Easy Access Beaches in Cornwall

Ten Beaches in Cornwall which are easily accessible

Cornwall is known for its stunning coastal scenery and beautiful beaches. But what if you have a car full of beach equipment and kids in tow? Or you have restricted mobility and need somewhere with level access - a short jaunt from the car park? Here is our pick of beaches in Cornwall which are close to a car park with easy access (i.e. doable with a buggy).

Summerleaze Beach

Not far from the centre of Bude, Summerleaze Beach has a lot to offer with golden sands, rolling waves and a tidal swimming pool.  There's a car park just behind the beach with a tarmacked path to it. It also has flat viewing platforms, beach huts, a beach wheelchair for hire and even a surf school offering adaptive and accessible surfing lessons. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round but need to be on leads from 21st May to 30th September.

Summerleaze Beach by Ray Harrington on Unsplash

Gyllyngvase Beach

Falmouth’s best known beach, Gyllyngvase has a car park just across the road, a concrete slope to the beach, a level promenade and beach wheelchairs for hire. Queen Mary's Gardens just behind the beach, is a pretty and peaceful spot to visit too. With a vibrant cafe, paddleboard centre, rockpools and even a bouncy castle in the summer months, Gyllyngvase Beach is a great choice for a family beach day out. Dog restrictions apply from 15th May to 30th September.

Gyllyngvase Beach © Find Me a Beach

Gyllyngvase Beach access © Find Me a Beach

Fistral Beach

Famous for its surfing, Fistral Beach in Newquay offers easy access to its sands. There's a car park by the beach, slopes down to the beach and beach wheelchairs for hire. The International Surfing Centre by the car park hosts shops, cafes and restaurants as well as surfing competitions and events. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.

Fistral Beach © John Allan (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Carne Beach

If you want to get a little more off the beaten track, Carne Beach on the Roseland Peninsula offers a secluded sandy beach backed by beautiful countryside. With a National Trust car park just across the road and a concrete ramp down to it, the beach is easily accessible, although you'll encounter some narrow lanes on the drive there. There's a disabled toilet and a mobile van offers drinks and ice creams at the weekends and during school holidays. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round but are required to be on leads from 1st         May until 30th         September, 9am - 6pm.

Carne Beach © Find Me a Beach

Carne Beach access  © Find Me a Beach

Polzeath Beach

You can literally park on the beach at Polzeath - get there early on sunny days to make sure you get a spot. This lovely sandy beach has a massive tidal range; at high tide everyone can get a bit squashed together, so it’s best visited at mid to low tide when you can appreciate the wide, golden sands. Beach wheelchairs are available too. Dog restrictions apply from 15th May to 30th September.

Polzeath Beach © Find Me a Beach

Porthtowan Beach

This sandy beach is nestled in a valley between high, rugged cliffs. There is a car park a short distance along the road from the beach, then a concrete slope is the final access point. Porthtowan is home to the Blue Bar, a popular bar/cafe/restaurant, a stone's throw from the sand. Dog restrictions apply from 15th May to 30th September.

Porthtowan Beach © Find Me a Beach

Porthtowan Beach access point © Find Me a Beach

Watergate Bay

This dog-friendly beach is loved by dog walkers, surfers and families for its powerful surf, wide golden sands and stunning coastal scenery. There is a car park just behind the beach and access down a concrete slope. A beach wheelchair is available for hire in the spring and summer too. Dogs are allowed on this beach all year round.

Watergate Bay © Find Me a Beach

Seaton Beach

On the south eastern coast of Cornwall, not far from Looe, Seaton is a beach of grey sand, pebbles and shingle. There are car parks across the road from the beach with level access down a path. It's possible to park overlooking the beach too. There are plenty of facilities with cafes and a children's play park nearby. Dogs are allowed on the beach here all year round.

Seaton Beach, Cornwall - Photo © Tony Atkin (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Swanpool Beach

This sand and shingle beach, tucked away on the outskirts of Falmouth, is just across the road from a car park.  It has level access from the road, giving easy access for buggies. There's a cafe with outdoor seating at the top of the beach, which is also easily accessible and a lovely spot to sit and watch the waves. Dog restrictions apply through July and August.

Swanpool Beach © Find Me a Beach

Perranporth Beach

Perranporth Beach is a popular sandy beach on the north coast of Cornwall.  It's easily accessible from the car park which is just behind the beach. Either down a short slope or over a bridge. There's also a beach wheelchair available for hire. There are toilets and a range of cafes and restaurants around the beach area. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, but need to be on leads on the busiest section of beach from the car parks to the beach steps in July and August.

Perranporth Beach © Find Me a Beach

Perranporth Beach access from the car park © Find Me a Beach

Main image: Swanpool Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall © Find Me a Beach

Accessibility is subjective so it maybe that these beaches are not suitable for everyone, including wheelchair users, please use this as a rough guide.

Cornwall Mobility in partnership with other agencies, including Disability Cornwall and Cornwall Council, supply beach wheelchairs to certain beaches in Cornwall. For a list with all the locations see: https://www.findmeabeach.co.uk/blog/cornwall-beach-wheelchairs/

These are just a few of the amazing beaches in Cornwall with easy access. Search for more using the Find Me a Beach app and purchase an annual or monthly subscription for beach profiles with info on access, tides, parking and more...

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