Local Beaches

Porthtowan

Porthtowan has one of the larger beaches in the area, and the only one with Blue Flag status. The dunes bordering the beach give the village its name - "Porth" means beach or cove in Cornish and "Towan" means sand dunes.

This village has been a popular resort since Edwardian times, both for families and for keen surfers, but has resisted the temptation to become over-commercialised. The swimming pool built into the rocks at the east end of the beach in 1915 still exists.

At low tide you can walk along the beach for around 2 miles as far as Chapel Porth Beach. Porthtowan is a popular surfing and kiting beach, and is the venue for several surfing championships. For the novice there are surfing lessons running during the spring & summer.

The RNLI lifeguard service operates between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm daily from May Bank Holiday to 1st October.

Chapel Porth

The impression you will get of Chapel Porth depends on when and at what tide you go there. At high tide it is a small stone and shingle beach, but at low tide it is quite different with the sands stretching all the way from St Agnes Head to the far side of Porthtowan beach.

Chapel Porth is renowned for great surf and, when the conditions are right, produces some of the finest waves in the Europe. There is plenty of parking in the National Trust car park at the beach as well as more spaces in the car park at the top of the hill above the cove.

Overlooking the beach is an excellent Beach Cafe. A Lifeguard service operates daily from May to September. Toilets are located in the beach car park.

Trevaunance Cove

Trevaunance Cove is the local beach to St. Agnes and is a popular choice for families. With the remains of the old harbour and several caves to explore, there's plenty to keep the kids entertained. At low tide it is posible to walk to the neighbouring beach of Trevellas Porth. There is plenty of parking at Trevaunance Cove and a place to get hot and cold snacks right next to the beach.

A Lifeguard service operates daily from May to September. The cove is good for surfing (usually calmer than Chapel Porth and Porthtowan) and also offers great fishing at Trevaunance Point around high tide.

Trevellas Porth

Trevellas Porth, one of the locations used in the TV version of the Poldark novels, is very popular with both fishermen and snorkellers. There is limited parking and swimming is not recommended due to unpredictable currents and the lack of a Lifeguard service.

The beach itself is mainly pebbles, but at low tide it is possible to walk to the next beach, Trevaunance Cove. Access to the cove is along a rough track down Trevellas Coombe.

Godrevy

This is one of the best stretches of golden sand in Cornwall and is popular with both families and surfers. The area behind the beach is owned by the National Trust and the walk through the coastal grassland and heathland is well worth the effort if the busy beach becomes too much.

Godrevy is connected to Gwithian beach at lower tides to create an impressive area of sand sometimes used by kite buggies. The beach ends in a low rocky headland and the lighthouse on an island just off the coast.

Perranporth

Perranporth Beach, together with Perran Sands and Penhale Sands form a three-mile stretch of golden sands. Large dunes back the beaches and are fun to explore. The beaches are popular with surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. Lifeguards are on duty between May and October. During the high season there are trampolines, volleyball and ice cream huts along the beach.

Although the beach can get busy during the summer it is easy to find a less crowded site due the size of the beach.

Our favourite bits? Penberth Cove, sunset over the sea at Porthtowan, and definitely Godrevy - just sitting on the rocks, watching the tide come in."

Deb & Jay, Gloucester.