Secret beaches and coves in Cornwall

When it comes to the UK's most beautiful beaches, Cornwall is probably the first place that springs to mind. Places like Newquay, St Ives and Lizard Point are all home to some of the best beaches in the world, with beauty spots such as Kynance Cove, Porthcurno and Porthmeor all popular to visit on a Cornwall holiday.

But did you know there are more than 400 beaches to be found along the unique and magical coastline that hugs the South West corner of the British Isles? We've heard all about the fishing harbours, the stunning stretches of sand and the surfing spots… but what are they keeping from us?

Fear not. We've scoured the maps and grilled the locals to find some of the best hidden and secret Cornwall beaches for you to peruse at your leisure! If you want to see some of the more popular or dog-friendly spots, head over to our ultimate Cornwall beach guide.

To find out where to park, whether each lovely beach is dog-friendly or if it's suitable for families, read on. Remember, though: you can't tell anyone...

Skip to:

• Fox Cove
• Pentire Steps
• Porth Joke
• Portheras Cove
• Nanjizal Cove
• Pedn Vounder
• Housel Bay
• Bosahan Cove
• Hemmick Beach
• Lantic Bay

Discover our range of fabulous cottages in Cornwall for your next secret beach adventure!

Cottages in Cornwall

Fox Cove

The beautiful Fox Cove is found near Padstow on the North Cornwall coast. The difficult-to-access rocky beach has a small crescent of golden sand which is revealed at low tide, while it's easily recognisable by the long mussel-encrusted rock which divides the inlet in half.

The remains of steam tanker Helmsley I peek up through the sea bed at the Cove, after she wrecked in 1969 on the way to a breaker's yard. Thankfully, everyone that was on board at the time survived. Take a look at our guide to North Cornwall's beaches for more inspiration. 

Padstow cottages

Pentire Steps

We wouldn't be surprised if you've heard of Bedruthan Steps. The better-known, National Trust beach is found between St Merryn and Mawgan Porth, but it's Pentire Steps, directly next to it and accessible at low tide, which we love.

Diggory's Island, a grass-topped island exhibiting an impressive natural arch that provides a doorway through to the rest of the bay, overlooks the beach, further adding to the natural beauty to be found there.

Mawgan Porth cottages

Porth Joke

Although just five miles from the hustle and bustle of Newquay and Fistral beach, this gorgeous bay is an oasis of calm for most of the year. The deep cove is nestled between rocky headlands, with Crantock Beach to the north and Holywell Bay to the south.

Known locally as Polly Joke, there are caves and rock pools to explore, with a rough path leading to parking a little over half a mile inland to the sands.

Newquay cottages

Portheras Cove

If you're lucky, you'll see seals at Portheras (or Portherras) Cove, a proper local beach owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and located on one of the wildest stretches of the Cornish coast.

In August 1963, the 454-ton cargo ship Alacrity, carrying anthracite from Swansea to Brussels, ran aground and, as such, parts of the beach became out of bounds due to razor-sharp fragments burrowed under the sand. This was remedied in 2004 when the wreck was finally cleaned up, making the beach safe once again.

St Just cottages

READ NEXT: Did you know Portheras Cove is one of more than 200 dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall? Our blog details which beaches you can take your four-legged friend on 365 days a year, which have seasonal bans, and which don't allow dogs at all. Read it here.

Nanjizal Cove

Although it's about an hour's walk (3.5km) to Nanjizal, it's well worth it. The beach is a picturesque boulder-strewn cove with crystal clear water and is also home to the Song of the Sea – a tall, narrow natural arch.

The cove, on the Penwith Peninsula in West Cornwall, was also used as a shooting location in 1966 when Doctor Who episodes were filmed there.

Land's End cottages

Pedn Vounder

Pedn Vounder has got to be one of Cornwall's very best beaches. The tidal stretch of sand, again on the Penwith Peninsula, offers stunning vistas of cliffs, while Logan Rock, a famous, 70-tonne rectangular block of granite (which can be rocked by one person!) is found in the headland to the east.

The name of the beach, which can only be accessed by boat or on foot from the coastal cliff path, translates in Cornish to 'pedn' (head, end) and 'vounder' (lane).

Sennen cottages

Housel Bay

Not far from Lizard Point you'll find Housel Bay, a small sandy cove that is one of the most southerly beaches in mainland Britain. Families or the less able-bodied are discouraged from trying to access the beach due to the extreme difficulty in getting to it.

It's also reclaimed by the sea at high tide, so those who fancy paying it a visit will have to make sure they time their trip perfectly, to ensure they're not cut off by the tide.

Lizard cottages

Bosahan Cove

This secluded cove backs onto the Bosahan Estate's ancient woodland found on the southern banks of the Helford River near Helston. The small rocky beach is certainly tranquil, and only accessible by foot (either the Coast Path or through the Estate) or boat.

We'd recommend paying the small charge to walk through the Estate, where sub-tropical gardens await you.

Helston cottages

Hemmick Beach

This secret spot is reached by narrow country lanes from Boswinger, nine miles south of St Austell. However, the road to the beach is steep and narrow, so drive carefully.

The South West Coast Path does pass over the beach, should you fancy a trek, while there's a National Trust car park just a 10/15-minute walk to the east.

St Austell cottages

Lantic Bay

Possibly the least secret of all the beaches we've mentioned, but a personal favourite here at Stay In HQ – we couldn't leave out the quiet, stunning Cornish beach found between Fowey and Polperro.

Visions of white sand and turquoise waters are backed by high cliffs, so you'll be forgiven for thinking you've left Cornwall for the Mediterranean momentarily. There are two beaches separated by the tide here, Little Lantic and Great Lantic, but beach-goers are able to walk between them at low tide.

Fowey cottages

Map of secret Cornwall Beaches

Enjoy a day at the seaside and plan your route to these secret beaches in Cornwall.

Discover Cornwall

Want to see these beautiful beaches for yourself? We don't blame you! Take a look at our Cornwall cottages to find the perfect base to explore from and peruse our ultimate Cornwall beach guide to learn more about the not-so-secret beaches. We also have some great things across Cornwall that you wouldn't believe were there!

Cottages in Cornwall