10 best family-friendly beaches in north Cornwall

When it comes to dreamy beaches, you’re spoiled for choice in north Cornwall. But if you’re planning a trip with babies and toddlers in tow, you need to ensure your chosen part of the Cornish coastline is easy to get to, safe and has decent facilities. All children will want an adventure, whether that’s surfing, exploring rockpools, building sandcastles and finding exciting places to swim and Cornwall’s north coast ticks all the boxes. Starting at Bude and stretching out west all the way down to just above Hayle, you’ll discover consistent waves for bodyboarding and surfing but also plenty of sandy shores, swimming coves and sea pools. Here, we’ve listed the best beaches for family days out in north Cornwall – just don’t forget to pack your swimmers!

North Cornwall beaches with lifeguards

Even sensible children who are strong swimmers can still get into trouble in the water. Play it safe and choose a lifeguarded beach if you’re planning on swimming, surfing or messing about on paddleboards. Check out the location of your nearest beach in north Cornwall with lifeguards on the RNLI website.

Best north Cornwall beaches for public transport access

In the summer holidays, north Cornwall car parks can get busy, so why not leave the car at your holiday cottage and take the bus or train? Newquay is the perfect destination for a car-free day out. It has seven lovely beaches within walking distance of the railway station. Or catch a bus that will drop you right on the beach: try Polzeath, Harlyn and Perranporth.

Best north Cornwall beaches for surfing and bodyboarding

From tiny tots to teenagers, it’s hard to find a child who doesn’t enjoy playing in the surf. The north Cornwall coast is home to some of the best UK surf spots and most of them will have surf schools where you can rent bodyboards, surfboards and wetsuits, and book lessons for kids of all ages. Small children learning to bodyboard will love the wide expanse and soft waves at Polzeath and Constantine, while older children and teenagers should head to the gnarlier breaks at Godrevy, Perranporth, Watergate Bay, Chapel Porth, Porthtowan and Fistral in Newquay. Remember to check the flags to see where you should bodyboard or surf.

Best north Cornwall beaches for swimming

Clear blue waters, golden sand and fun waves – most beaches in north Cornwall are great for swimming. But if you want to avoid the surfers and bodyboarders and swim with confidence, head to the sheltered beaches of Port Gaverne, near Port Isaac, and Daymer Bay, near Polzeath. A sea pool is a great shout for kids when the swell’s too big to enter the ocean. Summerleaze beach in Bude is home to a part-natural, part-man made sea pool that provides safe swimming conditions. Trevone and Treyarnon also have natural swimming pools carved into the rocks.

Best north Cornwall beaches for sandcastles

If you’re serious about crafting sandcastles, you need to plan your building window. Head to your chosen development area about two hours before low tide to make the most of the firm, wet sand. Trebarwith Strand, Daymer Bay, Trevone, Perranporth and Trevaunance Cove near St Agnes are perfect for sand castle aficionados. St Ives’ Porthminster Beach has to be the dreamiest  – its white sand makes for picture-perfect creations, while an assortment of nearby restaurants and cafes are on hand to refresh the builders.

Best north Cornwall beaches for buggies

If you’re holidaying with babies and toddlers in tow, you’ll be reliant on wheels. You’ll need beaches that are easy to get to from the car park and near toilets, cafes and anywhere that sells ice cream! Try Polzeath, Porth, and Fistral in Newquay, and Summerleaze and Crooklets Beach in Bude. Perranporth is also one of our favourites, catering for families of all ages, and welcoming dogs all year round. This great all-rounder has wide golden sands, lots of shops and eateries, a stream for little ones and caves and a sea pool for older children.

Best north Cornwall beaches for rock pooling

There’s nothing more fun than poking about in a rock pool at low tide, discovering all sorts of sea life. Just grab a net and a white bucket (it’ll make it easier to view your new pals) and you’re good to go! Don’t forget to pop your discoveries back in when you’re done. Try Treyarnon Bay between Newquay and Padstow for plenty of large, shallow rock pools, Mawgan Porth near Newquay for rock pools, caves and a stream and Newtrain Bay near Padstow, which boasts more rock than sand. Older children will love scrambling down the steep steps to the fabulous deep rock pools of Greenaway Beach, sandwiched between Polzeath and Daymer Bay.

Planning on booking a family friendly break to north Cornwall? Find your perfect beach holiday cottage here