Beaches in St Austell, Fowey and Mevagissey


POLKERRIS, FOWEY

When you stop in Polkerris car park and walk down the hill you will find the small picturesque coastal village of Polkerris. Along with its lovely curving beach and old harbour, Polkerris makes for an attractive day. Situated on the beach is Polkerris Wetsuits & Watersports Equipment and Sailing School, the Lifeboat Cafe and the Rashleigh Inn, which is also known as The Inn on the Beach, all of which face straight on to sandy and safe Polkerris Bay. Note that barbecues and metal detecting are not permitted on the beach.

Access: The Polkerris road is off the A3082 between Par and Fowey. Follow the road down towards the village and the car park is the turning on your right down the lane.

Character: sandy, rocky and shingle.
Leisure facilities: sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wave/ski, kayaking, surfing, swimming, sishing and walking.

Beach facilities: slipway, toilets, Polkerris Wetsuits and Water Sports & Sailing School, beach huts, lifeboat station, dog-restricted area, cafe, pub
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: town and the Cornish Riviera.

POLKERRIS, FOWEY
 

POLTREATH, ST AUSTELL

A small, sandy beach.

Access: Follow the A390 to Charlestown. Access to Poltreath is poor/unsignposted.

Character: sandy.
Leisure facilities: none
Beach facilities: none
Car parking: on-road.
Surrounding area: village.
Awards: MCS recommended.

 

CHARLESTOWN, ST AUSTELL

Charlestown has a Georgian harbour that may be recognised from several films and television programmes. There is a sand and stone beach to the east of the harbour and a small pebble covered beach to the west. There is a wide variety and colour of pebbles here, including some containing fool's gold.

Access: Follow A390 to Charlestown, it is just to the south of St Austell, and it is an easy walk to the beach.

Character: sandy, rocky, shingle, cliffs.
Leisure facilities: diving, sailing.
Beach facilities: toilets, restaurant, cafe, slipway.
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: town, harbour.
Awards: MCS recommended.

 

PORTHPEAN, ST AUSTELL

Porthpean beach is approximately 220 metres long, sheltered, with rocky pools at its southern end and cliffs adjoining three of its boundaries. The beach slopes gently into the sea and is regarded as being the local family beach. Sailing and boat launching facilities are also available.

Access: Porthpean beach is located approximately two miles from the nearest town, St Austell. Public transport is available to within a quarter of a mile of the beach. Access is also possible via the South West Coastal Footpath. There is a large, privately owned car park 80 yards from the beach.

Character: sandy, rocky.
Leisure facilities: windsurfing, canoeing, sailing.
Beach facilities: cafe/restaurant, toilets, disabled access, ceckchair hire, promenade, dog-restricted area, lost child centre.
Car parking: pay; across the road parking.
Surrounding area: town.
Awards: Blue Flag award, Seaside award 2004 (rural).

PORTHPEAN, ST AUSTELL
 

CRINNIS, ST AUSTELL

A popular sandy beach, over a mile long, backed by cliffs and great for families.

Access: From St Austell, head for Carlyon Bay

Character: sandy, cliffs.
Leisure facilities: fishing, watersports centre.
Beach facilities: toilets, baby changing facilities, cafe, restaurant, children's play area.
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: camp site, caravan park.
Awards: MCS recommended.

 

READYMONEY, FOWEY

Readymoney is a small, sheltered, gently sloping beach at the mouth of the Fowey estuary and harbour. It is situated in a cove bounded by cliffs, with various adjoining walks (including the South West Coastal Footpath) through woodlands to St Catherine's Castle and Gribben Head. There are rock pools at low tide, but the beach is covered during spring high tides.

Access: Located half a mile to the seaward side of town. Large car park approximately 300 yards from beach with pleasant and safe footpath access. There is no parking available at the beach and vehicular access is diffficult. Public transport is available to Fowey.

Character: sandy, rocky, cliffs.
Beach facilities: toilets, Disabled access to beach, slipway, dog-restricted area.
Car parking: pay, more than five minutes walk away.
Surrounding area: town, harbour, shops, historic attractions.
Awards: Blue Flag award, Seaside award 2004 (rural)

READYMONEY, FOWEY
 

LANTIC BAY, FOWEY

Lantic Bay is graced by two tiny and remote beaches, Great Lantic beach and Little Lantic beach. There is a steep descent to Great Lantic from the coast path and the beach gets it fair share of trippers as the road to Polruan passes within 500 metres.

Access: A387 to Looe then follow the signs to Polruan.

Character: sand, pebbles, shingle, cliffs.
Leisure facilities: walking, surfing, rock pooling.
Beach facilities: none
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: National Trust land.
Awards: none.

LANTIC BAY, FOWEY
 

VAULT BEACH

Sheltered on the eastern side of Dodman Point, Vault Beach is a sweep of sand and shingle below steep, bracken- and heather-covered cliffs. It is a good safe beach for children, with gently shelving sand. The cliffs rise to an impressive 110 metres at Dodman Point, capped by its distinctive granite cross.

Access: Take the B3273 to Mevagissey and then follow signs for Gorran Haven. The beach is best approached from the village, as the road from the other direction is extremely narrow. To get to the beach, there is access via the coastal path from Gorran Haven, or via a steep slope from the National Trust car park.

Character: sandy, shingle, cliffs.
Leisure facilities: surfing.
Beach facilities: toilets.
Car parking: National Trust car park.
Surrounding area: village.
Awards: MCS recommended.

VAULT BEACH
 

PAR SANDS, ST AUSTELL

Par Sands is situated on the sheltered south coast between Fowey and St Austell and is enjoyed by the general public and users of the adjoining camping/caravan site. The extensive beach consists of fine sand, protected by dunes to the landward side. A lagoon to the rear of the beach and dunes and its associated reed beds is noted for its wildlife. Café, ice-cream, toilets and bowling facilities exist on the site. Further shops, catering, food outlets and public houses exist in the adjoining village.

Access: Par Sands adjoins the small town/village of Par which is approximately five miles from St Austell. Ample car parking on site. Public transport to main entrance, public footpath and South West Coastal Footpath. Mainline railway station at Par.

Character: sandy, dunes.
Leisure facilities: windsurfing.
Beach facilities: cafe/restaurant, beach huts, toilets, disabled access, slipways, bowling.
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: town, harbour, shops, camp site, wildlife reserve.
Awards: Seaside award 2004 (rural).

 

PENTEWAN SANDS, ST AUSTELL

A large sandy beach near St Austell, backed by a big family caravan site. It is privately owned from cliff to cliff and is excellent for swimming and all water sports.

Access: The beach is accessed from the B3273 Mevagissey to St Austell Road via the main entrance to Penetwan Sands Holiday Park.

Character: sandy, cliffs.
Leisure facilities: surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, water skiing, sailing.
Beach facilities: canoe hire, dingy hire, toilets, slipway.
Car parking: pay.
Surrounding area: caravan site.
Awards: MCS recommended.

PENTEWAN SANDS, ST AUSTELL
 

 

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copyright Mark Norton
copyright Mark Norton
copyright Mark Norton