Cornwall’s north coast boasts an incredible amount of beaches that are perfect for surfers. But one of the most celebrated has to be Polzeath Beach, which lies across the Camel Estuary from Padstow and isn’t too far away from Wadebridge. Welcome to a west-facing surfing haven that’s been enjoyed by water-lovers for many years.
Long, slow-breaking waves crash out to sea from Polzeath, which is easily accessible and has won awards over the years. This is a regularly cleaned sandy beach that has plenty of space and opportunities for the kids to build sandcastles at low tide, meaning that you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy this famous hotspot. But it does help as surfing is the favourite pastime for many of the locals and visitors.
Back from the beach is the relaxed village of Polzeath with its surfy shops and cute eateries. And from the beach there are some great walks around the coast, perhaps visiting Port Isaac or Rock. Plus, Little Polzeath, also known as New Polzeath, is the neighbouring beach which offers good swimming and bodyboarding opportunities, not to mention the rockpools that the kids can explore. Dogs are also welcome on these beaches throughout the year (apart from between 15 May and 30 September) and lifeguard cover is on hand at Polzeath during the summer months too.
So, if surfing is your bag then you have to try the waves at Polzeath. But if you have kids who want vast expanses of perfect sand to build their sandcastles in then you should also hit up this famous beach. If you’re a surfer with kids, you’re laughing. But if you’re not into any of the above, Polzeath is still worth visiting, even if you just have half an hour on those sands and then head off to explore the village and its pubs and restaurants. Surf and turf please!