Cornwall

Cornwall is Britain's ultimate coastal escape, wrapping golden surf beaches, hidden coves and wild-swimming pools around a peninsula famed for its light and legends. Our Cornwall guides run deep: beaches sorted for families, dogs, couples and accessibility; the most photogenic and Instagrammable stretches; wild swimming spots; and hidden gems for every season, from summer coves to haunted, mysterious and gloriously offbeat corners. Whether you want buckets-and-spades sands or something stranger and quieter, this is the county's every mood mapped out.

Accessible Beaches in Cornwall

Not every Cornish beach means a steep scramble; reach sands like Kynance Cove, Porthcothan and Housel Bay more easily, on eight easier-to-reach beaches.

Best Beaches in Cornwall

Well away from its busiest sands, Cornwall runs from Atlantic surf to tiny cliff-foot coves, among them Porth Joke, Prussia Cove and hidden Basset's Cove.

Best Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Cornwall's coast and old mining country hide far more than its busy beaches, from Geevor Tin Mine and the Great Flat Lode to Carn Euny's ancient village.

Best Hidden Gems in Cornwall in Autumn

As autumn empties Cornwall, wander the old mining country and wild headlands, from Botallack Mine to Zennor Quoit and Gurnard's Head under golden light.

Best Hidden Gems in Cornwall in Summer

When Cornwall's beaches fill in summer, escape to quieter gems like Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Godrevy Lighthouse and the Hidden Valley near St Austell.

Best Hidden Gems in Cornwall in Winter

Winter empties Cornwall, leaving old mine workings and ancient stones to yourself, from the Merry Maidens stone circle to Levant Mine and Treffry Viaduct.

Best Places to Visit in Cornwall

Cornwall packs castles, mines, hidden coves and holy waterfalls into one long peninsula, from St Mawes Castle and Kennall Vale to St Nectan's Glen and coves.

Best Wild Swimming Spots in Cornwall

Cornwall swims in the sea, its best wild swimming in tidal pools cut into the rocks at Trevone, Treyarnon and Porthtowan, refilling fresh on every high tide.

Couples Beaches in Cornwall

Find a quiet Cornish cove for two, from Pedn Vounder and Lantic Bay to Porthcurnick, each a scenic walk down to sand you may have largely to yourselves.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

A Cornish beach walk is better with a dog alongside, from Mullion Cove and Trebah Beach to Prussia Cove, on eight coves and sands that welcome them year-round.

Family Beaches in Cornwall

Skip Cornwall's busy resorts for smaller coves where children explore in peace, from Lansallos and Plaidy Beach to Vault Beach, on eight family sands.

Haunted Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Cornwall wears its old ghost stories close, with haunted gems from Roche Rock and Rocky Valley to the Merry Maidens, on lonely moors and ruined cliff mines.

Kids Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall's coves suit younger explorers, from the rock pools of Portheras Cove to sheltered Towan Beach and Flushing Beach, across eight beaches for kids.

Mysterious Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Cornwall keeps its mysteries close, with hidden gems from Roughtor and Tregeseal Stone Circle to Halliggye Fogou, scattered across lonely moor and coast.

Photography Beaches in Cornwall

Point a camera at Cornwall's coast, from the sea stacks of Bedruthan Steps to Tregardock and Trevone Bay, all arches, blowholes and shifting Atlantic light.

Romantic Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall keeps quiet corners for two, from secluded Nanjizal reached on foot to Kenneggy Cove and Porthluney Bay, broad sands backed by castles and dunes.

Solo Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Slip away from Cornwall's crowds into a quieter county made for exploring alone, from Botallack Mine to Drift Reservoir and Kelsey Head, on eight solo escapes.

The Most Instagrammable Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall's coast was made for the camera, with beaches from Bedruthan Steps and Chapel Porth to Perranporth, all golden sand, high cliffs and turquoise water.

The Most Unusual Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Cornwall has more than its share of the unusual, with hidden gems from Men-an-Tol and Zennor Quoit to Ballowall Barrow, out on wild moor and cliff edge.

Cligga Head Wolframite Mine & Explosives Factory

Underrated Hidden Gems in Cornwall

Cornwall's big names draw the crowds, but hidden gems like Madron Well, Gravel Hill Mine and Trevone Round Hole stay overlooked and well worth the finding.

What are the best hidden gems in Cornwall?

Cornwall hides secluded coves, holy wells, ancient sites and quiet valleys away from the honeypots. Our hidden gems guides span underrated, unusual, haunted and mysterious corners, with seasonal picks for autumn, summer and winter so you can find somewhere quiet whatever the time of year.

What are the best beaches in Cornwall for dogs and families?

Cornwall has hundreds of beaches sorted for every visitor. Our guides cover dog-friendly shores (many with seasonal summer restrictions), safe family and kids' beaches, plus accessible options with easier access and facilities, so every group can find sand that suits them.

Where can you go wild swimming in Cornwall?

Cornwall offers superb wild swimming, from sheltered tidal coves to hidden river and quarry pools. Our wild swimming guide highlights the safest, most scenic spots, though sea swimmers should always check tides, currents and conditions carefully before getting in.