There are many reasons to visit Polzeath, the main one being that it is one of the north coast’s best surfing destinations and is a real Cornish gem.
The beach
Though Polzeath’s watersports are its main attraction, the beach is still ideal for a warm, lazy day in the sand. At low tide there are rock pools to explore underneath the cliffs, where little ones can peek at some of the sea life waiting to catch the next tide out. Swimming is generally safe, and the beach is lifeguarded in the summer daily from 2 May – 27 September, also at Easter and October half term.
Why not give surfing a go? Wavehunters teach surfing for all abilities on Polzeath beach. If you’ve never tried it before and are keen to take the first leap to your feet or you’re looking to master a manoeuvre or perfect your style, they can help. Their experienced surf coaches will tailor their instruction to your individual needs. They’ll start by showing you the essential ‘pop-up’ before hitting the waves. You’ll have fun paddling the turquoise waters and catching waves as they head to shore. You’ll soon catch the surf bug and will be throwing shakas before you know it! Otherwise, you could just try some body boarding, at Wavehunters you can hire boards and wetsuits.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Valley Caravan Park, a family run business since 1945, is just 200 yards from the beach and offers touring, camping, static caravans and also has self-catering apartments. This is a wonderful family friendly site with all the amenities you need as well as entertainment during the Summer months.
For independent accommodation visit John Bray Cornish Holidays who have a collection of over 300 properties that can be found in arguably some of the best coastal locations – Rock, Daymer Bay, Port Isaac and Polzeath. You can choose from romantic cottages to luxurious beachfront properties sleeping 2 – 14 people, so there is something for everyone.
Other activities
Saunas by the Sea have an eco-friendly wood fired sauna right on Little Polzeath beach, yes on the beach! So go along and soak up scenic views while reaping the rewards of relaxation and recovery. Whether you’re after post-surf warmth, a moment of mindfulness, or a wellness ritual, you won’t be disappointed.
The Point at Polzeath is a gorgeous holiday resort boasting a range of activities. Their main accolade is the18 hole golf course with amazing sea views over the bay and Pentire Point. There is a state of the art gym, fully equipped with cardio and resistance machines plus free-weights up to 40kgs; a new studio containing pump bars, TRX, kettlebells, aerobic balls and more; a 16-bike spinning studio which is also available to use outside of the spinning class times; an 18m pool heated to 30°C; a Jacuzzi pool heated to 39°C; a traditional wooden sauna; a eucalyptus infused steam room, plus 2 padel tennis courts, just to name a few! There are fitness classes available, as well as 4 types of specialist massage sessions to improve you wellbeing and help you relax. The Point at Polzeath is a short drive to the beach but you can also walk there in around 20-30 minutes.
Eating out
Polzeath has numerous eateries, ice-cream parlours and a pub, however, the stand out restaurant with the best sea view in Polzeath is The Cracking Crab. With a name like “The Cracking Crab” you can guess what they do? Crab and seafood and a lot of it! There’s seafood by the bucket load and juicy West Country steaks off the grill, so why not check out the menu? Vegan & Vegetarian options are always available. The bar is always fully stocked with chilled local beers, ciders and wine, perfect out on the sundeck soaking up the views. They’re so close to the beach you can practically feel the sand between your toes as you tuck in, and the breath taking panoramic view of the beach and surf is equal to any. With it’s cliff-top location it is a hot spot for breakfast, a leisurely lunch watching the surf, a resting place for a cup of tea after a walk along the coast path or an awesome place to watch the sun setting over sundowners before supper. Perfect for groups of friends, families and couples, whether you’re popping in for a quick cup of tea and cake or celebrating a special occasion over dinner. Dogs welcome!
