Katherine Sorrell
08 April 2025
Set between Padstow and Port Isaac on the North Coast of Cornwall, the small village of Polzeath is known for its association with the poet John Betjeman as well as – more recently – being a favoured destination of royals and celebrities.
In Polzeath, you’ll find several shops and a handy convenience store, as well as an enticing choice of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants. The South West Coast Path passes through Polzeath, offering the chance to hike miles of spectacular coastline, with incredible views and the chance to spot seals and dolphins.
The beach, however, is Polzeath’s main attraction. Its huge expanse of fine golden sand is popular with families and beach lovers in general, and has the accolade of holding both a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award. And then there’s the surfing – Polzeath’s long, slow-breaking, reliable waves ensure that experienced and novice surfers are sure to catch a break, and there’s a choice of surf schools offering lessons and gear hire. To book your stay in fabulous Polzeath, click the button below.
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FAQs
Is Polzeath worth visiting?
Definitely! It’s one of the gems of the North Cornwall coast, with its sandy, Blue Flag beach the main attraction – popular with surfers, families and general beach lovers. A great choice of places to eat and drink adds to the village’s appeal.
What facilities are at Polzeath Beach?
There’s a choice of car parks on or very near to the beach, and public WCs. When you’ve worked up an appetite in the waves, there are coffee shops, restaurants and bars both on the beach and in the village.
Is Polzeath Beach dog-friendly?
From 1 October to 14 May you can take your dog for a frolic in the surf at Polzeath Beach at any time of day. Outside those dates, you’ll need to walk before 10am or after 6pm, as there’s a seasonal dog ban in place during the busier times of day.
Does Polzeath have shops?
On Polzeath Beach itself, there are friendly surf shops where you can buy wetsuits, bodyboards, surf boards and general beach kit. In the village you’ll also find a handy convenience store and a couple of clothes shops.
What celebrities are in Polzeath
Polzeath is popular with celebs! Princes Harry and William used to surf here, and former PM David Cameron came on holiday, as did pop star Olly Murs. Fellow music artist Chris Martin reportedly has a property nearby, and there have been rumours that his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow was looking for a home in the village, too.
Is Polzeath Beach busy?
The beach at Polzeath can become crowded during the summer months. When the tide comes in, the beach area is quite small, so you may want to check the tide times before you head out.
Can you swim at Polzeath Beach?
Yes, it’s usually safe to swim, and as it’s a Blue Flag beach, the water is clean. Lifeguards patrol 10am–6pm during busy times of year, so find the red and yellow flags and swim between them. Be aware that there may sometimes be rip tides or large waves.
Are BBQs allowed on Polzeath Beach?
Yes, you’re allowed to use disposable BBQs on the beach at Polzeath. However, please dispose of your BBQ carefully. Allow it to cool completely and put it in a designated BBQ bin (not a standard rubbish bin, as this is a fire risk) or take it home.
About Polzeath Beach
This wide stretch of flat, golden sand is tucked between Pentire Head and Highcliff, offering a sheltered place to swim and some of Cornwall’s best surfing waves. Pros flock here because it’s surfable at all stages of the tide, with consistent breakers throughout the year. It’s also a great place for rookies, with several surf schools to choose from.
At low tide the beach is huge, but at high tide is can almost disappear, so it’s a good idea to check out the tide times before your visit. For more incredible beaches in North Cornwall, see our guide. And if you want to know all about where to surf in Cornwall, click our guide to the best Cornwall surfing spots.
Lifeguards at Polzeath Beach
One of the great things about Polzeath Beach is its relative safety, with the RNLI providing lifeguard cover for much of the holiday season. In 2025, lifeguards will be on the beach on the following dates: 5–21 April, the weekend of 26/27 April, daily from 3 May to 28 September, weekends only 4–19 October, and the week of 25 October to 2 November.
Patrol times are 10am–6pm, and please remember that if you can’t see flags on the beach, it means there are no lifeguards on patrol.
Dogs on Polzeath Beach
Happy hounds who love to run and run on the sand or in the surf will enjoy Polzeath Beach, especially when the tide’s out. However, there is a seasonal dog ban on this beach. You’re fine out of season, and mornings and evenings during busy times, but there are no dogs allowed on the beach between 10am and 6pm from 15 May to 30 September.
Things to do in Polzeath
What is there to do in Polzeath? Head to the beach, of course! Surfing is the number-one draw thanks to the long, slow-breaking waves, but you can also swim, go rock pooling, sunbathing, sandcastle building, or head out on a paddleboard. You can even book a wellness or fitness class on the beach. Head out on the coastal path and you’ll experience some wonderful views, and perhaps sight seals and dolphins, as well as plenty of coastal birds. There are two golf courses within 3.5 miles, and a health club with tennis courts just 1.5 miles away.
Car parking at Polzeath Beach
The Polzeath Beach Car Park is unusual – it’s right on the sand itself. There are also several other pay-and-display car parks near the beach – in summer they can all become very busy, so it’s best to arrive early.
The largest car park in Polzeath is Tristram Car Park, which is roughly a 10–15 minute walk from the beach. The car park is privately owned and open 7am–11pm daily with prices starting from £2 for up to 1 hour.
Facilities and accessibility at Polzeath Beach
There’s a choice of car parks on or very near the beach, and public WCs. You won’t go hungry as there are coffee shops, restaurants and bars both on the beach and in the village. For surf and swim essentials, on Polzeath Beach there are friendly shops where you can buy wetsuits, bodyboards and surf boards.
From the beach car park there’s level access to the rest of the sand. Contact Wavehunters for use of their two sand chairs.
Stay with us in Polzeath
After a day enjoying Polzeath Beach, return to your holiday cottage and relax. We have a variety of self-catering cottages near Polzeath, including sea-view cottages, cottages with wood burners, dog-friendly properties, and large houses to accommodate groups of friends and family. Click the link below to find out more.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.