The best beaches near St Austell, Cornwall

Published by Baybreeze · St Austell, Cornwall

The best beaches near St Austell, Cornwall

St Austell sits at the heart of one of Cornwall’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. Within 30 minutes you can reach a dozen beaches — from wide sandy family-friendly bays to quiet, dramatic coves that feel like they’re yours alone.

Here are the best beaches near St Austell, with distances from Baybreeze so you can plan your days easily.

Crinnis Beach and Carlyon Bay — 10 minutes

The closest beach to Baybreeze, Carlyon Bay is a wide, gently shelving sandy beach backed by low cliffs. It’s ideal for families with young children and has good parking nearby. Dogs are welcome outside the peak summer season. The cliff walk west towards Duporth is well worth the detour.

Porthpean — 10 minutes

A small, sheltered sandy cove just south of St Austell. Porthpean is quieter than Carlyon Bay and has a lovely beach café. It faces south, so it catches the afternoon sun beautifully. Dogs are welcome year-round on parts of the beach.

Pentewan — 15 minutes

A long sandy beach at the mouth of the Pentewan Valley, with a large holiday park behind it. The beach itself is excellent — wide, flat, and sheltered. The Pentewan Trail runs all the way from St Austell to the beach, making it a great cycling or walking destination.

Mevagissey — 20 minutes

Strictly speaking Mevagissey is a harbour rather than a beach, but the small beach at the harbour entrance is lovely. More importantly, it’s one of the most atmospheric places in Cornwall — a working fishing village with excellent restaurants and a genuinely local feel.

Gorran Haven and Vault Beach — 25 minutes

Gorran Haven is a quiet, unspoilt village with a small sandy beach. But the real gem is Vault Beach — a spectacular crescent of sand backed by high cliffs, a 20-minute walk from the village. No facilities, no crowds, no dog restrictions. One of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets.

Caerhays and Hemmick — 30 minutes

Two quiet, beautiful beaches on the Roseland Peninsula. Caerhays sits beneath a castle and is popular with families. Hemmick is tiny, remote, and wonderful — accessed via a narrow lane and a steep walk, but almost always quiet.

Readymoney Cove, Fowey — 25 minutes

A sheltered sandy cove at the entrance to the Fowey estuary, with views across to Polruan. Dogs are welcome year-round. Combine with a visit to Fowey itself for a perfect day out.

Staying near St Austell? Baybreeze is a luxury 2-bedroom pet friendly apartment with sea views over St Austell Bay — the perfect base for exploring Cornwall’s best beaches. Book direct and save: https://baybreezeproperties.co.uk/pricing/

With so many beaches within easy reach, you’ll never run out of options. Most guests find they have a different favourite by the end of the week.