If you are looking for a beautiful and relaxing beach destination in North Cornwall, you might want to consider Porthcothan Bay. This stunning cove is backed by grassy dunes and offers a sandy beach that stretches out at low tide, revealing hidden coves and rock pools. In this blog post, I will share some of the reasons why I love Porthcothan Beach and why you should visit it too.
Porthcothan Beach is located south of Treyarnon Bay, about 10 minutes drive from the village of St Merryn and 20 minutes from Padstow. It is easy to access from the main car park across the road, which has toilets and a beach shop. The beach is dog friendly all year round, so you can bring your furry friends along for some fun in the sun.
One of the best things about Porthcothan Beach is that it is suitable for all kinds of activities, whether you want to sunbathe, swim, surf, explore or just enjoy the scenery. The beach is sheltered from the wind and swell by the cliffs at high tide, making it ideal for swimming and paddling. The water quality is excellent and there is lifeguard cover from May to September.
If you are into surfing, you will find Porthcothan Beach to be a quiet and consistent spot, with lefts and rights breaking on sand banks. The best time to surf is from low to mid tide, but be aware of rocks and occasional rips on spring tides. The wind direction that works best is east or southeast offshore.
For those who love to wander and discover new places, Porthcothan Beach has plenty to offer. At low tide, you can walk along the beach to the north and south, where you will find smaller coves and caves to explore. You can also admire some of the interesting rock formations that dot the bay, such as the “Janet’s Foss” waterfall and the “Dragon’s Egg” boulder. Sadly, one of the most iconic features of Porthcothan Beach, a huge rock arch, was destroyed by the storms of winter 2014.
Another way to enjoy the beauty of Porthcothan Beach is to follow the South West Coast Path, which runs along the cliffs above the beach. The views are spectacular in both directions, and you can see as far as Trevose Head to the north and Bedruthan Steps to the south. The walk to Bedruthan Steps is especially rewarding, as you will pass by some of Cornwall’s most impressive rock stacks and islands.
Porthcothan Beach is not only a great place to visit in summer, but also in other seasons. In spring, you can see the dunes covered with colourful wildflowers and butterflies. In autumn, you can enjoy the golden hues of the changing foliage and watch the sun set over the sea. In winter, you can witness the dramatic waves crashing against the rocks and feel the fresh breeze on your face.
As you can see, Porthcothan Beach has something for everyone and every mood. It is one of my favourite beaches in North Cornwall and I hope you will love it too.
