Cornish Riviera Beaches

Charlestown

Charlestown is an interesting, Georgian harbour with beaches on each side, mainly pebbles on the left and sand and shale on the right-hand sides.There are steps down to the left hand beach and a gentle slope down to the right hand side beach.

There is a Car Park and also limited road parking. Public toilet facilities are available

Dogs are banned from the beaches all the year round.

The port of Charlestown offers several places to eat and drink as well as being home to The Square Sail Shipyard and the Shipwreck & Heritage Centre.

Directions:Charlestown is approx.1 mile from St.Austell.   Approach St.Austell from East or West on the A 390 and turn off at the Mount Charles roundabout,  follow the road signposted to Charlestown. Just before the Harbour there is a small roundabout. Turn right for the car park.

Porthpean Beach

Porthpean is a popular sandy beach with rock pools, it can get quite busy at the height of the season, facilities are close to the beach which is approached via a slipway.

There is a Car Park close by. Toilets are by the beach. There is a small, seasonal Beach Cafe & Shop

Dogs are banned from the beach from Easter Day until October 1st.

Directions: Porthpean is very close to St.Austell. Approach from St. Austell on the A390.  Turn right along Porthpean Road (approx 200 hundred yards up from the Asda roundabout) proceed along this road, take the 3rd turning on the left, signposted to Porthpean Beach.

Pentewan Beach

Pentewan is a wide sandy beach with a disused harbour at the village end. The beach is private, adjoining Pentewan Sands Holiday Park but access is allowed from Pentewan village(a short level walk). It is also home to Pentewan Sailing Club.

There ia a very small Car Park in the village but there is a regular Bus Service to Pentewan.(Western Greyhound No:526)

Toilets are in the village.

Dogs are banned fom the beach except weekdays between 8am and 4pm from November1st until Mid-March.

Directions: Pentewan is 4 miles from St. Austell.   Approaching St.Austell on the A390, at the roundabout near McDonald's and Travel Lodge take the road to Mevagissy (B3273). Turn left to park in Pentewan village.

Carlyon Bay 

Carlyon Bay  is a long sandy beach which is currently being re-developed but is open to the public.The whole of the sea front is accessible and can be accessed via a long slope or several steps.

1 large Car Park above the beach (currently free) No Public Toilets at present.

 Dogs are banned all year.

Directions: signposted off the A390 opposite Tesco Stores or 1st left off the Charlestown Road.

Par Sands

Par is a wide sandy beach popular with families. There is a huge expanse of sand at low tide and plenty left at high tide! There is level access to the beach.

Par Sands has a large duck and wildfowl pond, a cafe, shop, picnic area and even The Ship Inn Pub with beer garden. It is also home to Par Sands Holiday Park

1 large Car Park level with the beach. Public Toilet Block

Dogs are allowed all year.

Directions:The village of Par is less than 1 mile from St. Blazey (on A390) which is 4 miles from St.Austell (to the West) or 4 miles from Lostwithiel (to the East) There are several roads from St. Blazey to Par including the A3082. Follow this road Through Par, towards Fowey and immediately after the 2nd railway bridge, turn right for the Par Sands car park.

Alternatively if approaching from Lostwithiel, continue on the A390 to the level crossing at St. Blazey, at the next set of traffic lights branch left on to the A3082 and follow the road signs to Par. 

Polkerris

Polkerris is a small hamlet at the bottom of a steep hill and its sandy beach is curved with a stone Quay. This is a popular beach accessed by a slipway. There is another small beach which can be reached via a 10 minute walk along the coastal path.

There is a watersports centre operating from Polkerris along with a shop stocking all you need for the seaside, a cafe, restaurant and The Rashleigh Inn all near the beach.

1 Car Park, a five minute, downhill walk to the beach. An extra seasonal Car Park is open at the top of the hill, signposted when open, access down to Polkerris on the coast path from the car park. The Rashleigh Inn has a very small car park for its customer but this fills up very quickly.   Public Toilets available

Dogs are banned from Easter Day to October 1st

Directions: From the A390  join the A3082 signposted to Fowey, at the brow of the hill, turn right by the Rashleigh Inn sign pointing to Menabilly.  Take the 1st right down to Polkerris. The car park is halfway down the hill before reaching the beach. The seasonal car park is straight on at the top, a little way further, towards Menabilly.

Polridmouth

Polridmouth (pronounced 'pridmouth' is a pleasant cove with two sandy beaches, which are joined together at low tide.There are no facilities or toilets and the Parking is some distance away.(15-30 minute walk) at Hamblands Car Park - (Pay at Honesty Box).  The path to the beaches is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Dogs are allowed all year.  

Directions:Polridmouth is 7 miles from St.Austell between Fowey and Polkerris. From the A390 take the A3082 to Fowey, soon after Par, on the brow of the hill turn right to Menabilly, continueon this road to the car park.

** The coastal path that runs alongside Polridmouth Bay leads up the hill towards the red and white striped Day Marker on Gribben Head. Erected in 1832 to guide mariners safely into the deep water harbour of Fowey. It is now owned by The National Trust.

When the flag is flying, on some Sundays during the summer it is open to the public. For a small charge you can climb the 84ft to the top, via a steep, narrow staircase. Once at the top the views are spectacular!

Readymoney Beach

Readymoney Cove has a small sheltered sandy beach on the outskirts of Fowey which is a very pleasant town with plenty to see.It is also worth climbing up to St. Catherine's Castle for some spectacular veiws of the Fowey estuary.

There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in Fowey.

Pass the Main Car Park (450 cars) above Fowey to reach the Beach Car Park (170 cars) nearer the beach - about 10 minutes walk.  (The Main Car Park is about 20 minutes from the Beach)

 Public Toilets near the beach and in Fowey.

Dogs are banned from Easter Day to October1st.

Directions: From the A390 take the A3082 to Fowey. Follow the signs for Main or Beach Car Parks. On Hanson Drive, continue past the Main Car Park. The Beach Car Park is further along on the right-hand side. Walk downhill to ReadyMoney Cove.

To the west of St Austell :

Polstreath Beach

Polstreath beach is a wide sand and pebble beach, reached via the coast path. There is a steep climb down wooden and metal steps to the beach, so it is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants in Mevagissey.

Nearest Toilets in Mevagissey

Nearest Car Parks in Mevagissey

Dogs allowed all year.

Directions: Mevagissey is 6 miles from St.Austell. Approach St. Austell on the A390 and at the roundabout near Mc Donalds and Travel Lodge, take the road to Mevagissey (B3273) and park in Mevagissey. Walk the coast path North to Polstreath.

Portmellon

Portmellon is a small sandy cove with a slipway. There is no sand at high tide as the sea reaches the sea wall.

 The Rising Sun Pub overlooks the beach. There is a car park by the beach.

Nearest Public Toilets at Mevagissey.

 There are 4 Car Parks at Mevagissey which is a ten minute walk away along the coastal path. 

Dogs are allowed all year.

Directions: Portmellon is 6.5 miles from St. Austell. From the A390 at St. Austell take the Mevagissey road (B3273) park when you arrive in Mevagissey and walk along the coast road to Portmellon (10 minutes) 

Gorran Haven

At Gorran Haven there is a wide sandy beach and small Harbour. The beach is approached by a slipway.

 There is a beach shop for all your seaside needs.

Public Toilets available near the beach.

There is enough Parking for busy days in the field Car Park, which is 10 mins walk from the beach.

Dogs are allowed all year .

Vault Beach

Vault beach is a wide shingle beach with some sand at low tide.There are no facilities.  Parking is at the N.T. Lamledra Car Park, some distance from the beach.

It is approached from the coastal path which also leads to Dodman Point. The coastal path can be precarious in places.  The very far end of Vault beach is used  informally as a naturist beach.

No facilities available.

No toilets (nearest at Gorran Haven)

Car Parking at Gorran Haven or Lamledra.

Dogs allowed all year.

Directions:Vault beach is 9 miles from St. Austell. Approaching St. Austell on the A390 turn on to the Mevagissey Road B3273 Shortly after Pentewan turn right for Gorran Haven and follow this road all the way to Gorran Haven. Park at Gorran Haven and walk the coast path South to Vault beach.Alternatively shortly before the Gorran Haven car park turn right and drive the short distance to the Lamledra Car Park and then walk the footpath to Vault Beach.

Hemmick Beach

Hemmick beach is a pleasant sandy beach but there are no facilities and parking is very limited. There is a steep walk from the car park to the beach.

There are no facilities or Public Toilets.

Car Parking is at the National Trust Car Park, a 15 minute walk from the beach.There is parking for 3-4 cars by the beach. The path from the car park can be slippery after wet weather.

Dogs are allowed all year.

Directions: Hemmick Beach is 9 miles from St. Austell. At St. Austell take the B3273 to mevagissey, Shortly after Pentewan turn right for Gorran Haven and follow this road all the way to Gorran Haven, at Gorran Haven, turn right and follow this road for about a mile, then turn left and after a short distance the car park is after a bend.

Porthluney Cove  (Caerhays) 

Porthluney Cove is also known locally as Caerhays Beach. It is a sheltered sandy beach close to Caerhays Castle and Gardens. There is easy access to the beach.

There is a cafe & shop and Public Toilets are by the beach.

There is a  large Car Park close to the beach which is also used by visitors to the castle and its gardens. There is a charge during the Holiday season.

Dogs are allowed all year.

Directions : Porthluney cove is about 9 miles from St. Austell. At St. Austell take the B3273 for Mevagissey, shortly after Pentewan turn right on the Gorran Haven road. At the hamlet of Gorran Highlanes, turn right on to the road for Caerhays. Follow this road through the hamlet of Rescassa, at the next junction turn right and follow the road to Caerhays Castle.