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A view of the beach at Holywell, Cornwall
The beach at Holywell | © National Trust Images / Juliet Turner
Cornwall

Holywell beach walk

This walk takes you across the famous sandy beach of Holywell, before returning through the towering dune system behind. It also offers great views of the Penhale and Kelseys headlands, as well as the twin offshore islands of Carter’s Rocks.

Total steps: 5

Total steps: 5

Start point

Holywell National Trust car park, grid ref: SW766587

Step 1

From the car park, cross the road and follow the path to the beach.

Step 2

Wade through the shallow stream if you're feeling adventurous. If not, cross a nearby footbridge to access the dunes.

Step 3

Keeping left of the dunes, stay on the level part of the beach and follow it round to the main beach. You'll pass the Surf Life Saving Club building, which was once dressed up for the Bond movie Die Another Day.

Step 4

Continue along the beach for a few hundred yards before cutting inland up into the dunes, where you'll see some wooden steps.

Step 5

This will take you to the line of the coast path. Follow this wider path, marked with wooden posts, back to the start.

End point

Holywell National Trust car park, grid ref: SW766587

Trail map

A map of the Holywell beach walk
A map of the Holywell beach walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

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