Beaches and Coves
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Whether you're looking for an adventurous morning swim, a sheltered family beach or a hidden cove to explore, the Lizard has something for everyone. Many of our favourite beaches can be reached on foot from Pebbles, while others are just a short drive away.
Most of the beaches around the Lizard are tidal, so we recommend arriving an hour or two before low tide to enjoy the sand for as long as possible. It's always worth checking the tide times before setting out.
Our Favourite Beaches
Housel Bay
10–12 minute walk
Hidden beneath the cliffs, Housel Bay feels wonderfully secluded, with crystal-clear water and brilliant white sand revealed as the tide retreats.
Housel Bay and Polpeor Cove are the nearest beaches to Pebbles and both are reached via beautiful footpaths that begin just moments from the cottage, winding through quiet Cornish lanes and hedgerows before opening onto the coast. Housel Bay is only accessible on foot and involves steep steps followed by a short scramble over rocks, so it isn't suitable for pushchairs or anyone with limited mobility. Since the winter storms of 2025, the final section has become a little more challenging, but the reward is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on the peninsula.
One of the things we love most is how the beach changes through the seasons—winter storms wash much of the sand away before it gradually returns each summer.
Pebbles Pick
Take a flask of coffee and arrive an hour or so before low tide. Afterwards, treat yourself to lunch or a drink on the terrace at Housel Bay Hotel overlooking the bay.
Polpeor Cove
15 minute walk
Just beyond Lizard Point lies this tiny cove of turquoise water and dark shingle. Dominated by the old lifeboat station, it's a peaceful place for a paddle or simply sitting and watching the sea. Because most visitors turn around at Lizard Point, Polpeor often feels like a hidden gem despite being only a few minutes further on. This cove is small so it is somewhere to spend an hour rather than a whole day. Keep an eye out for seals - we've yet to visit without spotting one. National Trust volunteers are often on the clifftop with a telescope, giving you the chance to get a closer view before wandering down to the cove.
Coverack
22 minutes by car
Perfect for calmer waters - If we're planning a day of swimming or paddleboarding, Coverack is usually where we head. Its broad, sheltered bay is often one of the calmest on the peninsula, with shallow, crystal-clear water that stays shallow for a long way out. It's ideal for a relaxed swim, a gentle paddle or simply spending the day by the sea.
Our perfect Coverack morning starts at The Loft with a coffee and smoothie. We usually grab one of their freshly made bagels to take down to the beach for lunch before settling in for the afternoon.
Before you leave, take a stroll along the harbour wall and, if the weather is kind, finish with a pint in the garden at The Paris Hotel, where the panoramic views across the bay are hard to beat.
Good to Know
Approximately 20 minutes by car from Pebbles.
Sheltered bay with easier access than many of the Lizard's coves.
Excellent for paddleboarding, sea swimming and families.
Great cafés, independent shops and a working fishing harbour.
Plenty of parking nearby - carpark or free street parking.
Pebbles Pick
Coverack is one of those places where an hour somehow turns into an afternoon. If you're not in a rush to get back, we often round off the day with an early supper at Roskilly's on the drive home. Their stonebaked pizzas are the best we’ve tasted and their icecream is legendary. It's the perfect way to end a day on the coast.
Kynance Cove
32 minute walk (47 minutes if you take the coastal path from lizard point ) or 7 minutes by car
Kynance Cove regularly appears on lists of Britain's most beautiful beaches - and it's easy to see why. With its white sand, turquoise water and dramatic serpentine rocks, it's one of Cornwall's most photographed locations. If you're feeling adventurous, take a dip in the Mermaid Pool, a natural rock pool that's accessible at low tide. Local folklore says that if you swim there on a calm day, you might just spot a mermaid. We'd always recommend walking from Pebbles if you can - the coastal path is spectacular and avoids the often - busy car park in summer.
Good to know
Around a 40-minute walk from Pebbles or a short drive to the National Trust car park.
Check tide times before visiting—the Mermaid Pool is only accessible at low tide.
Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the crowds begin to disappear and the light becomes softer.
Church Cove, Lizard Village
15 minutes walking
Tiny cove used to be the old launch for the lifeboat station.
Church Cove at Gunwalloe
24 minutes by car
Made famous by the TV series Poldark, Church Cove is one of Cornwall's most atmospheric beaches. The tiny church standing above the sand gives the cove its distinctive character and makes it feel wonderfully timeless. It's a lovely place for a picnic or an evening stroll.
Cadgwith
8 minutes by car or 56 minute walk
Cadgwith is a traditional working fishing village, it's best visited in the early afternoon when you might see the day's catch being landed. Wander through the narrow lanes, browse the little craft shops and keep an eye out for homemade cakes left in honesty boxes outside cottages. The walk down from the car park is every bit as enjoyable as the destination itself.
Poldhu
14 mins by car
A popular sandy beach with surfers, a beach café and plenty of parking. During the summer months, you can often catch The Oggymen performing there, singing traditional Cornish sea shanties across the bay.
Polurrian Beach
14 mins by car
A new favourite of ours - A quieter alternative to nearby Poldhu, Polurrian is a beautiful sandy beach backed by dramatic cliffs. Popular with surfers and bodyboarders, it's a lovely spot if you're looking to escape the crowds. Access is via a short but steep path, and parking is available on the nearby street of in Mullion village.
Kennack Sands
12 minutes by car
If you're looking for easy access, this is our recommendation. One of the largest sandy beaches on the peninsula, Kennack is perfect for families, with parking right beside the beach, plenty of space to spread out, rock pools to explore and excellent snorkelling when the sea is calm.
