Your favourite beach in Cornwall?

[FrayedKnot]

Just after some ideas..

Know the area around Polzeath / Trebetherick well, but never been anywhere else.

Sandy, loos, carpark..maybe an icecream van would be all we require.

Sennen is lovely (did I mention I was there last week...?) Have very fond childhood memories of it - was lovely to take both my boys there. Porthcurno is beautiful, as is Kynance Cove (though the tide was in both times we went last week so no sand!) I haven't been to Bedruthan since they improved the steps - it was very scary last time I went. And Loe Bar is great if you like your beach deserted - long walk down there, and no loos/shops etc. but you won't see another soul. No sand - just very smooth pebbles and you can't swim in the sea because the current is too strong but we've had some lovely days there.

Well based on your criteria, I like Porth Beach on the north side of Newquay. I can't surf there, but dd and dsd love it as there's rock pools.

I love Whipsiderry, the next beach round, but there are no toilets, no ice cream vans and 300 steps down to it!

On the South side of Cornwall I like Praa Sands.

Oh and Trebarwith Strand.

Oh and Porthgwarra is an amazing beach - it has caves!

Still thinking ....

Porthcothan, north of Watergate Bay

if you go to crackington haven you can go thom york out of radiohead spotting

Hawkers Cover (I think that's what it's called) opposite Padstow on the coast road to St Merryn/Newquay is great. Doesn't have 'facilities' but is fab for barbecues.

We love Harlyn Bay as well, not so keen on Trevone, but it wasn't good weather when we were there so that may have influenced us.

All the beaches at St Ives are great too. But have to agree, don't think you can beat Polzeath and Daymer Bay for good beaches for kids.

we were thinking of booking a month at a large house in cornwall next summer ...anyone know of one - walk to beach would be ideal???

notanotter, \link{http://www.classic.co.uk/\Classic Cottages} are good - we've used them a few times. We stayed in a huge house overlooking Sennen Cove a few years ago but it doesn't seem to be on there any more. It was very expensive though - we went with my parents and my brother and his wife.

the Surf Beach at St Ives, proper name is Porthmeor Beach. Oh bliss. Has a gorgeous little rooftop cafe selling homemade soup and hot choc where you can sit outside even in bad weather and watch the waves. Ice creams, loos, rockpools for the kids, wetsuit hire for dads and beautiful life guards to watch strutting about -something for all the family

sounds delightfu - just looked no luck so far!

Marthamoo, was it Carn Eve you stayed at? We stayed there when we got married and had the reception there. Am gutted it's no longer available, always fancied returning for our tenth wedding anniversary!Mind you wouldn't be able to afford it now!

I'll second the comment about lifeguards on Porthmeor beach - phwoar!

The good thing about St Ives is that it has a beach for everyone - surfing on Porthmeor, eating pasties on the harbour beach, playing cricket on Porthgwidden, and seal-watching on the vast expanse of Porthminster. And the cafes and bars are fab too. Plus there are other less developed coves and beaches nearby.

Notanotter - we usually end up using \link{http://www.johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk/index.php\John Bray} to book our holidays - quite a good range of prices.

We like the beach at Godrevey point across the bay from St Ives. It has a toilet block, car park and ice cream van. Huge beach. You can go for a walk on to the headland. All very picturesque.

bozza, we were there surfing last summer but all surfing stopped temporarily due to large white circling the bay ! Apparently lost!!
Mind you, was tempted to hurl myself into the peril just to be saved by the life guards, but thought i may actually look like a plump seal in my wetsuit so didnt. But dont let this put you off the area, probably only urban myth !

Porthminster, by virtue of its fab cafe
And the beach at Trebah gardens

Porthminster, by virtue of its fab cafe
And the beach at Trebah gardens

Trebarwith Strand - our favourite, only when the tide is out. Have to walk across the rocks to get to the beach. Ice cream, fresh donuts, loos, car park.

Crackington Haven - again, only when the tide is out, no sand otherwise. Has loos, car park, ice cream, all across the road.

Perranporth
St. Ives
Hayle
Mousehole (nr Penzance)
Padstow
Porthtowan
Senned looks nice, I haven't been there but dh walked part of the coast path during half term and took some pics.

trying to book a holiday and you know you are a crazy mumsnetter when you cant even do that without help from 'Fishnet'!!!!

I am so pleased that so many people love Sennen - never actually visited there myself but we are staying nearby this summer so I think we might be down there from time to time....

I love Marazion beach - but it is very busy. I can't think of any beaches in Cornwall that aren't lovely though. One of my favourites is a little place called Polridmouth near Fowey...a bit remote though and no facilities at all although you can park reasonably near. It is sandy and wide but also has loads of rocks and pools and it tends to be quite quiet. Perfect! Not going to that area this year though....gets too expensive in the summer.

Love them all - and am lucky enough to be within driving distance of them all!!!!!!!

Some benefits of living in Cornwall

kenack sands is our fave.

Holywell Bay, brilliant for kids, has toilets, parking and ice-creams too as per your requirements.