The best beaches near Padstow

Are you looking for the best beaches near Padstow? From quiet coves you can walk around the busy harbour, wide sandy bays, surf spots and the famous Seven Bays, there’s a beach for every kind of Cornwall day. 

Padstow may be best known for its harbour, seafood restaurants and winding streets, but one of the joys of staying here is just how many beaches are within easy reach.

While there isn’t a traditional sandy beach right in the centre of Padstow, you don’t have to go far to find one. Simply walk along the coast path to Harbour Cove and Hawker’s Cove, catch the little ferry across the Camel Estuary to Rock and Daymer Bay, or head south in the car towards the string of sandy bays known as the Seven Bays. Each beach has its own personality. Some are made for little sandy feet and rock pooling; others are better suited to a surfboard, a long coastal walk or simply finding a quiet patch of sand and staying there until sunset.

Do you want to find out more? Then read on for our guide to the best beaches near Padstow.

Is there a beach in Padstow?

Not in the traditional sense. Padstow itself sits on the Camel Estuary centering around the aforementioned harbour rather than hosting an open Atlantic-facing beach. This doesn’t mean you need to get in the car to have a beach day.

From the harbour, the South West Coast Path leads towards St George’s Cove, Harbour Cove and Hawker’s Cove, with stretches of sand appearing and disappearing with the tide. At low tide, the estuary landscape transforms, revealing broad expanses of sand and giving the walk a wonderfully wild, changeable feel.

Harbour Cove

Best for: walking from Padstow, sandy estuary views and quiet beach days

One of the closest beaches to Padstow, Harbour Cove, feels remarkably removed from the bustle of the harbour despite being within walking distance (1 mile).

Follow the coast path west from Padstow and the scenery gradually changes. The colourful boats and busy quayside give way to grass-covered cliffs, open water and views towards Stepper Point. Eventually, the sand opens out below you.

Harbour Cove is particularly beautiful at low tide, when the Camel Estuary becomes an enormous expanse of pale sand and shallow water. It’s the sort of place with lots of potential picnic spots, so pack up some lunch to take along with you.

Top tip - We stopped by Padstow Farm Shop on the way for delicious salad boxes to enjoy on the beach. It’s the perfect place to grab picnic supplies (and something for dinner later, too.

Good to know: This is a tidal beach, so keep an eye on the tide before setting off and don’t assume the route back will look the same as it did on the way out.

Hawker’s Cove

Best for: Escaping the crowds, coastal walks and for a quieter slice of sand

Carry on beyond Harbour Cove and you’ll reach Hawker’s Cove (2 miles), another small sandy beach tucked around the headland.

It’s one of those places that feels wonderfully disconnected from the Padstow of summer afternoons. There’s no busy promenade or string of shops here; instead, there’s sand, sea, cliffs and the South West Coast Path.

Hawker’s Cove is reached most easily on foot from Padstow, making it a particularly good choice if you fancy a beach walk rather than a drive. The route passes Gun Point, where the remains of Napoleonic-era fortifications can still be seen, with views across towards Daymer Bay and the famous Doom Bar.

Bring a picnic, a towel and perhaps a book. This is a beach for doing very little. And if you’re feeling energetic, continue along the coast towards Stepper Point, where the distinctive stone daymark makes an excellent landmark and the views open dramatically out across the Atlantic.

Rock Beach

Best for: Ferry trips, paddleboarding, sailing and long estuary walks

For a beach day with a little adventure built in, take the Padstow–Rock ferry across the Camel Estuary from the Harbour.

The short crossing is part of the fun. One minute you’re wandering through Padstow’s harbour; the next you’re stepping ashore at Rock, with golden sand stretching along the opposite side of the estuary.

Rock Beach is long, sandy and backed by dunes, with beautiful views across the Camel towards Padstow. It’s a favourite for swimming and watersports, while the wide estuary makes it a particularly lovely place for a walk.

From here, you can continue along the coast towards Daymer Bay and Polzeath, making a whole day of exploring this side of the estuary.

There’s something rather lovely about the journey home: sandy feet, salty hair, and the little ferry waiting to take you back across to Padstow as the daylight begins to soften.

Daymer Bay

Best for: Estuary views and a slower-paced beach day

On the opposite side of the Camel Estuary from Padstow, Daymer Bay is known for its expanse of sand, dunes and Marram grass.

At low tide, the sand stretches out towards the water, with views across the estuary to Padstow and up towards the wooded slopes of the Camel Valley. The shallow water and gently shelving beach make it popular with families. Find rockpools, a big hill to climb and plenty of space to run about on the sand. There’s also parking and WCs. 

Polzeath

Best for: Surfing, families and a classic North Cornwall beach day

Take the ferry to Rock, then follow the coastal route towards Daymer Bay and Polzeath. Alternatively, you can drive around the estuary via Wadebridge.

Polzeath is a much larger, more open beach than the little coves close to Padstow. At low tide, an impressive sweep of sand stretches out beneath the cliffs, while the beach is well known for surfing and has the facilities you’d expect from a popular seaside village.

For a first surf lesson, it’s one of the classic choices in this part of Cornwall. For everyone else, there’s plenty of room for sandcastles, beach cricket, swimming and long walks.

The Seven Bays

Best for: exploring a different beach every day

If there’s one thing that makes a Padstow holiday particularly special, it’s the Seven Bays.

The name refers to a chain of beautiful beaches along the coast around St Merryn, stretching from Trevone Bay in the north-east to Porthcothan Bay in the south-west. The seven are generally listed as Trevone, Harlyn, Mother Ivey’s Bay, Booby’s Bay, Constantine Bay, Treyarnon Bay and Porthcothan Bay.

The local phrase ‘Seven Bays for Seven Days’ sums it up rather nicely. Each has a distinct character, and they’re close enough to one another that you can explore a different one every day. Here’s a few of our favourites:

Trevone Bay

Closest to Padstow of the Seven Bays, Trevone is a firm favourite for families and swimmers. It’s a gently shelving sandy beach surrounded by cliffs, with a rocky section to one side that’s brilliant for rock pooling. At low tide, the famous Trevone tidal pool appears among the rocks - a sheltered spot that’s become a favourite with sea swimmers.

Above the beach is another Trevone landmark: the enormous Round Hole, an 80-foot blowhole formed when a sea cave collapsed. It’s worth walking the coast path to see it, although it is definitely one to admire from a safe distance.

Trevone is also one of those beaches where it’s easy to make a whole day of it. Start with a swim, stay for lunch, wander the coast path in the afternoon and return to the sand for sunset.

Constantine Bay

If you’re searching for a classic North Cornwall beach, Constantine Bay is hard to beat. It’s a broad sweep of pale sand backed by dunes, with rock pools around the edges and plenty of space to settle in. It’s also one of the area’s best-known surfing beaches, although the waves and rip tides mean swimmers should take care and follow local advice.

For us, Constantine is particularly lovely towards the end of the day. Stay until the beach empties, walk barefoot along the water’s edge and watch the cliffs turn golden.

Porthcothan Bay

At the southern end of the Seven Bays, Porthcothan is a beautiful, sheltered cove backed by grassy dunes and surrounded by wildflowers.

At low tide, the beach opens out considerably, while the high cliffs provide shelter from some of the wind and swell. There’s a sea pool to the right of the beach which is great for splashing about with little ones. It’s also a lovely place to join the South West Coast Path, with far-reaching views in both directions. 

Walk west along the coast path and you’ll discover Trescore Islands, a tropical-looking sea pool flanked by rocks out to sea. It’s a popular spot with snorkellers - just make sure you wait until low tide to see it. 

So, what’s the best beach near Padstow?

There’s plenty of beaches around Cornwall’s most famous harbour town. If you’re staying in Padstow for a week, we’d suggest resisting the urge to choose just one. The joy of this corner of Cornwall is that you don’t have to.

One morning might mean coffee in Padstow followed by a walk to Hawker’s Cove. The next could be a ferry ride, paddleboard and lunch in Rock. Another might be spent dipping in the sea pool at Trevone before walking the cliffs at sunset.

Planning a beach-filled stay in Padstow?

With the harbour on your doorstep and some of North Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches just minutes away, Padstow makes a wonderful base for exploring the coast. 

From characterful cottages to beautifully designed seaside apartments, browse our collection of places to stay in and around Padstow that make coming back from the beach almost as good as going in the first place. Where will you stay on your Padstow holiday?