Cornwall is home to some of the UK’s most impressive coastlines. For this very reason, millions flock to its beaches during the summer months. The south coast is particularly popular with families, thanks to warmer sea temperatures and calmer waves.

Take a look at our top seven picks for the best beaches in South Cornwall. Most of them are between a 10 and 40-minute drive away from our Tregoad resort!

Tregantle beach

Located eight miles to the east of Plymouth, this beach boasts beautiful rock formations and caves. To access it, you’ll have to take a fairly steep walk down a rugged path but it will be well worth it.

Visit when the tide’s out to explore Tregantle beach’s huge expanse of sand and rock pools teeming with life. Just be aware there are no toilets nearby, so make sure you’re prepared.

Lantic Bay

If you’re enjoying a UK family holiday in the south of Cornwall, this one should definitely be on your list. Also accessed via a steep walk, this quiet, shingle beach is celebrated for its cleanliness and beautiful views.

Located near Fowey, in the southeast of the county, it’s also a National Trust site with plenty of walks providing stunning views of the bay.

If you’re keen on getting into the water, you can take a paddle and float around on its crystal blue waters.

Praa Sands

Praa Sands is one of south Cornwall’s best beaches because of its calm waves and soft sand. It’s a good location for surfers of all levels and has car parking, toilets and plenty of shops and cafes within easy reach.

There’s lots of space to stretch out on this beach, even at high tide. And it’s also dog friendly, like some of our accommodation.

East Looe Beach

East Looe is a beautiful village and popular tourist destination, and for good reason. Its sandy beach is well maintained and enjoys incredible views. Dotted with colourful stones and shells, there are seating areas bordering the beach allowing visitors to sit back and admire the view.

In summer, East Looe Beach has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. This is the best time to visit if you want to see it in its full glory. Be sure to climb the hill nearby for a breathtaking view of the island.

Lansallos Beach

Credit: Robert Pittman

This secluded south-facing shingle beach lies on a beautiful bay. It’s a great spot for paddling and picnicking, and its clear water makes it a popular snorkelling location. It’s sheltered so provides shade on hotter days, and a low tide reveals a small cave at one end.

There’s a car park nearby where you can pay a fixed price to stay the whole day – trust us, you’ll want to!

Gyllyngvase Beach

Located just minutes away from Falmouth’s historic town centre, Gyllyngvase Beach is one of the best beaches in South Cornwall for several reasons.

It’s one of few in the area that bears a Blue Flag, which means it’s clean, safe and well maintained. It’s close to shops, cafes and some public toilets and there’s also a large car park nearby, which adds to its convenience.

Once you’ve had your fill of this crescent-shaped stretch of sand, head to the nearby Queen Mary Gardens, which is home to sub-tropical plants, making it a great place to explore after taking in some rays.

Readymoney Cove

Credit: Tom Bastin

Lying to the south of Fowey harbour town, Readymoney Cove is a sandy beach sheltered by cliffs and overlooked by 16^th-century St Catherine’s Castle.

One of the best beaches in South Cornwall, this dog-friendly beach has public toilets and a popular café. Make sure you visit the castle to view outstanding views of the area – they’re not to be missed!

At a 42-minute drive from Tregoad, this is one of the furthest beaches on our list from the park, so we recommend preparing a packed lunch for a day out here. Our self-catering caravans and cottages feature fully-fitted kitchens meaning you can easily put together meals and save yourself some spending money for your holiday.

Find out more about our Tregoad accommodation.