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Family friendly Beaches in Cornwall
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Discover the Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall: Perfect Spots for Sun, Sand, and Sea
Cornwall is home to some of the most stunning family-friendly beaches in the UK, offering safe, sandy shores and shallow waters that are perfect for children of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful spot to build sandcastles, explore rockpools, or enjoy water sports, Cornwall has a wide variety of beaches that cater to families seeking relaxation and adventure by the sea.
Our guide to family beaches in Cornwall highlights the top destinations where both children and adults can enjoy a fun-filled day by the coast. From shallow coves ideal for paddling, to playful surf beaches and scenic picnic spots, you’ll find the best locations for your next family beach day. Many of these beaches also offer nearby facilities, including lifeguard services, toilets, cafes, and parking, making them even more convenient for families.
Start planning your perfect Cornish beach day today with our list of the best family-friendly beaches in Cornwall, and create unforgettable memories by the sea.
Jump straight to our recommended family-friendly beaches
RNLI lifeguarded beaches
Water lifesaving charity RNLI provide lifeguards to a selection of beaches across the region during the summer. Their website features a searchable guide to lifeguard patrol times and dates
Beach safety
The RNLI website also has detailed guides with advice as to how to stay safe whilst enjoying the local coastline with guides to how to identify flags on lifeguarded beaches and Float To Live guidance
The Shark Trust apps
Did you know that you can find shark eggcases along the coastline all through the year. The Shark Trust have launched a free app where the general public can help collect data for citizen science projects by uploading their findings to support conservation and scientific projects. The app can be downloaded via the App Store or Google Play. Find out more about the work that they do via their website
Nature spotting/rockpooling
Beaches are a great place to find creatures and plants that you typically would not find further inland and there are lots of great resources out there to help you identify what you have found. The Wildlife Trusts Wildlife Watch website has lots of downloadable activities including a rockpooling guide and marine animal spotters. We also recommend activity books and wildlife guides such as the i-Spy guide, The Snail and The Whale Outdoor Activity Book, RSPB First Book Of The Seahorse and the Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife
South West Coast Path
The longest National Trail in the UK covers 630 miles around Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset's coastline. The South West Coast Path website contains comprehensive guides on routes as distance calculators, things to do and advice on family walks
Tide Times
There are lots of online resources to help you identify high and low tide times in your chosen locations including the BBC website, the Tide Times website and apps such as My Tide Times
Beach Cleans
Beach visitors are always encouraged to pick up any rubbish they may find to preserve the local wildlife and to prevent harmful objects being washed into the sea. The Just One Ocean charity has a searchable guide to help you find organised beach cleans that you can get involved with. The Marine Conservation Society, National Trust and Surfers Against Sewage websites also contain guidance and tips and The Great British Beach Clean is a week-long citizen science event which takes place every September with the aim of analysing the data from the litter found to drive conservation work both in this country and internationally. The 2 Minute Foundation have also established an initiative for members of the public to spend just a couple of minutes cleaning up their local beach at any time, with helpful stations providing litter pickers, bags and a hand sanitiser dispensers at selected locations
1. Fistral Beach (Newquay)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Fistral Beach is one of Cornwall's most famous beaches, known for its wide, sandy shore and gentle waves. The beach is ideal for families, with plenty of space for sandcastle building, picnics, and surfing lessons. It’s also home to lots of facilities, including family-friendly cafes and surf schools.
2. Porth Beach (Newquay)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking, shops
- Why it's family-friendly: Porth Beach is quieter than its famous neighbor, Fistral, making it perfect for families with young children. The beach has soft sand and shallow waters, perfect for paddling and building sandcastles. It's also ideal for a relaxed family day with cafes and toilets close by.
3. St Ives (Porthmeor Beach)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: St Ives offers several sandy beaches, and Porthmeor Beach is one of the most family-friendly. With clean sands, shallow waters, and a scenic backdrop, it’s perfect for families looking to swim, relax, or try out some surfing. The town also provides plenty of attractions, cafes, and shops for a full day out.
4. Kynance Cove (Lizard Peninsula)
- Facilities: No lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Kynance Cove is a beautiful, sheltered beach with calm, shallow waters, ideal for families with small children. The cove is surrounded by stunning rock formations and turquoise waters, making it a picturesque place for a family day trip. It’s perfect for exploring rockpools, walking, and enjoying a picnic.
5. Polzeath Beach (nr Wadebridge)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking, surf schools
- Why it's family-friendly: Polzeath is a popular beach for families, offering a sandy beach and gentle surf that’s ideal for children to try surfing or bodyboarding. The beach is backed by a range of facilities, including cafes, shops, and surf schools, making it convenient for a family day out.
6. Porthcawl Beach (Falmouth)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Porthcawl Beach in Falmouth offers calm waters and soft sand, making it perfect for young children to enjoy the water. The beach has fantastic views of the coastline, and the nearby town offers family-friendly cafes and shops to make the day even more enjoyable.
7. Holywell Bay (Near Newquay)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Holywell Bay is a beautiful, expansive beach with plenty of space for families to enjoy. It features sand dunes, shallow waters, and calm waves that make it ideal for children to paddle and play. It also offers great facilities, making it a convenient spot for a family beach day.
8. Sennen Cove (Land’s End)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking, surf schools
- Why it's family-friendly: Sennen Cove offers a large sandy beach with clean waters, making it an excellent spot for families to enjoy swimming, picnicking, or surfing. The beach is also home to a variety of facilities, including surf schools for older children and restaurants for families to relax.
9. Crantock Beach (Near Newquay)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Crantock Beach is a quiet, unspoiled beach, perfect for families looking for a more peaceful day by the sea. With plenty of space for children to play, shallow waters ideal for paddling, and a beautiful environment, it’s a great spot for picnics, sandcastles, and relaxed walks.
10. Praa Sands (Penzance)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Praa Sands is a large, sandy beach with gentle waves, making it ideal for families with children. It’s a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and exploring rockpools. The beach is also well-served with facilities, including cafes and parking, making it convenient for a full day out.
11. Porthluney Cove (Caerhays Estate)
- Facilities: No lifeguards, toilets, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Porthluney Cove is a small, secluded beach with calm waters, perfect for younger children. The beach is sheltered by cliffs and offers a safe, quiet environment for families to relax, swim, or enjoy a picnic. It’s a beautiful spot, with access through the Caerhays Estate gardens.
12. Coverack (Lizard Peninsula)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Coverack is a charming, small fishing village with a lovely family-friendly beach. The beach has calm, shallow waters and a sheltered bay, perfect for young children. The village also offers several cafes and amenities, making it easy to spend a full day by the sea.
13. Towan Beach (Newquay)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Towan Beach is situated in the heart of Newquay and is one of the best beaches for families. The beach offers sandy shores and shallow waters, ideal for paddling. The beach is also well-served with facilities and is close to Newquay’s shops, cafes, and attractions.
14. Widemouth Bay (Bude)
- Facilities: Lifeguards, toilets, cafes, parking, surf schools
- Why it's family-friendly: Widemouth Bay is a beautiful, wide, sandy beach with calm waters perfect for children. The beach has plenty of space for sandcastle building, playing games, and enjoying the sea. The area is also popular for surfing and offers surf schools for older kids and adults.
15. Lantic Bay (Near Fowey)
- Facilities: No lifeguards, no toilets, limited parking
- Why it's family-friendly: Lantic Bay is a small, unspoiled beach perfect for families who want a quieter, more secluded experience. The waters are calm and clear, making it a lovely spot for paddling and enjoying nature. It’s a little more remote, so ideal for families seeking peace and tranquility.
These family-friendly beaches in Cornwall offer a perfect mix of safe waters, gentle waves, and family-friendly facilities, making them ideal for a fun and relaxing day by the sea. Whether you're looking for a quiet cove, a wide sandy beach, or a location with activities and cafes, Cornwall has a beach for every family. If you have a particular family favourite that you would like to see featured, please email our editor at editorial@writeplacemedia.co.uk