If it’s picture-postcard you seek, Cornwall has it in spades. The county is surrounded by ocean all sides but one, so if a spectacular cove is something you crave, then here you’ll find an almost-endless store of crystalline waters lapping pebble, sand and rocky outcrop that’ll make you feel as if you’re stepping into a work of art.
Each with their own distinct charm, there’s plenty to pick from, and you won’t need to travel far to find one. Here’s our top ten for starters...
Penberth Cove
The fishing hamlet of Penberth remains gloriously unspoilt. Located east of Porthcurno towards Land’s End at the edge of a wooded valley, the stunning cove is home to a handful of cottages and a tiny working harbour with a granite cobbled slipway fringed by a stream and clapper-style bridge.
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Prussia Cove
Tucked between Perranuthnoe and Praa Sands on the south coast toward Penzance, this miniature seaside haven spells pure escapism. Hedgerows knotted with wildflowers lead you down to a diminutive cove complete with Fisherman’s huts and shingle beach.
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Readymoney Cove
Situated south of the heavenly harbourside destination of Fowey near the river mouth, this sandy stretch picturesquely sits between St Catherine’s Castle and the medieval town, offering sheltered, boat-free – and immeasurably beautiful – beachside bliss.
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Cadgwith Cove
Nestled near England’s most southerly point of The Lizard, Cadgwith is beautifully frozen in time courtesy of its fishing buildings and boats, 300-year old smugglers pub and unblemished shingle beach. Take a dip or snorkel in the crystal clear water of the adjoining beach or simply perch somewhere suitable in the cove and admire that breathtaking view.
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Kynance Cove
Just two miles from Lizard Point lies the jaw-dropping cove of Kynance. This is eye candy of the most spellbinding kind, where aquamarine water greets white sands, dramatic rock stacks, snaking clifflines and verdant headlands to wow worthy effect. It also makes for a superb stretch of walks for those who want to get the most out of the beautiful Lizard Peninsula.
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Lamorna Cove
Lying at the end of a valley in far west Cornwall, Lamorna’s allure is soul-stirringly instant. Though sections of the harbour wall have crumbled into the sea, the cove remains an uber scenic place for a coastal walk or to while away an hour or two on the beach in the company of giant boulders, craggy cliffscapes and glistening ocean.
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Portheras Cove
It’s not the easiest to get to and involves a mini trek down the cliff between Pendeen and Morvah, but when you reach the cove on this particularly wild stretch of west Cornwall’s coast, it will be more than worth it. A stream cuts through the valley and winds toward the shore while sheer cliffs cradle white sands and azure ocean that beg you to linger in awe just that little bit longer.
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Portloe Cove
The Roseland Peninsula is synonymous with natural beauty, so its no surprise that it’s home to the achingly pretty, Portloe. A sublime tree-lined valley gives way to the sheltered beach and harbour, which poet laureate Sir John Betjeman dubbed, “one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages.”
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Trevaunance Cove
St Agnes’ crowning glory - alongside Wheal Coates tin mine along the coastal path toward Porthtowan - is its main beach nestled between high cliffs on Cornwall’s north coast. A gorgeous mix of sand and shingle can be found at this sheltered spot, while on a low tide visitors can explore caves, rock pools and the neighbouring, Trevallas Porth.
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Mullion Cove
Tucked into the rugged coastline on the South coast of Cornwall, Mullion Cove combines the natural beauty of the cliffs with the manmade harbour. Owned by the National Trust, this beautiful inlet is a peaceful spot, protected by the wide harbour walls. Indulge your senses with turquoise waters, salty air and sand beneath your toes.
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Where to find them:
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