Our pick of the best beaches in north Cornwall between Bude and Padstow, with what each is best for, tide tips and drive times from Boscastle.
North Cornwall's beaches are wild and beautiful, and many change completely with the tide. Some disappear at high water; others become huge stretches of sand at low tide. Here is our pick of the best beaches between Bude and Padstow, with rough road distances from Lower Pennycrocker Farm near Boscastle.
Always check a tide table and swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible. Our Cornwall beach safety and tides guide explains the flags.
Bude area
Sandymouth (about 16 miles): a National Trust beach with sand at low tide, rocky outcrops and a café. See Sandymouth and Northcott Mouth.
Northcott Mouth (about 15 miles): quieter than the town beaches, with rock pools at low tide.
Summerleaze and Crooklets, Bude (about 13 miles): town beaches with facilities close by. Summerleaze has the tidal Bude Sea Pool. See the Bude day trip.
Widemouth Bay (about 10 miles): a wide, sandy bay popular for surf lessons and families. See our Widemouth Bay guide.
Near Boscastle
Crackington Haven (about 5 miles): a dramatic cove with sand at low tide, rock pools and refreshments nearby. Our closest sandy beach; see Crackington Haven.
The Strangles (near Crackington): a remote beach reached by a steep cliff path. Beautiful, but only for confident walkers. See The Strangles.
Bossiney Haven (about 6 miles): a small cove near Tintagel reached by a steep path, with sand at lower tides. See Bossiney Haven.
Tintagel to Port Isaac
Trebarwith Strand (about 11 miles): a long stretch of sand that only appears around low tide, with a pub and café above. Time your visit carefully. See our Trebarwith Strand guide.
Port Gaverne (about 16 miles): a sheltered cove next to Port Isaac, good for a paddle at low tide. See Port Quin and Port Gaverne.
Camel estuary
Polzeath (about 20 miles): a well-known surf beach with a wide sandy bay. See Polzeath and Rock.
Daymer Bay (about 21 miles): a more sheltered estuary beach, popular with families.
Which beach for which day?
| If you want... | Try |
|---|---|
| Surf lessons | Widemouth Bay, Polzeath |
| Rock pools | Crackington Haven, Northcott Mouth |
| Facilities close by | Bude, Widemouth Bay, Polzeath |
| Somewhere wild and quiet | The Strangles, Bossiney Haven |
| A sheltered paddle | Daymer Bay, Port Gaverne |
Dogs on beaches
Some north Cornwall beaches have seasonal dog restrictions in the summer. Our dog-friendly beaches in north Cornwall guide explains how to check.
Staying near the beaches
Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a quiet farm campsite, not a beachfront site, with all of these beaches within a drive. See camping near beaches in Cornwall and our beaches near Boscastle page.
Tips for a good beach day
Arrive early in summer, as small car parks fill quickly. Take water, sun cream and a windbreak, and keep an eye on the tide so you are not cut off below the cliffs. Many north coast beaches have no shade, so a hat matters on sunny days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in north Cornwall?
It depends on the day: Widemouth Bay and Polzeath for surfing, Crackington Haven for rock pools, Trebarwith Strand for a dramatic low-tide walk.
Which north Cornwall beaches are best at low tide?
Trebarwith Strand, Crackington Haven, Sandymouth and Bossiney Haven all have much more sand at low tide.
Which beach is closest to Boscastle?
Crackington Haven is one of the closest sandy beaches, about 5 miles from our farm.
Stay near Boscastle
Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a quiet, family-run campsite at St Juliot, about two miles from Boscastle (PL35 0BY). We welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans from 1 April to 31 October. Adults are £10 a night, children aged 5 and over £5, electric hook-up £7 and dogs £2 each (maximum two). Showers are free and you park beside your pitch. Check availability and book direct, or see pitches and prices.
