Cornwall is located in the far west of the UK, on a peninsula that tumbles into the Atlantic ocean. Almost completely surrounded by the sea, Cornwall has a magnificent coastline which stretches for almost 300 miles.
Cornwall is also the location of the mainland's most southerly point, The Lizard & one of the UK’s most westerly points, Land's End, while a few miles off shore & even further west is a cluster of tiny islands, making up the Isles of Scilly.
It's the perfect UK holiday destination, with plenty to see from the dramatic coastline with its captivating fishing harbours, the simply spectacular beaches & the pounding surf that provide a playground for a variety of watersports (Newquay is renowned for surfing) plus, (of course), the infamous Cornish pasty & delicious cream teas.
Cornwall has a unique & simply magical coastline with over 400 beaches that are easily accessible on foot. The North Coast has iconic sandy beaches, backed by either cliffs or sand dunes & is exposed to the Atlantic swell & winds, which produces the outstanding surf. In comparison, the South Coast is more sheltered with wonderful coves, backed by its infamous coastal landscape, with picturesque fishing harbours & stunning estuaries.
ETK have Holiday Homes within a few miles of the following beaches:
Perranporth Beach: At low tide, Perranporth beach & neighbouring Penhale Sands join together to form one of the largest stretches of unbroken sand on the North Coast. At one end is Perranporth: a beach town, with the high street backing on to the sand. Towards Penhale Point, an extensive network of sand dunes rise behind the beach. This is a "Special Area of Conservation" & also home to a buried church.
Most of the beach facilities & features are located towards the town end of the beach. There are rock-pools, caves, a stream & "Chapel Rock", which has a small bathing pool on its seaward-side. A little further along is the "Watering Hole":- the UK's ONLY "on the beach" pub!
Perranporth Beach is dog-friendly all year.
Penhale Sands: Set on the north Cornwall coast, Penhale Sands is part of a "Special Area of Conservation." At low tide, Perran Sands beach joins up with Perranporth Beach to create a stunning 3-mile stretch of golden sands. The beach is backed by Cornwall's most diverse system of sand dunes & is also home to the ruins of St Piran's Oratory. The South West Coastal Path runs through these dunes, which makes a pleasant walk to explore the area. Penhale Sands can produce some excellent surfing conditions. It's similar to neighbouring Perranporth, but tends to pick up a little more swell - particularly at the far end which is known as "Penhale Corner."
Penhale Sands is dog-friendly all year.
Holywell Bay: The 1st impressions of Holywell Bay can be a little deceptive, as the main beach is obscured by sand dunes. It's only upon climbing or walking around these dunes, that the true expanse of golden sands, stretching almost a mile to the north-east, is revealed. With plenty to explore; sand dunes, rock-pools & a small stream working its way down the beach - Holywell Bay is great for the kids. There's a cave at the northern end of the beach, which is only accessible at low tide (so take care!), containing an unusual rock formation which creates a series of basins. One of Holywell Bay’s most distinctive features are the twin rocks just of the coast, these two huge rocks are known as "Gull Rocks" or "Carter’s Rocks." Plenty of facilities are close-by in the small village, including ample car-parking. For golf enthusiasts there's even an 18-hole golf course overlooking the beach.
Holywell Bay is dog-friendly all year.
Trevallas-Porth: This is a mainly pebbled beach situated in Trevellas Coombe, the next valley north of St Agnes. The area's mining heritage is clear to see here, with a scattering derelict mine workings & engine houses. The nearby "Blue Hills Tin Streams" is a working tin mine that runs tours.
Trevallas-Porth is dog-friendly all year.
Trevaunance Cove: This is the main beach in St Agnes & is dominated by the high cliffs to the north. With its sand & shingle mix, it is especially popular with families - with lots to explore, including the old harbour & numerous caves. At low tide, large areas of rocks & rock-pools are revealed & it gives the opportunity to walk to the adjacent beach of Trevallas Porth. Do keep an eye on the tide though, or you'll need to take the coastal path back, which involves a very high climb to the top of the cliffs! There are amenities at the beach including shop, pub & cafe.
Trevaunance Cove is dog-friendly all year.
Porth Joke: Situated in a deep cove between headlands, with Crantock beach to the north & Hollywell Bay to the south - Porth Joke is often overlooked. Known locally as "Polly Joke", this unspoilt sandy beach can be an oasis of calm throughout the year, despite being only 5 miles from Newquay. The narrow beach is deeper than it is wide & backs onto a valley, with a stream. Even at low tide, there is still plenty of beach, along with rock-pools & caves for explorers of all ages. Be aware that access to Porth Joke is limited & the small car park is a fair walk away.
Porth Joke is dog-friendly all year.
Crantock Beach: This forms part of the expanse of sand between Pentire & West Pentire headlands. At the southern end of the beach, there are high cliffs which provide some shelter from the wind. To the north is the mouth of the River Gannel.
Crantock Beach is dog-friendly all year.
Fistral Beach: This is Newquay's (if not Cornwall's), most popular beach & is centre for the British Surfers! The beach is a wide expanse of beautiful, golden sand with the headlands of Pentire to the south & Towan to the north. Fistral is usually dived into 3 areas: "South Fistral", "The Main Beach" & "Little Fistral." ("Little Fistral" is the northern part of the beach & is only really visible at low tide.)
Fistral Beach is dog-friendly all year.
Towan Beach: Commonly (& mistakenly!) called "Town Beach" - as it is very close to Newquay's town centre, this beach sits in the lee of Towan Head & is Newquay's most sheltered beach, nestled up against the town's harbour. This makes it an ideal family beach, with the waves here being generally smaller than some of Cornwall's renowned surfing beaches. At low tide, the sand at Towan connects with Great Western Beach & the rest of the beaches in Newquay Bay, to make a continuous 2-mile stretch of sand. At high tide, Towan becomes a cosy little cove. Running along the back of the beach, is a raised promenade which leads to the clifftop lawns of Killacourt & to the right, (on the beach-front), is the "Blue Reef Aquarium", which is one of Newquay's most popular tourist attractions.
The beach's most iconic feature is "The Island", or "Jago's Island" - which is a tall stack of rock at the eastern end of the beach, with a house on top! The property has been in situ since the turn of the twentieth century. Built in 1901, its various owners have included Alexander Lodge, (the inventor of the spark plug), who entertained guests such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes! Nowadays, the house is a luxury holiday rental, (which ETK unfortunately do not have on their books ........ yet!)
Towan beach is dog-friendly all year.