Porthcothan Bay, Cornwall – Sand, Dunes & a Stream to the Sea
Porthcothan & the Heritage Coast
Perranporth | Holywell Bay | Crantock Bay | Newquay | Porth | Mawgan Porth | Bedruthan Steps & Carnewas (NT) | Porthcothan Bay | Treyarnon Bay | Constantine Bay | Harlyn Bay | Trevone | Padstow | Wadebridge | The Camel Estuary - Camel Cycle Trail | Daymer Bay | Rock | Polzeath | Port Isaac | Bodmin |
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HOLIDAYS IN PORTHCOTHAN
Porthcothan Bay is a wide sandy beach on the North Cornwall coast, about five miles south-west of Padstow and eight miles from Newquay. A small stream runs down the valley, through the dunes and across the sand to the sea, splitting the beach in two – perfect for paddling, dam building and little ones.
The bay is one of the Seven Bays between Trevose Head and Bedruthan Steps, with Treyarnon Bay to the north and the famous rock stacks of Bedruthan Steps to the south. The coast here is part of the North Cornwall Heritage Coast and the Cornwall National Landscape.
The village is small – a scatter of houses, a beach stores and café – and the beach and the clifftop fields nearby were used for filming Poldark. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round.
For somewhere to stay, see holiday cottages around Constantine Bay and Porthcothan, Mawgan Porth holiday cottages and Padstow holiday cottages.
Best Time to Visit Porthcothan
Porthcothan is a very tidal beach. At low tide it is huge, with firm sand and rock pools at both ends; at the top of a big spring tide the sea comes right up to the dunes. Check the tide times and plan your visit around low water.
Summer brings lifeguards and a lively, family atmosphere. Spring and autumn are quieter and lovely for walks to Bedruthan Steps. In winter, the bay is wild and empty – a favourite with dog walkers and beachcombers.
↑ Back to topPORTHCOTHAN BEACH
Porthcothan lies at the mouth of a narrow valley, enclosed by craggy, layered headlands. Behind the beach a system of dunes shelters the car park and the path down to the sand, and the stream winds out across the beach, spreading into shallow pools and channels.
At low tide, the sand stretches a long way out, and the rocky ledges at both ends of the bay uncover rock pools – good for shrimps, crabs and anemones. On the biggest tides you can explore smaller coves beyond the headlands, but watch the tide carefully, as it comes back quickly.
The stream is one of Porthcothan’s charms: shallow and gentle, it is a natural, sheltered place for younger children to paddle away from the waves. The beach also has an in-depth page in our Cornwall Beaches guide.
↑ Back to topPorthcothan at a glance
Where: Porthcothan, St Eval, PL28 8LW
Beach: sand and dunes, split by a stream
Faces: north-west, onto the Atlantic
Tides: very tidal – best at low tide
Lifeguards: RNLI, mid-May to late September
Dogs: allowed all year
Parking: pay and display car park behind the beach
SURFING & BEACH SAFETY
Porthcothan is a quieter surf spot than its neighbours, with a beach break over sandbanks that produces lefts and rights, usually best from low to mid tide. On smaller days it suits beginners and families, and it is popular for bodyboarding. For lessons, the surf schools at Harlyn Bay and Mawgan Porth are a short drive away.
This is an open Atlantic beach, and rip currents and a sharp shore break can catch out swimmers and bodyboarders, especially on big spring tides and near the rocks. RNLI lifeguards patrol Porthcothan in the main season, from mid-May to late September – swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and take extra care outside the lifeguard season.
↑ Back to topTides: Porthcothan’s beach shrinks dramatically at high tide, and the coves beyond the headlands can be cut off. Check the tide times before you go, and if you see someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
POLDARK & PORTHCOTHAN
Porthcothan’s beach and the clifftop fields around it were used as filming locations for the BBC drama Poldark – especially for the sweeping shots of Ross Poldark riding along the cliffs. With its unspoilt valley, dunes and headlands, it is easy to see why the producers chose it.
Much of the coast between Porthcothan and Bedruthan Steps is cared for by the National Trust, and the clifftop walk south from Porthcothan takes you through some of the most dramatic Poldark country in Cornwall.
↑ Back to topTHE COAST PATH
The South West Coast Path runs around both sides of Porthcothan Bay. Heading south, it climbs over a series of headlands, past small coves and offshore stacks, to Bedruthan Steps and Carnewas, with its National Trust café and famous views, and on to Mawgan Porth.
Heading north, the path passes Fox Cove and a string of small coves on its way to Treyarnon Bay and its tidal pool, then Constantine Bay and Trevose Head. The path rises and falls steeply over each headland, so allow plenty of time.
- Treyarnon to Porthcothan circular walk (South West Coast Path)
- Bedruthan Steps & Carnewas – National Trust
THINGS TO DO AT PORTHCOTHAN
Porthcothan is a beach for simple pleasures. For families, the stream, the sand and the rock pools can keep children busy for hours. On rainy days, Padstow and Newquay, with its aquarium, zoo and indoor attractions, are both within a short drive.
- Paddle and build dams in the stream across the beach.
- Go rock pooling at both ends of the bay at low tide.
- Try bodyboarding between the flags in the lifeguard season.
- Walk the coast path to Bedruthan Steps – Bedruthan Steps & Carnewas.
- Walk north to Treyarnon and swim in its tidal pool – Treyarnon Bay guide.
- Follow in the footsteps of Poldark on the clifftops.
- Visit Mawgan Porth – Mawgan Porth guide.
- Spend a day in Padstow – Padstow guide.
- Explore Newquay – Newquay guide.
HISTORY OF PORTHCOTHAN
Porthcothan is a small village in the parish of St Eval. Like much of this coast, it has its share of smuggling stories, including tales of a large cave inland used to hide contraband landed on the beach – legends that have grown in the telling.
The sea has shaped the bay within living memory. A natural rock arch that stood at the edge of the bay was destroyed in the great Atlantic storms of the winter of 2014, and its remains can still be seen at low tide.
The village is also associated with the Cornish playwright, actor and fisherman Nick Darke, whose beachcombing on this coast was the subject of the documentary film The Wrecking Season.
↑ Back to topPLACES NEAR PORTHCOTHAN
- Treyarnon Bay – a sandy cove with a natural tidal pool, about 1.5 miles north.
- Constantine Bay – a big west-facing surf beach beyond Treyarnon.
- Bedruthan Steps & Carnewas – the famous rock stacks, a short way south.
- Mawgan Porth – a sandy surf beach further south towards Newquay.
- Padstow and Newquay – each a short drive away.
The Seven Bays
Trevone, Harlyn, Constantine, Booby’s, Treyarnon, Porthcothan and Mawgan Porth – see all the beaches around Padstow in our Cornwall Beaches guide.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking & Getting There
Porthcothan is on the B3276 coast road between Padstow and Newquay. A Cornwall Council pay and display car park (PL28 8LW) sits among the dunes just behind the beach. There is a little roadside parking in the village, which fills quickly in summer.
Bus & Train
Go Cornwall Bus route 56 runs along the coast road between Newquay and Padstow – check the timetable for the Porthcothan stop. The nearest railway station is Newquay. Check timetables before you travel.
Facilities
Public toilets stand near the car park, and the Porthcothan Bay Stores and café, right by the beach, sell refreshments, snacks and beach essentials. For more shops, pubs and restaurants, head for St Merryn, Padstow or Newquay.
Disabled Access
The path from the car park to the beach crosses soft dune sand, which can be heavy going for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dedicated Blue Badge bays are not confirmed – check locally before you travel.
Dogs on the Beach
Porthcothan has no seasonal dog ban – dogs are welcome on the beach all year round. Keep them under control, clear up after them and take care on the cliff paths.
Safety & Health
Swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty, and check tide times before exploring the rocks. Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard at the beach or on the cliffs, or NHS 111 for urgent advice. The nearest A&E is the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro.
STAY & EXPLORE NEAR PORTHCOTHAN BAY
Nearby Towns
Local Attractions
Walks & Surfing
Official Information
FAMILY HOLIDAYS & SHORT BREAKS AT PORTHCOTHAN BAY
Family holidays at Porthcothan are simple and unhurried – paddling in the stream, rock pooling at low tide, bodyboarding between the flags and walks along the clifftops to Bedruthan Steps. With dogs welcome all year, it is a lovely beach for the whole family.
Porthcothan is a small village, so most visitors stay in the holiday cottages and campsites around St Merryn, Constantine Bay and Mawgan Porth. Browse holiday cottages near Porthcothan, Mawgan Porth holiday cottages, or holidays and short breaks around Padstow.
Spring and autumn are perfect for a short break, when the beach is quiet and the coast path is at its best. Booking direct with the owner means no agency fees.
↑ Back to topFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PORTHCOTHAN BAY
Porthcothan Bay is on the North Cornwall coast between Padstow and Newquay, in the parish of St Eval, with Treyarnon Bay to the north and Bedruthan Steps to the south. The postcode for the beach car park is PL28 8LW.
Yes. Porthcothan has no seasonal dog ban, so dogs are welcome on the beach all year round. Please keep them under control and clear up after them.
Yes. RNLI lifeguards patrol Porthcothan in the main season, from mid-May to late September. Swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and take extra care outside the lifeguard season.
Yes. Porthcothan beach and the clifftop fields nearby were used for filming the BBC drama Poldark, especially the shots of Ross Poldark riding along the cliffs.
Yes. A Cornwall Council pay and display car park sits among the dunes just behind the beach, with toilets nearby. There is a little roadside parking in the village, which fills quickly in summer.
Yes. The shallow stream across the sand is perfect for young children to paddle in, there are rock pools at both ends of the bay, and lifeguards patrol in summer. The beach is very tidal, so plan your visit around low tide.
Yes. The South West Coast Path runs south from Porthcothan over a series of headlands to Bedruthan Steps and Carnewas, where there is a National Trust café. The path is steep in places, so allow plenty of time.
Perranporth | Holywell Bay | Crantock Bay | Newquay | Porth | Mawgan Porth | Bedruthan Steps & Carnewas (NT) | Porthcothan Bay | Treyarnon Bay | Constantine Bay | Harlyn Bay | Trevone | Padstow | Wadebridge | The Camel Estuary - Camel Cycle Trail | Daymer Bay | Rock | Polzeath | Port Isaac | Bodmin |