Cornwall Beach Guide
The most westerly point on mainland England is Land’s End in Cornwall – on a clear day you can look out over the Atlantic Ocean and see the Scilly Isles, 28 miles away! Cornwall is also home to the most southerly point – Lizard Point. This peninsula overlooks the English Channel and in warmer weather you might be lucky to spot some dolphins swimming off shore.
Wherever you are in Cornwall, you are never less than 20 miles from the sea. With over 400 miles of coastline and over 300 beaches, this county has a varied coastal landscape that includes granite cliffs, little rocky coves, sandy beaches, pebbled shores, dunes and mudflats. There are twelve designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and miles of Heritage Coast.
Cornwall’s history is rich in the stuff of myth and legend. You can visit Merlin’s Cave and the ruins of Tintagel Castle - said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. If giants are more your thing, then cross the causeway to the castle on St Michael’s Mount - Cornish folklore tells tales of Cormoran the giant who once lived there!
The north coast of Cornwall meets the Atlantic and is beautifully wild and rugged with towering cliffs. There are surf schools aplenty with some top spots, like Bude and Newquay, for those who like to brave the waves. Hayle is popular with our hutters - it overlooks beautiful St Ives Bay where there are a number of beaches all with expanses of golden sand.
The south coast, known as the Cornish Riviera, is more sheltered and home to pretty harbour villages like Falmouth.
Cornwall beach huts are a bit more exclusive, as there aren’t so many compared to other areas along the south coast - so book early!
PROS
- Cornish ice-cream!
- Great for surfing
- Big sandy beaches
- Beautiful clear sparkling water
CONS
- The little windy roads, can be busy at peak times
- Not as many beach huts as other counties