5 of the Best Accessible Beaches in Cornwall

There are so many different types of beach on the Cornish coast. Ones where you can hit the shops if you’ve forgotten your flip-flops, and ones where you can hike to a quiet cove and commune with the seals. If you want rock pools, competition-worthy waves, miles of golden sand or giant pebbles and seashells, Cornwall has it all!

What can feel a little trickier is knowing which beaches are accessible. There are actually quite a few Cornish beaches that could tick that box, but we wanted to focus on five of the best in our experience.

Accessibility needs vary, of course, and sand, tides and temporary facilities can all affect how easy a beach is to use. We’ve concentrated on beaches with relatively straightforward access, nearby facilities and beach wheelchairs, but it’s always worth checking the latest information before making a special journey.

1. Perranporth

Starting on the north coast, we’ve chosen Perranporth because of its relatively easy, level access and the excellent facilities close to the beach.

Beach wheelchairs are available to hire through Perranporth Gardens Charities. They have large wheels designed to travel over the sand, making it possible for more people to enjoy the beach itself. There are currently six available and it’s sensible to arrange one in advance by calling 01872 571605.

There is a level concrete slipway onto the beach, although once you reach the sand a suitable beach wheelchair will usually be needed.

Perranporth is a great beach throughout the year and is particularly popular with families and surfers. The town sits immediately behind the beach and is reasonably flat, with shops, cafés and other facilities all close at hand. The Watering Hole is even right on the sand.

Parking is handy too. Wheal Leisure Car Park is only a short walk away, while the Promenade car park is even closer, although naturally it can become very busy during the summer.

Accessible public toilets are available close to the beach, along with baby changing facilities.

The beach has extensive RNLI lifeguard cover during the main season. Dogs are welcome throughout the year, although lead restrictions apply on part of the beach during the busiest summer period.



2. Polzeath

Another north coast favourite, Polzeath is famous as both a family beach and a surfer’s dream. We like it because so many of the things you need are close at hand.

The beach has a shallow gradient and at low tide large areas of sand can become comparatively firm and compacted, which can make getting around easier. High tide dramatically reduces the amount of beach available, though, so checking the tide before visiting is particularly worthwhile.

One unusual feature at Polzeath is that vehicles can park on part of the beach itself when conditions allow. This is tide-dependent, so it isn’t something to rely on without checking first. There are also other parking options in the village.

Public toilets are close to the beach, with accessible facilities available seasonally, and there are plenty of cafés, shops and places to sit nearby.

A beach wheelchair can be arranged through Wavehunters at Polzeath, who can also advise on the most suitable access for your visit. Their current contact number is 07969 660014.

RNLI lifeguards patrol during the main season. Dogs are welcome for much of the year, although there are daytime restrictions during the summer months.

3. Gyllyngvase, Falmouth

Over on the south coast we have the ever-popular town of Falmouth. Its main beach, Gyllyngvase, or ‘Gylly’ as it is affectionately known, is another good choice for accessibility.

It sits a little apart from the town centre, but there are plenty of facilities immediately around the beach, including a café and shop. The beach itself slopes gently towards the sea and has regularly received Blue Flag recognition.

There are toilets beside the beach and a sand chair can be arranged through Gylly Beach Café on 01326 312884. Booking ahead is a good idea.

Parking is available close to the beach and there are designated disabled bays. It is worth remembering that a Blue Badge does not automatically mean free parking in Cornwall Council car parks, so check the current parking arrangements before you arrive.

One of the things we particularly like about Gylly is that you don’t necessarily have to head onto the sand to enjoy being beside the sea. There is a promenade alongside the beach and the lovely Queen Mary Gardens are close by too.

There are RNLI lifeguards during the main summer season and seasonal dog restrictions apply.

It’s a lovely family-friendly beach with laid-back Falmouth vibes and almost everything you need close at hand.



4. Summerleaze, Bude

Right up on Cornwall’s north coast, Summerleaze near Bude is perhaps one of the strongest choices when accessibility is a priority.

Bude has made a real effort in this area. Beach wheelchairs are available and Summerleaze has an accessible toilet with an electric hoist, giving it Changing Places-style facilities.

A sand wheelchair for Summerleaze can currently be arranged free of charge through Big Blue Surf School on 01288 331764. As with all of these facilities, it is best to book before travelling.

One of Summerleaze’s most charming features is its collection of beach huts. Two larger accessible huts are situated close to the accessible toilet facilities and can be hired.

There is a large car park beside the beach, RNLI lifeguard cover during the main season and the iconic Bude Sea Pool just alongside it.

The café is also relatively accessible, making Summerleaze a particularly useful option if you want to spend a good part of the day by the sea rather than simply visiting the beach itself.

Nearby Crooklets and Widemouth are also worth investigating if accessibility is important. Visit Bude has particularly useful information covering beach access, wheelchairs, mobility equipment and other facilities around the town.

5. Mawgan Porth

About four miles outside Newquay, Mawgan Porth can sometimes feel a little quieter than its better-known neighbours.

It’s a beautiful beach, with plenty of space at lower tide and cliffs on either side offering some shelter from the north coast weather.

Parking and toilets are close to the beach, and there are shops and cafés nearby, so you don’t need to travel far once you arrive.

Beach wheelchairs are available locally and can be arranged through Betty’s News on 01637 860240. It is worth phoning ahead to make sure one will be available when you need it.

The beach has RNLI lifeguard cover during the main season, with some additional patrols at busier times of year.

And if your dog is an essential part of a family day out, Mawgan Porth has another advantage: dogs are welcome throughout the year.

Planning an accessible beach day in Cornwall

And that’s really only a taster. Cornwall still has its accessibility challenges, not least all that sand, but there are some excellent options if you know where to look.

Our best advice is to plan ahead, book a beach wheelchair if you need one and check the tide, weather and facilities before travelling. A little preparation can make a beach day much easier.

And if you know of another Cornish beach that deserves to be on this list, we’d love to hear about it.