The coastline of Padstow is a trove of sandy shores and picturesque views. So, it can be tough to determine which among the many Padstow beaches is the “best”. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 most popular beaches in Padstow, based on ratings and reviews from various online sources. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the ocean or some exciting waves to surf, this list has got you covered. Let’s take a look!
Best Beach in Padstow
Polzeath Beach
- Address: Polzeath Beach, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (711)

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Top 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Padstow

Trevone Bay
- Address: Trevone Bay nr, Padstow, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (271)
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
Sandy beach with a great view. A nice trail with some awesome views.
Depending on how far you walk down, there is a little hidden secluded beach. It has steps going down and is very easy to get down and back up. That particular beach has pebbles and sand. There are some large rocks which you can sit on if you wish to relax and enjoy the view or just listen to the waves.
The trail itself is very easy and no equipment is really required. The path is clear. Not sure how far it goes. Suitable for dogs and plenty of dog walkers on the trail.
By Vina Bhabhani (a year ago)Superb beach good for all ages
Good beach shop/cafe, serving excellent breakfast. Car park right next to beach and cafe. Not too busy. Close to Padstow. Good walks along the coastal paths in both directions. Good base to explore mid Cornwall.By Peter Wilkins (6 months ago)Beautiful carpark and allowed to stay over night which was lovely in our van! Felt very safe and beautiful views. Shop and bar very good, facilities clean. Highly recommend.By Siobhan Godby (3 months ago)Beautiful place to stay overnight with a camper. Just go to the shop at 5pm and get a ticket for overnight stay. Nice beach and great bar. Highly recommend!By Sherry-Christine Visage (6 months ago)Amazing place to visit with kids. You just need to come and see it by your own eyes to understand what I experienced. Absolutely the best beach in my life.By Aiga Balode (6 months ago)
Rock Beach
- Address: Rock Beach, Wadebridge PL27 6LD, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (255)
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
Amazing beach for dogs, off lead all year, lots & lots of room so everyone can enjoy. Soft sand, but bring shade on a sunny day.
Car park gets busy (like all) so if you’re not their early there is additional all day parking at the top & a 10 minute walk down.
Catch the ferry over to Padstow for a truly amazing day.
By Mark Heneghan (4 months ago)Simply stunning sandy beach with crystal clear waters. When the tide is out there are lots of small pools of water left behind which are ideal for paddling. Dog friendly all year round and you can catch the ferry over to Padstow for a small charge. A great day out.By Marie Wetton (3 months ago)This Beach is one of the best in the UK without a doubt. I live in Dorset and we have some of the best UK beaches, however Rock is fabulous and also dog friendly 👌 😀By Chris Higgins (a year ago)What a beach beautiful and clean…..Good parking nearby…..stunning….don’t forget you can get the river taxi to padstowBy Drone Uk (7 months ago)The sand on this beach is unbelievable fine. I was surprisedBy Alexandra Catalina (4 months ago)
Hawker’s Cove, Padstow
- Address: Hawker’s Cove, Padstow, S W Coast Path, Padstow PL28 8HP, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (252)
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
Soft sand as far as you can see, when the tide is out. The whole area is flat so is safe but this means the tide comes in quickly too.By Ewan Baxter (2 months ago)A stunning beach, a great find. Loved it here. So clean, with beautiful white sand. Didn’t want to leave! The village is lovely too, the top cottages are very pretty with super views. Great little life boat station too. A visit is a must to the tea shop at the top, lovely ladies, very friendly and delicious cream teas, with amazing views over the bay. Definitely going back one day!By Laura Dodd (4 years ago)Wow. What a beach. We walked from Padstow along the coastal path. Hardly anyone else around.By Catherine Heather (a year ago)Beautiful beach, a new favourite of ours.By Julie Crow (6 months ago)A private landing area and cove on the South West Coastal Path. Unable to access but there are nice views of the coast. The beach just down from Hawker’s Cove, Harbour Cove is lovely and great for walks. This review relates just to Hawker’s Cove.By Nigel Sarsfield (3 years ago)
Porthcothan Beach
- Address: Porthcothan Beach, St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8LR, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (228)
- Reviews:
Great beach. Small car park so get there before 1030 but that’s also the best part as it limits how many people will be on the beach.
All of the north side of rhe beach is permanently in sun and the south side mostly has shade along the edge of the cliffs which was handy with young kids.Also I recommend using some child labour and digging a hole for a relaxing pool to float on top of (or just walk to the sea…)
By Gregg Bennett (4 months ago)Great to revisit this beach, used to come here all the time as a youngster when the rocks in the sea where a The Arch Rock ( showing my age ) where still attached to each other. lovely place brought back some special memories of both beaches especially the Goldern Burn side. The around the coast to Shell beach and the lagoon. Great holiday for everyoneBy Tim Ellis (5 months ago)Easily the best of the 7 beaches! Perfectly sized and shallow waters for miles when tide out for paddling with young kids. RNLI on hand in peak season. Heard the surf can be good too. Parking, if needed, is across the road (coins only FYI) and a very lovely cafe on site featuring the best icecream, snacks and drinks around! Paddle/surf/body board hire as well. Never felt too busy even at start of summer hols.By Anna Warren (a year ago)Gorgeous Beach, beware Tide comes in real fast and there are cut off areas. Awesome light 😎💜😎 and big waves but lots of rock, not good for Surfers. Love Cafe’ by beach.By Siobain Eaton (4 months ago)A stunning beach. Clean, relatively quiet, unspoilt with the perfect stretch of sand meeting the sea. A great cafe off-beach to get refreshments as you are bound to want to stay the whole day. A coastal pathway from the beach takes you around the headland towards Padstow.By Anthony Greenwood (3 years ago)
St George’s Cove
- Address: Padstow PL28 8RR, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (198)
National Trust – Trevose Headland
- Address: Trevose Head, Padstow PL28 8SL, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (129)
Harlyn Bay Beach
- Address: Harlyn Bay Beach, St Merryn PL28 8SB, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (126)
Stepper Point
- Address: Stepper Point, Padstow, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (125)
Harbour Cove
- Address: S W Coast Path, Padstow PL28, UK, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (119)
Harlyn Beach
- Address: St Merryn, Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SB, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (84)
Greenaway Beach
- Address: Greenaway Beach, S W Coast Path, Wadebridge PL27 6SF, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (56)
Butterhole Beach
- Address: Butterhole Beach, S W Coast Path, Bideford PL28 8HW, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (41)

That’s it for our list of the best beaches in Padstow! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!
This beach is so beautiful. It is surrounded with rocky walls. There are many restaurants and shops around it. Lots of parking space all sides. Some are free. Many options for snacks and street food. Very popular for surfing. I swam in the water in July. Was cold but still possible. I enjoyed it a lot.
Great beach ideal for surfing good parking on top of the cliff with pathway down to beach.Parking pay before you leave card or cash
Perfect beach for surfers and everyone enjoying active life.
Beautiful beach! First time coming here and if you’re staying at the campsite it is a short walk (down the rocks) straight onto the beach. In the summer dogs are restricted to going up until 10am and after 6pm (and in the heat it works well!). If you follow the costal path, the views of the beach are lovely too
Beautiful beach. Great for surfers, walking, dog walks, and scenery. Decent bars and restaurants nearby.