North Cornwall beaches

Cornwall gets the many breathtaking and diverse coast in Britain: long strands of fantastic sand, coves of salt-and-pepper pebbles and rockpools that are pieces of art. Here are 10 of my favourite beaches.

The Strangles (1), near Crackington Haven: a top summer time hideaway achieved down a high challenging course. At reduced tide you'll go along to Rusey beneath 700ft high cliffs. The jagged rocks overseas scuppered numerous a sailing ship. Cycling not advised.

Daymer Bay (2), Rock: a-strand of fast sand, ideal for beach games and sandcastle-building as well as rockpooling. Children can paddle here safely on peaceful days. There is a glorious view over the Camel estuary, to industries of fantastic corn in summer. Puppies welcome all year. Coastal road from Daymer to Polzeath and St Enodoc available to wheelchair people.

Watergate Bay (3), only north of Newquay: two kilometers of good golden sand with many parking. Have lunch at trendy seashore Hut cafe, as well as for kitesurfing, traction kite and waveski lessons, look at the Extreme Academy (watergatebay.co.uk).

Activities at Watergate Bay include kitesurfing, grip kite and waveski classes

Gwithian Towans (4), near Hayle: three miles of dune-backed sands perfect for surfing newbies and having from the hordes. The Sunset Surf licensed café acts tasty lunches and there’s a well-stocked wetsuit and board store next door. Turn off the A30 at Hayle, right on mini-roundabout beside Lidl onto the B3301, in addition to beach roadway is a left change after a mile or so.

Porthminster seashore (5), St Ives: a good household favourite, cleaned and raked each day, with a magnificent view over St Ives Bay to Godrevy lighthouse. The beach store rents everything required for a day on the sands (loungers, windbreaks, buckets and spades). You can test the new recreation of stand-up paddleboarding here.

Gwenver Beach (6): the northern end of Sennen Cove, popular with locals whilst’s less crowded and puppies are welcome. Lifeguards during the summer and superb swimming on peaceful times; otherwise your favourite with bodyboarders and surfers. Automobile access is along a half-mile gravel road with industry parking at Tregiffian Farm.

Gwenver has lifeguards in summer and superb swimming on calm times

Porthcurno (7): a funnel of fantastic sand and water so clear you can view seafood swim by. In late might harmless basking sharks usually gather right here. Visit at reduced tide and circumambulate the headland to a cove favored by naturists (additionally reached down a treacherous cliff path). In winter season climb around the Minack Theatre for a bowl of warming soup.

Kynance Cove (8), Lizard: this work of art of seaside erosion has drawn tourists because the eighteenth century. Huge caves and stacks of red and green marble-like serpentine rock rise from a crescent of pale sand, unveiled just at reasonable tide. A 10-minute walk downhill from the clifftop Nationwide Trust carpark (£4.50). There is a café with wireless access for people who can’t live without one.

Kynance Cove is a 10-minute stroll downhill through the clifftop National Trust car parking

Porthluney Cove (9): tucked away down narrow lanes between Porthscatho and Mevagissey this large beach is sheltered and south-facing. At the rear of could be the magnificent Gothic-style Caerhays Castle. Its world-famous landscapes are open within the springtime.