Winter Wonders

Cornwall’s beaches take on a different hue in the winter. Bright cold days can be the perfect time to lose yourself in the great expanses of empty sands on offer on Cornwall’s best winter beaches...

With more than 300 miles of coastline and around 160 beaches, there are often more than there are people to visit them in the winter. So where are the best beaches to visit at this time of year. Many of our most popular holiday spots are still well worth a visit, even when the calm turquoise waters turn wild and a little more greyer in pallor and the white horses join the few brave surfers (water temperature can drop from a summer high of 18°C to 7°C during a cold winter). The gentle breeze becomes more bracing and the waves rise.

CORNWALL’S BEST WINTER BEACHES

Bude: Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches

Summerleaze has lots of interest and colour with the famous sea pool, attractive beach huts and the impressive breakwater which protects it from the worst of the winter storms. From Summerleaze it is a short walk to Crooklets Beach and then back on the coast path.

You are never far from facilities, cafés and shelters, making it ideal for a winter visit. Large car park at Summerleaze Beach: EX23 8HN

Holywell Bay

The view of Holywell Beach and the distinctive Gull Rocks offshore has been made famous by the recent series of Poldark. It is truly a beautiful place at any time of year and state of tide. At low tide wander out onto the furthest parts of the beach to see how the ocean has sculpted the sand into wonderful patterns; at high tide explore the dunes.