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South Cornwall Beaches -The Lizard

South Cornwall Beaches

Whether you’re planning a staycation or a day trip with the kids. Use our coastal holiday guide to discover beautiful South Cornwall beaches.

The Lizard – South Cornwall Beaches

From Falmouth to Helston there are secluded coves and wide open sandy beaches ideal for enjoying the day, swimming, sailing, fishing and surfing. Seeking breathtaking coastal vistas and natural beauty? The Lizard Peninsula is known for its rugged coastline, picturesque fishing villages, and unique geology. It is also home to the Lizard Point, which is the southernmost point of mainland Britain.

Full List of South Cornwall Beaches

Do you know the name of the beach you are looking for? See our full list of beaches in South Cornwall in alphabetical order.

Cadgwith Cove

Cadgwith Cove in the tiny Cornish fishing village, with traditional thatched stone cottages.

Caerthillian Bay

Caerthillian Bay is a small rocky cove on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, just along from Kynance Cove.

Carleon Cove

Carleon Cove is a rocky cove with the remains of the pilchard fishery by the beach.

Castle Beach

Castle Beach is the most northern of all the Falmouth beaches, offering fabulous views across Falmouth Bay and across to Pendennis Castle.

Church Cove Landewednack

Church Cove Landewednack on the Lizard Peninsular in South Cornwall.

Coverack Beach

Coverack Beach once busy pilchard port, with rich smuggling history, is an idyllc location.

Dollar Cove

a small secluded sandy beach located on the eastern coast of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. It sits between the villages of Gunwalloe and Porthleven.

Flushing Beach

Flushing Cove ideal setting for the most tranquil and idyllic holiday.

Gillan Harbour Beach

Gillan Harbour Beach near the Helford Estuary, is a small sandy cove, good for sailing.

Gunwalloe Church Cove

Gunwalloe Church Cove on the south Cornwall coast, is a picture postcard destination, with its sandy beach and 13th Century Castle.

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove

Gunwalloe Fishing Cove is a west-facing beach is also known as Halzephron Cove.

Gyllyngvase Beach

Falmouth’s popular Gyllyngvase beach is a charming sandy bay a favourite with families. Great for watersports with paddleboard rentals on the beach.

Helford Passage Beach

Helford Passage beach is small sandy beach on the mouth of the Helford River in South Cornwall.

Housel Bay

Housel Bay is a small sandy cove surrounded by cliffs near to Lizards Point.

Kennack Sands

Kennack Sands is one of the most popular sandy beaches on the Lizard Penisula.

Kynance Cove

Kynance Cove, is one of South Cornwall’s most famous beaches. Picturesque and family friendly.

Lizard Point

Lizard Point is a dramatic and rugged coastal headland in Cornwall, famous for its stunning natural scenery, rich wildlife, and fascinating geological features.

Loe Bar Beach

Loe Bar Beach on the on the Lizard Peninsular, is a long sand and shingle bank that separates The Loe from the sea.

Maenporth Beach

Charming Maenporth Beach a couple of miles southwest of Falmouth is a sheltered cove with a cafe…

Men Aver Beach

Men-aver beach is just to the west of Parbean Cove about half a mile from Gillan Harbour.

Mullion Cove

Mullion Cove is a small harbour cove, which looks out to Mullion Island Bird sanctuary.

Parbean Cove

Off the beaten track, this shingle beach at Parbean Cove is along the South West Coast Path to to Nare Point.

Pentreath Beach

Off the beaten path, Pentreath Beach can only be accessed on foot by along the coastal path. Popular with surfers.

Poldhu Cove

Poldhu Cove is a large sandy beach with a cafe and a surfshool on the beachfront. Gets popular in the holidays.

Polgwidden Cove (Trebah)

The beach at the end of the subtropical Trebah Gardens is Polgwidden Cove, sometimes referred to as Trebah beach.

Polpeor Beach

The most southerly beach in England, Polpeor Cove sits just to the right of Lizard Point and is overlooked by the old Lizard Lifeboat station.

Polurrian Cove

Polurrian Cove, is a secluded golden sandy beach, only accessible on foot, through the valley and cloaked by steep cliffs.

Rinsey Cove

Rinsey Cove (also known as Porthcew Beach) is a small picturesque spot, although not safe for swimming.

Porthallow Beach

Porthallow Beach known locally as Pr’alla beach, is small beach which is usually always quiet. Home to the South West Coast Path Midway Marker!

Porthkerris Beach

Porthkerris Beach, known locally as simply ‘Kerris’ is a quiet beach popular with divers.

Porthleven Beach

Porthleven Beach is 3 mile sandy beach that stretches towards Loe Bar.

Porthoustock Beach

Porthoustock Beach is a popular beach for divers heading to numerous shipwrecks at ‘The Manacles’.

Swanpool Beach

Swanpool Beach is a family friendly sandy beach in Falmouth, backed by colouful beach huts. Watersports hire and cafe on the beachfront.

South Cornwall – Falmouth and The Lizard

Some of the top beaches in on the Lizard include Kynance Cove, Kennack Sands and Porthleven Beach.

Absolutely, you can swim at a number of beaches on the Lizard Peninsula, like Kynance Cove and Kennack Sands, but just be sure to check the tide times and safety conditions, especially since some areas don’t have lifeguards!

The most popular beaches in Falmouth are Gyllyngvase Beach, Swanpool Beach, and Maenporth Beach.

Poldark was filmed in locations around Cornwall. Kynance Cove, Dollar Cove and Gunnwallow Cove were all locations in the series.

What’s On

South Cornwall Events and Festivals

Annual events taking place for 2024.

  • Food Festivals
  • Sailing
  • Sporting Events
read more

Places of Interest on the South Cornwall Coast

The Lizard Peninsula, located on the southernmost tip of Cornwall, is home to some of the most stunning coastal scenery and natural attractions in the UK. From the picturesque fishing villages to the rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, the area is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.

Trebah Garden

NEAREST BEACH
Polgwidden Cove

Pendennis Castle

NEAREST BEACH
Castle Beach

Lizard Point

NEAREST BEACH
Lizard Point

Poldhu Wireless Station Obelisk

NEAREST BEACH
Poldhu Cove



Top South Cornwall Beaches

The Lizard Peninsula, located on the southernmost tip of Cornwall, is a stunning coastal region that offers visitors an abundance of natural beauty

Blue Flag

Family Friendly award winning beaches

Dog friendly

For long walks with our four legged friends.

What’s On

Find out What’s On – from festivals to cultural events along the coast

Enjoy the beautiful South Cornwall coast.

Explore other areas near South Cornwall

Explore the miles of UK coastline with popular seaside destinations, coastal walks and water sports. Find more beaches in the southwest coast of England, covering the counties of North Cornwall, North Devon, South Devon, South East Cornwall, South West Cornwall and Somerset. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the coastal trails.

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