Finding the best family beaches in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset gives you a lot of scope, so we’ve picked a few of our favourites for days out – or longer – this spring and summer.
St. Ives, Cornwall
Harbour Beach: one of the best family beaches in Cornwall
St Ives Harbour Beach is one of the best beaches in Cornwall for family days out. There’s sand here even at high tide, so plenty of sunbathing time and during low tide you can walk across to Porthminster Beach.
Sitting on the doorstep of St Ives town, it’s surrounded by shops and galleries, as well as cafes and restaurants. Although the working harbour will entertain kids for hours all by itself: look out for local fishing boats delivering their catch.
Also, a stroll along Smeaton’s pier is fun to check out the lighthouse that’s been there since 1890. Worth remembering that, parking in town is nearly impossible, but the beach is only a 15-minute walk from St Ives train station.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in St. Ives
Find a space at Kynance Cove, one of the best beaches in Cornwall
Kynance: one of the best beaches in Cornwall for adventures
With its turquoise water and white sand, Kynance Cove was once an isolated and inaccessible paradise on the West Cornish Coast. However, having recently undergone a National Trust transformation, it’s now one of the best beaches in Cornwall for families.
Also, the National Trust has improved the water quality and introduced several initiatives to protect the local environment. Although it’s never exactly peaceful in spring and summer, Kynance looks as lovely as it did back in its undiscovered days. Kids particularly like the rock formations, including the stunning serpentine rock, which looks like a snake’s head poking out of the water.
Hang on for low tide and you can explore the rock stacks, as well as some caves with – have to be Victorian – names like ‘the drawing-room’. You’ll find this one about 30 minutes’ drive south of Porthleven or just north of Lizard, and there’s a car park nearby.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels near Kynance Cove
Dramatic cliffs, Hive Beach, Dorset
Hive Beach: one of the top Dorset beaches for fossils
Hive Beach is a seaside treasure nestled on the West Dorset Coast and one of the best family beaches for young fossil hunters.
It’s known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, so you can set kids to searching for prehistoric remnants in the limestone boulders. Although fishing and surfing might be more distracting, and the incredibly clear water makes swimming fun, if a bit chilly. Luck out with a clear day for this one and it’s possible to see all the way to the East Devon coast.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels near Hive Beach
Paddleboarding, Broadsands Beach, Paignton
Broadsands: pick of accessible beaches in South Devon
Broadsands Beach on the South Devon coast between Paignton and Brixham makes a great day out for families. Not only are the calm waters perfect for paddling, or paddleboarding, the proudly flies a Blue Flag and holds a Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award, so you can rest assured the sands and water are safe and clean.
Also, the Southwest coastal path is only a ten-minute walk away, and the beach is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies and provides accessible toilets.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Paignton
Torquay’s Torre Abbey Sands
Torre Abbey Sands: best of the family beaches in Torquay
Long Torre Abbey Sands lies just west of Torquay Harbour in the heart of Torbay. It’s also close to the promenade, so you can stock up on beach supplies and the waters are shallow enough for kids to paddle.
This is the English Riviera so you won’t be surprised to find traditional deckchairs for hire, and if you want to stretch that vintage vibe a bit further, bring a picnic and head for Torre Abbey Meadows just above the beach. You’re only a short walk from local car parks here, and the train station is nearby too.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Torquay
Kid-friendly Gyllngvase, best family beaches in Cornwall
Gyllyngvase: best family beaches in Cornwall for babies
If you want to hit the sands with baby this year, Gyllyngvase is one of the best beaches in Cornwall to cope with buggies and day-out drama. Not only is it the largest beach in Falmouth, and a mere 15-minutes from the town centre, it comes with toilets and a good size car park.
You’ll find Queen Mary Gardens just a short walk away for a change of scene, they opened in 1910 and are home to a fine collection of tropical plants. Alternatively, stroll along the southwest coast path to Swanpool Nature Reserve, and you might be lucky enough to spot kingfishers.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Falmouth
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Early morning on Shell Beach, Studland Bay
Shell Beach: top Dorset beach for dramatic views
The four-mile stretch of golden Studland Bay comes with stunning views towards Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.
But some of the main attractions here are the number of self-guided walking trails around the National Trust Estate, where you can explore the nature reserve and heathland. Kids love exploring the sand dunes and woodlands which can often surprise with dragonflies or even the occasional deer.
There are also a few other beaches in the area worth a look too, including Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach. Although you might like to know, that the area between Shell Beach and Knoll Beach is a naturist beach.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels near Shell Beach
Broad sands, Summerleaze, Bude
Summerleaze: best family beaches in Cornwall for surfing
Summerleaze near Bude is easily one of the best beaches in Cornwall for first time surfers, as a number of local schools surf schools offer lessons for children and families from late spring through to autumn.
It’s another good beach for swimming too, and when the sea itself is too boisterous there’s also a Sea Pool that fills with the tide.
Bude is makes for a nice wander around and older kids will like the surf shops. But if you really want to stretch your legs, take a walk along the cliffs and admire the Atlantic.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Bude
Dorset’s Swanage Beach
Swanage Beach: one of the best beaches for swimming
Blue Flag Swanage Beach in Dorset also holds a Seaside Award, and features a designated swimming area sectioned off with buoys.
You can also hire beach huts here year round, which is a great idea with kids. Plus, the town of Swanage itself comes with a Victorian pleasure pier just to round out the classic seaside mood.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Swanage
Sunny East Portlemouth Beach, South Devon
East Portlemouth: Devon’s best three-in-one beach
East Portlemouth beach isn’t just one of the best family beaches in Devon, it’s three: Mill Bay, Fishermans Cove and Smalls Cove. They all look over the bay to Salcombe, which is just over half-an-hour’s drive away, but these beaches are a lot quieter than the ones closer to the town.
Plus, as well as being wheelchair accessible and having accessible toilets, they’re close to the National Trust coastal path and great for rock pooling.
Take a look at our recommended family hotels in Salcombe
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