Eight of Cornwall’s best beaches, from wild and remote hidden gems to family-friendly seaside hotspots

With a subtropical microclimate, world famous pasties and pretty coastal towns, a holiday in Cornwall is hard to beat.

But it is especially the beautiful beaches that are the biggest attraction for many.

Cornwall has the longest coastline in Britain – a whopping 697km/433 miles – and over 400 beaches, so it can be a challenge to choose just one.

But don’t feel overwhelmed, because we’ve picked out eight gems for you, from pristine and remote beauty spots to family-friendly sandy beaches.

Which one would you most like to visit? Vote in our poll…

Porthtowan Beach

Cornwall has the longest coastline in Britain and over 400 beaches, so it can be a challenge to choose just one – here are eight of the best, as chosen by MailOnline. Porthtowan Beach, seen here, is one of the best family-friendly beaches in North Cornwall

Described by Visit Cornwall Porthtowan, a ‘soft sandy beach surrounded by steep cliffs’, is one of North Cornwall’s best family-friendly beaches.

There is a play area for children and families can explore a number of rock pools along the coastline.

Porthtowan has lifeguards on duty from 4th May to 29th September and is considered one of the best surfing beaches in the region.

And what’s even better, it has been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2024 season, meaning it meets the highest standards for coastal water quality.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Gyllyngvase (above) has Blue Flag status and is just 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre. From here you can easily reach the beach, where you will also find ice cream shops.

Tricky to pronounce (locals call it Gillingvayz) but incredibly beautiful, this is Falmouth’s ‘largest and most popular’ beach, according to Visit Cornwall.

The tourist board praises the ‘soft, light sand’ which is ‘ideal for sandcastles’, while families can head to the southern end of the beach for rock pools and lobster spotting.

Gyllyngvase has Blue Flag status and is just 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre. The beach is just a short walk from the ice cream shops.

Lifeguards are present from mid-May to the end of September. Dogs are prohibited during this period.

Sennenbaai

Visit Cornwall says: ‘Sennen Cove (above) offers everything you need for a beach holiday, sand, sea and surf’

Just a 10-minute drive from Land’s End, Sennen Cove is a long sandy beach close to shops and cafes.

Visit Cornwall says: ‘Sennen Cove offers everything you need for a beach holiday, sand, sea and surf! Head down the hill from Sennen village and it won’t be long before you’re looking out to sea and sunshine.’

Sennen Cove is a 2024 Seaside Award winner, meaning it is one of the country’s best beaches for water quality, safety and the environment.

Pedn Vounder Beach

Pedn Vounder, seen here, is a ‘secluded slice of paradise’ with ‘an abundance of natural beauty’, according to Cornwall Beaches

Pedn Vounder is a ‘secluded piece of paradise’, according to Cornwall-beaches.co.uk stating that this is ‘probably the best beach in Cornwall’.

The team added: ‘Pedn Vounder was once a hidden gem, but is now an Instagram darling. With so much natural beauty, it’s easy to see why.’

The beach is located near Land’s End and is known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful white sands.

It is located close to Cornwall’s famous Minack Theatre and is also considered an unofficial naturist beach.

Daymer Bay

In Cornwall’s Camel Estuary, Daymer Bay (pictured) is a popular kitesurfing spot in a designated Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty

Daymer Bay is a sheltered bay in the Camel Estuary in Cornwall and a popular kitesurfing spot with good conditions for beginners.

Visit Cornwall says: ‘A beautiful beach which at low tide forms long stretches of golden sand, backed by dunes all the way around to the Rock, with wonderful views across the Camel Estuary.’

The Camel is a designated Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty and despite its name has nothing to do with humpback whales. It takes its name from the Cornish ‘Dowr Kammel’ meaning ‘crooked river’.

If you want to complement your day with some sightseeing, you can also visit a Saxon heritage chapel in Daymer Bay.

Rushy Bay

On the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall, Rushy Bay, seen here, is the largest beach on Bryher Island. It has powdery sand and, for keen historians, the remains of a Civil War gun battery.

Located in the Caribbean Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall, Rushy Bay is the largest beach on idyllic Bryher Island.

Lonely Planet says: ‘Bryher is surrounded by beautiful beaches, but many would say [Rushy Bay] is the most beautiful.

‘It faces south and is sheltered by the escarpment of Watch Hill. It has powdery soft sand and offers excellent swimming.’

Look out for the remains of a Civil War gun battery, which can be seen from the eastern end of Rushy Bay.

Polridmouth Bay

Pictured here, Polridmouth Cove is located on the South West Coast Path and includes a seawater pool built into the rocks, but you can only reach it on foot

Despite Cornwall’s popularity, Polridmouth remains a ‘quiet and sheltered bay’, according to Visit Cornwall, as the only way to reach the beach is on foot.

Visit Cornwall says: ‘The beach is steeped in history, from the intriguing seawater pool built into the rocks by the Rashleigh family to the ornamental 1920s lakes that surround the beach.’

Polridmouth Cove is on the South West Coast Path, so it could be the ideal place for a short beach break if you’re attempting the walk. The beach also provided the inspiration for the setting of Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 gothic novel Rebecca.

Hemmick Bay

Hemmick Bay (above) is located on the south coast of Cornwall and is described as a ‘secret beach’ by Visit Cornwall

Hemmick Bay is a small bay on the south coast of the county, facing west. Visit Cornwall describes it as a ‘secret beach’, as it is only accessible by a ‘steep, narrow road’.

The team said: ‘A peaceful and secluded bay, Hemmick is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by rolling meadows and dramatic rocky headlands. It is wild and unspoilt, with plenty of little coves and rock pools to explore at low tide.’

Hemmick Bay is less than a mile from The Dodman, one of the highest headlands in South Cornwall, renowned for its spectacular views.