renowned Minack Theatre, built in the 1920s by theatrical visionary Rowena Wade and her faithful gardener, which you can visit all year round.
