South Cornwall Beaches is more tranquil and quiet protected from the wild Atlantic of North Cornwall this particular side of Cornwall has a various amount of beautiful sandy beaches stretching from Whitsand Bay all the way down to St Anthony’s Head near St Mawes.
This coastline is nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful, it also is home to some of the best swimming beaches, family friendly beaches and paddle boarding spots in Cornwall due to its calmer seas, after your swim or water activity there are many spots in South East Cornwall serving up the finest of fish and chips right out the ocean.
Whitsand Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This is potentially one of the longest and best stretches of beach in Cornwall. Whitsand is made up of 4 miles of sand towards low tide and several small coves and beaches join up here. Access to the beach is down a steep cliff paths from the car park at either end, the easiest way down is near Tregantle Fort leading to Long Sands Beach. Another car park is near Sharrow Point and leads down to Freathy and Tregonhawke Beach.
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Vault Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula, just a short walk from Dodman point which is above the sea level by 110 meters. This shingle based beach gently slopes into the sea and at low tide uncovers rock pools to explore on the right hand side. Bathing here is usually fine but always be cautious as there is no lifeguards on duty. Surrounding this beach are beautiful walks along the South west coastal path
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Trebah Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near the Helford Passage. This beach is also known as Polgwidden Cove as it provides the perfect place to chill out and watch the waves go by. Backing on to the beach is a cafe, serving hot and cold drinks along with ice cream on those hots days.
Please note, there is no access to the beach from the coast path and landing on Trebah Beach by boat or any other watercraft is strictly prohibited.
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Talland Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near the fishing village of Polperro. From Talland Bay both Looe and Polperro are in walking distance via the south west coastal path. Talland bay comprises of two beaches, the main beach and Rotterdam beach which you can see at the other side of the bay. The main beach is a popular tourist destination with a car park, toilets, shop and a beach cafe. The sand here is a mix of coarse shingle and as the tide drops off it opens a vast amount of rock pools perfect for exploring Cornish marine life with the children.
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Swanpool Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near Falmouth, precisely around half a mile from the town center. Swanpool beach has something for everyone from families to people who love nature. Swanpool beach is a sheltered and generally safe beach to swim in as its on the south east coast it doesn’t have any Atlantic waves but please be careful if you enter the water as there is no lifeguard cover. The beach is composed of golden sand with a few rocks during low tide. A popular feature about this beach is Swanpool Beach Cafe, not open all year round but its ice cream is the hit there.
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Summers Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in St Mawes. Just a short walk from the village centre, this is definitely the best beach in St Mawes. Perhaps not the sandiest of beaches, it’s still a decent one. If you can brave the cold water, the sea is great to swim in as well with a small platform you can go over to and dive off. Make sure you keep an eye out for jelly fish though and always be cautious when entering the sea as there aren’t any lifeguard cover.
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Sharrow Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Gorran Haven village. One of Whitsands Bay sandy coves located in the center of the bay and one of the easier beaches to get down to so often the popular choice, that said it is still a lot of effort to get down and up the beach. Low tide sees Sharrow beach open up into a beautiful sandy beach which joins up with neighbouring coves. High tide sees this beach become an intimate cosy cove with a small area of sand.
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Seaton Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Low tide opens up Seaton beach into a large area of sand and you can walk as far as Downderry beach. High tide covers a lot of the beach but you can still walk down to Downderry beach to watch the fisherman fish off the pier. Seaton beach is a mixture of pebbles and coarse sand which is one of their charms. This beach is managed by Cornwall Council and facilities have been invested in such as improved disabled access and a children’s play park on the green behind the beach. In addition there is a large cafe, shop and toilets on the beach front.
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Ready Money Cove is located in South East Cornwall and situated right in the heart of Fowey village. This small sheltered beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs which edge over the mouth of the river fowey. The beach looks out to the River Fowey Estuary and to the right you can find St Catherines Castle and to the left is a medieval house perched on the end of the cliff, known to be former celebrity resident. Ready Money Cove is reasonably safe for swimming in the cove however please always have caution when entering the sea as there if no lifeguard cover here.
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Portwrinkle Beach is nestled in South East Cornwall, near the charming town of Looe. While it may be overshadowed by the nearby Whitsand Bay, Portwrinkle has a rich history, once leading in the pilchard industry. Nowadays, the old fish cellars have been transformed into holiday cottages, and the harbor exudes tranquility. Portwrinkle boasts two lovely beaches, Hoodny Cove and Finnygook Beach, with a small sandy area near the harbor to explore.
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Portscatho Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula. This beach is mainly rocky with lots of rock pools at low tides and uncovers a small sandy patch which does stretch along the bay as far as Porthcurnick Beach. Portscatho Beach faces east which allows it to be sheltered from winds. Nearby there are many facilities just in the shop which includes, pubs, restaurants, cafes, toilets and many more. Portscatho was once a booming fishing port but has since dwindled since the 1700s, this beach was a perfect port for fleets.
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Portmellon Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated just a short distance from Mevagissey. This beautiful beach is surrounded by rocks either side and at low tide it opens up giving it a generous amount of flat sand but as the tide comes in this disappears. Portmellon beach is a east facing cove which is sheltered and when the tide is in its quite safe to swim in although with no lifeguard cover you should always have caution when entering the sea.
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Porthpean Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the near St Austell. This beach is sheltered and easy to access, that maybe why its popular with families. During summer the cafe, shop and beach are open on the beach despite it being popular it doesn’t benefit from lifeguard cover but swimming is relatively safe but always have caution when entering the sea.
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Porthluney Bay Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula. The golden sandy beach backs on to Caerhays Castle with their beautiful gardens. The beach at low tide opens up more and reveals rock pools for the children to explore some Cornish marine life. The beach itself is sheltered and relatively safe to swim in with also a ban on motorised water vehicles to keep the peace and quiet.
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Porthcurnick Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. This beach is a short walk away from Portscatho Beach and Portscatho village. At high tide it leaves the beach with a small beach but at low tide the beach opens up along with the rock pools on either side of the beach. If you want to come swim here we advise against it as there are strong rip currents and no lifeguards on duty year round. The beach has a cafe backed on to it along with portaloos.
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Porthbeor beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Mawes. This golden stretch of sand is part of the Roseland Peninsula and one of the lesser known beaches in Cornwall making it generally quiet even through the peak of summer. The beach is around 500 meters long which allows a lot of room for activities but with no parking nearby this beach can be difficult to get to for families. Swimming is not advised here as there aren’t any lifeguards in summer nor winter.
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Porthbean Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. This beach is a golden sandy beach just a short walk away from Porthcurnick Beach. Porthbean is one of Cornwalls meany AONB and SSSI due to the biological diversity in the area. During low tide it leaves this beach with vast golden sand and plenty of room to play with the children or activities. As there is no lifeguard here we advise against swimming here due to strong rip currents.
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Polstreath is located in South East Cornwall and situated on near Mevagissey. This sheltered beach has has been spotted many times on instagram as ‘the beach with the stairs’. Polstreath doesn’t benefit from the facilities with no cafes, pubs nearby. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Polridmouth Cove is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. This shingle based beach is accessed by a woody track and the coves feel left untouched given the location and the access to the coves. Low tide joins the two beaches together and as the tide comes it leaves little to no room left on the beach. The west cove is access via a farm track which is backed on to by the coastal path and the cove to the east backs on to lawns and the lake of Polridmouth cottage both are private but not fenced.
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Polperro Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the village of Polperro. This beach is known in one of the most picturesque fishing villages filled with beautiful whitewashed cottages. Polperro beach is a small sandy beach positioned just outside of the harbour wall on the east side as it sits underneath the cliff edge and harbour wall it is well protected from the wind, although it is limited by size and during high tide the beach dissappears.
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Polkerris Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. Polkerris is a stunning beach and the walk down past the winding lanes sets the scene for this beautiful beach. The beach is tucked away sheltered from the winds and being on the South East coast this doesn’t see much swell coming in meaning the waters are generally calm, perfect for swimming but always be cautious when entering the sea as there is no lifeguard patrol here. Polkerris also has a harbour wall which in summer you can see kids jumping into the sea from there.
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Plaidy Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Plaidy beach is a small shingle, sandy beach and during summer can be a nice spot to miss the crowds around Looe. The beach is actually backed on to a residential area with a nice tranquil feel to it. High tide at the beach doesn’t leave much to work with so check the tide times before arriving. Low tide actually opens up the beach to revel some rock pools to explore Cornish marine life.
The south-easterly aspect of the beach makes it fairly sheltered and catches the sun. Whilst there is no lifeguard service the swimming and snorkelling are generally safe.
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Pentewan Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Mevagissey. This sheltered beach is actually owned by Pentewan Sands Holiday Park which backs on to the beach but the beach is still open to the public and only means that the beach is maintained to a good standard and it isn’t short of facilities. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Pendower Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. Low tide sees Pendower Beach join up with Carne Beach to form a vast golden sandy beach stretching around a mile long across Gerrans Bay. Pendower Beach is a popular beach with families during summer especially to one side as its more sandy and the west being quite rocky with many rock pools for the children to explore Cornish marine life.
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Par Sands Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell just a short walk away from Par Sands Beach. Par Sands beach is a wide sandy beach and faces towards the south, this beach also backs on to some low sand dunes like most cornish beaches. During summer the beach can get quite busy with many holiday parks around the beach although it can get crowded it never feels it as the beach is vast. Low tide opens to beach up more and unveils some rock pools to explore with the children.
Swimming at Par Sands can be quite safe but considering there is no lifeguard cover we always enter the sea with caution.
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Millendreath Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. This beach is south facing and lies at the feet of a wooden area in a cove. Low tide sees Millendreath beach open up with soft sand and plenty of rock pools to explore cornish marine life. High tide sees nearly the whole beach disappear so check tide times before visiting. Surrounding Millendreath beach is plenty of beautiful coastal walks on the south west coastal path.
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Maenporth Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated just south of Falmouth. This beach is a vast golden sandy beach perfect for the family to come have a beach day here, with plenty of rock pools for the children to explore Cornish marine life it really is one of the best family beaches in Cornwall. Low tide a wreck appears out of the water, this wreck is named Ben Asdale and you can see it clearer whilst Sailing, Kayaking or doing water based activities. Parking is right by the beach along with facilities you need to spend the day here.
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Looe Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated right in Looe town. This beach is sheltered from the west by Looes Banjor Pier and overlooked by the east from some high cliffs making it ideal for the family. During Low tide here Looe is known for its safe swimming although do not swim by the mouth of the river as it has strong currents. The beach actually backs on to the seafront walkway which runs the length of the beach.
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Loe Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the River Fal. This sheltered shingle beach is fairly safe for swimming due to not being exposed to the Atlantic and its well known for watersports in this area. This beach also has great parking on the back of the beach which is perfect for those people who aren’t wanting to walk too far for a beach. There is also good fishing off the rocks at dawn and dusk. This beach also holds small boats which are launched here from time to time, it also has a boat hire which you can hire kayaks, sailing dinghies and rowing beach at the watersports center.
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Lantic Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Fowey. Lantic bay is often described as the hidden gem of Cornwall which is accutrate to Lantic Bay. This beach is a golden stretch of sand but during high tide it splits into two beaches, as the tide goes out the beach joins up again into one cove. The west side of the beach is easily accessible at low tide but keep you’re eye on the tide as you can get cut off.
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Lansallos Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Fowey. This small cove at low tide opens up to a decent sized beach but at high tide it almost dissappears. The beach is made up of sand and shingle and actually features a small waterfall on the eastern side known as Reed Water which was once used to power a small mill. Swimming is not advised here as there are no lifeguard cover
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Kingsand Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This small fishing village beach consists of sand and shingle and is south facing meaning less wind. The beach itself backs right onto the village and is home to the iconic Kingsand Clocktower. Low tide revels rock pools to explore cornish marine life with the children then high tide leaves a little patch of sand. This is a very popular beach for families during summer as there are tons of facilities being right in town. The beach at Kingsand overlooks Plymouth Sound and has fantastic views of the ships coming and going.
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Hemmick Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Dodman point. The beach is a golden sandy cove with rocks on the left hand side filled with big and small rock pools which at low tide become bigger. Parking nearby is around a quater of a mile away and a 10 minute walk across the fields which does put some visitors off hence the beach remaining quiet during the summer months and most visitors often stay at the nearby hostel.
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Gyllyngvase Beach is located near Falmouth, a short walk from the town center and is considered to be the best beach in Falmouth. Gyllyngvase is the perfect beach for families with soft golden sand and beautiful views surrounded and not to forget the lovely facilities nearby and cafe. The sea at this beach is clear and safe to swim at as it sheltered from rough seas by the Lizard Peninsula to the west and in the summer there is lifeguard cover here too. Low tide here uncovers rock pools to explore with the kids at low tide with shrimps, crabs and more to see.
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Grebe Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near the Helford River mouth. A short walk away from Grebe beach is a secluded woodland walk near the village of Durgan. Access to the beach is limited via a steep path down so this prevents Grebe from getting too busy. Grebe beach is a mix of sand, shingle and rocks which can be hard to sit on but if you find a soft spot you can sit for hours and watch the world go by. Swimming in the sea here can be quite safe but caution should always be advised when there are no lifeguards on the beach.
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Great Molunan and Little Molunan beach are located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Mawes in the mouth of the River Fal. These series of coves are the Molunans are tucked away in shelter of the St Anthony Head with its lighthouse standing guard over the entrance to the Carrick Roads. With views across the water to Pendennis Castle and beyond is the town of Falmouth. Surrounding these coves are always yachts setting out from Mylor, Flushing and Falmouth along with from time to time giant commercial shipping boats.
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Gorran Haven Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Gorran Haven village. This sheltered beach has Dodman point just to the west and as this beach is so close to the village it benefits from the facilities there, cafes, pubs and more more to discover. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Godrevy Cove is located in West Cornwall situated near Coverack and on the Lizard Peninsula. This sheltered sandy beach hardly ever gets busy due to its remote location, unlike other Cornish beaches there are no cliffs to climb down so you can’t get cut off as the tide comes in. Godrevy Cove generally see’s less stormy sea’s due to facing more east. Stretching for around 300 meters to the neighbouring beaches .
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Freathy Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in Whitsand Bay. Freathy has a beautiful beach with a large expanse of sand at low tide which spits into the east and west coves but as the tide comes in these areas of sand disappear and be sure not to get caught out by the tide so before visiting please check tide times. Freathy is also pretty safe to swim at but always have caution when entering the sea as there is also no lifeguard cover here. Freathy is only accessible down a winding cliff path.
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Flushing Cove is a small, secluded beach located on Gillan Creek. It is composed of sand and shingle and offers stunning views of the sea. The beach is surrounded by mature woodland and is not easily accessible, which contributes to its peaceful atmosphere. There is no parking available at the beach, and there are no facilities on site. However, the beach is a lovely and quiet spot, nestled in a beautiful location. If you do happen to encounter anyone else on the beach, they are likely either launching a boat or passing through on the coast path.
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Durgan Beach located in West Cornwall and situated in a valley in a tiny village called Durgan. This beach overlooks the Helford river with stunning views in all directions. The beach is made up of a mix of grey sand and shingle with scattered rocks. The beach has great features for children such as rock pools at either end. Durgan beach is suitable for swimming and is fairly safe in this sheltered location but there isn’t any RNLI lifeguards.
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Duporth Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. This beach remains quiet throughout summer and winter which is unknown being this close to a mjaor cornish town. The beach has low cliffs backed on to it and covered in Cornish plants and shrubs otherwise it appears out of a rock coastline which stretches for half a mile. Low tide at this beach uncovers rock pools full of Cornish marine life. Duporth doesn’t have any facilities near and those looking for parking will need to park at Porthpean or Charlestown.
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Downderry Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Downderry beach is made up on sand and shingle. Low tide opens up Downderry as a vast beach and uncovers rock pools to explore Cornish marine life with the children. You can also walk across to Seaton during low tide but always check the tide times as it can be easy to get cut off. There is also a good pub right on the beach and you can park your car in the village.
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Charlestown Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated just a short walk away from Charlestown village and St Austell town. This sand beach has been explored by geologists with an interest in the pebbles. The beach features a small number of caves in the cliffs but be careful as there can be rock falls happening at any time. The beach is divided into two sections, the east and west side of the harbour, the bigger side is the east whilst the west side offers rock pools to explore and interesting rock formations to look into.
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Cawsand Bay Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This sheltered bay overlooking Plymouth and is considered safe to swim in although we always advise caution when entering the sea. The beach itself is made up of sand and shingle. At low tide it opens up more rock pools to explore cornish marine life with children. This is a popular place for families as it has a lot of facilities to offer being in town and being so close to a major city like Plymouth.
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Castle Beach is a picturesque spot in South East Cornwall, located near the town of Falmouth. It is a long, thin stretch of golden sand that is dotted with rocks. The beach is best for swimming at high tide, but at low tide, it can be dangerous due to the presence of sharp rocks and old wartime wrecks that are exposed.
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Carne Beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, due to its stunning scenery and diverse range of activities available. The beach is known for its crystal clear waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The rockpools at the end of the beach are also a popular spot for families, as they provide a great opportunity to explore the local marine life and discover the diverse range of creatures that live in the waters around the Roseland Peninsula.
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Carlyon Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Mevagissey. This bay is stretches almost 2 miles long and the sand composite is actually a mix of waste from the tin and china clay revolution and if you take a closer look its made up of large grains of grey quartz. Carlyn Bay is actually known as 3 seperate sectionsm Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver. Crinnis is the bigger part and is what is known as Carlyon Bay Beach.
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Whitsand Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This is potentially one of the longest and best stretches of beach in Cornwall. Whitsand is made up of 4 miles of sand towards low tide and several small coves and beaches join up here. Access to the beach is down a steep cliff paths from the car park at either end, the easiest way down is near Tregantle Fort leading to Long Sands Beach. Another car park is near Sharrow Point and leads down to Freathy and Tregonhawke Beach.
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Vault Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula, just a short walk from Dodman point which is above the sea level by 110 meters. This shingle based beach gently slopes into the sea and at low tide uncovers rock pools to explore on the right hand side. Bathing here is usually fine but always be cautious as there is no lifeguards on duty. Surrounding this beach are beautiful walks along the South west coastal path
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Trebah Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near the Helford Passage. This beach is also known as Polgwidden Cove as it provides the perfect place to chill out and watch the waves go by. Backing on to the beach is a cafe, serving hot and cold drinks along with ice cream on those hots days.
Please note, there is no access to the beach from the coast path and landing on Trebah Beach by boat or any other watercraft is strictly prohibited.
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Talland Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near the fishing village of Polperro. From Talland Bay both Looe and Polperro are in walking distance via the south west coastal path. Talland bay comprises of two beaches, the main beach and Rotterdam beach which you can see at the other side of the bay. The main beach is a popular tourist destination with a car park, toilets, shop and a beach cafe. The sand here is a mix of coarse shingle and as the tide drops off it opens a vast amount of rock pools perfect for exploring Cornish marine life with the children.
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Summers Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in St Mawes. Just a short walk from the village centre, this is definitely the best beach in St Mawes. Perhaps not the sandiest of beaches, it’s still a decent one. If you can brave the cold water, the sea is great to swim in as well with a small platform you can go over to and dive off. Make sure you keep an eye out for jelly fish though and always be cautious when entering the sea as there aren’t any lifeguard cover.
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Seaton Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Low tide opens up Seaton beach into a large area of sand and you can walk as far as Downderry beach. High tide covers a lot of the beach but you can still walk down to Downderry beach to watch the fisherman fish off the pier. Seaton beach is a mixture of pebbles and coarse sand which is one of their charms. This beach is managed by Cornwall Council and facilities have been invested in such as improved disabled access and a children’s play park on the green behind the beach. In addition there is a large cafe, shop and toilets on the beach front.
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Porthluney Bay Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula. The golden sandy beach backs on to Caerhays Castle with their beautiful gardens. The beach at low tide opens up more and reveals rock pools for the children to explore some Cornish marine life. The beach itself is sheltered and relatively safe to swim in with also a ban on motorised water vehicles to keep the peace and quiet.
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Porthcurnick Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. This beach is a short walk away from Portscatho Beach and Portscatho village. At high tide it leaves the beach with a small beach but at low tide the beach opens up along with the rock pools on either side of the beach. If you want to come swim here we advise against it as there are strong rip currents and no lifeguards on duty year round. The beach has a cafe backed on to it along with portaloos.
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Porthbeor beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Mawes. This golden stretch of sand is part of the Roseland Peninsula and one of the lesser known beaches in Cornwall making it generally quiet even through the peak of summer. The beach is around 500 meters long which allows a lot of room for activities but with no parking nearby this beach can be difficult to get to for families. Swimming is not advised here as there aren’t any lifeguards in summer nor winter.
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Porthbean Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. This beach is a golden sandy beach just a short walk away from Porthcurnick Beach. Porthbean is one of Cornwalls meany AONB and SSSI due to the biological diversity in the area. During low tide it leaves this beach with vast golden sand and plenty of room to play with the children or activities. As there is no lifeguard here we advise against swimming here due to strong rip currents.
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Polstreath is located in South East Cornwall and situated on near Mevagissey. This sheltered beach has has been spotted many times on instagram as ‘the beach with the stairs’. Polstreath doesn’t benefit from the facilities with no cafes, pubs nearby. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Polridmouth Cove is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. This shingle based beach is accessed by a woody track and the coves feel left untouched given the location and the access to the coves. Low tide joins the two beaches together and as the tide comes it leaves little to no room left on the beach. The west cove is access via a farm track which is backed on to by the coastal path and the cove to the east backs on to lawns and the lake of Polridmouth cottage both are private but not fenced.
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Polperro Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the village of Polperro. This beach is known in one of the most picturesque fishing villages filled with beautiful whitewashed cottages. Polperro beach is a small sandy beach positioned just outside of the harbour wall on the east side as it sits underneath the cliff edge and harbour wall it is well protected from the wind, although it is limited by size and during high tide the beach dissappears.
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Plaidy Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Plaidy beach is a small shingle, sandy beach and during summer can be a nice spot to miss the crowds around Looe. The beach is actually backed on to a residential area with a nice tranquil feel to it. High tide at the beach doesn’t leave much to work with so check the tide times before arriving. Low tide actually opens up the beach to revel some rock pools to explore Cornish marine life.
The south-easterly aspect of the beach makes it fairly sheltered and catches the sun. Whilst there is no lifeguard service the swimming and snorkelling are generally safe.
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Pendower Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. Low tide sees Pendower Beach join up with Carne Beach to form a vast golden sandy beach stretching around a mile long across Gerrans Bay. Pendower Beach is a popular beach with families during summer especially to one side as its more sandy and the west being quite rocky with many rock pools for the children to explore Cornish marine life.
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Par Sands Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell just a short walk away from Par Sands Beach. Par Sands beach is a wide sandy beach and faces towards the south, this beach also backs on to some low sand dunes like most cornish beaches. During summer the beach can get quite busy with many holiday parks around the beach although it can get crowded it never feels it as the beach is vast. Low tide opens to beach up more and unveils some rock pools to explore with the children.
Swimming at Par Sands can be quite safe but considering there is no lifeguard cover we always enter the sea with caution.
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Millendreath Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. This beach is south facing and lies at the feet of a wooden area in a cove. Low tide sees Millendreath beach open up with soft sand and plenty of rock pools to explore cornish marine life. High tide sees nearly the whole beach disappear so check tide times before visiting. Surrounding Millendreath beach is plenty of beautiful coastal walks on the south west coastal path.
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Loe Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the River Fal. This sheltered shingle beach is fairly safe for swimming due to not being exposed to the Atlantic and its well known for watersports in this area. This beach also has great parking on the back of the beach which is perfect for those people who aren’t wanting to walk too far for a beach. There is also good fishing off the rocks at dawn and dusk. This beach also holds small boats which are launched here from time to time, it also has a boat hire which you can hire kayaks, sailing dinghies and rowing beach at the watersports center.
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Lantic Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Fowey. Lantic bay is often described as the hidden gem of Cornwall which is accutrate to Lantic Bay. This beach is a golden stretch of sand but during high tide it splits into two beaches, as the tide goes out the beach joins up again into one cove. The west side of the beach is easily accessible at low tide but keep you’re eye on the tide as you can get cut off.
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Lansallos Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Fowey. This small cove at low tide opens up to a decent sized beach but at high tide it almost dissappears. The beach is made up of sand and shingle and actually features a small waterfall on the eastern side known as Reed Water which was once used to power a small mill. Swimming is not advised here as there are no lifeguard cover
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Kingsand Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This small fishing village beach consists of sand and shingle and is south facing meaning less wind. The beach itself backs right onto the village and is home to the iconic Kingsand Clocktower. Low tide revels rock pools to explore cornish marine life with the children then high tide leaves a little patch of sand. This is a very popular beach for families during summer as there are tons of facilities being right in town. The beach at Kingsand overlooks Plymouth Sound and has fantastic views of the ships coming and going.
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Hemmick Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Dodman point. The beach is a golden sandy cove with rocks on the left hand side filled with big and small rock pools which at low tide become bigger. Parking nearby is around a quater of a mile away and a 10 minute walk across the fields which does put some visitors off hence the beach remaining quiet during the summer months and most visitors often stay at the nearby hostel.
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Gyllyngvase Beach is located near Falmouth, a short walk from the town center and is considered to be the best beach in Falmouth. Gyllyngvase is the perfect beach for families with soft golden sand and beautiful views surrounded and not to forget the lovely facilities nearby and cafe. The sea at this beach is clear and safe to swim at as it sheltered from rough seas by the Lizard Peninsula to the west and in the summer there is lifeguard cover here too. Low tide here uncovers rock pools to explore with the kids at low tide with shrimps, crabs and more to see.
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Grebe Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near the Helford River mouth. A short walk away from Grebe beach is a secluded woodland walk near the village of Durgan. Access to the beach is limited via a steep path down so this prevents Grebe from getting too busy. Grebe beach is a mix of sand, shingle and rocks which can be hard to sit on but if you find a soft spot you can sit for hours and watch the world go by. Swimming in the sea here can be quite safe but caution should always be advised when there are no lifeguards on the beach.
…Great Perhaver Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Gorran Haven village. This sheltered beach has no facilities and doesn’t get as busy as neighbouring beaches due to this fact. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here. During high tide the beach disappears leaving nothing behind.
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Great Molunan and Little Molunan beach are located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Mawes in the mouth of the River Fal. These series of coves are the Molunans are tucked away in shelter of the St Anthony Head with its lighthouse standing guard over the entrance to the Carrick Roads. With views across the water to Pendennis Castle and beyond is the town of Falmouth. Surrounding these coves are always yachts setting out from Mylor, Flushing and Falmouth along with from time to time giant commercial shipping boats.
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Gorran Haven Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Gorran Haven village. This sheltered beach has Dodman point just to the west and as this beach is so close to the village it benefits from the facilities there, cafes, pubs and more more to discover. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Godrevy Cove is located in West Cornwall situated near Coverack and on the Lizard Peninsula. This sheltered sandy beach hardly ever gets busy due to its remote location, unlike other Cornish beaches there are no cliffs to climb down so you can’t get cut off as the tide comes in. Godrevy Cove generally see’s less stormy sea’s due to facing more east. Stretching for around 300 meters to the neighbouring beaches .
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Flushing Cove is a small, secluded beach located on Gillan Creek. It is composed of sand and shingle and offers stunning views of the sea. The beach is surrounded by mature woodland and is not easily accessible, which contributes to its peaceful atmosphere. There is no parking available at the beach, and there are no facilities on site. However, the beach is a lovely and quiet spot, nestled in a beautiful location. If you do happen to encounter anyone else on the beach, they are likely either launching a boat or passing through on the coast path.
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Durgan Beach located in West Cornwall and situated in a valley in a tiny village called Durgan. This beach overlooks the Helford river with stunning views in all directions. The beach is made up of a mix of grey sand and shingle with scattered rocks. The beach has great features for children such as rock pools at either end. Durgan beach is suitable for swimming and is fairly safe in this sheltered location but there isn’t any RNLI lifeguards.
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Duporth Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. This beach remains quiet throughout summer and winter which is unknown being this close to a mjaor cornish town. The beach has low cliffs backed on to it and covered in Cornish plants and shrubs otherwise it appears out of a rock coastline which stretches for half a mile. Low tide at this beach uncovers rock pools full of Cornish marine life. Duporth doesn’t have any facilities near and those looking for parking will need to park at Porthpean or Charlestown.
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Downderry Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Downderry beach is made up on sand and shingle. Low tide opens up Downderry as a vast beach and uncovers rock pools to explore Cornish marine life with the children. You can also walk across to Seaton during low tide but always check the tide times as it can be easy to get cut off. There is also a good pub right on the beach and you can park your car in the village.
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Charlestown Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated just a short walk away from Charlestown village and St Austell town. This sand beach has been explored by geologists with an interest in the pebbles. The beach features a small number of caves in the cliffs but be careful as there can be rock falls happening at any time. The beach is divided into two sections, the east and west side of the harbour, the bigger side is the east whilst the west side offers rock pools to explore and interesting rock formations to look into.
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Carne Beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, due to its stunning scenery and diverse range of activities available. The beach is known for its crystal clear waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The rockpools at the end of the beach are also a popular spot for families, as they provide a great opportunity to explore the local marine life and discover the diverse range of creatures that live in the waters around the Roseland Peninsula.
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Talland Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near the fishing village of Polperro. From Talland Bay both Looe and Polperro are in walking distance via the south west coastal path. Talland bay comprises of two beaches, the main beach and Rotterdam beach which you can see at the other side of the bay. The main beach is a popular tourist destination with a car park, toilets, shop and a beach cafe. The sand here is a mix of coarse shingle and as the tide drops off it opens a vast amount of rock pools perfect for exploring Cornish marine life with the children.
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Swanpool Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated near Falmouth, precisely around half a mile from the town center. Swanpool beach has something for everyone from families to people who love nature. Swanpool beach is a sheltered and generally safe beach to swim in as its on the south east coast it doesn’t have any Atlantic waves but please be careful if you enter the water as there is no lifeguard cover. The beach is composed of golden sand with a few rocks during low tide. A popular feature about this beach is Swanpool Beach Cafe, not open all year round but its ice cream is the hit there.
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Seaton Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Low tide opens up Seaton beach into a large area of sand and you can walk as far as Downderry beach. High tide covers a lot of the beach but you can still walk down to Downderry beach to watch the fisherman fish off the pier. Seaton beach is a mixture of pebbles and coarse sand which is one of their charms. This beach is managed by Cornwall Council and facilities have been invested in such as improved disabled access and a children’s play park on the green behind the beach. In addition there is a large cafe, shop and toilets on the beach front.
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Ready Money Cove is located in South East Cornwall and situated right in the heart of Fowey village. This small sheltered beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs which edge over the mouth of the river fowey. The beach looks out to the River Fowey Estuary and to the right you can find St Catherines Castle and to the left is a medieval house perched on the end of the cliff, known to be former celebrity resident. Ready Money Cove is reasonably safe for swimming in the cove however please always have caution when entering the sea as there if no lifeguard cover here.
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Portwrinkle Beach is nestled in South East Cornwall, near the charming town of Looe. While it may be overshadowed by the nearby Whitsand Bay, Portwrinkle has a rich history, once leading in the pilchard industry. Nowadays, the old fish cellars have been transformed into holiday cottages, and the harbor exudes tranquility. Portwrinkle boasts two lovely beaches, Hoodny Cove and Finnygook Beach, with a small sandy area near the harbor to explore.
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Porthpean Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the near St Austell. This beach is sheltered and easy to access, that maybe why its popular with families. During summer the cafe, shop and beach are open on the beach despite it being popular it doesn’t benefit from lifeguard cover but swimming is relatively safe but always have caution when entering the sea.
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Porthluney Bay Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula. The golden sandy beach backs on to Caerhays Castle with their beautiful gardens. The beach at low tide opens up more and reveals rock pools for the children to explore some Cornish marine life. The beach itself is sheltered and relatively safe to swim in with also a ban on motorised water vehicles to keep the peace and quiet.
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Polkerris Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell. Polkerris is a stunning beach and the walk down past the winding lanes sets the scene for this beautiful beach. The beach is tucked away sheltered from the winds and being on the South East coast this doesn’t see much swell coming in meaning the waters are generally calm, perfect for swimming but always be cautious when entering the sea as there is no lifeguard patrol here. Polkerris also has a harbour wall which in summer you can see kids jumping into the sea from there.
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Pentewan Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Mevagissey. This sheltered beach is actually owned by Pentewan Sands Holiday Park which backs on to the beach but the beach is still open to the public and only means that the beach is maintained to a good standard and it isn’t short of facilities. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Pendower Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in the Roseland Peninsula. Low tide sees Pendower Beach join up with Carne Beach to form a vast golden sandy beach stretching around a mile long across Gerrans Bay. Pendower Beach is a popular beach with families during summer especially to one side as its more sandy and the west being quite rocky with many rock pools for the children to explore Cornish marine life.
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Par Sands Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near St Austell just a short walk away from Par Sands Beach. Par Sands beach is a wide sandy beach and faces towards the south, this beach also backs on to some low sand dunes like most cornish beaches. During summer the beach can get quite busy with many holiday parks around the beach although it can get crowded it never feels it as the beach is vast. Low tide opens to beach up more and unveils some rock pools to explore with the children.
Swimming at Par Sands can be quite safe but considering there is no lifeguard cover we always enter the sea with caution.
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Millendreath Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. This beach is south facing and lies at the feet of a wooden area in a cove. Low tide sees Millendreath beach open up with soft sand and plenty of rock pools to explore cornish marine life. High tide sees nearly the whole beach disappear so check tide times before visiting. Surrounding Millendreath beach is plenty of beautiful coastal walks on the south west coastal path.
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Maenporth Beach is located in West Cornwall and situated just south of Falmouth. This beach is a vast golden sandy beach perfect for the family to come have a beach day here, with plenty of rock pools for the children to explore Cornish marine life it really is one of the best family beaches in Cornwall. Low tide a wreck appears out of the water, this wreck is named Ben Asdale and you can see it clearer whilst Sailing, Kayaking or doing water based activities. Parking is right by the beach along with facilities you need to spend the day here.
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Looe Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated right in Looe town. This beach is sheltered from the west by Looes Banjor Pier and overlooked by the east from some high cliffs making it ideal for the family. During Low tide here Looe is known for its safe swimming although do not swim by the mouth of the river as it has strong currents. The beach actually backs on to the seafront walkway which runs the length of the beach.
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Gyllyngvase Beach is located near Falmouth, a short walk from the town center and is considered to be the best beach in Falmouth. Gyllyngvase is the perfect beach for families with soft golden sand and beautiful views surrounded and not to forget the lovely facilities nearby and cafe. The sea at this beach is clear and safe to swim at as it sheltered from rough seas by the Lizard Peninsula to the west and in the summer there is lifeguard cover here too. Low tide here uncovers rock pools to explore with the kids at low tide with shrimps, crabs and more to see.
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Gorran Haven Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated on the Roseland Peninsula just a short walk away from Gorran Haven village. This sheltered beach has Dodman point just to the west and as this beach is so close to the village it benefits from the facilities there, cafes, pubs and more more to discover. Low tide opens up rock pools filled with Cornish marine life and the water is crystal clear around these parts, swimming is really good here but always be cautious when entering the sea as there isn’t lifeguard cover here.
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Freathy Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated in Whitsand Bay. Freathy has a beautiful beach with a large expanse of sand at low tide which spits into the east and west coves but as the tide comes in these areas of sand disappear and be sure not to get caught out by the tide so before visiting please check tide times. Freathy is also pretty safe to swim at but always have caution when entering the sea as there is also no lifeguard cover here. Freathy is only accessible down a winding cliff path.
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Flushing Cove is a small, secluded beach located on Gillan Creek. It is composed of sand and shingle and offers stunning views of the sea. The beach is surrounded by mature woodland and is not easily accessible, which contributes to its peaceful atmosphere. There is no parking available at the beach, and there are no facilities on site. However, the beach is a lovely and quiet spot, nestled in a beautiful location. If you do happen to encounter anyone else on the beach, they are likely either launching a boat or passing through on the coast path.
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Durgan Beach located in West Cornwall and situated in a valley in a tiny village called Durgan. This beach overlooks the Helford river with stunning views in all directions. The beach is made up of a mix of grey sand and shingle with scattered rocks. The beach has great features for children such as rock pools at either end. Durgan beach is suitable for swimming and is fairly safe in this sheltered location but there isn’t any RNLI lifeguards.
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Downderry Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Looe. Downderry beach is made up on sand and shingle. Low tide opens up Downderry as a vast beach and uncovers rock pools to explore Cornish marine life with the children. You can also walk across to Seaton during low tide but always check the tide times as it can be easy to get cut off. There is also a good pub right on the beach and you can park your car in the village.
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Charlestown Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated just a short walk away from Charlestown village and St Austell town. This sand beach has been explored by geologists with an interest in the pebbles. The beach features a small number of caves in the cliffs but be careful as there can be rock falls happening at any time. The beach is divided into two sections, the east and west side of the harbour, the bigger side is the east whilst the west side offers rock pools to explore and interesting rock formations to look into.
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Cawsand Bay Beach is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Saltash. This sheltered bay overlooking Plymouth and is considered safe to swim in although we always advise caution when entering the sea. The beach itself is made up of sand and shingle. At low tide it opens up more rock pools to explore cornish marine life with children. This is a popular place for families as it has a lot of facilities to offer being in town and being so close to a major city like Plymouth.
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Carne Beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, due to its stunning scenery and diverse range of activities available. The beach is known for its crystal clear waters, making it a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The rockpools at the end of the beach are also a popular spot for families, as they provide a great opportunity to explore the local marine life and discover the diverse range of creatures that live in the waters around the Roseland Peninsula.
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Carlyon Bay is located in South East Cornwall and situated near Mevagissey. This bay is stretches almost 2 miles long and the sand composite is actually a mix of waste from the tin and china clay revolution and if you take a closer look its made up of large grains of grey quartz. Carlyn Bay is actually known as 3 seperate sectionsm Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver. Crinnis is the bigger part and is what is known as Carlyon Bay Beach.
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