Porthluney Cove
A picturesque, family-friendly sandy cove in Cornwall, offering stunning views of Caerhays Castle and a safe haven for beach fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Reveals rock pools & more sand
Porthluney Cove
Best Time
Reveals rock pools & more sand
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque, family-friendly sandy cove in Cornwall, offering stunning views of Caerhays Castle and a safe haven for beach fun.
"This is our favourite beach in Cornwall, with a sandy beach and rock pools, great for kids!"
🚗 ANPR Parking Hassle
Strict ANPR parking. Pay attention to your time limit to avoid fines! First 30 mins free. :ticket:
👟 Beach Shoes Essential
Weever fish lurk in rock pools & shallows. Protect your feet with beach shoes! :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Golden Sandy Beach
Main beach area
A vast, flat, sandy expanse perfect for families and relaxation, especially at low tide.
Rock Pools & Marine Life
Sides of the cove at low tide
Discover fascinating rock pools teeming with life when the tide recedes.
Caerhays Castle Backdrop
Overlooking the cove
Enjoy the picturesque view of the historic Caerhays Castle and its gardens.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking Fines: Be Time-Aware
Weever Fish Warning
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 ANPR Parking Hassle
Strict ANPR parking. Pay attention to your time limit to avoid fines! First 30 mins free. :ticket:
👟 Beach Shoes Essential
Weever fish lurk in rock pools & shallows. Protect your feet with beach shoes! :athletic_shoe:
🏖️ Family-Friendly Fun
Shallow waters make it great for kids. Rock pools are a hit! :child:
🎶 Evening Music Vibes
The beach cafe sometimes hosts live music in the evenings. Check schedules! :musical_note:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 ANPR Parking Hassle
Strict ANPR parking. Pay attention to your time limit to avoid fines! First 30 mins free. :ticket:
👟 Beach Shoes Essential
Weever fish lurk in rock pools & shallows. Protect your feet with beach shoes! :athletic_shoe:
🏖️ Family-Friendly Fun
Shallow waters make it great for kids. Rock pools are a hit! :child:
🎶 Evening Music Vibes
The beach cafe sometimes hosts live music in the evenings. Check schedules! :musical_note:
🐶 Dog-Friendly Beach
Porthluney Cove welcomes dogs, making it perfect for pet owners. :dog:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Porthluney Cove is a beloved Cornish beach, praised for its family-friendly shallow waters, expansive sandy shores, and the picturesque backdrop of Caerhays Castle. Visitors appreciate the convenient amenities like parking, a cafe, and toilets, though the ANPR parking system and basic toilets are noted drawbacks. The presence of weever fish is a common caution.
"This is our favourite beach in Cornwall. The roads down to it are narrow but ok. There are 2 car parks next to each other and have plenty of spaces...there is ANPR at the entrance clocking arrival and departure time..dont go even 1 minute over your time or you will get a fine. One of the car park overlooks the beach and the other side has a cafe and bar where you can sit and enjoy food or take it down on the beach. There are toilets on this side which are very basic and could do with improvement. Just 20 yards or so and you are on the beach. Plenty of places to relax and enjoy with rocks on one side. The beach is very flat and sandy and safe for children and is also dog friendly. Paddleboarding is very popular. Just one thing to be aware of are weever fish that lurk in the rock pools and along the low tide line so wear beach shoes to avoid a nasty sting."
Angela Altham
"Love this beach, toilets, parking and food/drinks stalls."
Scott Shelton
"Great beach for kids with big sandy beach and rock pools. The beach cafe makes it a great place to spend the day and evening when there is music on. The beef stack with garlic and rosemary crumb fries are my go to meal but they do a good variety of food."
Nigel Tidd
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Access to Porthluney Cove involves driving down narrow roads, which are manageable but require attention. The cove is situated near Caerhays Castle.
Information on public transport to Porthluney Cove is limited. Driving is the most common and recommended method of access.
The roads leading to Porthluney Cove are described as narrow. While generally okay, drivers should exercise caution.
Yes, Porthluney Cove is part of the South West Coast Path, making it accessible for hikers.
Absolutely! With parking, a cafe, and toilets, Porthluney Cove is an ideal destination for a full day of enjoyment.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no direct entry fee for the beach itself. However, parking is managed by ANPR and incurs charges based on duration.
Porthluney Cove has two adjacent car parks. They use an ANPR system that clocks your arrival and departure time. The first 30 minutes of parking are free.
Be very careful with your parking time, as exceeding it, even by a minute, will result in a fine.
Parking at Porthluney Cove accepts both cash and card payments.
Yes, basic toilets are available near the cafe and bar area.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Porthluney Cove is great for relaxing on the sandy beach, exploring rock pools at low tide, paddleboarding, and enjoying the views of Caerhays Castle.
Yes, the beach is very flat and shallow, making it safe for children to play and paddle.
Porthluney Cove is a dog-friendly beach, so you can bring your canine companions along.
The beach is very flat, meaning it's a long way out to reach deeper water, especially at low tide.
Paddleboarding is a popular activity at Porthluney Cove.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there's a cafe and bar overlooking the beach that serves food and drinks. Additional stalls may be present in season.
The cafe offers a good variety of food, with popular items like the beef stack. They also serve fish and chips and ice cream.
You are welcome to bring your own food and enjoy it on the beach.
Yes, there is a cafe and bar located near the car park that offers food and drinks.
Yes, ice cream is available from the stalls or cafe at Porthluney Cove.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of the sandy beach, dramatic water patterns, rock pools, and the iconic Caerhays Castle. 
The open space and coastal views make Porthluney Cove a great spot for drone photography, offering unique aerial perspectives.
While sunny days offer bright scenes, windy and blustery weather can create dramatic water patterns perfect for photography.
Generally, photography is permitted. However, be mindful of other visitors and any specific rules regarding drone usage.
Early mornings or late afternoons can offer beautiful light. Low tide is also ideal for capturing rock pools and expansive sand.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🐶 Dog Lovers
🚶♀️ Hikers and Walkers
You can incorporate a visit to the cove as part of a longer hike, perhaps walking to nearby Portloe, or simply enjoy a scenic stroll along the coastline. The views of the sea and surrounding landscape are stunning. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Porthluney Cove: Parking and Access
Access from the car park to the beach is straightforward, just a short walk away. The beach itself is very flat and sandy, making it easy to navigate. For those who prefer to explore on foot, Porthluney Cove is also accessible via the South West Coast Path, offering a scenic approach for hikers.
Beach Safety and Enjoyment: Weever Fish and Water Activities
Despite this, the cove is a fantastic spot for various water activities. Paddleboarding is particularly popular here, offering a great way to enjoy the calm waters.
Amenities and Dining at Porthluney Cove
Basic toilet facilities are also available near the cafe. While described as basic, they serve their purpose. The presence of these amenities, combined with the sandy beach and proximity to Caerhays Castle, makes Porthluney Cove a comfortable and enjoyable destination for spending a full day.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit