Top 5 Beach Walks in Cornwall

With over 250 miles of unspoilt coastline, you’re never too far from a sandy shore to enjoy a beach walk. There are around 300 beaches in the county, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of places to enjoy a stroll along some sand! We’ve narrowed down some of our favourites, so take a look at our top 5 beach walks to enjoy in Cornwall!

 

Fistral Beach, Newquay

Fistral Beach in Newquay is famous for its fantastic surfing conditions. Enjoy a gentle stroll along the 750 metre long beach, starting at South Fistral. Meander along the flat beach until you reach North Fistral. There are a selection of shops, bars and eateries on this side of the beach. Perhaps stop off a the Fistral Beach Bar, which has an inviting decking area to sit and watch the surf! If you’re looking to walk a little further, walk up to Towan Headland, which has stunning views of Newquay! On a clear day, you can see all along the coast to Trevose Head in Padstow! To the other side, enjoy the panoramic view of Fistral and watch the waves roll in to the shore.

 

 

Stay near Fistral Beach, at the Lodge on Whiteacres.

Perranporth Beach, Perranporth

At low tide, Perranporth Beach is great to visit for a beach walk. Blow away the cobwebs and walk the 2 mile stretch, starting at Perranporth, heading through Perran Beach and ending at Ligger Point. The 2 mile stretch is only accessible at low tide, so ensure you check the tide times before heading out for your walk. There is also a coastal path which joins Perranporth Beach and Perran Beach, so you can still enjoy a walk at Perranporth if the tide is in! After your stroll, why not visit the UK’s only bar on the beach? The Watering Hole is located on Perranporth Beach and serves a wide range of locally sourced food and drink throughout the year.

 

Holiday near Perranporth in this cosy cottage, which sleeps 2.

 

Gwithian Towans, Gwithian

Enjoy a stroll along the ‘3 miles of golden sand’, of which Gwithian Towans is a part of. Starting at Godrevy at low tide, walk along the vast flat beach, passing through Gwithian and ending up at Hayle Towans. This stretch of beach is perfect to enjoy a long walk at any time of the year. Do ensure that you check the tide times before heading off on your stroll, as the 3 mile stretch is only exposed at low tide. Once you’ve worked up an appetite after your walk, enjoy a bite to eat at The Rockpool Bar. It’s located in the sand dunes in between Gwithian and Godrevy, serving delicious locally sourced food and drink. It also has beautiful views of St Ives Bay.

 

 

Stay at Chy Ryb Connerton, a 2 bed cottage with sea views, close to Gwithain Towans.

 

Whitsand Bay, South East Cornwall

Considered one of Cornwall’s hidden gems, head to Whitsand Bay for a walk along the 3-mile stretch of stunning sand. The beach stretches from Rame Head to Portwrinkle at low tide. Explore some of the rock pools whilst on your walk, which are dotted along the beach. Please note that access to the beach can be tricky, with steep paths from the clifftop car parks down to the beach. Looking to bring your dog along for your beach walk? Great news! Whitsand Bay is dog friendly all year round!

 

Stay at this modern holiday home in Trelawne, just a short drive from Whitsand Bay.

 

 

Widemouth Bay Beach, Bude

If you’re looking for a great North Cornish beach to enjoy a long walk, look no further than Widemouth Bay Beach! The Bude beach is on an exposed stretch of coast, with a wide sandy beach that is nearly 2 miles long! Facing west, the beach has full force of the Atlantic Ocean, so is perfect for a beach walk to ‘blow away the cobwebs’! Widemouth Bay is very popular with beach goers in the summer, so if you’re looking to enjoy a nice long stroll, it may be best to visit this beach out of season, when it’s less crowded.

 

 

Stay at Stratton Retreat, a short drive from Widemouth Bay.