Best Family Beaches in Cornwall for Fun in the Sun

Cornwall’s beaches always have something for everyone. Families can enjoy a day out on the county’s coast, in the sun, in the water or building sandcastles. But, what are the best family beaches in Cornwall?

With the wide selection of beaches on offer, it can be hard to pinpoint the one for your day out. We’ve compiled a list of the top five beaches in Cornwall to help make your decision easier!

Best Family Beaches in Cornwall; Marazion Beach

Marazion Beach near Penzance has something for everyone. For the more adventurous among you, Marazion is famous for its windsurfing, kayaking and kitesurfing. The beach was made for windsurfing, with the arc of the bay providing good wind in all directions. You can head up the beach to Pasty Adventures for windsurfing lessons if you are a novice or want to brush up on your skills. 

Ocean High is the school to go to for kitesurfing and stand up paddleboarding lessons. They pride themselves on their quality lessons, promising your family a fulfilling experience. It is also worth noting that the beach has lifeguard cover from July to September.

Prefer a more relaxing day at the beach? The sand and pebble beach is home to many rock pools especially around Chapel Rock and Marazion Harbour. It provides a fascinating insight into how sea creatures survive in rock pools on Cornwall’s turbulent coast. Remember that it is always best to go rock pooling when the tide is heading out. There is also a play park for kids just above the beach that is sure to guarantee some fun.

A day at Marazion is never complete without a visit to St Michael’s Mount. The island poses a striking figure against the horizon, adding an otherworldly quality to the coast. The castle is steeped in history and myth. It is where the first beacon was lit to alert England to the arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588. It is also said it is where Jack the Giant Killer slew the giant Cormoran who was terrorising a nearby village. 

Best Family Beaches in Cornwall; Summerleaze Beach

One of Bude’s most popular beaches, Summerleaze is the perfect choice for families – even the name is sunny! Characterised by its contrasting halves of dark gold and white sands and its colourful picture-perfect beach huts, families can enjoy a wide range of activities, whether they want to have an adventure on the waves or settle down in the sun with a picnic. 

It is a popular beach with surfers. The Big Blue Surf School and the Bude Surfing Experience are two local surf schools that can give structure to your day out and help you get the most you can out of the activity. If surfing isn’t for you, there is also kayaking and sea fishing for a more relaxed experience out on the water. Conversely, you might be looking for more of a thrill, in which case check out the climbing and coasteering adventures where coaches will guide you through the ins and outs and all the dangers to make sure you’re safe as you’re jumping off rocks and having fun along the coast. 

The beach also has a little sheltered sea pool that is safe for youngsters to splash around in. It is a partially man-made tidal swimming pool. It provides a safe place for bathing and grants stunning views of the beach and the ocean beyond. You can also hire one of the beach huts for the day which are family-friendly and highly accessible to those with disabilities and limited mobility.

Best Family Beaches in Cornwall; Porthcurno Beach

A picturesque, sweeping stretch of beach in the west of Cornwall, the crystal clear blue waters are sure to attract families to this charming location. It is a well-kept secret for surfers with some good swell and winds that help to make Porthcurno Beach not only a good place for surfing but an elegant one as well, with waves being kicked up high against the stunning backdrop of the high cliffs. 

It’s a great location for families to take a walk down the coast as well. Dogs are welcome except in July and August and the coastal path runs all the way down to Land’s End. On a clear, bright day, you can see the Isles of Scilly in the distance and even make a stop on the golden shores of Porthchapel beach, drinking in the sights of the waterfall trickling down through the rocks before heading off to Land’s End where you can catch a glimpse of basking sharks, seals and dolphins. 

Porthcurno’s Minack Theatre is the icing on the cake of your family day out. An open-air amphitheatre built into the cliff is the perfect scenic place to watch a show after the long hours of lounging on the beach. A theatre overlooking the sea is a striking image and one that delivers and provides the perfect scenic backdrop to any play you take your kids to.

Best Family Beaches in Cornwall; Lusty Glaze Beach

A privately-owned beach in Newquay, the colourfully named Lusty Glaze is a secluded cove with perfectly chiselled high cliffs, a spacious white pocket of sand and seaside dining for those of you who want to enjoy the sunset at the end of a long and eventful day.  

Lusty Glaze is known for its shows and events. One of them is the iconic Sundowner Sessions, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the sounds of live music from artists such as Ben Howard, Razorlight and The Kooks, as well as local artists. All perform in Lusty Glaze’s natural amphitheatre, adding a touch of magic to the whole proceedings and giving families an enjoyable evening out. 

For those who like their days with a little more action, there is an annual tag rugby tournament, a two-day family-friendly competition, as well as a one day, warm up before the competition starts. You can have up to 10 players on a team and spectators can watch the proceedings for free. The next tournament is on Friday 26th – Sunday 28th August 2022 so book early to get the best team!

You can take your family experience at Lusty Glaze one step further by booking the beach itself for a holiday. You can stay in one of our self-catered holiday cottages, the ocean right on your doorstep and you can have it all for your family to create the perfect secluded getaway that guarantees unforgettable fun and ultimate relaxation.

Best Family Beaches in Cornwall; Porthmeor Beach

Over in St Ives, families can wrangle the most fun from Porthmeor Beach. This is a busy beach in the summer with families naturally gravitating towards the clear surf and white sands. St Ives is the artistic haven of Cornwall so why not visit one of the many art galleries before heading down to the beach for fun and adventure of the seaside?

Porthmeor is a great surfing beach. Surfing is a part of the lifeblood of Cornwall and what better place to take part in this culturally significant lifestyle than in St Ives, the very heart of Cornish culture itself? The St Ives Surf School is a highly regarded establishment and is perfect for beginners looking to learn the ropes in shallow waters and for experts who want to get a challenge out of their day. 

The St Ives Surf School is split between Porthmeor Beach and Porthminster Beach. Take your family over to Porthmeor’s nearby sister beach to experience what the Surf School has to offer. Take part in a wide variety of adventures such as paddle boarding, coasteering or a kayaking tour. If you’re lucky, you and your kids may even be able to catch a glimpse of some seals!

This is simply a taste of what the best of Cornwall’s family beaches have to offer. So head on down to one of these beaches and soak up the atmosphere and excitement for yourself!

If you’re visiting Cornwall during your Easter holidays, you should know there’s always egg-citing things happening. Check out the events on at Easter in Cornwall this year!

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