Falmouth is home to some top beaches, including Gylly Beach, Swanpool Beach and Castle Beach. But only a couple of miles to the south of the bustling Cornish town, there’s an altogether more tranquil stretch of sands awaiting. Maenporth Beach is just made for families or for sunbathers who want a few hours away from it all.
The gently sloping Maenporth Beach, which sits at the head of a small, extremely sheltered bay, is great for kids. It makes for clean, clear shallow water that they can splash about in for hours. And the sand in the cove is soft and spacious so they can play until it’s time for tea. Plus, there’s some good rockpooling to be had, if the rugrats are into finding little marine creatures. There are some really good family facilities here as well, such as an ace café, public toilets and services offering activities like kayaking and sailing.
The beach faces across Falmouth Bay, so the views are pretty magical as you can see the majestic Pendennis Castle in the distance, as well as the lighthouse at St Anthony Head. The coastline to the east and west of the beach offers decent protection from the wind and waves, so it’s a good place to swim safely but do note there is no lifeguard cover here throughout the year.
Dogs can scamper across the beach at any time of the year except during July and August when a seasonal ban is in place. In fact, there’s plenty to do here, including fishing and boating too. But, of course, sunbathing is what many visitors choose as it’s an idyllic place that’s just great for catching some rays. Also enjoy the coastal walks to Falmouth or the other way around the headland towards the picturesque Helford River and its surrounding areas. All in all, Maenporth Beach is recommended for sunbathers and families, only a hop, skip, jump and 10-minute car journey away from all the fun back in Falmouth.