The Lizard is adored for its enchanting coastline that wraps around the peninsula and greets the sea with quiet coves and golden-sand beaches. Framed by some of the county’s most spellbinding scenery with towering cliffs, dramatic sea stacks, emerald islands, and serpentine-scattered shores, it’s simply heavenly for wayfaring souls. Pack a hamper full of artisan delights ready to accompany dream days and head to The Lizard to uncover its oceanside delights. From the quiet corners of Porthallow on the east side of the peninsula to the surf-lapped embrace of Poldhu on the west, an otherworldly array of beaches and bays await.
Kynance Cove
Kynance Cove is one of the most iconic beaches in the UK and treasured for its heaven-sent scenery. Looked after by the National Trust, this tidal beach beckons for waterside reveries and is instantly recognisable for its honey-hued sand, picturesque islands, and turquoise sea that paint a picture of endless allure. Never failing to inspire awe, trips to Kynance Cove are always divine, from the quietude of winter to the sun-soaked days of summer. Arrive early in the morning to enjoy the cove at its most serene and step across its serpentine-strewn shoreline to find a spot on the sand or on the clifftops above. Adding even more incentive, Kynance Cove Café is open year-round and serves an array of sweet and savoury delights to satiate all appetites.
Gunwalloe Church Cove
One of the most magical beaches in the county, Gunwalloe is one of the most captivating destinations imaginable. A sheltered pocket of powdery fine sand backed by undulating dune systems and met by glistening sea, it instantly captures hearts and minds with its fairytale aesthetics. Tucked in the corner of the beach, protected by a rocky headland and tamarix shrubs, resides St Winwalloe’s Church. Also known as ‘The Church of the Storms’, it’s believed to be one of the oldest churches in Cornwall and has origins dating as far back as the 5th Century. Should you recognise this impossibly picturesque church, it has starred in many silverscreen moments due to its timeless beauty, such as the TV adaptation of Poldark.
Poldhu Beach
Nestled around the corner from Gunwalloe Church Cove, Poldhu Cove is one of the most beloved beaches in Cornwall. One of the most family-friendly places to visit, it promises halcyon days fuelled by nostalgic simplicity and seaside romance. In summer, anticipate refreshing dips under cornflower-blue skies and beach games by the lap of the tides. In winter, swap paddleboards for surfboards and uncover the glassy waves that often roll in from the ocean. Making this beach all the more welcoming are a seasonal surf school, summer lifeguards, and an award-winning café that remains open for 363 days of the year and hosts music nights in summer. Particularly enticing are the café’s signature hot chocolates – the perfect accompaniment to wave watching in winter..
Polurrian Cove
Polurrian Cove is a hidden gem on the Lizard Peninsula. Set just below the picturesque village of Mullion, it can be reached following a walk along the South West Coast, a footpath from the village, or from Polurrian Hotel, which overlooks the beach and tempts with spa treatments and cream teas. Hemmed by towering cliffs and rocky bluffs, this secluded west-facing spot is adored for its wide expanses of sand that grow with ebbing tides and is especially inviting for summer sundowners. Chase the sunset in style and absorb the ethereal beauty of the beach under the last golden embers of the day, complete with a delectable picnic spread for utmost magic.
Coverack Beach
The sublime swathes of powdery fine sand at Coverack are an ocean-lover's dream. A characterful village decorated with a stunning sandy beach, it promises a winsome setting for exploration and relaxation. Wander around the village’s palm-lined streets to arrive at the beach, where low tide treats beach-goers with a large space between land and sea upon which to luxuriate. For those seeking active pursuits, the Manacles reef resides off Coverack’s coast and is a well-known spot amongst experienced divers for its intriguing shipwrecks and rich marine life. Closer to shore, kayaks and paddleboards can be rented from Coverack village, while a plethora of places to eat propose flavourful repasts with an ocean backdrop.
Mullion Cove
For those seeking unforgettable things to do in Mullion, a trip to the village’s harbour is a must. Dating back to the late 1800s, the historic harbour has long provided shelter for local fishing boats and blissful sanctuary for lovers of ocean forays. Head down at low tide to find the harbour’s petite sandy beach and make the most of the sheltered setting on balmy days. In summer, the cove’s often tranquil waters adopt a translucent quality that attracts for mindful snorkelling, bathing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. For refreshment, Porthmellin Café extends a warm welcome in season. Running since 1947, the café is beloved for its crab sandwiches, homemade cakes, cream teas, and ice cream selection.
Housel Bay
An exquisite cove carved into the coast with white sand and cerulean sea, Housel Bay is one of the most beautiful secret beaches in Cornwall. Meander along waymarked footpaths from the Lizard village or trace the South West Coast Path to find this hidden gem and take the steep cliff path to reach its silky swathes. At low tide this beach is at its best, revealing plenty of sand upon which to recline, cushioned by a blankety throw and accompanied by a selection of artisan treats. When the tide is out, you can also walk around to Housel’s neighbouring cove for further exploration while seabirds wheel overhead and irresistibly clear waters lap the shore.
Should you be seeking another quiet cove to visit from the Lizard village, you can also pursue enchanted hours at nearby Church Cove. A mile walk north along the South West Coast Path from Housel Bay, Church Cove (not to be confused with Gunwalloe Church Cove) is home to a storybook scene with thatched cottages and a steeply descending road that merges with a boat ramp into the sea. Though the beach here is small, the pebbly shores ensure great water visibility for swimming and snorkelling in summer.
Cadgwith Cove
One of the most picture-perfect coves in Cornwall, Cadgwith has long garnered attention for its unspoilt aesthetics. Dating back to the 1500s, many of the cove’s cottages are hundreds of years old and exude quixotic charm. Calling to the romantics and lovers of ocean adventures, Cagdwith is also home to two beaches, affectionately referred to as “fishing beach” and “little beach”. While both are great for swimming in summer and on calm days in winter, little beach is particularly magnetic for its shielded position and sandy shores. Take a spot waterside and savour the village’s array of eateries that tempt during laidback days, with tearooms and a centuries-old pub serving seasonal menus. For the best views of each beach, head onto ‘The Todden’, a rocky promontory in the middle of the cove.
Kennack Sands
Residing on the peninsula’s eastern fringes, Kennack Sands is one of the best beaches on The Lizard. Divided in two by a sandy headline and backed by wildlife-rich dunes, it is a beguiling destination throughout the year. The easternmost beach is also dog-friendly, perfect for leisurely strolls in all seasons. Park in the car park above the beach and wander down to enjoy the gently sloping shore that blends with the shimmering sea. A haven for families, Kennack is lifeguarded in summer and also boasts a surf school, as well as two cafés that are open on select days throughout the year and serve feel-good favourites, as well as moreish scoops of ice cream. In winter, moorland ponies can often be seen grazing in the dunes behind the beach as part of conservation efforts.
Porthallow
Bewitching sunrises make for glorious adventures at Porthallow. An east-facing beach on the Lizard Peninsula, this tranquil haven boasts uninterrupted views over the sea and is an unparalleled place to watch the sun make its daily debut. Thanks to its easterly aspect, Porthallow also benefits from a more sheltered position and gentler climes than some of its more westerly neighbours. Flee the everyday and bask in the tranquillity of Porthallow, embracing the timeless quality of the village to reset life balance. Composed mostly of pebbles, this beach is another sought-after location for snorkelling and diving thanks to its crystal water clarity, as well as paddleboarding and kayaking for its placid conditions. For further enticement, this is one of The Lizard’s year-round dog-friendly beaches and is situated close to Fat Apples Café for delicious repasts.
Loe Beach
Creating an idyllic introduction to the best beaches on The Lizard, the legendary Loe Beach can be found between the harbour town of Porthleven and the village of Gunwalloe. Extending for around 2 miles at low tide, this vast stretch of sand and shingle can be accessed from various points and promises peace and panoramas to captivate all. One of the beach’s best-known aspects, it features a large sand and shingle bank that separates The Loe (Cornwall’s biggest natural freshwater lake) from the sea. Time your wandering with the tide and enjoy the ambience of this atmospheric stretch of coastline for leisurely walks in the sunshine. Please be mindful, this dog-friendly beach is not safe for swimming due to steep banks and strong currents.
Feeling inspired for coastal reveries? Take a look at our collection of luxury cottages on The Lizard.
