SPOILT FOR CHOICE

SHELTERED COVES, QUIET BAYS & ROLLING SURF.

With an abundance of beaches North Cornwall has some of the finest and leaves you spoilt for choice. With miles and miles of coves and inlets to be discovered with long unbroken stretches of golden sand along the North Cornwall this is why visitors return year after year. With the majesty of the scenery and the raw power of Mother Natures Sea this coastline is surely one of the most spectacular at any time of the year and thus must be treated with care and respect. Please make sure you check tide times when visiting our beaches. You are also advised to check beach conditions before your visit and always follow the lifeguards advice whilst on the beach. Current beach conditions and lifeguard cover can be checked on www.beachlifeguards.org.uk

Please ensure that you take your rubbish home with you. If taking your dogs with you please keep your dog under control and clean up mess immediately.

PADSTOW

To the north of the town and accessible by the coast path is a super stretch of sand from St Georges Cove to Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove. The walk from Padstow to St Georges Cove takes about 15 minutes with great views across the estuary. Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove are just a little further along the coast. The walk from Hawkers Cove to Stepper Point provides the most stunning views of the estuary including Daymer Bay, Rock and up the estuary to the old Iron Bridge which is part of the Camel Trail. Padstow is connected via a ferry service to the village of Rock which also has magnificent beaches.

At low tide you can access the first of these beaches, known as Chidley Pumps or Lower Beach, from a path off to your right about 2 minutes walk from the town. There is access over the rocks to Chapel Bar at low tide although care must be taken not to get cut off as the tide comes in. The ferry and other boat trips leave from lower beach at low tide. To reach the beach when the tide is high, you need to walk to the War Memorial and down the other side to St George’s Well at the bottom of the hill.

Parking: There is ample parking in Padstow, however, this does get very busy in the summer season.

Facilities: Toilet facilities are situated in the Station Car Park (opposite the Lobster Hatchery) and on North Quay (opposite the Red Brick Building).

Dogs: Dogs are banned from St Georges Cove from 1st July to 31st August (10am-6pm) however, they are permitted at Chapel Bar, Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove.

ROCK

There is a regular ferry service from Padstow to Rock which operates all year apart from Christmas Day. It costs £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. At low tide the beach at Rock stretches as far as Daymer Bay. The mile long fine sand beach is fringed with dunes and a coastal path which takes you all the way to Polzeath, Port Isaac and beyond! Owing to its sheltered waters, Rock is a haven for water based leisure pursuits including angling, fishing trips, windsurfing, and rowing. Camel Ski School which offers kayaking, Stand up Paddle boarding, wakeboarding and water skiing is situated in the heart of Rock.

Parking: There is parking in Rock at the end of Rock Road.

Facilities: Toilet facilities are situated in the car park.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome all year round.

TREVONE

The village of Trevone comprises of two beaches and is about 1½ miles from Padstow. There is a sandy beach and a rocky one (Newtrain Bay) with a natural swimming pool which is great for children to go crabbing in the rock pools and to collect shells. The sand is fine and golden, ideal sandcastle material. The sandy beach is quite sheltered and has lifeguards from late May until late September. Access to the beach is via a small slope and there are also steps from one of the car parks.

Just above the sandy beach is a giant natural blow hole, which is at least 80ft deep and is a great tourist attraction. Please be very careful when approaching the blow hole and keep a good distance from the edge. Trevone Bay is located between Padstow and Harlyn Bay.

Parking: 2 car parks

Facilities: Trevone Beach Complex, a pub, Waves Surf School and toilets including disabled.

Dogs: The is a dog ban from 15th May to 30th September (10am – 6pm).

HARLYN

Harlyn Bay is a crescent shaped bay of sand and pebbles with rock pools and is situated on the eastern side of Trevose Head, west of Padstow. It is a wide, sandy bay with a reputation as one of the ‘safer’ beaches and is therefore popular with both families and surf schools. Lifeguards patrol this beach over the Easter weekend and from the beginning of May until the end of September.

This is an excellent beach for many seaside activities such as surfing, swimming and sunbathing, with some fine walks along the headlands in either direction. Walkers can take the coastal path to Mother Ivey’s Bay and Trevose Head from Harlyn Bay, however, please note that part of the coast path is on the beach, so this route may be impassable at high tide.

Facilities: There are toilets available across the road from the car park. Harlyn Surf School is based on the beach offering surf lessons, SUP and kayaking tours. It is an RNLI approved Surf School. Waves Surf School also provide lessons at Harlyn.

Parking: There is one large car park adjacent to the beach which extends into a field during the summer seasons.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome at Harlyn Bay all year round.

CONSTANTINE

Constantine Bay is a wide sandy beach with many rock pools and plenty of sand and is north of Treyarnon Bay. At low tide Constantine Bay and Boobies Bay form one very long beach. It is separated from Booby’s Bay, on the north, by a narrow rocky headland. Access to the beach is by a sloping path. Lifeguards Patrol this beach from late May until late September including the Easter weekend. Please be aware that there are rocks at this beach and dangerous rips with the beach shelving quickly at high tide. A very popular surf spot producing top quality waves, however, this is recommended to experienced surfers only.

Facilities: There are toilets including disabled available. Waves Surf School.

Parking: Parking is limited at Constantine Bay and it may be better to park at Treyarnon Bay and walk the coast path to Constantine Bay which only takes approximately 10 minutes.

BOOBY’S BAY

This is a wide sandy beach with many rock pools and popular with surfers. Constantine Bay and Boobies Bay are two stunning beaches, both crescents of soft golden sand that form one long beach at low tide. Booby’s Bay is approximately half a mile north of Constantine Bay. A point of interest is of a ship wreck of the Carl of Hamberg that is only visible at low tide. Access to the beach is by climbing down from the coast path or walking along the beach at low tide. The surfing at Booby’s Bay is recommended for intermediate and experienced surfers only. Please note that access and surfing is not possible for about 2 hours either side of high water as the beach is submerged.

Parking: There is none at Booby’s Bay. You will need to park at Treyarnon Bay or Constantine Bay and walk the coast path to Booby’s Bay as there is no direct access. There is limited parking at Constantine Bay, so Treyarnon may be a better option.

Facilities: There are toilets facilities at Constantine Bay. Lifeguards patrol this beach from late May until late September. Waves Surf School.

Dogs: This is a dog friendly beach all year round

TREYARNON BAY

Treyarnon Bay is a popular beach with the surfers and is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a clean beach which, at low tide, reveals a large area of golden sand. There are numerous rock pools to explore and sheltered small coves ideal for sun bathing. The renowned “natural” swimming pool, at the bottom of the low cliffs near the Youth Hostel, was a hollow in the rocks which has been dammed at one end. It is flushed out by the incoming tide and is easily accessible at low tide.

The coastal footpath provides breathtaking views along the coast to Trevose Head in one direction and Newquay and even St Ives on a clear day, in the other direction.

At the mouth of the bay is Treyarnon Island. This large rock, topped with grass and thrift, is separated from the mainland by a narrow gulley and is a nature reserve and home of breeding sea birds.

The coastal path and beach provide a wonderful level where you can watch the surf rolling in, amazing sunsets, seals and if you are fortunate, a school of dolphins. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards from the May Spring Bank Holiday until mid September.

Parking: End of the approach road before the Youth Hostel

Facilities: Toilets and a Beach Shop. Waves Surf School.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome all year round

PORTHCOTHAN BAY

Porthcothan beach is a north west-facing cove backed by grassy dunes popular for sunbathing and a favourite with families. The sandy beach opens out at low tide, connecting up with small coves to the north and south and at high tide the beach becomes very sheltered from swell and winds due to the cliffs.

Swimming and board sports are on offer in a sheltered sea with water. It is located south of Constantine Bay with the nearest village St Merryn only ten minutes drive away. The coast path gives splendid views to both the north and the south as well as displaying a variety of wildlife.

Surfers find Porthcothan to be a quiet surf spot and normally has no decent consistent surf. Low to mid tide the surf breaks on sand banks producing lefts and rights. Suitable for beginners although there are hidden dangers such as rocks and occasional bad rips on spring tides. It is only surfable at low to mid tide. Contact Waves Surf School for lessons or more information.

Lifeguard cover from the 19th of May until the 30th of September.

Parking: Parking, shops and toilet facilities are close by with beach level access.