Cornwall beaches guide: Coolest shores to hang out

Perranporth beach feels like a typical seaside village with plenty of places to eat out and drink. The charming seaside resort is only 13km from Newquay beach. Stretching two miles at low tide, the surf conditions here are decent, plus, it has a natural open-air pool that fills with water at high tide. Take a dip in the pool when the sun warms up the water. The southern end of Perranporth is popular for Cornwall beaches surfing and can get busy, especially in summer. Expect to see lifeguards patrolling the area and designating safe swimming sections. After cooling down in a pub, spend the night in a seaside apartment and enjoy spectacular views. Each apartment has decking and accommodates up to four visitors. Many guesthouses are a stone's throw from the sandy shores of Perranporth.

Welcome to a surfing mecca, a few metres from Padstow. Polzeath is among the top beaches north Cornwall and was a favourite touring spot for Sir John Betjeman (the late English poet and writer). A golden sand and shingle beach, it is surrounded by cliffs, plus, there are lifeguards available throughout the day in summer. Explore the rocks and a nearby nature reserve offering a chance to see puffins and dolphins. At high tide, it is best to leave the beach because there is generally no sandy space left. Instead, take a stroll to Daymar Bay through the South West Coast route. The path leads you to St Enodec Church, the final resting place of Sir John Betjeman. If you came with friends and family, enjoy your night at a 3-bedroom guesthouse with direct access to Polzeath beach and unobstructed sea views.

Of all the beaches near Newquay, Crantock provides the best waters for surfing, snorkelling, and swimming. You can windsurf with a canoe or surfboard that re available for hire on the beach. Walk and make merry on the golden sands dotted with dunes between the east and west Pentire headlands. Dolphins visit the place occasionally and lifeguard cover is available from May to September. Camp with friends at a nearby campsite but you must be willing to adventure through steep dunes. Or you could get away from the beachgoers with a caravan for rent available at a holiday park overlooking the sea and only a 5-minute walk from the beach. Your kids will love the amusement arcade and playground and you are free to come with your dog too.

Located on the Penwith coast, the little fishing village of Sennen Cove has a shimmering beach known as Whitesands Bay. Relish the crystalline blue waters with rolling waves caused by a swell of the Atlantic Ocean, the greatest attraction for surfers. If you desire to ride the wave crest, Sennen Surf Centre is one of the best westerly surf spots in the UK and a great place to master the water sport. There is nothing to worry about strong winds because Pedn-men-du headland protects the bay from gales. It is also an ideal spot for climbers and if you don't fancy playing on the beach, you may stroll along the pretty promenade as you watch the endless scenery of the coast. Don't leave Sennen Cove before tasting the Cornish ice cream and locally made cone sold in several stalls.

Gwithian is among the top beaches near Cornwall with excellent water quality. The village of Gwithian is only 20 minutes and a great holiday resort backed with dunes that are covered in wild grass. Blessed with the Atlantic breeze, Gwithian Beach has a colourful scene full of windsurfers, blokarts, and kites flying high in the sky. You will love the vast amount of sand at low tide in addition to open caves and rock pools that are suitable for kids too. The constant swell from the sea attracts surfers year-round and seals can be spotted occasionally. Other regular sights around the beach are seabird colonies including cormorants, guillemots, and razorbills. Enjoy foods and drinks prepared with locally sourced ingredients in a former 19th-century café overlooking St. Ives Bay.

The list of beaches in Cornwall would be incomplete without mentioning St Ives Harbour Beach, Porthminster Beach, Porthgwidden, Porthmeor, Bamaluz, and Lambeth Walk. St Ives is a great seaside town to soak up the atmosphere on the harbourside. The six beaches are easy to access and surrounded by old fishing areas, cosy cottages with a jumble of cobbled stone laneways. Shop in craft stores and see what's in the galleries of Bernard Leach Pottery, Tate Modern Gallery, and Barbara Hepworth museum. If you want the best taste of local cuisines, be at Porthminster Beach, a Blue Flag destination with a tropical feel of calm waters and waving palm trees. On the other hand, Porthgwidden directly faces the east, so you can bask in the sun from the morning to the evening. The beach welcomes families with lovely cafes and is safe for bathing.