The Good Beach Guide

Although the area is rugged and spectacular we are fortunate to have some of the best beaches in the country ideal for families wanting the vast golden sands, couples looking for that quite cove. and surfers looking for the big one. North Cornwall also has some of the cleanest beaches in Cornwall - and that's official. 

Sandy Mouth

This beach is in prime condition with sand, rocks and many rock pools. It is probably our all time favourite, even on the busiest August day you will be able to find a quite spot. The beach can take far more people than the car park so you may need to get there early, or of course you could walk. When the tide is out you can just manage to walk along the beach all the way from Bude have time for a cup of tea and then return over the cliffs. The walk down from the car park is steep and seems even steeper on the return so may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties. The cliffs surrounding the beach are a little unstable but provide a great variety of wildflowers. The area around Sandymouth is classed as a Heritage Coast, and therefore is great for walking but keep an eye on the tide. Some areas may be cut off by the incoming tide and the cliffs offer little escape. National Trust leaflets provide information about the beach as does the Heritage Coast Exhibition in the Visitor Centre in Bude.
Lifeguard Seasonal, Tidy Britain Group Award , Swim, Surf, Toilets (Dis.), Cafe, Car Park, Shop .

Northcott Mouth

The sandy beach at Northcott is approximately one third of a mile long and is popular with surfers and swimmers. The bay is bordered by Menachurch Point to the north and Maer Cliff to the south and bathing can be dangerous in these areas. There is much to see on the coastal path, heading along the Heritage Coast, in the way of views and wildlife.
Lifeguard Seasonal, Swim, Surf, Car Park, Cafe.

Bude - Crooklets

The small bay at Crooklets is due north of Summerleaze and adjoins it at low tide. The bay is formed by the rocks of Wrangle Point to the north and outcrops of rocks to the south. Due to the small size of the beach it can become a little  congested in the summer. The coastal path around Crooklets provides marvelous views over to Efford Down, Millook and the Cornish north coast.
Lifeguard Seasonal, Tidy Britain Group Award , Swim, Surf, Cafe, Toilets (Dis.), Shop, Car Park, Dog Ban.

Bude - Summerleaze

This has proved to be one of the most popular beaches of the area.   The beach is surrounded by dunes on one side and the canal on the other. A great beach for families the children have a wide range of things to do. There are rock pools vast areas of open sand and the river flowing into the sea is a popular place for crabbing. Situated in the Crescent car park is the Bude Visitor Centre where the Heritage Coast Service has an information section on the area and its wildlife. The cliffs to the south of the beach provide a network of pleasant walks over Efford Down and along to Efford Beacon and beyond.
Life Guard Seasonal Tidy Britain Group Award, Car Park, Shop, Cafe, Toilets, Swim, Surf.

Widemouth Bay / Blackrock

 
In comparison to many beaches in North Cornwall, the beach at Widemouth Bay consists of a mile of flat sand backed by low cliffs and grassy fields. The beach is rocky in places providing many rock pools harbouring marine wildlife. Accessibility of the beach is good and there are  footpaths over the ascending cliffs that allow escape from the some times busy sands. Widemouth bay is popular with surfers and its coastal paths provide excellent views towards Millook and the coast north of Bude.
Life Guard Seasonal Dog Ban Widemouth only , Tidy Britain Group Award, Swim, Surf, Toilets ( Dis.), Car Park, Shop, Cafe.

Crackington Haven

A long descent into Crackington Haven leads to a small yet popular beach encased on either side by steep dark cliffs. There are walks along the coastal path that will take you away from the sand and surf. The coastal path to the south of the bay leads over National Trust land to High Cliff which provides an excellent vantage point giving magnificent views for miles around all the way to Boscastle. Crackington lies within the Heritage Coast area.
Life Guard Seasonal Swim, Surf, Dog Ban, Car Park, Shop, Toilets, Cafe.

Trebarwith Strand

The beach at Trebarwith is at the bottom of a deep valley with many attractive views along the Heritage Coastline towards Gull Rock. Rocks must be negotiated before you reach the rocky sands of the beach. The high tide covers the beach completely for about two hours so care must be taken. Signs at the top of the beach warn of the dangers.  A very different beach from those we have mentioned so far and for that reason is well worth a visit. The Port William Inn above the beach is a popular lunch time stop and the 'surfers lunch' or 'crab platters' are recommended! The coastal path north leads to Tintagel and makes a wonderful scenic walk. The village of Tintagel provides much to see including the old Post Office, King Arthur's Hall and the ruined castle. Tintagel itself has no beach and therefore Trebarwith Strand is the closest.

Polzeath
Polzeath can be found in the Camel Estuary in Hayle Bay. The beach is well used by surfers and bathers and is regularly cleaned. Information in the form of a board describes the area as well as giving details of water quality. National Trust land adjacent to the beach provide footpaths leading to Pentire Point giving superb views from the Rump headlands. The Heritage Coast Service regularly organises "Seashore Searches" of the rock pools near New Polzeath as part of its summer programme.
Life Guard Seasonal Dog Ban, Tidy Britain Group Award , Cafe, Swim, Surf, Toilets (Dis.), Shop, Car Park. Polzeath Voluntary Marine Wildlife Reserve

Daymer Bay


This bay is situated to the south of Trebetherick next to National Trust land and consists of approximately one third of a mile of sand. The coastal path to the north of Daymer Bay leads to Polzeath and provides some picturesque views of Padstow harbour and surrounding area.
Swim, Car Park, Toilets, Cafe, Shop, NO LIFEGUARD.

Harbour Cove

Harbour Cove is situated in a Site of Special Scientific Interest north of Padstow. There is no car park as such but during the summer there is parking for approximately 150 cars at Lellizzick. Permissive access is given from the car park to the beach. Walks along the coast path give excellent views over Padstow and Rock as well as Pentire Point and Trevose Head. Padstow Tourist Information Centre contains much information about the wildlife and the surrounding area and also features an information section by the Heritage Coast Service.
Summer Car Park NO LIFEGUARD.,

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 beach safety in
North Cornwall

 

The wild and rugged coast of north Cornwall with its shining surf and golden beaches, holds both immense natural beauty and hidden dangers for visitors to the area. Beach safety is essentially an exercise in common sense, and if you and your family take note of the advice that follows then you will enjoy a happy and safe holiday in north Cornwall.
The  main tourist beaches in the district are covered by lifeguards throughout the summer season and their instructions should be obeyed at all times. Remember to listen for their whistle, you may be in danger.
Where there is no lifeguard, please seek local advice and always read warning notices before entering the water. Lifeguard patrolled beaches employ the tried and tested flag system, which is easy to understand and very hard not to notice. The simple rules are that you should always bathe between the red and yellow striped flags and must, on no account, enter the water when the red flag is flying. A major hazard of bathing in the ocean is the rip current. This is the seaward movement of water caused by natural drainage of water brought in towards the beach by the tide. These currents test all but the strongest swimmers and are invisible to an inexperienced eye. The best advice is always to bathe only on patrolled beaches. These currents, along with offshore winds also dictate that inflatables should never be taken into the sea. It is all too easy to loose control and be swept out.
There is a large rise and fall of tides in north Cornwall and the times of high and low water, as laid out on this page, should always be checked before you set off on long walks on the foreshore. The incoming tide rises rapidly and consequently it is very easy to find yourself cut off. We want you to enjoy your holiday, so please do not take any unnecessary risks. If in doubt, seek expert advice - remember, it is not only your life but the lives of the emergency services that can be put at risk by you not taking the time to think!
Noel Harradine, Beach Safety Officer, North Cornwall District Council.

SURFING BEACHES 

Duckpool
Unsafe. Picks up any swell hitting the North Coast. Badly affected by westerly winds.
Dangers; Unsafe north side. Unsafe low water + 2hrs . Very experienced surfers only.

Sandymouth
Good beginners beach. Faces west, works best with the easterly winds.
Typical Beach break with no defined peaks.
Wave quality alters with the tide and position of sandbanks.
Usually surfed low to 1/4 tide, with fast hollow waves.
Dangers Watch out for unsafe currents at low water + 2hrs. Rocks at high water. Ferocious rip currents in surf over 5ft.

Northcott Mouth
Southern end of Sandymouth. Rips make it unsuitable for beginners unless surf is small. Best surf low to mid water.
Dangers Unsafe low water + 2hrs.

Crooklets.
Works well in easterly winds, low tide through to high tide. Five minutes out of Bude, popular with the locals, crowded in Summer. Good right off Wangles Point to the north.
Dangers. Rips can be strong at low tide.

Summerleaze Beach.
2 minutes from the town centre. On low tide a fast left hander breaks outside the harbour wall. As the tide rises, a right hander off the breakwater develops and short lefts off the swimming pool.
Dangers. Rip at low tide by the breakwater in surf bigger than 4ft.

Widemouth Bay.
Good beginners beach. Works well on all stages of the tide. Popular with all kinds of craft and abilities.
Dangers. Currents around rocks, especially at low water.

Crackington Haven.
Good left break off rocks at southern end.
Best low water to 3/4 tide. Cliffs give shelter from the wind.
Dangers. Strong rips at southern end at low water. Rocks at high water.

Trebarwith Strand
No beach at high water. West facing picks up a lot of swell.
Northern end protected from north winds.
Dangers. Watch the tide!

Polzeath
SAFE. Good beginners beach break. Right hander off Pentire Point headland at low water.
Popular with all types of surf craft. Can get crowded in summer.

Daymer Bay
One of the U.K's most popular wave sailing venues good for all abilities.
Good right hander at most stages of the tide. Wave size often increases as the tide rises.
Dangers. On big high tides a nasty shore dump can develop, best avoided by beginners.