Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth

Located just a stone's throw from Falmouth town centre Gyllyngvase is widely considered the best beach in the area and Gylly Cafe has an excellent reputation for good food. A wide crescent of soft, pale sand lapped by the calm clear waters of Falmouth Bay, what's not to like? There is an accessible sloping path to access the beach and sand chairs can be hired from the cafe.

Gyllyngvase beach is great for families with all the facilities you'll need close at hand. Beachside showers and toilets are open all year round and there is a cafe serving hot and cold food right on the beach.

The sea here is clean, clear and generally safe as the beach is well sheltered from rough seas by the Lizard Peninsula to the west. In addition there is lifeguard cover during the summer months so swimming is fine.

The gently sloping white sand also has plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide with shrimps, crabs and squat lobsters in abundance.

During the winter there is occasionally surf at Gyllyngvase and the reef just to the west can produce a reasonable wave. However, the beach is generally more suited to calm water sports such as kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.

The backdrop to Gyllyngvase beach is equally pleasant with Queen Mary's Gardens forming much of this. The views aren't bad either with Pendennis Point and Castle in the distance and all the shipping coming and going from Falmouth harbour to watch.

There is RNLI Lifeguard cover between May – September at Gyllyngvase Beach

Dogs are not permitted on the beach between certain months of the year. For the current year's dates, see the Cornwall Council website. For 2021, dogs are not permitted on this beach between 15 May and 30 September, between 10am and 6pm. Assistance dogs are exempt from this restriction.