A guide to Cornwall beaches (Near Looe)
30 / June / 2021
Holidays in Cornwall make you think of one thing: beaches! No trip to the West Country is complete without at least one visit to the seaside. Fortunately, Tregoad Holiday Park is perfectly placed in a stunning part of the county, surrounded by beautiful countryside and close to countless beaches.
With limited time away, it’s important to prioritise your beach visits and choose your destinations wisely. Although it’s hard to find a bad beach, we’ve put together a guide to our favourite beaches near Looe and Tregoad for you to visit during your caravan holidays in Cornwall.
Hannafore Beach
This shingle beach is a fantastic choice for family holidays in Cornwall. Although it’s not the best place for building sandcastles, low tide reveals brilliant rock pools which can entertain young and old for hours!
It’s usually quieter than other beaches which is another plus point, and the nearby toilet facilities and ice cream kiosk help make days out run smoothly. Sit back and enjoy the view of Looe Island on this sun-trap of a beach.
If you’ve brought your dog along with you, Hannafore Beach is ideal because dogs are welcome all year round. It’s truly a beach for the whole family!
Bonus beach facts
Please note that there is no lifeguard service at Hannafore Beach.
Looe Beach
Sheltered by the iconic Banjo Pier and overlooked by Mount Ararat, this beach is a lovely, sandy spot which makes for an ideal day out. It’s right in front of the old town which means you have easy access to plenty of amenities. You can park up in a large Millpool Car Park in West Looe which is just a 10 – 15 minute walk from the beach.
Although there is no lifeguard service at this beach, the waters are considered safe for swimming, snorkelling and generally splashing about (although it’s best to avoid the river mouth).
Bonus beach facts
Dogs are not permitted on Looe beach. Parking in East Looe is limited, however the large Millpool Car Park in West Looe is just a 10-15 minute walk from the beach.
Millendreath Beach
Whether you’re after a full beach day or fancy a spot of beach hopping during your caravan holidays in Cornwall, add Millendreath Beach to your list. Part of a chain of beaches linked by the South West Coast Path, you can easily access nearby beaches from this charming, sandy cove.
The closest beach to Tregoad, just a five minute drive from the park, we expect you’ll visit here at least once during your stay. This spot has got something for everyone from sandcastle-building toddlers to water sports enthusiasts. If you fall into the latter category, it’s worth noting that there’s a seasonal water sports equipment hire kiosk offering everything from paddle boards and kayaks to wetsuits and life jackets.
A top tip is to head to this beach over low tide. It is almost completely submerged at high tide and you will miss out on rock pooling and lounging on the soft sands!
Bonus beach facts
There is no lifeguard service. Dogs are not permitted from 1st Oct – 30th April.
Plaidy Beach
Although there isn’t really any parking for Plaidy Beach, it’s a great little spot to seek out. The best way to get there is walking from Millendreath Beach. At low tide you’ll find sand and interesting rock pools in the flat rocks while at high tide you can make use of the slipway to launch watercraft.
Note that there is no lifeguard service, but the waters are generally considered safe for swimming and snorkelling (which is highly recommended!).
Bonus beach facts
Dogs are allowed year-round.
Polperro Beach
If you hope to discover some authentic Cornish charm during your holidays in Cornwall, Polperro is a fantastic place to start. A beautiful, quaint fishing village, the whitewashed cottages and winding streets win over everyone who visits.
The petite, sandy Polperro Beach lies next to the harbour walls and you should certainly visit if you’re in the village. However, keep in mind that the sand completely disappears at high tide! It also gets extremely busy as Polperro is a popular destination, so it’s probably not the best choice if you’re after a beach day and nothing more.
Bonus beach facts
There is no lifeguard service. Dogs are not permitted on the beach from Easter day – 1st October.
Seaton Beach
Another top choice for family holidays in Cornwall, Seaton Beach not only has safe, sheltered waters, but also a river which crosses the sand. Set up camp for the day near the river and let your children splash about to their hearts’ content!
If they tire of the beach, take the children to the park which is on the green just behind the beach. There is also a café, shop and toilets nearby making this a great beach to visit for a full day out.
On the downside, the beach is mostly coarse sand and pebbles, which is not ideal for sandcastles. However, the excellent rock pools and other facilities make up for this and Seaton Beach is well worth a visit.
Bonus beach facts
There is no lifeguard service. Dogs are allowed year-round.
Talland Bay
You can never have too many beach days during family holidays in Cornwall and Talland Bay is a great addition to any itinerary. This beauty spot is not only safe for swimming, good for snorkelling and lovely for simply relaxing, it also has a car park, toilets, shop and café.
There are exciting tales of smugglers using the bay and it is the site of several shipwrecks. In fact, the boiler of a wrecked French steam trawler can still be found in the middle of the bay when the tide is out.
Bonus beach facts
There is no lifeguard service. Dogs are welcome year-round.
We look forward to welcoming you for your caravan holidays in Cornwall and hope this guide has given you some ideas of the fantastic beaches we have in the area. Have a look at our other guides for more information on things to do in Cornwall and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions ab