Top 5 Beaches in South East Cornwall

Why Holiday Parks in the South West ARE GREAT LAST MINUTE…

If you find the right spot, you feel like you’re abroad… Just that.

Sometimes the best getaways are the ones you didn’t plan, the sun strikes and you feel yourself ready to go! Whether you’ve just spotted a free weekend in the diary or simply need to get away from it all; a last-minute break in Devon or Cornwall might be exactly what you need.

At Coast & Country Parks, we have a handful of beautiful holiday units available at short notice across our parks in North Devon and Cornwall. From riverside lodges at Notter Bridge to clifftop caravans above Lynmouth, here’s how to make the most of a spontaneous South West escape.

This guide is for anyone who wants to find the best beaches in south east cornwall without fighting for a parking spot or laying a towel on somebody else’s feet. Whether you’re after family friendly beaches with gentle waves, dog friendly stretches for year round walks, or a secluded cove where you can swim in peace, this list has you covered. Here are five south cornwall beaches worth building a holiday around.

1. Tregonhawke Beach, Whitsand Bay

Tregonhawke sits in the middle of Whitsand Bay, a four-mile stretch of sand framed by dramatic cliffs between Rame Head and Portwrinkle in east Cornwall. It’s one of the most dramatic beaches in cornwall, yet most visitors to Cornwall never hear of it.

At low tide, the beach opens into a vast sandy beach of golden sand broken up by rocky outcrops and smaller coves. The Atlantic pushes proper surf into the bay, making it popular with bodyboarders and experienced surfers. On clear days, you can see right across Plymouth Sound. The towering cliffs behind the beach glow orange in the evening, and the sunset views alone justify the steep walk down.

Tregonhawke earns its place as a gorgeous beach because it stays relatively uncrowded even in August. The difficult access – steep cliff paths and uneven steps from the car park above – acts as a natural filter. That same access means the beach is not suitable for pushchairs or visitors with limited mobility.

2. Sharrow Beach, Whitsand Bay

Walk west along the sand from Tregonhawke at low tide and you’ll reach Sharrow – a wilder, less developed stretch of whitsand bay that feels like a different world. Also known locally as Grotto Beach (named after a cave carved by a hermit called “Lugger” around 1874, with verses once inscribed on its walls), Sharrow has a sense of genuine remoteness.

The beach is backed by steep green cliffs with no buildings in sight. At low tide, soft sand stretches out and links with neighbouring coves, giving you over a mile of shoreline to explore. At high tide, rocky outcrops segment the beach into smaller, more sheltered pockets – but they also trap the unwary, so check tide times before wandering.

Sharrow makes this list because it offers something rare among south east cornwall beaches: near-total solitude. Even on bank holiday weekends, you might share the sand with a dozen people. The rugged cliffs and wild atmosphere make it a favourite with photographers and walkers doing the South West Coast Path.

3. Kingsand & Cawsand: Twin Village Beaches on the Rame Peninsula

Step away from the wild Atlantic swell of whitsand bay and cross to the eastern side of the rame peninsula, and you’ll find Kingsand and Cawsand – twin villages offering shingle-and-sand beaches that face the calmer waters of Plymouth Sound.

Kingsand Beach is mainly shingle with patches of sand, backed by pastel-painted cottages and the village’s clocktower rising directly from the shoreline. It’s photogenic and sheltered, with boats bobbing in the bay on calm days.

Cawsand Beach is sandier, gently shelving, and better for paddling and swimming. The calmer seas here make it one of the top other family friendly beaches in south east cornwall – ideal for younger kids, nervous swimmers, and anyone wanting to launch a kayak or paddleboard without battling waves.

4. Lantic Bay: Wild Beauty Near Polruan

Lantic Bay is a hidden gem in the truest sense. Owned by the National Trust, this sweeping horseshoe of pale sand and shingle sits between Polruan and Polperro, beneath high green cliffs laced with wildflowers. There is no road to the beach. No ice cream van. No lifeguard chair. Just sea, sand, and sky.

Lantic Bay is accessed by a steep 20-minute walk from the National Trust car park on the lane between Polruan and Pelynt. The descent involves switchbacks through fields and across a fence – sturdy footwear is non-negotiable, and the climb back up will test your legs. Lantic Bay has no amenities and requires a steep walk, so bring food, water, sun protection, and bags for your rubbish.

The reward is outstanding natural beauty: turquoise waters on a sunny day, a lovely beach that often sits deserted even during school holidays, and two bays (Great Lantic and Little Lantic) to choose between. Little Lantic can be cut off at high tide, so keep an eye on the water level.

5. Readymoney Cove, Fowey

Readymoney Cove is a sheltered sandy beach located near the town of Fowey, tucked just below the ruins of St Catherine’s Castle at the mouth of the River Fowey estuary. It’s the most accessible beach on this list and the easiest to combine with a proper Cornish town day out.

The cove is compact – a south-facing arc of sand framed by cliffs and woodland. Readymoney Cove features safe swimming and a tidal pool, and in high summer a bathing platform is moored offshore. The water is sheltered from major ocean swells by the estuary, producing calmer seas than anywhere on whitsand bay. This makes it one of the best family beaches in the area for younger kids and less confident swimmers.

Planning Your South East Cornwall Beach Trip

A long weekend lets you hit all five beaches comfortably. A full week gives you time to add coast path walks, pub lunches, and lazy afternoons. Here’s how to plan it.

Best time to visit: Late May to early September brings warmer sea temperatures (mid-teens °C – still bracing, but manageable without a wetsuit for short swims), longer evenings, and lifeguard cover where available. The shoulder months of April and late September suit walkers who prefer solitude over sunshine guarantees.

Suggested itineraries:

• Rame Peninsula day: Morning at Kingsand & Cawsand (swim, kayak, village lunch), afternoon at Tregonhawke or Sharrow (surf, walk, sunset)
• Fowey day: Morning at Readymoney Cove, afternoon ferry to Polruan, walk down to lantic bay (or reverse if you want the hard walk first)

How these compare to busier spots: If you’ve visited Carbis Bay, kynance cove on the lizard peninsula, Gyllyngvase Beach (known for its family-friendly atmosphere, accessible toilets and a beach cafe), or the beaches around Land’s End, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Crowds thin out dramatically once you cross into south east cornwall. Porthcurno Beach, on the west coast, features a natural paddling pool for children and has public toilets and food available in the village – it’s spectacular, but often packed. Sennen Cove has paid parking and accessible toilets but draws big summer crowds. The south east trades fame for peace.

Transport and parking tips:

• Arrive by car via the Tamar Bridge or Torpoint Ferry from Plymouth
• Narrow lanes and limited car park capacity are the norm – arrive before 10am in summer
• Kingsand & Cawsand reachable by seasonal ferry from Plymouth
• Fowey and Readymoney accessible by bus from St Austell and other nearby towns

What to bring: Sturdy shoes for coast path sections, reusable water bottles, sun protection, wetsuits for spring and autumn swims, change or a parking app for rural car parks, and a sense of adventure. Pack binoculars for the clifftop sections – the seabird colonies are worth a closer look. Mother Ivey’s Bay, Porthcothan Bay, Trevone Bay, Booby’s Bay, and Seven Bays are all gorgeous on Cornwall’s north coast too, but save those for another trip.

For those wanting to explore rock pools and grassy dunes beyond this list, the south cornwall coast from the lizard peninsula to Pendennis Castle near Falmouth offers rolling dunes, crystal clear waters, and some of the most popular beach destinations in the county – think Gwithian Beach or the area near Lizard Point. Polzeath Beach has lifeguards during peak summer months for safety if you’re heading north.

FAQ: Beaches in South East Cornwall

Are South East Cornwall beaches good for families?

Many south east cornwall beaches are excellent family friendly beaches. Kingsand, Cawsand, and Readymoney Cove all offer calmer seas, easy access, and proper facilities – toilets, cafés, and shallow water for paddling. These are ideal for younger kids and anyone who prefers gentle waves over Atlantic surf.

Whitsand Bay beaches like Tregonhawke and Sharrow suit active families with older children who can manage steep paths and enjoy bodyboarding. Always check for seasonal lifeguard cover before swimming, monitor tides, and stay between the red-and-yellow flags where they’re displayed.

Can I walk the South West Coast Path between these beaches?

Yes. The south west coast path links much of this coastline, including whitsand bay, Rame Head, Polperro, lantic bay, and Fowey. Popular day routes include Polruan to Polperro via Lantic Bay (about 5 miles, with steep sections) and short scenic loops above whitsand bay from Tregonhawke to Sharrow.

Allow extra time for the ascents and descents – some are genuinely tough. Carry water on warm days and wear proper walking shoes. The views of the south cornwall coast from these clifftop paths are among the finest in the county, rivalling anything near sennen cove or the area of outstanding natural beauty around kynance cove.

How does South East Cornwall compare to Newquay and St Ives for beaches?

Cornwall’s famous beaches like fistral beach, carbis bay, gyllyngvase beach, and the coves near land’s end attract more visitors and bigger surf. If you love cornwall for its wave-riding and buzzing beach culture, those spots deliver. But if you want a quieter, more local feel – fewer crowds, more space, gentler swimming – south east cornwall is the answer.

Waves are generally smaller on this stretch of coast. Crowds are thinner. Village-based stays in places like Cawsand or Fowey offer a different rhythm to a holiday compared to the bustle of st ives or Newquay. Cornish beaches don’t get more peaceful than this hidden corner.

Are dogs allowed on South East Cornwall beaches?

Many beaches here are dog friendly all or most of the year. Tregonhawke, Sharrow, and lantic bay allow dogs year round with no restrictions. Lansallos Beach is open to dogs throughout the year, and Polridmouth Cove welcomes dogs all year long too. Further afield, Crantock Beach and Nanjizal Beach also allow dogs year-round.

Village and town beaches like Cawsand and Readymoney Cove have seasonal daytime bans (typically 10am–6pm in July and August). Kingsand allows dogs year round. Always check the latest Cornwall Council guidance before visiting, as rules can change.

Do I need a car to visit these beaches?

A car makes reaching Tregonhawke, Sharrow, and lantic bay much easier – these are rural locations with steep access paths and no public transport to the beach itself. If you’re driving, expect narrow lanes and limited parking; a popular beach day means arriving early.

Kingsand & Cawsand can be reached from Plymouth by seasonal passenger ferry (roughly April to October). Fowey and Readymoney Cove are accessible by bus from st austell and surrounding towns. If you’re relying on public transport, focus on the Fowey area and the Rame Peninsula ferries, and consider taxis for the more remote car parks.