The BEST of England, a true wonder. What a beach. MIKE DROP!!!read more

This beautiful beach in the sprawling sands of St Ives Bay is one of the most beautiful parts of…read moreCornwall. The beach is a renowned surf beach, with many spots along the beach meaning it never feels crowded. The best time of year to go for me is late September, early October when the surf is picking up yet the water is still warm. There is nothing better than a day in the ocean followed by watching the sun go down drinking a Cornishman Lager or a Hot Chocolate in the cliff top café. Gwithian itself is a ten minute drive from St Ives and half an hour from Lands End.

I frequent this beach a lot when I stay In St Ives in my Mum n Dads holiday apartment which over…read morelooks it. The beach has golden sand and is stunning and located right in the heart of the amazing Cornish town of St Ives. Here is some more information about it - This crescent of golden sand, framed by a glittering bay, has glorious views across to Godrevy Lighthouse, inspiration for Virginia Woolf's famous novel 'To the Lighthouse'. With the benefit of the mildest climate in the UK along with waving palm trees and translucent waters, there is a definite tropical feel to the place. Located just a short walk from the centre of St Ives, the award-winning beach at Porthminster is a family favourite for safe swimming while onshore you can simply relax in a deck chair or try your skill at the mini 18 hole golf course where you can also order up freshly made juices and smoothies. There is also a cafe there, with great food.

Lovely beach. Can get crowded in the summer but it's so worth it. Parking is available on the…read morebeach, and super handy if you're going surfing or boarding. Plenty of shops n restaurants there for a bite or to pick up some sun cream. Clears out fast when sun starts going down. Plenty of the shops have free wi-fi if you need it.

Every time we holiday in Cornwall we spend at least one afternoon on Polzeath. It's not as good as…read moreHolywell Bay(see review) overall but it has many decent features. I'm glad HB hasn't got bustling surfwear shops and coffee shops and hippies that'll fleece you £5 to braid you kids hair, but I quite like that here. I suppose it's the contrast that I like. We park in the cliff top car park which has amazing views. A gentle walk round to the town or an impatient hop down the cliff face to the beach. The beach is great apart from the car park on it which is annoying unless I'm lucky to get a space there, then it's brilliant! In low tide the sea goes out quite a way and your left with a totally flat beach for footy, cricket etc. There is a bit of a stream sweeping across the beach - we caught hundreds of tiny tiny fish in it in the summer. On both sides there are loads of rock pools and there's one that's quite deep where you can jump off highish rocks into the water. The sea has quite a fast swell so it's not very safe for little ones and inflateables. The poet John Betjemen loved it here apparently and is buried nearby. In the 'town' there are a handful of beach tat shops, some surf wear shops, pubs and a decent coffe/ ice cream shop. There's also a surf school place there where you can give it a go. A nice place to spend an afternoon - preferably at low tide as the beach all but disappears at high tide.

O M G The Kynance Cove scenery is breathtaking...YOU HAVE TO GO.. See my photographs so you can see…read morewhy. Listed below information about this place. Located on the west side of the Lizard and probably the most photographed and painted location in Cornwall, the contrast between the cove's white sand beach and the dark red and green serpentine rock produces a breathtaking sight. There's a steep 15 minute walk down to the cove from the car park at the top of the cliff. At low tide you can explore the towering rocks stacks and the caves with names such as The Parlour and The Drawing Room. Located just above the beach is an eco-friendly café selling Cornish pasties, fresh sandwiches, baguettes, homemade cakes and cream teas along with beach goods. From Kynance there is a fantastic 2 mile scenic walk around the coast to Lizard Point, mainland UK's most southerly point. Kynance Cove is owned and looked after by the National Trust and is able to care and conserve areas like this thanks to their members, volunteers and donors.

Last year we just dropped by on the coastal walk but this year spent the day on the beach and…read morehere's what we thought! Firstly there is a car park on top of the cliff that is NT & costs £4.50 if you are not a member. It's a short but steep walk down to the cove, an alternative is available which is longer & is the service track to the cafe. Once down to the beach there is a boulder field to negotiate before you reach the sand which can be absent when the tide is in so the cove is very tide dependant. However when it's out it's a fab place to spend the day, 2 small bays separated by a sand ridge punctuated by large rocks. There are a couple of sea caves to explore. Very popular so get there early to bag your spot when the tide goes out. worth a visit if on the lizard & tides are on your side.

I can imagine this beach is completely swamped with bodies in the summer, but when I visited in…read morelate November we only had the company of a few dedicated surfers and some dog walkers (dogs are banned during the summer months). There's a great expanse of wonderful Cornish sand, fantastic views towards Cape Cornwall, and some good surfing to be had by the looks of things. We settled for a stroll on the sand and a very brief paddle. Strange to think that in a couple of months there will likely be 200 foot waves crashing over the rocks at the other end of town.

Keep driving, driving, then a bit more down the A30 across Dartmoor past Penzance towards where the…read moreland stops and the road runs out. Just before Lands End, turn down the steep winding road to Sennen Cove and the sweeping curve of the beach opens out before you at the bottom. Just as ideal for families as for hardened surfers, with a wide range of waves for paddling in or adrenaline junkie riding. Plenty of facilities, car parks, toilets, food, drink, surf shop, board hire and a couple of surfing schools, (which will help you master the impossible task of standing on water). The bay has a rugged natural and wild beauty, facing west, nothing between you and well, nothing. Sand, waves, rock pools, surf, easy access, fantastic. Definitely worth that drive.

Godrevy is like heaven on earth - come for amazing Cornish views, the landscape, the beach, the…read morerocks, the lighthouse and you might even see some seals in the waters below. A true Gem of a place. My family come here a lot. My sister also got married at Carbis Bay and then afterwards came here for some amazing wedding shots. Here is more info about it - Godrevy is at the far north-eastern end of three miles of golden sand stretching from Hayle. Owned by the National Trust, it takes the brunt of the Atlantic swell and is one of the more exposed beaches of the North coast. From buckets and spades on sunny summer days to classic rugged Cornish splendour on a stormy winter's day, Godrevy offers the ultimate outdoor experience. The sandy beach at Godrevy is connected to Gwithian beach at lower tides to create an impressive stretch of sand. Remember to check the time of high water. as hundreds of metres of sand all but disappear at high tide so don't get caught out. The beach terminates with a low rocky headland and the famous Godrevy lighthouse (of Virginia Woolfe's To The Lighthouse fame) on an island just off the coast. Godrevy Cafe, hidden amongst the dunes, provides drinks and snacks.. Given the right conditions the waves can be epic - long walling lefts and rights. It is also capable of holding a fair sized swell, up 8ft. However this doesn't mean you'll have an easy paddle out! The break is at it's best on a low tide where it can produce a fast hollow wave. It does work through the tide but becomes increasingly slopey and bouncy.

This has to be one of my favourite places to go in Cornwall and holds a special place in my heart…read more If you're visiting the area by car, you turn off the B3301 just outside Gwithian, drive up a gravel track which becomes a narrow tarmac road to a lower car park. If you have a National Trust card, you can continue up to the top car park (and out of season there are no restrictions). And if you're on foot, it's on the coastal path. When the tide's out, you can walk along the beach from Hayle or Gwithian Towans. Gwithian Sands is a fantastic beach, popular with surfers. Walk towards the lighthouse. There are various ways up from the beach to the top of the cliffs and you get fantastic views from up there. Look across the bay to St Ives, which always seems bathed in sunlight and across to Godrevy Lighthouse, which inspired Virginia Woolf to write 'To the Lighthouse' on her holidays in St Ives. It can be very windy up there, being so exposed, so take a windbreaker or coat, depending on the weather. If you're lucky, you may spot a seal in the waves.

What a great billowy massive span of sand at Perranporth. We came here as I wanted to go to the…read moreone and only English pub in the country that is actually located right on the sands. Apparently this is the only pub in England on ta beach.This beach was lovely for a bright crisp December afternoon. Loads of families and tonnes of dogs racing around - which was lovely to see. There are a lot of small little caves with interesting rock colours, to investigate. We really enjoyed a few hours here. Listed below is some more information that I found on the web. So what's the attraction? Well, the miles of really golden sand are probably a good start, plus the huge surf, the sand dunes etc. etc. Yes, it's a pretty impressive place. Starting from the village, it's easily accessible which is ideal if you've got young ones in tow and you could just plonk yourself on the sand close to the village, put down your beach towels and relax. There's a selection of cafe's and bars close by, serving snacks and drinks throughout the main holiday seasons. If the tide's right out, do the place justice and have a walk up the beach to Ligger Point, just a 2 mile jaunt away. Because the beach is so huge, it almost feels as if you have the place to yourself and the fresh air off the ocean is exhilarating. Early morning you'll probably see a few horses and their riders having a paddle in the surf and there's a welcome cafe for a coffee stop halfway along. You can make the return journey (or if the tide's in) over the extensive sand dunes which are teeming with wildlife, taking pictures of butterflies and lizards.

Perranporth beach is well worth a visit if you like your coastline and beaches. The sand is soft…read moreand clean with a wide waters edge. There are some decent size sand dunes and rock formations that give a good view. There are watersport activities for you to try such as kite sailing and sand buggies. The surrounding area has plenty of the usual type shops, bars and restaurants. The pub is quite famous for its huge and unpronounceable name.

We stayed in town for four nights. Going to the beach after dinner was a thing we did daily. Just a…read moreshort walk away from our BnB and restaurants. It's a very lively place this beach. All kind of folks of all ages. Just enjoying the sun, the views, the water. Everybody seemed to be in a good mood. It is a fantastic spot, this beach. And watching the sunset is just amazing, doesn't matter how often you've seen it. I love sunsets. When the sun is down it can get quite cool though - even in summer. It's a very clean beach as well and pretty wide. There's enough space for everybody. For BBQ, to play, to relax, to walk your dogs. The water itself is pretty cold and depending on the winds pretty rough. But we didn't plan on swimming anyways. It's just a beautiful place. To get even better views you can walk up the small trail on the eastern side of the beach. The beach is dog-friendly in the evenings all year! That was a pleasant suprise. Our Bulldog loved it - at least as much as we did. The Blue Bar just at this beach is probably your best bet for dinner in town. We enjoyed it. There is parking at the beach, it's a pretty big lot, but was full on the weekend. A really great beach in a lovely small town. We loved it.

Great beach to visit if you're ever in the area. The beach is quite stoney in certain areas so be…read moreaware. The beach is clean for the most part and there's a trail next to it that goes up to the cliffs if you're looking for a hiking adventure.

Why would you go to look at some steps? Well, rather like those who seek out Jacobs Ladder in…read moreWales, Bedruthan Steps hold some mystique. Couple that with some absolutely amazing views along the Cornish Coastline and you have a tourist attraction! The Bedruthan Steps are maintined by the National Trust and the steps all the way down to the beach have been rebuilt by the trust. From a car park at the top of the cliffs it is a gentle walk at firt as you start to descend. Then, at the steps you begin to realise quite how high the cliffs are. The journey down is split into several legs and,as such, it is possible to descend and yet not reach the beach below. In fact, last time I visited I was heavily pregnant and gave up at the last stage, not because I couldn't go any further at that point but because I was very mindful of the climb back up! The beach below is not owned by the NT but is spectacular. One must be careful, however, as it is not a safe bathing beach and there's a strong danger of being cut-off unexpectedly. The steps are the ONLY way back up! When you see the rocks you'll appreciate the ease with whih one could be cut off! Whilst the walk and climb are relatively easy the distance should not be underestimated and so this is not suitable for the unfit, elderly or very young. Toilets and a concession cafe are available next to the car park - these are the only facilites and they are seasonal. For spectacular views this location cannot be beaten - you might be though!

I love this beach, although it's not always accessible when it is it's just fantastic. Always visit…read morehere when on holiday in Newquay.

English beach at Its best…read more Situated in the shadow of the iconic Tate St Ives gallery, Porthmeor is a sandy, safe beach, popular with surfers and swimmers alike. It's in an ideal location just a stone's throw from the centre of St Ives, where you'll find ancient pubs, trendy cafes and lots of art galleries the town is famous for. A perfect place for a beach picnic - you can easily get all you need from the town, the beach is busy in summer with families who enjoy the easy access, and in winter the surf brigade from the town have all those rollers right on their doorstep. Porthmeor is one of only eight beaches in Cornwall that hold the prestigious Blue Flag Award 2021, given in recognition of water quality, safety, environmental management and education. Lifeguard cover from Easter until the end of October (2021). Parking - the car parks in St Ives get full very early in main season, and the large car park at the top of town can bit a hike back up. Why not try parking at St Erth station or Lelant Saltings and enjoy the scenic branch line into the heart of St Ives. Please note: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 15th May and 30 September (10am - 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place (2020).

After driving down from Newquay, managing the narrow roads through St. Ives, my sister-in-law…read morewanted nothing more than the pancakes called out in the Guardian's recommendation of this place. We only had to wait a few minutes at the car park just up the hill, and we were seated almost immediately, though we were told that the kitchen was quite backed up (10am on the last Saturday in August, beautiful morning), so we'd need to wait about 10 minutes to order. No bother, we started with hot chocolate and a carrot-ginger juice (made in house). Drinks were great. Unfortunately, when we did get to order, we were told that they were out of pancakes. So both J and J ended up with poached eggs and toast. Jimmy got the side of chorizo. I got the scrambled eggs, cornish crab, crème fraiche, lemon and rocket. Though the kitchen was backed up, the food came decently quickly. My eggs were delightful and mixed quite well with all the other toppings. The views of the beach and surf school were entertaining, as were the menus with the clippings mentioning the historic shipwrecks and even the subsequent capsizing of a lifeboat during the rescue. It's a charming spot, but you'll need to get there early if you want pancakes.