The best beaches in Cornwall from Porthcurno to Hayle & Fistral

CORNWALL is a UK destination where you are guaranteed to be met with stunning beaches.

Depending on whether you like to walk your dog or take a dip, here we have the best Cornish beaches for all your coastal needs.

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Best beach for children

Holywell Bay

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Holywell Bay is a National Trust site which boasts a mile-long stretch of sand, nestled among towering dunes, just six miles west of Newquay.

The bay is situated on the north coast of Cornwall and has a car park, kiosk and toilets.

It’s good for surfing and swimming, and close to village amenities, including a pub called Fodders.

Plus, eagle-eyed fans may recognise the beach as one of the backdrops for Bafta-winning BBC drama series, Poldark.

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A reporter from The Sun visited the area and had a great time surfing with their children.

They took their 10 and seven-year-old to the Holywell Bay School of Surf and it wasn't long before they got the hang of it.

They said: "After a bit of instruction from our surfer dude Lee, it was into the water and, to my amazement, Jack and Daisy soon got the hang of it, standing on their boards and coasting across the water.

"I’d clearly been given a dud board though, as it kept flipping over.

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"Spending most of my time underwater upside down, at least I got a good sinus salt wash."

The only complaint that the family had was that they didn't have enough time to explore all of Trevornick’s Holywell Bay Fun Park.

Best holiday park by the beach

Hayle Beach

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Hayle beach on the north coast is mostly covered at high tide, but has some of the best surf, and can also be enjoyed by non-surfing holidaymakers, too.

There are loads of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants in the village, which is situated near Plymouth, and six miles north of Waderbridge.

You can make a visit to Salt Kitchen Bar, Bird in Hand and Royal Standard Inn to grab a bite to eat.

This is a blue-flag beach wih a lifeguard and is Marine Conservation Society recommended.

Dogs are banned from Easter to September.

I felt reassured by the fact there were lifeguards on duty, and the shallow rockpools felt safe, even for my nine-year-old son.

Irfan Cemal

Writing for The Sun, Irfan Cemal took a trip to the Parbola Holiday Park where they recommended upgrading to a caravan with a balcony so you can hang out your sandy swimwear after visiting the beach.

He described the destination as the "picture-perfect holiday spot" and said that he was reassured by lifeguards being on duty.

He said: "I felt reassured by the fact there were lifeguards on duty, and the shallow rockpools felt safe, even for my nine-year-old son."

The family made their way to Cargo which is a coffee truck on the beach.

They treated themselves to an ice cream which they said was "some of the best" they'd ever had.

Best beach for a family get-together

Fistral Beach/Watergate Bay

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Watergate Bay is at the centre of the surf scene: experienced surfers enjoy the eight foot waves, while learners can take lessons at the hotel academy.

The National Surfing Centre surf school can also be found on Fistral Beach.

In August, there’s a five-day surf and skating festival with live music and bustling bars.

Beauty editor Tara Ledden took seven of her nearest and dearest to the location where they stayed in luxury self-catering pad 8, Woodlands.

If you fancy staying somewhere with all the amenities just minutes away, then this could be the place for you.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Gannel Estuary, all three floors of this four-bedroom house have breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside.

At low tide you can build sandcastles just 30 seconds from the back door or when it's high tide you could go paddle boarding.

You can hire equipment from Newquay Sports Equipment Hire.

It’s only a five-minute car drive to Newquay’s high street or Fistral Beach is just a five minutes stroll.

Best beach for Poldark fans

Porthcurno Beach

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This beautiful beach near Penzance boasts golden sand, turquoise water and breath-taking high cliffs which provide shelter from coastal winds.

A stream runs down the beach forming a pool, which is a safer paddle than the quickly shelving seashore which can be better for children or beginners.

The Minack Theatre, carved into the cliffs, is a lovely walk up a steep path, offering a beautiful view.

This beach is great for families, swimmers and surfers, and is lifeguard protected from 10am to 6pm, May 19 to September 30.

Visitors can stroll the same sands that Demelza and Ross walked during a dream sequence.

Jo Sayer

There’s a nearby car park and no dogs allowed in the summer.

If you're a Poldark fan then you need to add this destination to your list as scenes of the programme were filmed there.

Helen Skelton has also named the beach as one of her favourite holiday spots.

Jo Sayer went to visit Porthcurno beach where she went on her "own pilgrimage" to try and visit as many Poldark locations as she could in one weekend.

She said: "Further up the coast is Porthcurno beach where visitors can stroll the same sands that Demelza and Ross walked during a dream sequence.

"The sea is sprinkled with surfers and swimmers, but what remains from Ross Poldark’s time are the chimneys peppering the landscape."

Best sandy beach

Portreath Beach

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If you want to visit a gorgeous, sandy beach then Portreath beach is the perfect destination.

Like much of Cornwall’s coast, it is fantastic for surfing and diving into the waves.

The sandy cove is part of a stretch designated a Unesco World Heritage Site as well as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Grant Rollings visited the beach where he stayed at the Gwel an Mor resort with his family.

Somehow, Gwel an Mor somehow manages to be both relaxing and active at the same time.

Grant Rollings

The family, including two children, managed to have a relaxing stay as well as making sure they kept busy.

Grant said: "Somehow, Gwel an Mor somehow manages to be both relaxing and active at the same time.

"The holiday site is serene despite the presence of so many young families and the sporting pursuits on offer.

"There is a gym, sea scooters for the indoor pool, a croquet green, tennis courts, indoor climbing wall, fishing lake, a nine-hole all-weather golf course and indoor archery."

Best beach for feeling like you're abroad

Newquay (Towen beach)

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You may be planning a holiday for this year but don't have the time or funds to travel abroad, but we have a solution.

Consider going to Towan beach in Newquay if you want Miami vibes in the UK.

The beach makes up a large part of Hayle's "three miles of golden sand".

Most of the plants and magnificent winged creatures here are native to Southeast Asia, but lucky for us we were able to see them in a semi-wild habitat right on Cornwall’s lively coast.

Wally Downes Jr

It joins with Gwithian and Godrevy beaches at low tide and is popular with kite buggies.

Wally Downes Jr described his trip to the beach as being "a great spot for lounging, cave exploring and taking a paddle";.

Taking his children, they explored the beach as well as going to the local zoo.

He said: "Most of the plants and magnificent winged creatures here are native to Southeast Asia, but lucky for us we were able to see them in a semi-wild habitat right on Cornwall’s lively coast."

Best beach for stunning views

Carbis Bay

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Carbis Bay is a seaside resort and village in Cornwall which lies just a mile southeast of St Ives.

Nick Rostron-Pike stayed at the Una St Ives resort where he and his family enjoyed an artistic few days away.

"If you are after a bit of artistic inspiration, then look no further than the Una St Ives resort, which is nestled just up the hill from the beach," he said.

You can incorporate a Scandinavian feel into your holiday as you stay in eco-lodges which are suitable for families of all sizes and include private gardens, smart interiors and natural log burners.

Sometimes having kids in an art gallery can feel like a ticking time bomb.

Nick Rostron-Pike

The family had a day at the Tate Modern’s children section where they did some painting.

Nick said: "Sometimes having kids in an art gallery can feel like a ticking time bomb.

"But ours were welcomed and allowed to “explore” the room, which meant drawing on the walls."

You can also stay at the Sloop Inn in St Ives, a seven minute drive from Carbis Bay.

Visitors can also access the bay by walking from St Ives beach.

You can stay in the village, which also has its own railway station.

Best beach for making sandcastles

Readymoney Cove Beach

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If glamping is your style then you should visit Readymoney Cove beach.

The tiny town of Polperro’s sandy Readymoney Cove beach is ideal for making sandcastles or scrambling among the rocks.

However, don't worry if rock climbing isn't your thing as there's other routes you can take.

Sun reporter Brittany Vonow visited the destination for a long weekend with her husband where they stayed on a glamping site.

She said: "The tiny town’s sandy Readymoney Cove beach is ideal to while away the hours."

Best beach for lagoons

Crantock beach

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Crantock beach is well-known for its stunning water which is ideal for taking a dip.

The iconic lagoons are revealed each day as the tide goes out.

The water can be a bit cold but once you're in, you're sure to have a great time.

Tara Evans went to Crantock beach where she enjoyed a swim in the blue water.

She said: ";We drive 15 minutes to stunning Crantock beach for a swim in one of the lagoons that are revealed as the tide goes out.

"The water is chilly at first but you soon warm up — not that my friend’s dog Piper seems to notice as he joins in for a dip."

Best beach for unspoilt shores

East Looe Beach

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Cornwall is known for its stunning beaches and East Looe beach is just one of them.

East Looe beach is a classic Cornish beach with golden sands and a sheltered bay.

The area has been welcoming families, holidaymakers, swimmers and paddlers year-round for many years.

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Georgette Culley went on holiday to East Looe and loved every second.

She pointed out: "The beach on the east side is a great spot for lunch with clean, unspoilt shores."