Holywell Bay cottages
£1,902 - £4,494
£3,984 - £4,495
£830 - £2,254
£722 - £1,839
£830 - £2,416
£885 - £2,775
Become at one with the coast at Holywell Bay, a sweeping beach bursting with natural energy
Holywell Bay embodies the very essence of the North Cornwall coast. The vast, temperamental Atlantic Ocean produces crashing waves one day and serenely flat tides the next. This juxtaposition is mirrored by sweeping sand dunes up to 20m tall, overlooking secluded sandy coves.
Holywell is an amalgamation of the elements, meaning it’s perfect for all kinds of beach days – from sheltered sunbathing and child-friendly rock pooling to slow Sunday walks and invigorating mornings spent surfing.
The iconic Gull Rock sits out to sea and is the backdrop for many scenes from the BBC’s Poldark. Look out for Holywell’s secret gems – at low tide, you can see inside Holywell Cave or spot the wreck of an old Argentinian coaster just offshore.
Just 6 miles to the west, you can find a surfers’ paradise at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay. Or head east to Perranporth and its colourful beachside town.
The details
Food and drink
The best thing about Holywell is its uninterrupted natural space, making it perfect for bringing your own picnic. However, if you fancy dining out, head inland to grab a frothy latte at Gull Rocks Bar & Coffee House or try The Treguth Inn for comforting pub meals and excellent fish dishes.
Further afield, taste fragrant Indonesian fish curry at The Fish House on Fistral Beach.
Can I bring my dog?
Holywell Bay is dog friendly all year round, and the beach is large, with ample space for dogs to run freely, so feel free to bring your furry friends.
There are also many walks around the large grassy expanse that surrounds the beach, making it the perfect day out for those with dogs in tow.
Accessibility
The beach has level access from the car park, where you can find public toilets and year-round parking. The beach is also RNLI lifeguarded from May to September, between 10am and 6pm.
You can access Holywell via various bus routes. Newquay Train Station and Newquay Airport are both within 20 miles of Holywell Bay.