Secluded Beaches in Cornwall
59 secluded beaches in Cornwall that reward those willing to walk a little further - quiet coves and hidden sands away from the crowds.
These beaches stay quiet because they take effort to reach - steep cliff paths, long walks from the nearest car park, or tricky descents that deter casual visitors. The payoff is near-empty sand, clear water, and a sense of discovery. Come prepared: most have no facilities, so bring water, food, and everything you need for the day. Check tide times before you go, as some coves disappear at high water. Sturdy footwear is essential for the approach paths.
Bedruthan Steps Beach
wadebridge
Dramatic sea stacks at low tide between Newquay and Padstow. Steep cliff steps lead to golden sand and wild spring flowers. Check tides before visiting.
Bossiney Cove Beach
tintagel
Secluded sandy cove near Tintagel accessible only at low tide. Turquoise water, Elephant Rock, and caves make this quieter than Tintagel Castle nearby.
Cadgwith Beach
helston
Working fishing village on the Lizard with two shingle coves. Traditional Cornish gig boats land their catch daily. Cadgwith Cove Inn overlooks the beach.
Carne Beach
truro
Mile-long sheltered beach on the Roseland Heritage Coast near Veryan. Calm swimming water and gradual sand slope; the Nare Hotel sits on the clifftop.
Constantine Bay Beach
constantine bay
Reliable surf beach near Padstow with rock pools at each end. Consistent Atlantic waves suit all levels.
Crackington Haven Beach
bude
Coarse sand cove enclosed by dramatic striped sandstone and shale cliffs near Bude. Reliable surf breaks, rock pools, and village cafes above the beach.
Crantock Beach
crantock
Wide sandy beach near Newquay where the Gannel estuary meets the sea. Backed by dunes, quieter than Fistral. Good surf and rock pools at low tide.
Duckpool Beach
bude
Remote National Trust cove north of Bude with large boulders and dramatic cliffs. No facilities, no lifeguards.
Great Western Beach
newquay
Named after the Great Western Railway, this Newquay beach first introduced the town to surfing. Rock pools and sea caves at the base of the cliffs.
Gunwalloe Church Cove Beach
helston
National Trust cove on the Lizard with a 13th-century church - the Church of the Storms - built into the cliffs at the beach's edge.
Gwithian Towans
hayle
Miles of dune-backed golden sand at the west end of St Ives Bay. Left and right-hand surf breaks for all levels, plus kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Gwynver Beach
penzance
Surf beach near Sennen with powerful Atlantic swells and fewer crowds than its neighbour. Steep cliff path to access the sand.
Gyllyngvase Beach
falmouth
Blue Flag beach in Falmouth - known locally as Gylly - with fine sand and a popular beachside café. Panoramic views across Falmouth Bay.
Hannafore Beach
looe
Rocky shore in West Looe with Cornwall’s best rock pools at low tide - crabs, starfish, anemones, and squat lobsters.
Hemmick Beach
st austell
Small secluded cove on the south coast near Gorran Haven. No facilities on the beach - bring supplies. Clear water for swimming and snorkelling.
Holywell Bay
holywell bay
Over a mile of dune-backed sand near Newquay, with sea stacks called Gull Rocks rising from the water. Surf, bodyboarding, and tidal pools.
Kynance Cove
helston
Turquoise water and serpentine rock formations at the tip of the Lizard, one of the most photographed spots in Cornwall.
Lamorna Cove
penzance
Rocky inlet near Penzance favoured by the early 20th-century Lamorna artist colony. Clear water for snorkelling, rock pooling, and a small seasonal café.
Lansallos Beach
looe
Remote cove between Looe and Polperro reached only by countryside footpath. Crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkelling with no facilities.
Lantic Bay
fowey
National Trust bay near Fowey accessed via steep 20-30 minute walk. Dramatic cliffs, calm clear water, and no lifeguards keep it quiet and undisturbed.
Lekerock Cove Beach
looe
Remote cove on the Lizard near Kynance requiring challenging cliff path access. Turquoise waters stay near-empty with zero facilities.
Little & Great Molunan Beach
truro
Twin coves at St Anthony Head on the Roseland with views across Carrick Roads. Steep footpath access, rock pools at low tide, no facilities.
Lusty Glaze
newquay
Privately owned Newquay cove enclosed by 200ft cliffs, accessed by 133 steep steps only. Adventure centre, beachside restaurant and bar on sand.
Maenporth Beach
falmouth
Sheltered south-facing cove just south of Falmouth. Sandy beach, calm water for swimming and kayaking, plus a café and restaurant on site.
Mawgan Porth
newquay
Wide north coast bay between Newquay and Padstow with rock pools at low tide and reliable surf. Surf schools, cafés, and dog-friendly year-round.
Millook Beach
bude
Geologically remarkable pebble beach south of Bude famous for dramatically folded cliff strata. Rock pooling and geology exploring rather than swimming.
Mother's Ivey Bay
st merryn
On Trevose Head Heritage Coast near Padstow, with views of Trevose Head Lighthouse. Long sandy bay, shallow calm water, minimal facilities - bring your.
Mullion Cove Beach
mullion
Rocky cove on the Lizard with a historic working harbour and frequent seal sightings. Good for rock pooling and snorkelling.
Nanjizal Beach
penzance
Remote cove near Land's End with the 'Song of the Sea' rock arch. 45-min walk via the Coast Path - no road access.
Northcott Mouth Beach
bude
Dog-friendly year-round north coast beach near Bude with rock pools and the 'Devil's Cauldron' tidal formation.
Pedn Vounder
penzance
Cliff-backed cove near Porthcurno with natural tidal lagoons and turquoise water. Steep scramble access keeps crowds low. No facilities.
Penberth Cove
penzance
Working fishing cove near St Buryan, still active today. Pebble and granite beach in a narrow wooded valley - a genuine piece of Cornwall's maritime heritage.
Piskies Cove
cadgwith
Small rocky cove on the Lizard with clear water, rich rock pools, and good snorkelling. No facilities.
Polurrian Beach
helston
Surf-friendly beach under Lizard cliffs near Mullion with golden sand and nesting seabirds. No facilities, bring your own supplies.
Polzeath Beach
polzeath
Half-mile north coast surf beach near Wadebridge with left and right-hand breaks for all abilities. Dunes, cliffs, and multiple surf schools.
Ponsence Cove
helston
Remote sandy cove on the Lizard in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Steep access path, no facilities. Near Kynance Cove and Lizard Point.
Port Gaverne Beach
port isaac
Sheltered cove near Port Isaac with calm, clear water for swimming and kayaking. Rock pools at low tide, traditional pub nearby.
Porth Beach
newquay
Family-friendly bay north of Newquay with flat sand, a stream for paddling, and Iron Age cliff castle. Lifeguarded May-Sep, dog-free in summer.
Porth Joke (Polly Joke) Beach
newquay
Car-free cove between Crantock and Holywell Bay. Foot access only keeps it quieter than neighbours. Golden sand, wild cliffs, good surf.
Porthcew (Rinsey Cove)
helston
National Trust cove near Helston with mining heritage visible in the cliffs. Steep path from the car park, no facilities, clear water, dramatic setting.
Porthchapel Beach
st levan
Small, quiet cove below the Minack Theatre near St Levan with turquoise water. Steep path access, no facilities, calm at low tide.
Porthcurnick Beach
truro
Fine sandy cove on the Roseland with calm waters and The Hidden Hut, a rustic beach café famous for ticketed feast nights. Quiet and family-friendly.
Porthcurno Beach
penzance
A wedge of white sand framed by dramatic granite cliffs - one of Cornwall's most photographed beaches.
Porthoustock Beach
helston
Shingle beach on the east Lizard with old quarry ruins and access to the Manacles reef, one of Cornwall's top dive sites. Clear water for diving.
Porthtowan Beach
truro
North coast surf beach between St Agnes and Portreath, backed by high cliffs on three sides. Reliable Atlantic swell, surf schools, village café and pub.
Priests Cove
st just
Rocky cove at the foot of Cape Cornwall near St Just. Popular for rock swimming and dramatic seascapes.
Prussia Cove
penzance
Famous smuggling base on the Mount's Bay coast - John Carter 'King of Prussia' ran operations from these coves in the 1700s.
Sandymouth Beach
bude
National Trust beach north of Bude with 'Steeple Rock' rising from the sand. Wide golden strand at low tide, reliable surf, lifeguarded in summer,.
Talland Bay
looe
Dog-friendly cove between Looe and Polperro with calm clear water for swimming and kayaking. Two beach cafés and South West Coast Path cliffside walks.
Tolcarne Beach
newquay
Cliff-sheltered crescent beach in Newquay that connects to neighbouring beaches at low tide. Dog-friendly year-round, café on the sand, lifeguarded.
Towan Beach
newquay
Newquay's town beach with the famous island house on its suspension bridge. Sheltered cove at high tide, links to Great Western Beach at low tide.
Tregardock Beach
newquay
Remote north coast beach near Tintagel with powerful surf and dramatic rock formations. 15–20 min walk down steep path from car park.
Trevaunance Cove
st agnes
St Agnes's beach, with remains of old harbour walls and mine workings visible on the cliffs. Good surf and bodyboarding, lifeguarded in summer, cafés and.
Trevellas Cove
st agnes
Rugged pebble cove near St Agnes on the Heritage Coast. Clear water ideal for snorkelling and shore fishing, with a quiet atmosphere away from crowds.
Trevone Bay
trevone
Sandy north coast bay near Padstow with a natural blowhole on the western cliffs. Lifeguarded in summer, rock pools, good for families.
Treyarnon Bay
st merryn
Known for its natural rock swimming pool that forms at low tide - a unique sheltered spot for children.
Vugga Cove
newquay
Small and hard-to-reach cove with a steep cliff path near the Lizard. Clear blue-green water, good snorkelling, no facilities.
Whipsiderry Beach
newquay
Sandy cove north of Newquay hemmed in by high cliffs with a quieter atmosphere than the main town beaches.
Whitsand Bay
torpoint
4 miles of golden sand on the Rame Peninsula, less visited than north coast beaches. Cliff-backed, great for surfing and bodyboarding, beach cafés.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many secluded beaches are there in Cornwall?
- We list 59 secluded beaches in Cornwall, out of 107 total beaches. Each beach page includes directions, a map, facilities information, and nearby accommodation.
- Which are the best secluded beaches in Cornwall?
- All 59 beaches on this page match the "secluded" criteria. 28 of them have lifeguard cover during summer. 58 have parking nearby. Browse the full list below - each beach page has detailed information, photos, and a map.
- Where can I stay near secluded beaches in Cornwall?
- Each beach page shows holiday cottages and properties within walking distance. You can also browse all places to stay in Cornwall to find the right base for your beach holiday.
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