How to Find the Best Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall provides visitors with some of the best beaches for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers in the UK. Larger Cornish beaches such as Fistral and Polzeath can be busy in high season, but consequently offer a wide array of attractions such as golf courses, restaurants, hotels, bars and cafes. Smaller beaches such as Porthcurno are harder to find, but offer more secluded days out with more space to enjoy time to yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Holidaying in Cornwall can be a fantastic experience. There are so many fabulous beaches with great views, great surf and ample sandy space it’s always a shame when tourists just visit well known strips such as Fistral and Polzeath. Make sure you do your research to find the very best beaches!
2. Before travelling to Cornwall research the local area by looking at maps, reading guidebooks and visiting your local library for further information on Cornwall.
3. Searching website message boards for tips from tourists, travellers and locals on where to go for the best surfing, sunbathing or nightlife.
4. Consider touring along the coast rather than staying in one location for your holiday. This way, if you find a nice sandy cove on your journey, you’ll be able to stop off and have a dip.
5. Once you have arrived at your destination make sure you ask accommodation staff, locals and other travellers which beaches they recommend. Bear in mind that some locals may not be keen to divulge information on their favourite beaches to tourists; the very best beaches can sometimes be a closely guarded secret.

Tips & Warnings

• Everyone visiting Cornwall this season will almost certainly spend some (if not all) time at tourist hotspot Fistral beach. In summer the sand is covered with sweaty bodies and often strewn with rubbish. Lesser known beaches offer more relaxing and more interesting days out. Make sure you find out about them.
• Always make sure it is safe to swim on a beach you’ve never visited before with local lifeguards.