Home is where the surf is.

Cornwall has countless beautiful beaches, and this is an extensive list of those closest to Burrow Cott.

The sea here is beautiful but powerful. Please treat the ocean with respect: Be aware of your surroundings, have an exit plan if the tide comes in, only swim out of your depth on lifeguarded beaches unless you are a strong, experienced sea swimmer.

A quick wetsuit tip: when I worked in a local surf shop, parents often tried to buy wetsuits several sizes too big “so they’d last.” Wetsuits must be skin-tight - otherwise they won’t keep you warm and can fill with water, which is dangerous.

Lundy

A secluded, tidal bay perfect for a quiet swim.

Location: Sixteen minute drive; ten minute walk from Lundy Bay National Trust car park down a rugged coastal path
Facilities: None
Parking: Paid. Free for National Trust members
Dogs: Dog friendly; keep on leads until you reach the bay
Children: Not suitable for pushchairs; steep climb down
Tide: No beach at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards; safest only in small surf
Rock Pools: Small pools for crabbing at low tide
Baby Bay

A small bay that joins with Polzeath at low tide - usually quieter than the main beach.
Location: twenty minute drive; five minute walk from car park via coastal path or unmade road
Facilities: Toilets and refreshments at The Atlantic, New Polzeath
Parking: Large paid car park; limited free roadside parking
Dogs: Restrictions 10am–6pm (15 May–30 Sept)
Children: Uneven access but beach itself is suitable
Tide: Small beach at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards; safest in small surf
Rock Pools: None
New Polzeath / Polzeath

Both names refer to the same long sandy beach - one of the best places to learn to surf in Cornwall.
Location: Twenty minute drive; two minute walk; steps from New Polzeath or direct access from Polzeath
Facilities: Toilets and refreshments in both areas
Parking: New Polzeath: Large paid car park + limited free spaces. Polzeath: Beach car park + large paid overflow (Tristram Cliff)
Dogs: Restrictions 10am–6pm (15 May–30 Sept)
Children: Easiest access from Polzeath beach car park
Tide: Smaller beach at high tide, accessible from Polzeath side
Swimming: Lifeguarded; safe in small/medium surf
Rock Pools: Small pools for crabbing at very low tide
Daymer

A calm estuary beach with minimal surf - ideal for young children.
Location: Twenty minute drive; one minute walk from car park
Facilities: Toilets + seasonal café
Parking: Large paid car park
Dogs: Dog friendly
Children: Excellent for little ones
Tide: Accessible at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards; generally safe but currents can form on the turning tide
Rock Pools: Small ones on the right-hand side at very low tide
Rock

Joins with Daymer Bay at low tide to create a mile-long sandy stretch - safe, sheltered and perfect for families.
Location: Twenty minute drive; one minute walk from car park down the slipway
Facilities: Toilets + cafés (Four Boys, The Mariners) nearby
Parking: Large paid car park
Dogs: Dog friendly - my favourite daily dog walk
Children: Excellent for families
Tide: Beach remains at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards; generally safe but watch currents
Rock Pools: None
Tregirls

An estuary beach opposite Rock/Daymer — quieter and more remote.
Location: Twenty minute drive; ten minute walk from the car park via a footpath
Facilities: None
Parking: Large grass car park
Dogs: Dog friendly
Children: Great for families
Tide: Accessible at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards; safe but be mindful of currents
Rock Pools: None
Trevone

A charming beach with good amenities and a natural sea pool nearby.
Location: Twenty minute drive; two minute walk to beach from car park, five minutes to the sea pool.
Facilities: Toilets + shops/cafés
Parking: Small and can get busy
Dogs: Restrictions 10am–6pm (15 May–30 Sept)
Children: Suitable but surf can be large
Tide: Small beach at high tide
Swimming: Lifeguarded; safe in small/medium surf
Rock Pools: Good rock pooling; sea pool nearby
Harlyn

Wide, accessible, and usually with gentle surf - great for paddleboarding.
Location: Twenty minute drive; two minute walk from car park
Facilities: Toilets + shops/cafés
Parking: Large paid car park
Dogs: Dog friendly
Children: Excellent for younger children
Tide: Beach remains at high tide
Swimming: Lifeguarded
Rock Pools: None
Mother Ivey’s Bay

A stunning, small sheltered bay owned by a neighbouring campsite.
Location: Twenty-five minutes drive; ten minute walk from Booby’s Bay car park on footpath (or easier route through campsite).
Facilities: Yes, but up at campsite level
Parking: Large National Trust car park
Dogs: Allowed, but must be on a lead 10am–6pm
Children: Coastal path may be difficult for small children
Tide: Small beach at high tide
Swimming: No lifeguards
Rock Pools: None
Booby's Bay

My favourite beach - where I used to holiday as a child (yes, from Wadebridge!). Known for spectacular rock pools deep enough to plunge into.
Location: Twenty-five minute drive; Ten minute walk from car park; climb down rocks unless arriving from neighbouring Constantine at low tide
Facilities: None
Parking: Large National Trust car park
Dogs: Dog friendly
Children: Rocky descent; not ideal for very young children, but rock pools are magical
Tide: No beach at high tide
Swimming: Lifeguarded; surf can be heavy - I only swim here in small surf
Rock Pools: Excellent - some deep enough for swimming
Constantine Bay

A long, sweeping beach perfect for dog walks, dune running and exploring. Set up camp here for the day and walk to Booby’s bay for rockpool fun when the tide goes out.
Location: Twenty-five minute drive; two minute walk from car park
Facilities: Toilets + seasonal café
Parking: Small paid car park + larger seasonal overflow
Dogs: Dog friendly - my go to for daily walking
Children: Great for play but swimming only when surf is very small
Swimming: Lifeguarded; surf can be powerful with rips and freak waves caused by the sandbar.
Rock Pools: Small pools for crabbing at low tide
Treyarnon Bay

A beautiful beach, but not recommended.
Location: Near Constantine
Warning: Treyarnon is known for dangerous currents and has a prominent safety notice at the entrance advising of drowning risk. I have been caught out here in a rip and now personally avoid swimming here.