Life’s a Beach – Port Gaverne to Rock
Port Gaverne. A small and sheltered beach on the north Cornwall coast, Port Gaverne beach is a north west facing beach in a narrow cove just east of the quaint fishing village of Port Isaac. At low tide the beach is made up of sand and shingle with plenty of rock pools and caves. During the summer months it can often get quite busy as it is popular and safe for families. Port Gaverne is also one of a few dog friendly beaches in the area. Although most facilities can be found in nearby Port Isaac there is a good pub just off the beach.
Lundy Bay. The next beach going south is Lundy Bay, close to Polzeath and Port Isaac, it is a small sheltered rocky cove. Like many others along this stretch of coast, it’s a low tide beach so time your visit after high water. At low tide, a beautiful sandy beach is revealed along with plenty of rock pools making it great for families with kids. However, access to Lundy Bay involves a bit of a hike off the beaten track and a short scramble over rocks to the beach. It’s a lovely walk though, through open fields full of wild flowers, then a stunning wooded valley full of birdsong, down on to the beach. One of Cornwall’s unspoilt beauties. Take a picnic and lots to drink as there’s no shop.
Polzeath. The popularity of Polzeath has grown over recent years. This results from the combination of a beautiful sandy beach, laid-back beach town feel and ideal conditions for learning to surf. The beach itself is enormous at low tide, extending around half a mile in all directions. Polzeath is one of the safest beaches along this stretch of coast with its gently shelving sand and seasonal lifeguard cover. Along with all the facilities and water quality you would expect from a Blue Flag beach Polzeath is a great family beach. And you can actually park on the sand.
Daymer Bay. Here is a good-sized stretch of sand bordered by dunes and sandhills. It is comparatively off the beaten track compared to its neighbours, Rock and Polzeath, which gives it a slightly more secluded feel – though expect the crowds on sunny August days. The beach is within the mouth of the Camel Estuary so is pretty sheltered and has a gently sloping beach making it safe for swimming. At the south end of the beach is the grassy mound of Braey Hill which is worth a climb for excellent views of the area. At the foot of the hill a little way from the beach is St Enodoc Church and it is here that the former Poet Laureate, John Betjeman is buried. It’s a pleasant walk on public paths across the golf course to visit his grave.
Rock. The village of Rock is located on the eastern shore of the Camel Estuary across the water from Padstow. It has a deserved reputation as an upmarket holiday destination and is popular with the yachting fraternity, not to mention the odd royal or two. The beach here is a long stretch of golden sand following the estuary towards the coast. It is backed by sand dunes and behind these is the prestigious St Enodoc Golf Club. There is plenty of room along here and you should be able to find a spot even in the height of summer. The water is generally clear and safe, being fairly sheltered. The estuary is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a haven for wading birds. It’s also the place to catch the ferry across the Camel to Padstow and on busy summer days by far the best way of getting there provided you arrive in time to grab a place in the car park.