Crantock Beach
An expanse of golden sand, great for sandcastles and surfing
Planning your visit
Information you may find useful ahead of your trip to Holywell or Crantock Beach.
Crantock Beach
Facilities and access
Crantock Beach
Overview
An expanse of golden sand, great for sandcastles and surfing
Close to Newquay, this feels like a different Cornwall: Crantock Beach is a long stretch of golden sand sitting at the mouth of the Gannel estuary.
The beach is backed by dunes, with the wildlife-rich grasslands of Rushy Green rising up behind them. At the far end of the beach is the headland of Pentire Point West. This small stretch of coast and the slopes above Polly Joke beach are popular in early summer for their amazingly vibrant displays of wildflowers.
There are walks to enjoy taking in the Gannel and Crantock village, or you could follow the South West Coast Path for far-reaching views along the coast beyond West Pentire.
Once busy with sailing ships carrying supplies, the Gannel estuary is now a haven for wildlife and a ruined limekiln can be seen at Penpol Creek. At the southern end of the beach the deep cleft of Piper's Hole is a sanctuary for seabirds. At low tide you can explore the cave and see if you can spot the rock carvings that are more than 100 years old.
- Telephone
- +441208863046
- crantockbeach@nationaltrust.org.uk
Crantock Beach
How to get here
- Address
- North Cornwall coast, near Newquay, Cornwall
- By road
- From Newquay take the A3075 towards Goonhavern. Take right turn following local signage.
- Parking: Car park adjacent to beach (height restriction barrier when unmanned). The car park is pay-and-display when unmanned and if you're not a member. Treago Mill for Polly Joke Beach (also known as Porth Joke).
- SatNav:
- On foot
- On the South West Coast Path.
- By train
- Nearest station Newquay 4 miles (6.4km). On a branch line.
- By ferry
- A small seasonal ferry runs across the Gannel for foot passengers. More information can be found at www.fernpit.co.uk.
- By bus
- First Kernow 85 service between Newquay and Truro. Bus stop is by the round garden in Crantock village - approximately 1/2 mile from the beach.
Crantock Beach
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
Crantock Beach
Opening times
Wednesday 28 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 29 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 30 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 1 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Sunday 2 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Monday 3 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 4 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk