Short answer: The nearest beach to Fowey is Readymoney Cove, a 10 to 15 minute walk with a cafe and toilets. Polkerris has a pub, cafe and watersports. Polridmouth is a quiet sand cove below Gribbin Head. Lantic Bay (4.8 on Google) is the prettiest but has a steep path each way.
Fowey has no big open beach of its own. What it has is a string of small coves either side of the harbour mouth, each reached on foot, and the question for each is how steep the path back up will feel. The best beaches near Fowey run from a 10 minute stroll to a 30 minute scramble, so this guide goes in order of effort, easiest first.
Readymoney Cove (4.6 from 947 Google reviews) is on the west side of the harbour mouth, about 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the town centre according to reviewers. It is small, with deckchairs, a shelter if the weather turns, rock scrambling for children and a beach shop and cafe. Reviewers mention toilets and a tap for filling water bottles or dog bowls. The Readymoney Beach Shop (4.6 from 107 Google reviews) serves hot drinks in proper mugs that you return to a yellow bin, plus ice cream and bakes, and rents body boards. Its hours are likely to be shorter outside summer, so check in winter.
If you drive, Cornwall Council lists Readymoney as one of Fowey's long-stay car parks, and Readymoney Car Park is 4.3 from 68 Google reviews. Check the tariff on the machine or the council's car park page, as prices change. Our Fowey parking guide compares it with the other car parks.
Yes. St Catherine's Castle is a free English Heritage site with no car park of its own. Reviewers describe steps from the beach up to the castle, a steep climb that can become muddy, and a drop at the edge, so keep children and dogs close. See dogs at St Catherine's Castle for the rules.
Polkerris Beach is across the headland on St Austell Bay (4.7 from 350 Google reviews). Visit Cornwall describes a sandy beach that slopes gently and is sheltered by the harbour wall, with a pub, a cafe, toilets, a slipway and a watersports centre offering equipment hire and tuition, including paddle boarding and kayaking. Reviewers mention swimmers using the sea wall and pontoon, and a sauna with sea views. A reviewer says it is a safe beach for swimming because it is not too rough, but conditions change, so check the flags and the tide before you go in.
The main car park is about 200 metres from the beach and is pay and display from 8am to 6pm, according to Visit Cornwall, and it says there is no other parking unless you are visiting the pub. The Rashleigh Inn sits above the sand (4.5 from 1,179 Google reviews), and our best pubs in Fowey guide has more on it. A reviewer warns that the walk back from Fowey includes hills and steps.
Polridmouth Cove (4.7 from 222 Google reviews) is a sand cove where a freshwater stream meets the sea, below Gribbin Head. It is a walk down from the car park, and reviewers say it takes about 15 minutes and that the way back is a gentle incline, though one warns the last few steps could be tricky if you are unsteady. Reviewers also say there is a small honesty box at the car park, little surf, and no phone signal, so tell someone where you are going. One reviewer says to use the Menabilly car park and go through a gate, and another took their dog, but check the signs on the day for parking arrangements and any dog rules.
From the cove, reviewers describe the climb to the Gribbin Daymark (4.7 from 156 Google reviews) as short but hard, and say the path is steep and slippery after rain. It is a striking landmark on the coast path, and reviewers praise the views over St Austell Bay. Do not count on being able to go inside the tower, and check the National Trust before you go.
Lantic Bay is the best-rated of the group at 4.8 from 500 Google reviews. Reviewers describe white sand and clear water, and say the beach is often nearly empty. They also agree the path is steep, rocky and uneven, taking about 20 to 30 minutes down and longer back, with one saying the sea was aggressive on their visit. Reviewers say there are plenty of spaces in the National Trust car park, but nothing at the bottom, so take water and snacks. It is not a place for small children or anyone who struggles with steps.
Lansallos Beach (4.8 from 81 Google reviews) is a shingle beach reached by a downhill walk of roughly 15 minutes through woodland, or from the church. Reviewers say the National Trust car park is free for members, there are no facilities, and it is best at low tide, with rock pools. One reviewer found the waves too rough to swim after a storm. It suits a longer day out combined with the coast path.
Par Sands Beach (4.2 from 493 Google reviews) is on the St Austell side of Gribbin Head. One reviewer calls it very accessible for people with poor mobility, dog walkers like it, and a freshwater stream runs at the eastern end. It is a long, plain sandy beach rather than a pretty one, and reviewers say the facilities are a walk away. For other options see Fowey with limited mobility.
It depends on the beach and the time of year. Visit Cornwall says dogs are not allowed on Polkerris beach from Good Friday until 30 September, so they are allowed there now. For the council's seasonal order and the dates when restrictions return, see our guide to the Cornwall dog beach bans. Always check the signs at each cove, especially the National Trust ones, as rules can differ.
More on the area: the Fowey town guide, best beaches in Looe to the east, and best beaches near Mevagissey to the west.
Readymoney Cove, about 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the town centre according to reviewers, with a beach shop and cafe and a steep path up to St Catherine's Castle.
Reviewers say the path from the National Trust car park is steep, rocky and uneven, taking about 20 to 30 minutes down and longer back up. They say there are no facilities at the beach.
Visit Cornwall describes a gently sloping sandy beach sheltered by the harbour wall, and a reviewer calls it safe for swimming because it is not too rough. It has a watersports centre with kayak and paddle board hire. Always check conditions and local flag signs.
Visit Cornwall says dogs are not allowed on the beach from Good Friday until 30 September. Outside those dates they are allowed. Check the signs at each beach.
Visit Cornwall says the main pay and display car park is about 200 metres from the beach, charged from 8am to 6pm, and that there is no other parking unless you are visiting the pub.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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