South Cornwall Dog Friendly Beaches - Porthcurno, Kennack Sands, Gyllyngvase Beach, Kynance Cove, etc.

Small, picturesque and secluded narrow sandy beach in a tiny fishing hamlet. Minimal sand at low tide.

Porthgwarra is 10 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro.
Approach Penzance on the A30 and follow the directions for Lands End to stay on the A30. Two miles after Penzance turn left on the B3283 and drive through St Buryan. When the B3283 joins the B3315 continue on the B3315 through Treen. Pass the turning to Porthurno, then take the next left to Porthgwarra.

Access via a long cliff path with a rock climb down to the beach. Not suitable for pushchairs or anyone with disabilities.

South-facing sheltered cove, surrounded by cliffs.

A small but pleasant beach.

Porth Curno is 10 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston.
Approach Penzance on the A30 and follow the directions for Lands End staying on the A30. Two miles after Penzance turn left on the B3283 and drive through St Buryan. When the B3283 joins the B3315 continue on the B3315 through Treen and shortly after Treen turn left on the road down to Porth Curno. Park at the Porth Curno car park and take the coastal path to Porth Chapel.

Easy access from car park but final climb down to the beach is unsuitable for push chairs or wheel chairs.

Southeast-facing beautiful fine white sand and turquoise seas. Stunning coastal views with the Minack Theatre visible on the right amongst the cliffs and Logan rock to the left.  Small flight of steps to the beach.  A must-see, the Minack Theatre, can also be visited during the day outside of performance times.  Pedn Vounder beach can also be reached via the coast path, but access is difficult.

10 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston. Approach Penzance on the A30 and follow the directions for Lands End on the A30. Two miles after Penzance turn left on the B3283 through St Buryan. When the B3283 joins the B3315 continue on the B3315 through Treen and just after Treen turn left on the road down to Porth Curno.

Parking adjacent to harbour.

Pednvounder Beach is approx. 10 minutes walk along the coast path from 'The Quarries'.  At low water on a 'spring tide' it is possible to walk across the sands to Porthcurno.  An absolutely gorgeous beach and a well-guarded secret.  It is apparently also popular with nudists – not that the authors of this website would know.  Beach virtually covered at high tide.

From Penzance, take the A30 for Land`s End. Roughly 3 miles from Penzance, turn left at Catchall onto the B3283 (St.Buryan). Continue through St.Buryan.  Two miles southwest of St.Buryan the road traverses Penberth Valley at the top of the hill on the far side of the valley turn left to Treen (Logan Rock).
From the Land`s End area, take the B3315 (Porthcurno) off the A30 half a mile east of Land`s End.  Continue through Polgigga and past the Porthcurno turning. Just after the entrance to Trendrennen Farm on the right, the road starts downhill (Hangman`s Hill). Take the sharp right turn at the bottom of the hill to Treen (Logan Rock).

Park in the small car park at the village of Treen.  Follow a lane which turns sharply left past a campsite. The lane joins the coastal path which winds towards the beach.

Access is a little steep but there is a path.

Unremarkable except for its allowing dogs.  In attractive fishing village of Mousehole.

4 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston.
Take the A30 to Penzance and follow the A30 around the outskirts of Penzance. Shortly after Penzance turn left onto the B3315. At Newlyn go straight ahead and follow the road beside Newlyn harbour, which follows the coastline along to Mousehole.

Rocky beach with some sandy patches set in attractive fishing village.

4 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston.
Take the A30 to Penzance and follow the A30 around the outskirts of Penzance. Shortly after Penzance turn left onto the B3315. At Newlyn go straight ahead and follow the road beside Newlyn harbour, which follows the coastline along to Mousehole.

Dog-friendly beach in Mousehole.

4 miles from Penzance which is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston.
Take the A30 to Penzance and follow the A30 around the outskirts of Penzance. Shortly after Penzance turn left onto the B3315. At Newlyn go straight ahead and follow the road beside Newlyn harbour, which follows the coastline along to Mousehole.

Large pebble beach between Penzance and Newlyn.

Penzance is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston. From the northeast take the A30 and at Hayle follow the directions for Penzance. Turn right at the roundabout shortly after Crowlas.  Take the second left for Penzance at the next roundabout. At the third roundabout take the first left for Penzance town centre.  In Penzance turn left and follow the road by the harbour and promenade for the various car parks.

Steps lead down to the beach at Wherrytown.  Easy access from parking areas.

Southeast-facing beaches of pebbles and shingle with some small patches of sand at low tide. Jubilee Pool is near and is an open air sea water swimming pool open to the public (admission charge)

Penzance is 27 miles from Truro and 14 miles from Helston. From the northeast take the A30 and at Hayle follow the directions for Penzance. Turn right at the roundabout shortly after Crowlas.  Take the second left for Penzance at the next roundabout. At the third roundabout take the first left for Penzance town centre.  In Penzance turn left and follow the road by the harbour and promenade for the various car parks.

Easy access from parking areas.

Quiet and very safe beach with gently sloping sea bed, starting at Station Rocks and following the curve of Mount's Bay to Longrock.
This beach has been cleaned up by South West Water's Clean Sweep program and is now very clean indeed.

Five minutes’ walk from Penzance.  Access to the beach is either over the railway bridge or along the footpath by Penzance bus station.

Western edge of sands that stretch to Marazion.  Safe bathing and sheltered position with sand and pebbles. Very easily accessible from town. Shallow water.

Take coast road from Penzance to Marazion; beach is about 2 miles from Penzance town centre. Alternatively, walk along the beach from Eastern Green, Penzance.

Parking at Long Rock beach car park.  Easy access.

Large area of sand at low tide and access by foot to St Michael’s Mount. This is a popular beach with families and water sports such as windsurfers. To visit St Michaels Mount use the causeway at low tide and the ferry when the causeway is underwater.

Around 7 miles from Hayle and 10 miles from Helston.
Approaching from North Cornwall use the A30 and at Hayle follow the directions to Penzance. Proceed on the A30 and take the second left for Marazion at the roundabout shortly after Crowlas.  This road follows the coastline to two car parks by the beach and a smaller car park in Marazion.  You can also approach Marazion on the A394 from Helston.

Easy access from adjacent car park.

Flat sand and pebble beach, but not much beach at high tide.  Good for surfing however.

Take the Perranuthnoe turning from A394, Penzance to Helston road.

Access from car park is via steps or a slip way.

Some small coves of grey shingle and rocks are revealed at low tide. Attractive location with beautiful sea views.
Has a famous history of smuggling, largely due to John Carter, a notorious eighteenth century smuggler who was known as the King of Prussia. Carter fired cannon at Revenue shipping and broke into Revenue premises - but like a true gent only reclaimed his own expropriated goods.
Fishing is still carried out from the cove and there are quaint fishing huts.

Take Prussia Cove turning from A394, Penzance to Helston Road.

Access via an unmade track.

Huge southwest-facing long stretch of golden sand with good bathing, popular with families and surfers.  Excellent views on the coast path to the west and east of Praa Sands.  Slipway down to the beach.  Beware of shifting sands!

Follow the directions to Penzance from the A30 at Hayle.  There is a roundabout shortly after Crowlas; take the first left onto the A394. After about 6 miles on this road turn right to Praa Sands. Alternatively approach from Helston on the A394.

Easy access from parking area.

Near Praa sands.  On a clear day you can see to the other side of Mount's Bay as far as Lamorna. Porthcew beach has fine sand which is covered at high tide. The beach is usually uncrowded even in mid summer.

Southwest-facing 3-mile stretch of sand and shingle, steeply shelving. Swimming with care; occasional heavy shore break.  Can be dangerous at Loe Bar and Gunwalloe.

3 miles from Helston and 18 from Truro. Approach Helston on the A394. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and take the B3297 at Redruth to Helston. At Helston follow the A394 around the outskirts of the town and turn left onto the B3304 at the roundabout.

5 min walk from car park.

Southwest-facing 3-mile stretch of sand and shingle, steeply shelving. Swimming with care; occasional heavy shore break.

3 miles from Helston and 18 from Truro. Approach Helston on the A394. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and take the B3297 at Redruth to Helston. At Helston follow the A394 around the outskirts of the town and turn left onto the B3304 at the roundabout.

5 min walk from car park.

Grassy areas, steep sand shelves. Fierce currents; unsafe for swimming! The combination of powerful waves, steep slippery shingle bank and vicious currents make it a very dangerous stretch of beach; several lives have been lost.
Loe Bar is actually 2 parts; The Loe, the largest natural fresh water lake in Cornwall and the Bar, a half mile shingle bank between the river Loe and the sea.

Take directions to Porthleven (above).
Drive into Porthleven and along the harbourside on the right.  Follow the coast road south out of Porthleven keeping the sea on the right.  Finally there is a fork in the road signposted 'Loe Bar'; follow this road until it turns into a track ending in a car park.

Take the coast path past Penrose Estate to get to Loe Bar.

In terms of accessibility, it is a fair walk from the car park.

Small cove to the north of Church Cove.

Attractive west-facing sandy cove with a tiny church to the north side - hence the name.  Swimming with care. There is a stream running through this family beach, ideal for paddling.  There are in fact two coves here, each with a popular sandy beach. The rear corners of the two beaches almost touch but they are separated by a rocky little knoll. The more northerly, smaller and stonier beach is called Dollar Cove.  Apparently there’s lost Spanish treasure here… so if you’re planning a visit, take the metal detector!  A Spanish ship, The San Salvador - laden with silver dollars, came to rest here in 1669.  Some remainders of the two tons of lost coins are still washed ashore after heavy storms.  Since the 1800s people have tried to recover these lost riches, but as yet noone has made a substantial find.

To get there, take the right turning off Helston to Lizard Road, just past Culdrose Naval Base.

Easy access from the National Trust car park.

Large, popular west-facing cove of sand with dunes.  Rocks revealed at low tide on each side of beach.
 
Approach Helston on the A394 – or drive to Redruth on the A30 and take the B3297 to Helston at Redruth. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 3 miles after Helston turn right onto a minor road towards Cury and Poldhu Cove. Alternatively 5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 for Mullion and drive through Mullion to Poldhu Cove.

Easy access from the car park behind the beach.

Large west-facing cove of sand with cliffs either side.

Park at Mullion Cove and walk the coast path north (approx 20 minutes). Alternatively park at Poldhu Cove and walk south.
 
Approach Helston on the A394. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and take the B3297 to Helston at Redruth.  From Helston take the A3083 to the Lizard. About 4/5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 to Mullion. At Mullion follow the directions to stay on the B3296 to Mullion Cove. At Mullion Cove walk the coast path to Polurrian Cove.

Access via an unmade track leading to beach - not really suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or the elderly.

A picturesque National Trust harbour.   Small side beach at low tide.  Swimming with care.

Approach Helston on the A394, or drive to Redruth on the A30 taking the B3297 to Helston at Redruth. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 4/5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 to Mullion. At Mullion follow the directions to keep on the B3296 to Mullion Cove

Beach is a short walk from the car park.

A very popular and scenic cove, mostly covered at high tide but with a pleasant sandy beach at low tide. Danger of being cut off by high tide.

Approach Helston on the A394, or drive to Redruth on the A30 taking the B3297 to Helston at Redruth. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. Shortly before the Lizard village turn right onto the road for Kynance Cove.

Access is from National Trust car park down a steep unmade track and steps - not really suitable for pushchairs.

Pebble beach under cliffs, with some sand at low tide. Usually quiet due to lack of car parking.

Across the downs from the Lizard village or downhill from the car park above Kynance Cove; it is about the same distance for both beaches.

Car Parking in Lizard village or in National Trust car park above Kynance Cove – not terribly easy access. Swimming with care.

Small unremarkable grey coarse-sanded beach to the right of Lizard Point, dominated by the Old Lizard Lifeboat Station. Unsuitable for swimming.

Take the road to Lizard Point and walk down from the ruins of the old lighthouse.

A small sandy cove reachable by a 15-minute walk along the coast path from Lizard Point. No sand at low tide - risk of being cut off at high tide.
 
Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston - at Helston follow the A3083 to the Lizard.

The descent to the beach is rather steep and so not very accessible.

Small pebble beach set in attractive location.
 
20 miles from Redruth and 10 miles from Helston. Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston.  At Helston follow the A3083 to the Lizard.  On the A3083, about a mile from Lizard village, are two left turnings to Cadgwith. Take the second, then turn left again and continue to the Cadgwith car park.

Access via car park at main village; about a five-minute walk to the beach.

The attractive fishing village of Cadgwith has two small east-facing beaches. This is the main one, with a grey shingle beach and home to an assortment of fishing boats – this can crowd the beach, however.

20 miles from Redruth and 10 miles from Helston. Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston.  At Helston follow the A3083 to the Lizard.  On the A3083, about a mile from Lizard village, are two left turnings to Cadgwith. Take the second, then turn left again and continue to the Cadgwith car park.

Access via car park at main village.

Southeast-facing popular beach with plenty of sand and rockpools at low tide.  Surrounded by grassy areas.

Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston.  At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. Turn left onto the B3293 just after Culdrose Airfield.  Take the first right after the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station and continue to Kuggar; here, turn left and continue down to Kennack Sands.

Flat and easy access from (small) parking area

Southeast-facing popular beach with plenty of sand and rockpools at low tide.  Surrounded by grassy areas.

Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston.  At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. Turn left onto the B3293 just after Culdrose Airfield.  Take the first right after the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station and continue to Kuggar; here, turn left and continue down to Kennack Sands.

Flat and easy access from (small) parking area

Small east-facing pebble and sand beach overlooked by an attractive fishing village. Sand and rocks are mostly covered at high tide. Swimming with care.

Approach Helston on the A394 or drive to Redruth on the A30 and then take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard.  Turn left onto the B3293 just after Culdrose Airfield.  After about 8 miles turn right onto the B3294 and continue until Coverack.

Easy access from car park via steps down to the beach.

East-facing stone and shingle beach surrounded by quarry workings. Parking on the beach. Swimming with care.  Popular with divers - shipwrecks in the area around The Manacles.

Take the B3293 across Goonhilly Downs to St Keverne and then follow the signs to Porthhoustock.

Easy access from parking close to the quay.

Small pebble beach directly in front of Porthallow - once a busy fishing village with a thriving pilchard fleet but with now only a few working boats left; these remaining boats are nice to watch as they pull in and out of the harbour.  There are hills on either side of the beach giving it shelter. Rock pools at low tide.  Pleasant views of the Fal estuary.

About midway between Porthkerris Point and Nare Head. Porthallow can best be approached from Manaccan.

Porthallow is a pebbly beach set in an old fishing cove.

Swimming with care.

Polgwidden Cove lies on the Helford River close to Helford Passage, at the bottom of Trebah gardens.  A great place for boating or exploring – with the gardens, this part of Cornwall - with its huge Rhododendrons and magnolias - has a rather subtropical atmosphere.

In the Falmouth area; Falmouth is about 10 miles from Truro. Join the A390 towards Truro and at Truro follow the directions for Falmouth on the A39.
Get to Polgwidden by walking from Helford Passage or Trebah Garden; several car parks around Polgwidden at Helford Passage, Trebah Garden, Glendurgan Gardens and Bosloe.

Attractive east-facing sheltered sandy beach between small headlands.
Great coastpath which makes it worth the visit.
There are also some quiet pebble beaches to the south.

Falmouth is about 10 miles from Truro. Join the A390 towards Truro and at Truro follow the directions for Falmouth on the A39. Approaching Falmouth, pass the reservoir and turn right at the next roundabout. Continue for about 3 miles.

Easy level access from parking right on the beach.

Disabled access and toilets

East-facing sheltered sandy cove on the outskirts of Falmouth.

Falmouth is about 10 miles from Truro. Join the A390 towards Truro and at Truro follow the directions for Falmouth on the A39.  Keep on the A39 through Falmouth, then turn right at a crossroads with signs to beaches. Then take the second right and continue on to Swanpool beach.

Easy level access from car park across the road.

Falmouth’s largest beach. A lovely crescent of sand, popular with families.  There is also the excellent, newly refurbished beach café on the seafront with its wide balcony and excellent sea views.

Falmouth is about 10 miles from Truro. Join the A390 towards Truro and at Truro follow the directions for Falmouth on the A39.  Keep on the A39 through Falmouth, then turn right at a crossroads with signs to beaches, then take the 2nd left and follow this road to the beach. Either park by the beach or carry on to Cliff Road fpr parking.  There is a lot of extra parking available down side streets etc., but it can get busy in the height of summer.

Disabled access and toilets (Sand chair available)

South-facing sandy beach with many rocks and a view of Pendennis Castle in the distance.  Limited at high tide but with plenty of interesting rock pools at low tide.  Nearby parking on roads can be busy in the height of summer.

Falmouth is about 10 miles from Truro. Join the A390 towards Truro and at Truro follow the directions for Falmouth on the A39.  Keep on the A39 through Falmouth, then turn right at a crossroads with signs to beaches, then take the second left and follow the road past Gyllyngvase car park onto Cliff Road for parking.

Easy access from parking down steps or slope.

The “main” beach at St Mawes and though not impressive for surf or sand offers some nice views and is good for photography.

St Mawes is 16 miles from Truro and 20 miles from St Austell.  Approaching on the A390 about 4 miles east of Truro turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes, and continue on the A3078 until St Mawes.

Small rocky beach over the harbour wall at St Mawes.

St Mawes is 16 miles from Truro and 20 miles from St Austell.  Approaching on the A390 about 4 miles east of Truro turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes, and continue on the A3078 until St Mawes.

Pebble and sand beach underneath the cliff face near Tregony.  One of Cornwall’s best “secret beaches”, difficult to get to and so usually very quiet.  Being underneath the cliff face, the beach is obscured and practically invisible from the headland.  It can only be reached via a public footpath through farmland and a down steps carved into the cliff wall.  Swimming with care.

16/17 miles from St Austell. Aproaching on the A390, turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes about 4 miles east of Truro. Continue down this road and turn left at Trewithian.  Continue on for 4/5 miles and park up.

15 minute walk from parking.

Difficult access.

Southeast-facing, generally uncrowded, quite spacious crescent of sand and pebble with rock pools at low tide.  Located near St Austell at the southern end of Gerrans Bay; not the Towan beach near Newquay.

16 miles from St Austell. Aproaching on the A390, turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes about 4 miles east of Truro. Continue down this road and turn left at Trewithian. Follow this road for about 4 miles and just after Porth Creek, park at Porth farm.

Beach is accessed via a 250-yard path.

Southeast-facing wide sandy cove just north of Portscatho.  Rock pools and a slipway.

13 miles from Truro and 16 miles from St Austell. Approaching on the A390 turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes about 4 miles east of Truro and continue until Trewithian. At Trewithian turn left for Portscatho. Take the next left, park up at the small car park just before Portscatho and walk the coast path to the beach.

Accessis via a short walk from car park.  Limited road parking by the beach.  Other smaller beaches are accessible at low tide.

Undeveloped sand and rock beach with many lovely walks either along the coast to St Anthony Head or east over towards Portscatho. Lovely views across the Percuil anchorage towards St Mawes.

16 miles from St Austell. Aproaching on the A390, turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes about 4 miles east of Truro. Continue down this road and turn left at Trewithian. Follow this road for about 4 miles and just after Porth Creek, park at Porth farm.

A path from the small parking area at Porth Farm leads down to the beach.

Tattams Beach

West part of the south-facing, mile-long popular sandy beach with slipway (the east part is Carne Beach).  Excellent views along the coastline. Rocks revealed at low tide.

10 miles from Truro and 12 from St Austell.  About 4 miles east of Truro on the A390 turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes.  Continue past Tregony and Ruan High Lanes and turn left for Veryan. At Veryan turn right, right again, and finally right again to drive down to the car park. It is also possible to continue on the A3078, past the Veryan turning, and take the next left to drive down the western approach to Pendower to a rather small car park on the cliff top.

Carne Beach

East part of the south-facing continuation of Pendower Beach (the west part is Pendower). At high tide there is a little beach, but at low tide there is plenty of sand and shingle with rocks at either end. Good views.

10 miles from Truro and 12 from St Austell.  About 4 miles east of Truro on the A390 turn onto the A3078 for St Mawes.  Continue past Tregony and Ruan High Lanes and turn left for Veryan.. At Veryan turn right, then left and then right again and continue to Carne Beach.

Access from large National Trust car park.