Ed
13 April 2023
St Austell is the largest town in Cornwall, with the nearby St Austell Bay home to some of South Cornwall's best beaches. Set in a horseshoe shape, St Austell Bay stretches from Pentewan and Trenarren in the west, around to popular Carlyon Bay and Par Sands, and over to Polkerris in the east. With plenty of golden sandy beaches, pretty seaside villages and stunning coastal walks to enjoy, St Austell Bay is the perfect destination for an escape by the sea.
Read on to discover where the perfect beach in St Austell Bay is for you below, whether you are into water sports, including surfing, or have a dog in tow. For even more beach inspiration, why not take a look at our handy guide to Cornwall's best beaches? Our St Austell collection of holiday homes has something for everybody, from couples to large groups of friends and family.
Polkerris Beach
Polkerris is a hamlet with a pretty sandy cove, perfect for families. The bay is sheltered by the harbour wall and the calm waters allow for safe swimming. The beach overlooks St Austell Bay and provides not only a café, shop and pub but also water sports tuition and equipment hire.
Good to know
- How far is Polkerris from St Austell? 6.5 miles
- What facilities can I find at Polkerris Beach? Water sports equipment hire and tuition, WCs, parking, a café, shop and pub
- Does Polkerris have a dog-friendly beach? Yes, although dogs are not permitted on Polkerris Beach between Easter Sunday and 1 October
Porthpean
Porthpean is home to a lovely beach offering safe bathing, rock pools and lots of sand, making it popular with families. Recommended by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide as having excellent water quality, this is a superb choice for a family day out. The coast path makes for a lovely walk to Charlestown Harbour.
Good to know
- How far is Porthpean from St Austell? 2 miles
- What facilities can I find at Porthpean Beach? WCs, parking, seasonal snack bar and sailing club
- Does Porthpean have a dog-friendly beach? Yes, although dogs are not permitted on the beach at Porthpean during July and August between 10am and 6pm
Par Sands Beach
Par Sands is a large beach edged by dunes, with waters that are safe and shallow for a fair distance. Recommended by the Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide as having excellent water quality, it's a wonderful choice for a beach day.
Good to know
- How far is Par Sands from St Austell? 5.5 miles
- What facilities can I find at Par Sands Beach? WCs, parking, pub, shop and café
- Does Porthpean have a dog-friendly beach? Yes, dogs are permitted all year round with no restrictions
Carlyon Bay
Carlyon Bay is a long, south-facing beach, made up of three adjacent coves. While it may look sandy, it's actually made up of stent, a by-product of the tin and china clay industries. Enjoy a light lunch at Edie's which is an award-winning cafe near the seafront.
Good to know
- How far is Carlyon Bay from St Austell? 2 miles
- What facilities can I find at Carlyon Bay? Parking,WCs, shops and cafés
- Does Carlyon Bay have a dog-friendly beach? Yes, dogs are permitted from October to Easter
Charlestown Beach
Charlestown is a picturesque port, home to tall ships and often used as a film location. Its small sand and pebble beach is reached from the harbour offering views of the bay as far as Dodman Point to the east and Gribbin Daymark to the west. The port is privately owned but freely accessible to the public.
Good to know
- How far is Charlestown from St Austell? 2 miles
- What facilities can I find at Charlestown Beach? WCs, parking, pubs, shops, cafés and the Shipwreck Treasure Museum
- Does Charlestown have a dog-friendly beach? No, dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time
Stay at a self-catering cottage in St Austell
Come to St Austell for your holiday in Cornwall. As you can see, it has some delightful beaches for you to uncover. We have some lovely coastal cottages in Cornwall some within mere metres of the seashore. If you are planning a holiday to Cornwall we have the perfect St Austell holiday rentals for you, from fisherman's cottages to modern, chic apartments with ocean views. Click the button below to discover your perfect holiday.
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.