St Austell Beaches

Overview

St Austell serves as an excellent base for a memorable beach holiday, granting easy access to the diverse coastline of St Austell Bay. Visitors will find a pleasing variety of beaches, from wide sandy expanses ideal for families to more intimate coves. The beaches here offer a mix, with many featuring lovely sand, while others might have a combination of sand and pebbles.

Our editor's picks highlight some of the must-visit spots. Porthpean Beach is a true scenic gem, loved for its accessibility and calm waters. For a unique glimpse into history, Charlestown and its Grade II listed harbour is unmissable. Pentewan stands out as a large, popular beach perfect for family fun, while Carlyon Bay is renowned for its famous bay vistas and expansive sands.

Swimming is a popular activity at many of these coastal locations, with several beaches offering inviting waters. For those wishing to explore further, our guide features a longer list of beaches in and around the area. St Austell truly provides a fantastic gateway to the varied and beautiful coastal experiences available throughout Cornwall.

Top Beaches

FAQ

Is St Austell a good place for a beach holiday?

St Austell serves as an excellent base for a beach holiday, offering easy access to a variety of beaches within St Austell Bay. These range from family-friendly sandy coves to quieter, more secluded spots. The town itself is also a good hub for exploring other Cornish attractions.

What are the beaches like near St Austell - sandy or pebbly?

Beaches near St Austell offer a mix. Porthpean and Pentewan Sands are known for being predominantly sandy. Charlestown has a pebble and sand beach. Carlyon Bay is described as coarse sand, which is actually 'stent' (a byproduct of mining). Duporth Beach has a mix of sand and pebbles.

Can you swim in the sea at St Austell beaches?

Yes, swimming is popular at many St Austell beaches. Porthpean is noted for safe bathing and clear waters. Pentewan Sands also offers good swimming conditions. Polkerris has calm waters ideal for swimming. Carlyon Bay is also suitable for swimming, though it can go deep quite quickly. Always check local conditions and be aware that not all beaches have lifeguard cover.

Are dogs allowed on St Austell beaches?

Dog restrictions vary by beach and time of year. For example, Porthpean Beach has a seasonal dog ban from 1st July to 31st August between 10 am and 6 pm. Pentewan Sands does not allow dogs on the holiday park or beach, with exceptions for guide dogs. Carlyon Bay has a dog ban from Easter Sunday to September 30th. Charlestown beach does not permit dogs between 1st April and 30th October. Duporth allows dogs on leads all year. It's always best to check specific beach signage for the most current rules.

Which St Austell beach is best for families?

Porthpean Beach is highly recommended for families due to its lovely sand, safe bathing, rock pools, and facilities like toilets and a seasonal snack bar. Pentewan Sands is also popular with families, offering a large sandy beach and facilities via the adjacent holiday park. Polkerris is another good option with a sheltered sandy cove and safe swimming.

Porthpean Beach

Pentewan

Polkerris

What facilities are available at St Austell beaches like Porthpean or Carlyon Bay?

Porthpean Beach typically has toilets, a seasonal snack bar/cafe, and a shop. Carlyon Bay has had pop-up cafes, bars, and food outlets during summer, but facilities can be limited due to ongoing development plans; it has large car parks nearby. Charlestown offers WCs, parking, pubs, shops, and cafes near its harbour beach. Pentewan Sands has facilities accessible via the holiday park.

Porthpean Beach

Carlyon Bay

Charlestown

Is there much parking at St Austell beaches and is it free?

Most popular beaches near St Austell have car parks, but they are generally not free. Porthpean has a large privately owned car park. Carlyon Bay also has large car parks close to the beach. Pentewan Sands parking is available, and payment may allow use of holiday park facilities. Charlestown has various on-street and paid-for parking. Par Beach has a council-run long-stay car park. It's advisable to bring change for parking meters, though some may offer app payment.

How far are the main beaches from St Austell town centre?

The main beaches are a short drive from St Austell town centre. Porthpean Beach is about 2 miles away. Charlestown is also around 2 miles from St Austell. Carlyon Bay is approximately 1-2 miles from St Austell. Pentewan Sands is a bit further, located between St Austell and Mevagissey.

Porthpean Beach

Charlestown

Carlyon Bay

People Also Ask

Are there any quieter, less crowded beaches near St Austell?

Yes, Duporth Beach is often quieter as it's a private beach accessible via the coast path and has no direct parking or facilities. Polstreath Beach, near Mevagissey (a short drive from St Austell), can also be quieter due to the steps required to access it. Hemmick Beach, about 9-10 miles from St Austell, is another option known for being generally quiet.

Duporth

Hemmick

What's the situation with Carlyon Bay beach development?

Carlyon Bay has been subject to redevelopment plans for a number of years, including proposals for a large complex. Historically, it hosted the Cornwall Coliseum. While the beach remains accessible, the backdrop has been in a state of flux with various fenced-off sections at times. Pop-up food and drink stalls have often operated in the summer.

Carlyon Bay

Can you do watersports at St Austell beaches?

Yes, several beaches offer watersports. Porthpean is well-suited for kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkelling, with hire often available. Pentewan Sands is also popular for watersports. Polkerris offers watersports tuition and equipment hire. Carlyon Bay is also known for watersports.

When is the best time of year to visit St Austell for a beach holiday?

Summer (June to August) is the most popular time for a traditional beach holiday, with the warmest weather and most facilities open. However, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) can also be excellent, offering pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and generally good conditions for coastal walks. Some facilities and lifeguard services may be seasonal.

How do St Austell beaches compare to those in Newquay or St Ives?

St Austell's south coast beaches, like Porthpean and Pentewan, are generally more sheltered and often calmer, making them popular with families and for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Newquay, on the north coast, is famous for its surfing beaches and more energetic waves. St Ives also offers beautiful sandy beaches, often with a more art-focused town atmosphere. St Austell provides a good base for exploring a variety of Cornish coastal experiences.

Porthpean Beach

Pentewan

Are there any beaches within walking distance of St Austell town?

While St Austell town itself isn't directly on the coast, some beaches like Porthpean and Charlestown are relatively close, around 2 miles away, making them a short drive or a longer, more ambitious walk. The main town serves more as a nearby hub to access the coastal areas of St Austell Bay.

Porthpean Beach

Charlestown

What is the water quality like in St Austell Bay?

Generally, the water quality in St Austell Bay is good. Porthpean and Par Sands have been recommended by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide for excellent water quality. The waters are often described as clear, particularly at beaches like Porthpean. Recent environmental studies also monitor the bay's ecological health.

Porthpean Beach