Short answer: Portreath is a sand and shingle beach in a bay beside an old mining harbour. RNLI lifeguards patrol daily from 16 May to 27 September in 2026, 10am to 6pm. Dogs are banned on the beach and harbour 10am to 6pm in July and August. The seafront car park has about 125 spaces and fills in summer.
Portreath is a small north coast village with a sandy beach, a surf break, an old mining harbour and woodland and cliff walks on its doorstep. It is easy to reach from Redruth and Camborne and suits a half day or a full day, depending on how far you walk.
The RNLI describes Portreath as a sand and shingle beach in a bay, backed by cliffs, with a stream running down the middle to the sea. It is popular with families and surfers. At low tide a larger area of sand is exposed, and there are rock pools around the edges of the bay, according to a local beach guide. At high tide there is less sand, so check the tide before you set out. The soft sand makes access difficult for wheelchairs.
The RNLI's 2026 listing shows lifeguards daily from 16 May to 27 September, 10am to 6pm. Outside those dates the beach is not patrolled. Swim between the red and yellow flags, never swim alone, and remember that no flags means no lifeguards. Dates can change at short notice, so check the RNLI page before you go.
Cornwall Council bans dogs on Portreath beach, including the harbour, between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August. Outside those dates and hours, dogs are allowed, and the coast path and Tehidy are good alternatives in summer. Some websites still say there are no restrictions, so rely on the council's list. See also Cornwall's dog beach bans and where to go now.
A local guide says the beach car park is the only designated car park in Portreath, with about 125 spaces on the seafront, and that it fills in summer. It lists parking from £2 for one hour with all-day stays possible and closing at 10pm, but that page was last updated in May 2025, so check the machine for current charges. The guide says public toilets are about two minutes' walk away. If the car park is full, there is on-street parking on Beach Road, Tregea Hill and nearby streets, which goes quickly. Buses 49 (from Camborne and Redruth) and 400 (from Truro via Porthtowan) stop near the car park.
Surfing is popular here. HQ Surf Shop & Surfing School on the seafront is rated 4.9 from 25 Google reviews. That is a small number, but it is the surf shop and school on the front, and reviewers praise staff who are patient with beginners and helpful when fitting wetsuits and boards. Google lists it closed Tuesday to Thursday, so call ahead. Check the flags and ask a lifeguard about conditions before you go in.
iWalk Cornwall lists two circular walks from Portreath. The first is 5.2 miles (8.4 km) and moderate to strenuous: it follows the North Cliffs past smugglers' coves such as Ralph's Cupboard to Portreath's beach and former mining port, then returns through woodland at Illogan and Tehidy Country Park. The cliff section is rugged. The second goes to Wheal Tye, is 7.3 miles (11.7 km) and strenuous. It follows the coast towards Porthtowan, passes small coves and clifftop mine remains beside the old RAF base, and returns along the horse-drawn tramway that served Portreath harbour. The harbour's lighthouse and monkey house are still there to see.
Tehidy Country Park is run by Cornwall Council and is the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall, with over 9 miles of paths across 250 acres of woods and lakes. The car parks at North Cliffs, East Drive and South Drive are free. The North Cliffs circular and the lakeside paths are mainly level and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, while other routes are steeper and rougher. There is a cafe near the South Drive entrance with toilets, and dog walking is welcome, so it is a good wet-weather or high-summer alternative to the beach.
Portreath Arms in the Square is rated 4.6 from 1,067 Google reviews. Reviewers praise the staff, a large vegan menu with fried pickles and vegan fish and chips, and good breakfasts for people staying upstairs. It suits families and mixed groups.
On the seafront, The Atlantic Cafe Bar is rated 4.4 from 1,306 Google reviews and Pod Café Portreath is rated 4.4 from 604. Both are below our 4.5 guideline, but they are the cafes on the front, so we include them. Reviewers praise the fish and chips, homemade cakes and hot chocolate at the Atlantic, and the bacon ciabatta, big portions and sunny terrace at Pod, though some reviewers report slow service and uneven food at both, so check recent reviews. Both are handy after a swim.
If you want something inland, Olde Penny's Tea Room on New Portreath Road is rated 4.7 from 181 Google reviews. Reviewers praise home cooking, the lemon drizzle cake, scones and plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, with a vintage shop attached. Google lists it closed on Mondays.
Portreath sits between Hayle and St Agnes. Our guides to the beaches of Hayle and the beaches near Perranporth and St Agnes give you alternatives if the tide or the crowds are wrong. In Redruth, see fish and chips in Redruth and the Redruth guide. For parking at the Hayle towans, see Hayle beach parking.
Yes. The RNLI's 2026 listing shows daily patrols from 16 May to 27 September, 10am to 6pm.
Not between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August. Cornwall Council's ban covers the beach and the harbour. Dogs are allowed outside those dates and hours.
A local guide lists parking from £2 for one hour, with all-day stays possible, but the page dates from May 2025. Check the machine on the day.
Yes. iWalk Cornwall lists a 5.2 mile circular walk along the North Cliffs and back through Illogan Woods and Tehidy. The cliff section is rugged.
Cornwall Council lists the North Cliffs, East Drive and South Drive car parks as free.
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.
Pick a town and plan the day around who's with you.
Browse all Cornwall town guides →