Southern Comfort Cottage
BEST BEACHES IN CORNWALL
Cornwall is famous for the quality and variety of its beaches. The long, exposed stretches of sand on the north coast, such as Perranporth and Godrevy, provide excellent surfing conditions and are great places to walk on a stormy winter's day. The more sheltered sandy coves of the south coast, such as Porthcurno and Praa Sands, offer excellent swimming and protection from cold northerly winds. Remote beaches such as Harlyn and Kynance offer the chance to really get away from it all, while bustling town beaches, such as Marazion and Porthmeor, are great places to spend the day, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and galleries within easy walking distance.
​
​
A short walk over the cliffs from Land's End, Sennen is a charming fishing cove with a long, sandy beach that offers excellent swimming and consistent surf. At low tide the beach joins up with its neighbour to provide over a mile of golden sand, so that even on hot summer days it is usually possible to find plenty of space to spread out. There are a couple of cafes, the Old Success pub and two surf shops within easy walking distance of the car park. Surf lessons and board hire are available.
Sennen (Whitsand Bay)
Godrevy Beach
The northenmost and most dramatic section of the three-mile long sandy beach that stretches from Hayle to Godrevy Head. Godrevy takes the brunt of the Atlantic swell and is one of the more exposed beaches on the north coast, holding big swells and yielding a rugged splendour on a stormy winter's day. The beach terminates with a low rocky headland that offers great views of Godrevy lighthouse, which was the real-life inspiration for Virginia Woolfe's novel To The Lighthouse. There is an excellent cafe in the National Trust car park located just behind the dunes.
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor, the most westerly of the beaches in St Ives, is one of the few in Penwith that has full protection from the prevailing south westerly winds. A curving, sandy bay that picks up plenty of swell, Porthmeor is popular with surfers and usually offers a number of peaks that cater to all abilities. Overlooked by the imposing Tate gallery and with former artist's studios backing right onto the beach, Porthmeor has plenty of character and is well served by a cafe, beach huts and a small car park. It is only a short walk from the centre of St Ives and from Southern Comfort
Porthcurno Beach
Porthcurno beach is truly stunning. Nestled among tall granite cliffs, the beach is part of a wider bay that opens up at low tide to reveal a curve of golden sand that stretches from the Minack Theatre to the Logan Rock, site of an Iron Age cliff castle. Located just around the corner from Land's End, Porthcurno has long been the place where telecommunications cables arrive from America, and they can still sometimes be seen poking up through the sand. Porthcurno picks up more swell than other beaches further up the south coast, which can translate into good surf on a big low tide, although the waves tend to be fast and hollow and unsuitable for beginners. Porthcurno beach is easily accessible and popular with families, although at high tide a steep shelf means that swimming can be dangerous. The beach faces south and is backed by steep cliffs, which offer good protection from northerly winds.
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove, located two miles from Lizard point, is one of the most photographed beaches in Cornwall. White sand, brilliant turquoise water, islands, caves and stunning serpentine rock formations all serve to make this one of the prettiest places around. Popular since Victorian times, Kynance Cove has recently been made more accessible, thanks to a National Trust toll road and car park.