Beaches

Owned and looked after by the National Trust, Crantock beach offers a large expanse of golden sands, backed by rolling dunes. The beach stretches between Pentire and West Pentire headlands. To the South, the sands are lined with high cliffs, providing shelter from the winds and to the North lies the mouth of the River Gannel. 

At high tide, the Fern Pit Gannel Ferry, 'Sunshine', will take you from the beach across the river; at low tide, a small footbridge will appear allowing you to cross the river for free. The River Gannel is popular with paddle boarders and wild water swimmers. 

The National Trust car park has ample space and is free of charge for National Trust members. Dogs are welcome all year on Crantock beach. 

Just beyond West Pentire, you'll find Porth Joke beach (also known as Poly Joke beach) a smaller, quieter beach. With rock pools and caves, this beach is perfect for explorers of all ages. The car park is a fair walk away, but well worth the effort for the peaceful sands. 

Things to do in Crantock

In Crantock, you can relax on the quiet beach or explore the quaint village, filled with thatched cottages. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can try a range of water sports such as paddle boarding with Newquay Water Sports Centre. 

Aside from the glorious golden sands and picturesque village of Crantock, you can head to West Pentire to the C-Bay hotel which has tennis courts, a swimming pool and is dog friendly.

Further afield, Newquay has an array of activities on offer. For a family-friendly activity, Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium make a great day out. For something slightly different, head to Pirate's Quest for a swashbuckling voyage through Cornwall's past. Read our blog here for more ideas on days out in Newquay. 

In addition, Newquay town is the perfect place for your holiday shopping, with a range of different shops selling: clothes, gifts, beach goods, ice creams, pastries, sweets and more!

Eating out in Crantock

In Crantock, the first point of call for dinner has to be The Albion Inn. If you head slightly out of the village to West Pentire, you'll find The Bowjie Inn (also known locally as the pink pub) which overlooks Crantock Beach. Also near West Pentire you'll find C-Bay Bistro with unsurpassed views across Crantcok beach and beyond. 

Further afield, Newquay offers a wide variety of restaurants with something to suit everyone. 

Walks around Crantock

There are lots of places to walk in and around Crantock.

If you head to Crantock Beach via Rushy Green you can either walk across the beach, or take the coast path towards West Pentire, which in the spring/early summer is filled with poppies - a beautiful sight!

Cubert Common, not far from Porth Joke, is great place for dog walkers and ramblers.