Beaches and Coastline of Cornwall - South East Cornwall
Gribbin Head to Plymouth
Places in Italics are Cliffs, Headlands and Coastal Features.
Fowey Polperro Harbour Looe Whitsand Bay Cawsand
Ready Money Cove
Small sandy cove on Fowey Estuary. Car park quarter mile from beach. Dog ban.
An ancient but busy estuary port with ferries, pleasure craft and clay shipping. Restricted parking leads to parking on the towns out- skirts. Pubs, shops, restaurants.
Golant
Sailing.
Lerryn
Once busy river port with wooded slopes said to have inspired the river scenery for Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.
Bodinnick
Vehicle ferry crossing point to Fowey.
Polruan
Passenger ferry to Fowey. There is no access to cars during the summer season.
Lantic Bay
Shelving sandy cove with strong currents accessed by a steep path.Car park walk is 20 minutes.
Pencarrow Head
Lantivet Bay
Three sand and shingle beaches reached by beautiful 15 minute walks from NT car parks at Frogmore & Lansallos Barton.
Lansallos Cove
Small shingle beach.
Lansallos
Small village. Track leads from 14th C church of St. Ildierna along stream which ends in small waterfall at the shore.
Larrick
Polperro Harbour
Very popular tourist magnet. Narrow streets lead down to the small harbour. Non-resident traffic is banned from the village but shuttle bus carries people from car park to harbour.
Talland Bay
13th Century church of St. Tallan overlooks this stretch of sand and shingle cove. Rock pools. Cafe/shop and parking by the beach. Easy access.
Hore Point
Looe or St. George's Island
A haven for sea birds, half mile offshore. Visited by boat trips from Looe.
Hannafore Point
Hannafore
Extensive shingle and rock beach with good rock pools and view of Looe Island. Some parking possible on road by beach.
Looe
The old harbour of East and West Looe are separated by the narrow estuary of the Looe River. Narrow cobbled lanes in old East Looe. Banjo Pier holds a fish market most mornings. Famous for its shark fishing and other boat trips.
Looe Beach & Plaidy
Popular sandy beaches with all facilities nearby. Car parking at either the quayside or the main car parks.
Millendreath
A small sheltered beach of sand and fine shingle. The East end of the beach has an artificial tidal swimming pool. Rock pools. Leisure centre and indoor swimming pool are close by. Car park, toilets, cafe and pub.
Seaton
Large coarse grey sand and shingle beach. Seaton River enters the sea here. Easy access .
Downderry
South facing, fine shingle beach which is sheltered by a sea wall, at low water there are rock pools. The village beyond is sandwiched between the shore and the cliffs. Boat hire & watersports. Easy access.
Portwrinkle
Coastal hamlet. Two sand and shingle beaches with rock pools. Easy access with car park, toilets and refreshments nearby. Bathing unsafe on outgoing tides due to strong currents.
Tregantle Cliff
Part of a military firing range and is sometimes closed to the public.
Whitsand Bay
A gently curving bay with nearly four miles of sands. The beach is accessed by cliff paths at Freathy and there are various parking places along the cliff tops. Currents can be dangerous in this area and there is a lifeguard post below Tregonhawke and the beach is patrolled in summer.
Rame Head
Lies at the southern end of Mount Edgcumbe Park and is renowned for its beauty. The ruins of 14th C St. Michael's Chapel can be found at the tip of the headland.
Cawsand and Kingsand
Narrow streeted old smugglers' haunts. Sheltered small sand and shingle beaches. Easy access with all facilities nearby. Safe bathing except on SE winds. Dog ban.
Mount Edgcumbe Park
Extends from Cremyll to Tregonhawke and combines woodland and coast. Gardens and Country House.
Cremyll
Passenger ferry to Plymouth.
Torpoint
All year round car ferry to Plymouth.
Saltash
The narrow streets of this former fishing village rise steeply from the banks of the Tamar River. The town has great views of both of the bridges which span the Tamar.
Tamar Estuary