A trip to Cornwall with the family is an amazing experience. There are just so many places to see and things to do. The Cornish beaches are some of the best throughout Britain. Before you pick a beach, make sure it’s going to be the best for your family. Here are our five favourite family friendly beaches across Cornwall.
St. Ives Bay, 3 beaches in 1 place!
Porthmeor Beach, Saint Ives TR26 1JZ
Porthgwidden Beach, Saint Ives TR26 1PL
Porthminster Beach, Warren, Saint Ives TR26 2EA
OK, we cheated a bit here but we feel that St Ives is a bit special! St. Ives Bay is actually made up of three beaches, Porthmeor, Porthgwidden, and Porthminster. All three are open throughout the year and perfect for all ages. If you want somewhere for surfing, you’ll want to visit Porthmeor, overlooking the Tate St. Ives art gallery. For those looking for swimming and sand castle building, Porthgwidden is your best option. If you want a putting green, beach huts, and beautiful walks, Porthminster is a great choice. In fact, Porthminster beach is along the South West Coast Path, taking you through wooded headland to Porth Kidney sands and the beautiful Carbis Bay.
Surf’s Up at Watergate Bay!
Address: Watergate Bay, Cornwall TR8 4AA
Watergate Bay stretches 1.5 miles in length and is one of the most popular beaches for surfers, due to the location of the surf school. If your kids fancy some lessons, you can enrol them from the age of six.
The beach is also at the bottom of the cliffs, offering some beautiful caves and amazing rock pools to explore. When you’re hungry, you’ll find a variety of places to eat including Jamie Oliver’s famous ‘Fifteen’ restaurant. For simpler fare there’s the kiosk for pasties, chips and ice creams after you’ve finished building your sandcastles!
Enjoy the Dunes of Crantock Beach
Address: Crantock, Newquay TR8 5RN
For those who don’t have a problem with some uphill walking to get to a location, Crantock Beach is the perfect spot for a buffer from the Cornish winds. Once you get to the beach, the sand is soft and level, offering a beautiful walk with the family. The beach is large, creating a family-friendly atmosphere for a full day of digging and sandcastle building.
During the summer, there are also lifeguard patrols making your children safe from those strong currents and the canoeists and surfers out on the water.
Swimmers Will Enjoy Porthcurno Beach
Address: Porthcurno, Cornwall TR19 6JX
The fourth on the list is one for swimmers and water enthusiasts. Porthcurno Beach is one of those beaches to visit throughout the year, with plenty of space for throwing frisbees, kicking balls, and filling buckets with water.
There is an amphitheatre built into the rocks that surround the beach. Take your kids up to overlook the people on the beach. If you visit between May and September, you’ll also have the chance to see a play or two performed along the beach.
Take the Dogs to Kennack Sand
Address: Helston TR12 6SL
As long as you stick to the East beach of Kennack Sands, you can take dogs throughout the year. The other parts of the beach are fine for dogs, except between Easter and October. However, there is plenty of space for dogs at the section furthest away from the car park.
This is also a lifeguard patrolled beach throughout the summer months, making it one of the safest options in Cornwall. There are plenty of rock pools and streams for the kids to explore in, with toilets and cafes for convenience.
Plan your trip to Cornwall and make sure you visit the above five beaches. They are the best in the area, offering something for all interests and needs.