Local Beaches

There are many beaches within quick and easy access, some a short stroll, some a short drive and most benefit from additional facilities. The South Coast beaches offer a more sheltered and intimate atmosphere compared to the North Coast, and are usually coves nestled between headlands and picturesque little harbours, there are of course exceptions and Par Sands is just one.

Charlestown Beach is just beyond the harbour and although there is no shop on the beach, there are plenty of amenities within a minutes’ walk. The beach is accessed by steps from the harbour and is excellent for rock-pooling and paddling.

Porthpean Beach is two minutes by car from Charlestown. From the car park there is a short walk down a slope (from which boats are permitted to launch until 8.00a.m.) There are toilets and a shop selling ice-cream, hot food, drinks and beach goods; a favourite with the locals.

Carlyon Bay is a gently sloping, sandy beach, again two minutes by car from Charlestown. The subject of much controversy in recent years, the development at Carlyon Bay does not affect enjoyment of the beach.

Par Sands is located between Charlestown and Fowey, around five minutes by car from both. This large expanse of soft sand and shallow water is an ideal family day out with excellent facilities and parking next to the beach. The children love to play in the sand dunes and as the tide recedes there is plenty of wet sand and pretty shells for the construction of magnificent sand-castles.

Polkerris Beach is just up the hill from Par Sands. Turning right off the main road you will find yourself in a narrow lane which winds its way down the hill towards the beach. Parking is available half way down the hill and the remainder is on foot, which takes around three minutes. There are no steps. It has to be said that this is very much a locals’ beach! Unless you’re told about it, you probably wouldn’t know it was there. Rather uniquely it is blessed with a lovely old pub on the beach which looks like it belongs in a Daphne du Maurier novel. There is also a café and beach shop, water-sports shop and toilets. Children enjoy the panicked look on their parents’ faces as they plunge from the harbour wall into the sea – please make sure there is sufficient water in the harbour!

Readymoney Cove in Fowey lies beneath St Catherine’s Castle at the mouth of the estuary. It is a small beach which has its advantages in terms of keeping an eye on the children and there is a picturesque walk through the woods up to the castle, from here you can see out to St Austell Bay and across to Polruan. The car park is a good five minute walk and it’s up-hill all the way back! There are toilets and usually an ice-cream van but other than that facilities are limited so packing a picnic is advised if you plan on spending the day here.

Whitehouse Beach is found along the Esplanade in Fowey and accessed by steps, again not large but a fun beach for the children with plenty of rocks to climb and rock pools to explore. There is a shallow pool built into the rocks and you have a birds-eye view of the comings and goings on the estuary. There are toilets and although the beach does not have any other facilities, it is sufficiently close to the shops and amenities in the town.