Discover the UK & Ireland Coast

Small harbour resort with lots of history and a great family beach

Portreath is a small beach with steep cliffs on either side. The resort is steeped in history as it was a major harbour for exporting copper.

Portreath today still has a working harbour with a few small fishing boats but now offers a great family beach location. The small resort has a couple of pubs, a beach cafe and a surf shop that hires boards and wetsuits.

The beach is popular with bodyboarders and surfers although the surf is not so large as some of the other North Cornwall beaches, it does offer a good wave besides the harbour wall as the tide comes in.

Keen walkers can head up either side to see some great coastline and coves, although these coves can only be reached by boat.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 3 beaches around Portreath, 215 beaches in Cornwall, or have a look at our list of Cornwall dog friendly beaches, or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

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Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:

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    Gooden Heane Cove Beach

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    Gooden Heane Cove is a sandy beach with some rock pools to explore.The cove is named after Gooden Heane Rock that sits just off the beach.A large car park on Lighthouse Hill is just above the cove and it also walkable from Portreath town, although you can’t get down to the beach as vertical rock faces. The only access is really by boat or kayak from Portreath beach around Horse Rock by the harbour entrance.
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    The Hub Bike Hire & Coffee Shop

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    The Hub is located by Portreath beach and offers Bike Hire and a Coffee Shop.
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    Basset Arms

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    The Basset Arms is a traditional pub located about 200 meters from Portreath beach and has an outside seating/eating area and a children’s playground. The pub serves a selection of homecooked meals and fine beers.
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    Smugglers and Western Coves Beach

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    Smuggler’s Cove and Western Cove are sandy beaches with rocks. Good views from the coast path but no access down to the beach, although if you do want to visit the cove then the best option is from Portreath beach by canoe. The collapsed sea cave is known as Ralph’s Cupboard where openings in the rock were used to store contraband, hence the name Smuggler’s cove. The most famous smuggler being Ralph, hence Ralph’s Cupboard. Facilities are within the town of Portreath the other side of Western Hill.
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    Portreath Beach

     2 Reviews
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    Portreath beach is a gently shelving sandy beach with cliffs at one end and harbour at the other.  The name Portreath means “sandy cove” and is popular with bodyboarders and surfers. When the tide comes in the beach is split into two. Portreath harbour is steeped in history as it was the main access to the Cornish copper mines and also some shipbuilding. Facilities include car parking, toilets, seasonal lifeguards, beach cafe, pubs, shops including surf hire and the Portreath Surf Life Saving Club.
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    Portreath Beach Cafe

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    The Portreath Beach Cafe is located at the edge of the car park overlooking Portreath beach, Serves breakfast, lunch, coffee and drinks.

Some more locations in Cornwall