Short answer: Cadgwith is a small fishing cove on the Lizard with a shingle beach, no lifeguards and a car park at the top of the village, about a 10 minute walk from the cove. Dogs are banned on the beach 10am to 6pm from 1 July to 31 August. The Cadgwith Cove Inn is rated 4.7 from 1,123 Google reviews, and the coast path leads to the Devil's Frying Pan.
Cadgwith is a small fishing cove on the east side of the Lizard peninsula, with a pub, a seafood shop, a café and a shingle beach. It is a place to wander rather than a beach to spend a whole day on, and getting there takes some planning because the lanes are narrow.
360 Cornwall says the car park is at the top of the village, and it advises against driving down through the village because the lane is very narrow. It is about a 10 minute walk from the car park to the cove. Charges apply, but I could not find the amount from an official source, so bring coins and a payment app, and check the sign. There is limited wheelchair access in the village, and the walk back up is the steep part.
If you are combining Cadgwith with the Lizard, the National Trust car park at Lizard Point charges non-members £2 for one hour, £4 for four hours or £6 for longer, with members free after scanning their card at the machine. That works as a base for walking the coast path, which is why many people start there. For another Lizard beach, our Kynance Cove guide has parking and tide advice.
There is, but it is small. 360 Cornwall describes a small shingle beach at the end of the valley, with a smaller and less accessible beach next to it. There are public toilets, a shop, restaurants and a seasonal café. There are no lifeguards, and 360 lists the tide as a hazard, so keep an eye on the water if you walk around the rocks. This is a spot for a paddle, a picnic and watching the boats, not for a surf or a long sandy day.
360 Cornwall also describes Cadgwith as the last full-time traditionally operated fishing cove in Cornwall, with a history of pilchard fishing in the 19th century and a lifeboat station established in 1867. Boat trips along the coast are mentioned too, though I have not checked operators or prices.
Not on the beach in the middle of summer. Cornwall Council lists Cadgwith Cove with a dog ban from 1 July to 31 August, between 10am and 6pm. 360 Cornwall says dogs are allowed all year round, which conflicts with the council page, so follow the council rule and look at the signs. Outside those dates, and before 10am or after 6pm in July and August, dogs are fine. The coast path is not covered by that ban.
4.7 from 1,123 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the fresh fish, the scampi starter, fish and chips, the atmosphere and the shanty singers on a Friday night, and several watch the sunset outside. It suits couples, groups and anyone wanting a proper pub. One reviewer advises booking evening meals, and another found the prices high for pub food. Another says the chips are fries rather than hand-cut, which is worth knowing.
4.4 from 161 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the cream tea, the seafood chowder and the mussels, and they like the harbour views. It suits walkers wanting lunch or cake. Google lists it open 11am to 5pm daily, but check outside summer.
4.6 from 151 Google reviews. A fishmonger and seafood counter, with reviewers praising the crab sandwich, lobster wrap and prawn sandwich, and freshly boiled crab to eat on the beach. It suits picnickers. One reviewer found the ready-to-eat seafood bar overpriced, so the sandwiches and fresh fish are the safer buys. Google lists shorter hours on Sundays.
The South West Coast Path runs south of the village to the Devil's Frying Pan, a deep hole in the cliffs formed when a cave collapsed. Walking Britain's route description of the Lizard circular lists the Frying Pan as the first major sight after leaving Cadgwith, then Church Cove, the Lizard lifeboat station, Bass Point, the Lloyd's signal station and a plaque marking Marconi's wireless experiments. The whole circular is 8 miles and graded moderate, and the author warns the way back from Cadgwith is longer and more energetic than the map suggests.
For a shorter outing, walk to the Frying Pan and back, and keep children and dogs well back from the edge. In bad weather, the cliff paths are no place to be. For more of the area, see best beaches near Helston and our Helston guide.
Yes for a short stop, but check opening hours first, as the café is seasonal. The pub is the main year-round draw. Our Helston and Lizard in winter guide has more on the area outside summer.
There is a car park at the top of the village. 360 Cornwall advises not driving through the narrow village, and says it is about a 10 minute walk to the cove.
Cornwall Council lists a ban from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. At other times dogs are allowed on the beach.
Yes, a small shingle beach with a smaller beach beside it. There are no lifeguards and the tide can affect access.
A deep hole in the cliffs south of Cadgwith, formed when a cave collapsed. It is on the coast path, so keep children and dogs well back from the edge.
Reviewers mention shanty singers on a Friday night, but I could not confirm the schedule, so check with 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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