St Austell Bay beaches

Polkerris Beach

Little hamlet with a pretty sandy cove, perfect for families. The bay is sheltered by the harbour wall and the waters allow for safe swimming. It overlooks St Austell Bay and provides not only a café, shop and pub but also watersports tuition and equipment hire.

Parking: Car park a short walk from beach.

Toilets: Close to the beach.

Facilities: Watersports equipment hire and tuition, toilets, a café, shop and pub.

Dogs: Dogs are banned from Easter Day to October 1st, although we would always advise checking this before you arrive.

Porthpean

Lovely beach with safe bathing, rockpools and lots of sand making it popular with families. Recommended by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide 2014 as having excellent water quality. The coast path makes for an easy walk to Charlestown harbour.

Parking: Large car park.

Toilets: On the promenade.

Facilities: Seasonal snack bar and sailing club.

Dogs: Dogs are banned throughout July and August between the hours of 10am-6pm, although we would always advise checking this before you arrive.

Par Sands Beach

Large sandy beach edged by dunes, with waters that are safe and shallow for a fair distance. Recommended by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide 2014 as having excellent water quality.

Parking: Just behind the beach.

Toilets: A short walk from the beach.

Facilities: Pub, shop and café close by.

Dogs: Dogs allowed all year round, although we would always advise checking this before you arrive.

Carlyon Bay

Carlyon Bay is a long, sandy, south facing beach, made up of three adjacent coves. The beach is currently being redeveloped but still open to the public.

Parking: Car park above the beach.

Toilets: By the beach.

Facilities: Nearby Carlyon Bay has plenty of shops and cafés.

Dogs: Dogs allowed all year round, although we would always advise checking this before you arrive.

Charlestown and Duporth Beaches

Charlestown is a picturesque port, home to tall ships and often used as a film location.  Its little sand and pebble beach is reached from the harbour. The port is privately owned but freely accessible by the public. Duporth is a sandy beach just along the coast path from Charlestown (where all amentieis are located).

Parking: Car park near Charlestown harbour.

Toilets: At the car park but are not free.

Facilities: Charlestown has pubs, shops, cafés and a museum open in the season.

Dogs: Not allowed at either beach although we would always advise checking this beforehand.