The Lizard
The Lizard Peninsula is unique. Stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, there is nowhere quite like it anywhere else in Britain. It is for this reason that the Lizard has been a continuing source of inspiration for artists and writers. Almost surrounded by the sea, the peninsula stands alone, in a very real sense, from the rest of the county. In a line from London to Land’s End, the backbone of Cornwall is a route to somewhere. The Lizard. Not a cross-roads, a junction, or a place to drive through, but a journey’s end, a destination. Standing proud in the sea, the peninsula presents a rugged face to the elements, yet paradoxically the climate is probably the warmest in Britain. The air is crisp, clear and unpolluted by industry. The rocks and cliffs of the coastline offer shelter to the tiny fishing villages huddled into their coves, looking now much as they did centuries ago.
Beaches on The Lizard
Cadgwith
Small but very photogenic fishing village with two small pebble beaches. Note that the east beach gets rather crowded with fishing boats
Parking:1 car park
Toilets:Yes
Facilities:Shop
Dogs:Dogs allowed all Year on the east beach. Dogs are banned on the west beach Easter Day to October 1
Directions:Cadgwith is 22 miles from Redruth and 11 miles from Helston. Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to the Lizard. On the A3083 (about a mile from Lizard village) there are two left turnings to Cadgwith. Take the 2nd turning, then turn left again and continue on this road to the Cadgwith car park, which is a 5 minute walk from the village
Church Cove
A popular sandy cove with some rocky/pebble areas. Level access to the beach
Parking:One car park
Toilets:Yes
Facilities:None
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 2 miles after Helston turn right to Gunwalloe. After 2 miles turn left at Gunwalloe and continue on this road to the Church Cove car park. Alternatively drive to Poldhu Cove and walk the coast path north
Coverack
Attractive fishing village with a harbour and pebble & sandy beach. There are steps down to the beach.
Parking:2 car parks on the approach to the village and 1 car park by the harbour. Also limited road parking.
Toilets:2 toilets
Facilities:Restaurants, cafe's, beach shop, Post Office
Safety:No details available
Dogs:Dogs allowed all year
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 2 miles after Helston, just after Culdrose Airfield, turn left onto the B3293. Continue on the B3293 and after about 8 miles turn right onto the B3294 and stay on this road until Coverack
Housel Bay
A small sandy cove which is reached by a 15 minute walk along the coast path from Lizard Point. Facilities and parking are at Lizard village and Lizard Point. Note there is no sand at low tide. There is a steep climb down to the beach
Parking:Car parking at Lizard Point
Toilets:At Lizard Point
Facilities:Cafe, shops at Lizard Point
Safety:Descent to the beach is steep. There is a risk of getting cut off at high tide
Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1
Kennack Sands
A popular sandy beach with numerous rock pools. Facilities are close to the beach but the car park is small
Parking:1 car park
Toilets:Yes, by the car park
Facilities:Cafe, beach shop
Safety:Lifeguard on duty
Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1 (west) Dogs allowed all year (east)
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. Shortly after Culdrose Airfield turn left onto the B3293. After the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station take the first right and continue on this road until Kuggar. At Kuggar turn left and follow the road down to Kennack Sands
Kynance Cove
A picturesque cove with a pleasant sandy beach at low tide. National Trust parking a 10 minute walk from the beach. The final steps down to the beach are steep, toilets and cafe at the beach.
Parking:1 reasonably sized NT car park
Toilets:Yes
Facilities:Cafe
Safety:Danger of being cut off by high tide
Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. Shortly before the Lizard village turn right onto the road for Kynance Cove
Mullion Cove
A picturesque cove and harbour, with a small sandy beach in the harbour
Parking:2 car parks, a 5 minute walk from the harbour
Toilets:Yes
Facilities:Cafe
Dogs:Dogs are allowed All Year
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 to Mullion. At Mullion follow the directions to keep on the B3296 to Mullion Cove
Poldhu Cove
A large popular sandy cove with dunes. There is level access to the beach.
Parking:One small car park by the beach
Toilets:yes
Facilities:Shop
Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 3 miles after Helston turn right onto a minor road to the village of Cury and Poldhu Cove. Alternatively 5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 for Mullion and drive through Mullion to Poldhu Cove
Polurrian Cove
A large perfect sandy beach but with no parking, facilities or toilets. Park at Mullion Cove and walk the coast path north (approx 20 minutes). Alternatively park at Poldhu Cove and walk south
Parking:Park at Mullion Cove
Toilets:No (toilets at Mullion Cove)
Facilities:None
Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1
Directions:Approach Helston on the A394 from the east or west. Alternatively drive to Redruth on the A30 and at Redruth take the B3297 to Helston. At Helston follow the A3083 to Lizard. About 5 miles after Helston turn right onto the B3296 to Mullion. At Mullion follow the directions to keep on the B3296 to Mullion Cove. At Mullion Cove walk the coast path to Polurrian Cove
Porthleven Sands
A long sand & shingle beach starting at the fishing port of Porthleven and stretching three miles south east to the Loe Bar and Gunwalloe Fishing Cove
Parking:1 small car park in Porthleven and 1 small car park on the outskirts of Porthleven.
Toilets:Yes, by the pier
Facilities:Shops, cafe's, restaurants
Safety:Normally safe to swim along the beach by the sea wall at Porthleven but there can be a heavy shore break at times, which can be dangerous. There are lifeguards in summer at Porthleven, with a red flag system (which is said to be erratic). Note that the beach shelves steeply at Porthleven. Swimming is said to be dangerous at Loe Bar and Gunwalloe.
Dogs:Dogs allowed all Year at Loe Bar and Gunwalloe Fishing Cove, but banned Easter Day to October 1 at Porthleven
