NORTH CORNWALL’S BEST BEACHES

CONSTANTINE BAY

THIS wide expanse of sand, about four miles west of Padstow, sweeps up to dunes with hardly a building in sight. The waves are powerful — it’s popular with surfers — and there are rock pools to explore.

FISTRAL BEACH

ONE of the best surfing beaches in the country, with Atlantic rollers crashing on its sandy shores on the edge of Newquay. Surfing lessons are available.

WATERGATE BAY

SLOANE Square-on-Sea — but it’s a thrilling setting, framed by towering cliffs, with a good surf school.

POLZEATH BEACH

ANOTHER brilliant surf spot, just across the River Camel from Padstow. Polzeath’s golden sands were a haunt of poet Sir John Betjeman. Nowadays, you might bump into David Cameron, who often holidays there.

TREVONE BEACH

SECLUDED and warm, this peaceful spot west of Padstow always proves popular with families.