Below is a listing of some of our favourite beaches near and far - you will no doubt discover your own.

Polperro

TALLAND BAY (8 miles — 15 minutes drive from Waters Reach) Our favourite beach; pretty sandy beach, safe swimming and superb rock pools. Parking, kayak hire and best of all delicious food served at the Talland Bay Beach Café. POLRIDMOUTH (11.4 miles — 20 minutes drive from Waters Reach) Our second favourite beach with a 20 minute leisurely walk from the car park past Daphne du Maurier's Menabilly. The cove has two sandy beaches, which are joined at low tide. Great rock pools and a real shipwreck.

Lantic Bay

READYMONEY COVE (5 miles via Bodinnick ferry or 10 miles via Lostwithiel)
Cross the River Fowey from Bodinnick on the small car ferry and hire a self-drive motorboat or walk to Readymoney Cove beach just south of Fowey. You may prefer to drive around by road and park in the Fowey public car park. It is a safe, pedestrian accessed beach for children at the mouth of the river.

LANSALLOS BEACH (5 miles 10 minutes drive from Waters Reach)
Another favourite if you are feeling energetic as it is a long walk (1/2 mile) from the car park but well worth it. Pretty sheltered sand and shingle bay, ideal for picnics. This beach is not well known so it doesn't get too crowded.

LANTIC BAY AND LANTIVET BAY (5 miles — 10 minutes drive from Waters Reach)
South East Cornwall's best kept secret, a quiet sheltered cove with white sands, feeling more like the Mediterranean, than Cornwall. An excellent beach, but it can be difficult to find. Situated along the coast road from Bodinnick towards Polperro, there is a long walk on foot across fields and National Trust land. The walk is steep and tiring on the home leg so don't take too much to carry but really worth the effort because of their remoteness and beauty. Bathing can be hazardous.

POLPERRO (10 miles half an hour from Waters Reach)
Very popular old port/fishing village (crowded in peak season) — many interesting features, shops restaurants, boat trips, shark or mackerel fishing trips

PAR SANDS (10 miles)
Large safe sandy beach with easy access, good parking. Adjacent Wild Fowl Lake, café, pub, etc.

POLKERRIS (12 miles)
Short distance from Par along Fowey road. Safe, sheltered, small beach with parking, café and pub.

MEVAGISSY (15 miles)
Picturesque old fishing village with good assortment of shops, restaurants, boat trips, etc.

PADSTOW (30 miles)
Interesting small fishing town — home of the famous Rick Stein's fish restaurant, Lobster Hatchery and popular with visitors and artists.

For further information see www.goodbeachguide.co.uk