Cornish Beaches- the South Cornwall Coast from St Mawes to Mevagissey

The South Cornish Coast from the Roseland Peninsula to Mevagissey has more than its fair share of sheltered off the beaten track beaches. Here are a few of them. Beach pictures

Porthbeor Beach. One of the Roseland Peninsula's many off the beaten track beaches. Difficult to find, even if you know where it is, and reachable via a stiff half mile walk down an often steep and slippery coast path, from the road a mile south west of Bohortha. A pleasant walk is around from St Anthony Head. Backed by high cliffs with pebbles at the bottom, and a strip of sand at low water.

Towan Beach This is a real gem of a Roseland beach, backed by rolling countryside and low cliffs- a wide expense of sand at low water. Reachable via a largely level walk from a National Trust Car Park at Porth Farm. A mile walk north along the Coast Path is Portscatho.

Porthcurnick Beach A short walk northwards from the village of Portscatho. If driving we suggest you park in the Car Park to the north of the village, and follow the zig zag path down until you reach the beach. As you walk along the path on a clear day there are far reaching views across to Nare Head in the distance to be enjoyed.

Carne and Pendower. At low water spring tides separated only by name is this 1.5km long stretch of silver grey sand. Reachable from either Veryan or off the A3048 St Mawes Road. Pendower There is only parking for about a dozen cars on the low cliff top overlooking Pendower. The beach is backed by marram grass covered dunes and a small stream adds to the idyllic unspoilt feel of this stretch of Cornish coast, all overlooked by an hotel with cypress trees growing in the hotel grounds.

Best Beach in Cornwall?

Beyond Nare Head and nestling deep in the shelter of Veryan Bay is Porthluney -one of the most beautiful beaches, we hesitate to say best beach in Cornwall. Backed by sand dunes, with a large car park, and with Caerhays Castle as a backdrop. A shallow shelving beach, in an uspoilt setting, popular with families. There is a well stocked beach shop and cafe for those ice creams and forgotten buckets and spades.

Hemmick Continuing along the Cornish Coast is little Hemmick Beach, best accessed from the Coast Path. Tucked in the arm of Dodman Point. Lots of rock pools for the kids to explore. Reachable down very narrow lanes, with little car parking available. We suggest you park your car at the top of the hill at Penare and follow the permissive path down.

Vault Beyond the great bulk of the Dodman and only a mile or so to reach Gorran Haven is the half mile long expanse of seemingly silver sand and small shingle that is Vault Beach. Car parking is only available in a National Trust Car Park- do not park on the coast road. It is a mile long walk down to the north end of the beach , down over the gently sloping grassy cliffs.

Gorran Haven Once yet another former pilchard settlement, dating from Medieval times. The beach is south east facing and a real sun-trap, very popular both with Cornwall holiday-makers and locals alike. Sheltered also by the bulk of the granite breakwater walls. Parking limited near to the beach. Superb views across the bay from the Cornish Coast Path.

To the north of Gorran lies Great Perhaver Beach, yet another sun-trap, passing through Port Mellon one reaches Mevagissey

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