Tolcarne Beach Newquay
A stunning Cornish beach with golden sands, clear waters, and vibrant surf culture, offering unique beachfront stays and dining.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Explore multiple beaches
Tolcarne Beach Newquay
Best Time
Explore multiple beaches
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A stunning Cornish beach with golden sands, clear waters, and vibrant surf culture, offering unique beachfront stays and dining.
"Tolcarne Beach is the highlight of Newquay! Stunning soft sands, beautiful blue sea, and 2 lovely cafes."
🚶♀️ Steep Access Alert
Be prepared for ~140 steps or a steep path down. Worth it for the views!
🌊 Tide Times are Key
Check tides to walk to other beaches. Low tide reveals more sand.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Colonial Restaurant
On the beach
A Caribbean-style beach bar with incredible views and delicious food. Your happy place awaits!
Golden Sands & Blue Waters
Main beach area
Pristine sand perfect for families, swimming, and watersports. A true gem.
Surfing & Bodyboarding Waves
Main surf break
Known for its great waves, Tolcarne hosts bodyboarding competitions.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Accessing Tolcarne Beach
Best Time for Beach Bliss
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Steep Access Alert
Be prepared for ~140 steps or a steep path down. Worth it for the views! +1
🌊 Tide Times are Key
Check tides to walk to other beaches. Low tide reveals more sand.
🐶 Dog-Free Zone
No dogs allowed on the beach, so leave your furry friends at home.
🍽️ Beachfront Dining
Enjoy the Colonial restaurant for Caribbean vibes or other cafes nearby.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Steep Access Alert
Be prepared for ~140 steps or a steep path down. Worth it for the views! +1
🌊 Tide Times are Key
Check tides to walk to other beaches. Low tide reveals more sand.
🐶 Dog-Free Zone
No dogs allowed on the beach, so leave your furry friends at home.
🍽️ Beachfront Dining
Enjoy the Colonial restaurant for Caribbean vibes or other cafes nearby.
🏄♂️ Surfer's Paradise
Popular with surfers and bodyboarders; the 'Tolcarne wedge' is a known spot.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tolcarne Beach is praised for its stunning golden sands, clear blue waters, and excellent surfing conditions, making it a highlight of Newquay. Visitors love the beachfront dining at The Colonial and the unique accommodation with incredible sea views. However, the steep access via steps or path can be challenging for some, and the dinner menu is noted as being somewhat limited.
"Accommodation very good. Good access to the beach, popular with surfers. Comfortable restaurant with very helpful staff, good breakfast choices. Downside, we stayed for 7 nights and only dined in Restaurant twice, dinner menu very limited but what we had was very good,and in the conservatory there was a strong " wet dog" smell as dogs are allowed, however plenty of restaurants within a short walk or drive. Need a fairly good level of fitness as access when walking is either by a very steep walk up the cliff road or by around 140 steps up the cliff side."
Jennifer Smith
"We really have made some incredible family memories on this beach.
The 122 stone steps (there is also a slope) are worth every second.
Home to The Colonial restaurant which competes with any Carribbean beach bar. My happy place 🫶🍹
The sand is as good as any. Perfect for little ones to run around and play.
The waves are great, hence holding an annual body board competition here.
If you also time it right you can walk between 5 different beaches while the tide is out.
If you're fortunate with the weather you can also witness some stunning sunsets 🌅"
James Edwards (Eddy)
"Tolcarne beach is the highlight of Newquay! Stunning soft sands, beautiful blue sea, and 2 lovely cafe/restaurant to choose from. Long path down but worth the walk, no steps, we adored spending time here as a family."
Hollie Brookes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Access is via a steep cliff path or approximately 140 steps. This requires a good level of fitness. +1 There are also parking options nearby, with some suggesting the Just Park app.
Yes, parking is available nearby. Some visitors recommend using the Just Park app for convenience.
Absolutely! At low tide, you can walk along the sand to connect with several other Newquay beaches.
Due to the steep steps and path, it may be challenging for prams and wheelchairs. The slope might be a slightly easier option than the steps. +1
Visitors with mobility issues may find the access challenging. While there's a slope, it's still steep. It's advisable to check current conditions or consider alternative beaches if access is a major concern. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Tolcarne Beach is a public beach and does not require tickets for entry. You can enjoy the sand and sea freely.
Access to the beach itself is free. However, parking in the vicinity may incur charges, and dining at the beachfront restaurants will have associated costs.
Tolcarne Beach is accessible at all times, though facilities like restaurants and bars will have their own operating hours.
Yes, Tolcarne Beach Village offers unique beachfront accommodation, including hotel rooms and beach suites. 
Visiting during low tide allows you to explore further and potentially walk to adjacent beaches. Sunsets are also a highlight.
🎫 🏄♂️ Onsite Experience
Tolcarne Beach is great for swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. It's also a family-friendly spot for playing in the sand.
Yes, it's a family-friendly beach with soft sands and clear blue water, perfect for children to play.
No, dogs are not permitted on Tolcarne Beach.
There are beachfront cafes and restaurants, including The Colonial, offering food and drinks.
Yes, Tolcarne Beach is suitable for swimming, with clear blue waters. It's also a popular spot for sea swims.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Colonial restaurant on the beach offers a Caribbean vibe. There are also other cafes and restaurants within a short walk or drive from the beach.
The Colonial is known for its beach bar atmosphere, often compared to Caribbean beach bars, serving good food.
Yes, there are cafes and bars on or near the beach, including The Colonial, perfect for drinks and snacks.
Some reviews suggest the dinner menu can be limited, but the food served is generally very good.
Yes, the restaurant at Tolcarne Beach offers good breakfast choices.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of the golden sands, blue waters, and dramatic cliffside access. Sunsets offer incredible photographic opportunities.
Absolutely! The sunsets at Tolcarne Beach are described as stunning and are a highlight for photographers.
Yes, Tolcarne Beach is a popular surf spot, so you'll likely capture action shots of surfers and bodyboarders.
Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) offers beautiful light. Midday provides clear blue skies and waters, while low tide reveals interesting rock formations.
The unique beachfront accommodation with balconies offers incredible views, perfect for capturing the essence of a Cornish staycation.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the access involves a steep path or steps, many families find the effort worthwhile for the beautiful beach experience.
🏄♂️ Surfers and Bodyboarders
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, the conditions here often cater to a range of skill levels. The vibrant surf culture is palpable, and you'll see plenty of riders enjoying the Atlantic swells.
📸 Photographers and View Seekers
The Tolcarne Beach Village accommodation, especially the rooms with balconies, provides unparalleled ocean views, making it a dream location for capturing sunrise and sunset directly from your stay.
The beach itself, with its surf action and expansive sands at low tide, offers diverse subjects for your lens. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Accommodation with a View
+4 This makes it an ideal spot for those seeking a memorable staycation where you can wake up to the sound of waves and enjoy sunrise and sunset from your room. The Colonial Rooms are particularly highlighted for their stunning vistas, often compared to Caribbean beach bars.
Beach Access and Fitness
For those with mobility concerns, this can be a significant factor. While there is a slope, it is still steep, and it's important to be prepared for the climb back up.
Tides and Beach Exploration
When the tide is in, the beach becomes more secluded, offering a more intimate experience.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit