Best Beaches in North Cornwall | Cornwall Beach Guide

By Parkdean Resorts on 11/04/2024

From Land’s End, England’s most westerly point, to the Marsland Valley on its eastern border with neighbouring Devon, Cornwall’s northern coastline offers up an abundance of beaches of every shape and size. Today, we’re taking you on a road trip from end to end - sifting out the cream of the crop in our hand-picked selection of North Cornwall’s best beaches.

Families on the north end of Fistral Beach in Cornwall

What makes North Cornwall’s beaches so brilliant?

North Cornwall’s coastline faces both the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Celtic Sea to the north. Its exposed position has resulted in its rugged and dramatic profile, with jagged headlands punctuated by deep sandy coves. Throughout its shoreline, wherever there’s shelter from the force of the Atlantic, you’ll find a peppering of vibrant coastal towns and harbour villages.

You can’t cover North Cornwall’s beaches without mentioning surfing, perhaps what the coastline is most famous for, with surfers from all over the globe travelling to North Cornwall’s shores in search of the ultimate break. The region's distinctive deep and narrow bays are honed to channel and direct rolling waves up their gently sloping shores, and a number of Cornwall's west-facing bays are considered amongst the best beaches in Europe for surfing.

If Surf’s a laundry detergent in your household, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of room on Cornwall’s north coast for swimmers and beach bums too - and our list has got you covered. Many of the region’s beaches are sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds and offer beautifully calm waters, ideal for snorkelling, sunbathing and all things civilised.

Surfers lining up to catch the perfect wave on Fistral Beach in Newquay

Is North or South Cornwall better?

We often get asked whether North or South Cornwall is better; the honest answer is they’re both brilliant when it comes to beach holidays. And thanks to the county’s small size and great road network, you don’t have to choose between North and South Cornwall. You can see and experience it all, comfortably, within a week’s holiday with a little bit of planning and some keen driving. Check out our guide to Cornwall’s best places to stay to get planning your break.

You could argue that north Cornwall tends to be busier, with bigger lively tourist towns like Newquay and St Ives attracting the lion's share of visitors. However, there are no rules about having to stick to the beaten track, and you’ll find everything from busy family beaches to deserted hidden coves on both coasts if you look in the right places.

If you’re planning the full circuit, don’t forget to check out our guide to the top beaches in South Cornwall for the complete list of Cornwall’s best beaches.

Land’s End Peninsula

Officially designated Penwith (Cornwall’s most westward National Character Area), Land’s End Peninsula sits at the very tip of Cornwall, jutting out towards the Atlantic Ocean beyond. While Land’s End itself is a popular tourist hot spot, we’re on the hunt for beaches - and Cornwall’s northern coast delivers right out of the gate.

Dramatic rock formations off Land's End, the most western point of England's mainland

Sennen Cove Beach

Just a few minutes north of Land’s End and our beach tour begins. Sennen Cove Beach is a long sweeping bay of golden soft sand. Its north-western orientation makes it a popular spot for surfers, drawing in rolling waves from the Atlantic. However, the southern end of the beach enjoys shelter from the lifeboat station’s pier and a designated safe swimming area is marked by flags throughout the summer season. There are three car parks just off Cove Hill road, all just a short stroll from the beach, so park up wherever you can find a space.

Seasonal dog ban in force between May and September 10am-6pm

The village of Sennen Cove at the south-west end of Sennen Cove Beach

Portheras Cove Beach

Following the craggy coastline of the Penwith Peninsula around the tip and onto Cornwall’s true north coast, the first beach you’ll come to is Portheras Cove. As one of Cornwall’s most isolated beaches, it’s often missed by the tourist crowd and is a favourite amongst locals. While not recommended for swimming due to its strong currents and lack of lifeguards, it’s the perfect place to escape for a private paddle or picnic. Seals are often spotted at Portheras too, so you might have some company after all! We recommend parking up at Pendeen Lighthouse for spectacular headland views. Follow the path along to Boat Cove then switch to the South West Coastal Path which takes you around to Portheras.

Dog friendly year-round

The grassy path from Pendeen Lighthouse leading down to Portheras Cove

Between Portheras and St Ives, Cornwall’s coastline becomes increasingly rocky and inaccessible, however, there are some spectacular isolated and wild beaches waiting for those who seek them out. If you can make it to the likes of Veor Cove, it’s highly likely you’ll have the whole beach to yourself, even in the height of summer. They truly are hidden gems and usually only frequented by hikers along the South West Coastal Path, or the odd naturist!

St Ives Bay

Heading further west along the north shore, St Ives Bay is where North Cornwall really starts pulling out the big guns. St Ives is one of the UK’s most beloved holiday destinations, and serves up a melting pot of culture, history, restaurants, galleries and, of course, truly excellent beaches. From fine dining and art to fish and chips and playgrounds, St Ives has something for everyone.

Thanks to the bay’s unique geography, you’ll find both north-west and north-east facing beaches in St Ives, with its exposed shores providing perfect waves for surfers and its sheltered sands ideal for families and swimmers.

Colourful houses poised around the turquoise waters of St Ives Harbour

Porthmeor Beach

The first of St Ives’ beaches is the Blue Flag awarded Porthmeor Beach. Slap bang in the centre of St Ives, right in front of the Tate gallery, Porthmeor’s western orientation exposes it to the waves of the Atlantic - making it a favourite amongst surfers. As one of the town’s main beaches it can get extremely busy in peak season so arrive early and stake out your spot with a picnic blanket if you’re visiting during the summer.

Seasonal dog ban in force between May and September 10am-6pm

Looking down on to Porthmeor Beach from St Ives' headland

Top tip: Parking in St Ives can be hard to come by, especially during the warmer months. If you're staying in the town, we recommend exploring on foot, as all of the town’s local beaches are just a short walk away. Alternatively if you need to park, arrive early and head to Trenwith car park, which operates a park and ride bus service into the town.

Porthminster Beach

Arguably one of the best beaches in Cornwall, Porthminster Beach looks out east across St Ives Bay, towards Godrevy Lighthouse - a view which inspired Virginia Woolf to write her novel ‘To The Lighthouse’. A consistent Blue Flag winner, Porthminster is backed with lush greenery, including palm trees unique to St Ives’ microclimate, and offers up powder-soft golden sand and shallow waters, ideal for swimming. As with all of St Ives’ central beaches, you’ll find great facilities and amenities available nearby.

Seasonal dog ban in force between May and September 10am-6pm

Looking east over Porthminster Beach as bathers enjoy the warm waters

Carbis Bay Beach

Thrust into the global spotlight during 2021’s G7 Summit, it’s easy to see why Carbis Bay Beach was chosen as the backdrop for the summit’s official photo op. If you’re going to choose a British selfie spot for world leaders, it’s a pretty tough one to beat! Just a couple of miles outside of St Ives, this wide, powder-sand beach is yet another of North Cornwall’s Blue Flag winners. Its sheltered position means its waters stay relatively calm all year, making it ideal for families with kids who want to swim. Parking can be found at Porthrepta car park just under 10 minutes’ stroll away, but be warned, it’s a steep road down to the beach that will challenge even the sturdiest of flip-flops.

Seasonal dog ban in force between May and September 10am-6pm

Pristine Carbis Bay Beach, with the town of St Ives visible in the next bay along

With so many beaches in such a short stretch of coastline, you really are spoiled for choice in St Ives. Small and sheltered Porthgwidden Beach, nestled between Porthmeor and the harbour, is a popular choice for families and is well worth a visit. Further west out of St Ives, but still within easy shooting distance, you’ll find Porthkidney Beach and The Towans (a collection of dunes and beaches sweeping along miles of open bay), which offer a huge expanse of sand at low tide. They’re a great choice if you want to escape the crowds of St Ives’ main beaches.

Perranporth

Leaving the glitz and glamour of St Ives behind and heading further west along the coast, Cornwall’s northern shore once again becomes rocky and dramatic. Particularly through the St. Agnes Heritage Coast, an officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, before suddenly flattening out at the charming village of Perranporth. This colourful bay comes alive with ice cream shops, cafes, pubs and B&Bs during the high season.

Three miles of sand stretching across Perran Bay

Perranporth & Penhale Sands Beach

If you time your visit to Perranporth Beach right, at low tide, the stretch of crisp golden sand that lies before you can only be described as panoramic. While separated at high tide, once the sea starts its twice daily retreat - Perranporth Beach and neighbouring Penhale Sands Beach join together and form one uninterrupted stretch of sand, three miles long! The more sheltered end by the town is ideal for families and busy during peak season, however, if you walk a mile or so north, you’ll soon have the place to yourself. There are a number of car parks next to the beach, we recommend Droskyn car park.

Dog friendly year-round, however, dogs must be kept on leads during July and August on the main section of beach near Perranporth

Newquay

With 11 beaches near Newquay, it’s easy to see why it’s one of Cornwall’s most popular and best known seaside resorts. Bustling and lively, it offers up everything from fish and chip shops to nightclubs and even a zoo, plus it’s the official surfing capital of the UK. Arriving in Newquay can be quite overwhelming, with its all-singing, all-dancing town centre and so many beaches to choose from. That’s why we’ve hand-picked some of the very best to get you started.

The iconic Island House on Towan Beach, set against Newquay's town centre

Holywell Bay Beach

Instantly recognisable by the iconic Gull Rock formation just off its shore, as well as being a filming location for the BBC series Poldark, Holywell Bay is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Situated a few miles outside of Newquay town, it’s a great option if you want to get away from the busy main beaches, with a large expanse of sand and plenty of room to spread out. The network of dunes and stream running alongside the beach are great for families with little explorers too. If you’re learning to surf while staying in Newquay, Holywell offers a great alternative to busier Fistral Beach. Park up at the National Trust car park, just a few minutes’ walk from the sand.

Dog friendly year-round

Holywell Bay's distinctive horizon, with its dunes in the foreground

Where to stay: Holywell Bay Holiday Park is only a short stroll away from Holywell Bay Beach. This leafy and peaceful park offers a wide range of stylish self-catering caravans and chalets, plus there’s a campsite and luxury glamping tents too.

Crantock Beach

National Trust-run Crantock Beach is a firm favourite when it comes to Newquay’s beaches, thanks to its unique setting alongside the Gannel Estuary. While its shallow slope makes it great for paddling, it also means the beach is enormous at low tide - requiring a considerable walk across the sand to make it to the water’s edge. If you plan on swimming, pay close attention to the lifeguard’s flags (displayed between May and September) to avoid the strong currents around the estuary. Park up at the National Trust car park behind the dunes and enjoy a picnic overlooking the crystal clear waters and the luxury homes of Cornwall’s millionaires which line the banks of the river.

Dog friendly year-round

Top tip: If you fancy stretching your legs or getting away from the crowds, head up onto the South West Coastal Path from the car park and stroll around West Pentire Peninsula to find hidden Poly Joke Beach, just over 30 minutes’ walk away.

The blue waters of the River Gannel, flowing out to sea in front of Crantock Beach

Where to stay: Peaceful Crantock Beach Holiday Park is ideal if you’re looking for a bit of R&R. Steps from the beach and the charming town of Crantock, and just a few minutes’ drive from bustling Newquay, it’s a favourite for walkers too - situated directly on the coastal path.

Fistral Beach

As Newquay’s most popular beach, Fistral really comes alive during the warmer months, while it remains popular with surfers and locals year-round. This wide sandy beach is nestled between the Towan and Pentire headlands, funnelling in waves from the west - making it one of the best surfing beaches in the country. Fistral also sits in the shadows of the iconic Headland Hotel - made famous as the setting of the 1990 Roald Dahl film adaptation of The Witches;. The promenade offers excellent facilities, with everything from toilets to surfing schools and restaurants, just steps from the sand. While there is a car park right next to the beach, it’s often full - so we recommend arriving early and parking up at nearby Tower Road car park and following the path cutting through the golf course to the beach.

Dog friendly year-round

The Headland Hotel visible atop Towan Headland at the north end of Fistral Beach

While we’ve covered our favourites, Newquay has so many beaches on offer it would be impossible to feature all of them. Some other honorable mentions well worth a visit include Porth Beach and Watergate Bay to the east of the town. Porth Beach is always a popular choice for families with children, thanks to its sheltered waters and gentle slope. Watergate Bay’s sweeping expanse of sand is a favourite with surfers, kitesurfers and walkers.

Where to stay: While all four of our holiday parks near Newquay are just a short drive from its beaches, Newquay Holiday Park in particular is ideally located if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the town. Further inland you’ll find White Acres Holiday Park, nestled in the Cornish countryside. With its own fishing lakes onsite, it’s a great choice for keen anglers.