Visiting Pentire: what you need to know

Purple foxglove growing along the coastal path on the Rumps at Pentire, Cornwall Purple foxglove growing along the coastal path on the Rumps at Pentire, Cornwall

We look forward to welcoming you to our new visitor facilities at Pentire headland, near Polzeath. The main car park, café and most toilet facilities are now open, with the Changing Places opening soon. Please check back for the most up to date opening dates and times. Coronavirus has impacted on our offer and we ask that social distancing guidelines are followed.

Parking

You’ll find the main car park and visitor facilities at Pentireglaze (PL27 6QY). There are small car parks at Lundy Bay and Lead Mines, with limited parking at Pentire Farm, where priority should be given for those with reduced mobility.

If a car park is full please respect the local area and turn around. We ask that you do not park on the road or nearby verges as this could block emergency access.

Parking charges apply for non-members. Parking is free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders: members, please scan your membership card for a ticket.

Pay and display machines accept cash only and do not accept notes or issue change. You can also pay using PayByPhone (location code for the car parks: 803575). We suggest downloading the App before you visit as mobile reception can be patchy.

Prices for non-members are:

£2 up to 1hr

£4 up to 4hrs

£8 all day

Winter charges

£1 up to 1hr

£2 up to 4hrs

£4 all day

Staying safe

To help keep everyone safe, please follow social distancing and government guidance when you visit. And look out for signs while you’re here which will explain any changes to how you can access different parts of the site.

If you’re showing any of the symptoms of coronavirus, or if you've been in contact with anyone that has the virus in the last 14 days, please don’t visit.

Seasonal lifeguard cover is usually in place at the main beach in Polzeath, but this doesn’t extend to Pentireglaze Haven (Baby Bay) or Lundy Cove.

Cliff safety

Cliffs are constantly changing, creating the beautiful coastline that we see today. Cliff falls and landslides can happen at any time and without warning. We urge you to stay well back from the edges when walking coast paths along cliff tops, and away from the undercliff when on the beaches. Please follow safety signs on site and do not climb or walk over rock fall debris, especially after wet weather.

Facilities

Toilets

Toilets, including disabled and separate baby changing facilities (opening soon) can be found by the main car park at Pentireglaze.

A fully equipped Changing Places will be available soon with ceiling hoist and changing table. You can access it with your RADAR key or ask a member of staff. Please check back before visiting for the latest opening information.

Pentyr Café

Pentyr Café is now open offering takeaway hot and cold drinks, light snacks and delicious sweet treats. There is a delightful orchard and outdoor, as well as undercover, courtyard seating available for picnics. Or venture out on to the clifftops; there are plenty of grassy spots to sit and enjoy the sea views.

Picnics and play

Just across the road from the main car park at Pentireglaze an accessible orchard, newly restored, is perfect for play and picnics. Please keep dogs on leads as there are areas of newly planted grass and other seedlings.

Accessibility

The beach at Pentireglaze Haven is a 10-15 minute walk from the main car park along a sloping bridal way. The cove joins the main beach at Polzeath at low tide and is great for rock pooling.

Tide times

It's easy for the tides to take us by surprise so it can be a good idea to check the tide times before you arrive at the beach. Tide times tell us at what time the sea will be nearest the land and furthest away. At high tide the sea is closest to the land and at low tide there is the most beach available.

Visiting with your dog

Help us keep Pentire a safe, healthy and enjoyable place for you and your dog, other visitors, wildlife and livestock.

Keep your dog in sight and under control. There are restrictions on Polzeath beach (including Pentireglaze Haven) from 15 May – 30 September, 10am - 6pm.
Don't let your dog chase wildlife or farm animals. Dogs should also be kept on leads in the orchard and around livestock. However, if cattle or other large animals try to approach your dog then it is safer to drop the lead until you are clear of the area.

Watch out for local notices. There may be restrictions in farmland at sensitive times of year, during the lambing season, or between March and the end of July when ground-nesting birds are on eggs or raising their young.

Please remember that you will be sharing that space with other dogs and people, some of whom might be nervous. Ensure that your dog remains within sight at all times, and will respond reliably to a recall.

Please bag your dog’s poo and carry it until you find a bin, or take it home with you. If left, dog poo can harm habitats by changing the nitrogen balance of soils, and it can also carry diseases that cause cows to have still-births.

Help us encourage responsible dog walking

Our partners Forthglade have pulled together some handy tips to encourage responsible dog walking and ownership.

Caring for the countryside

You can help us to keep Pentire safe and enjoyable by following a few simple guidelines during your visit and observing the Countryside Code.

Issues such as littering can cause significant harm to wildlife, and it only takes one stray spark from a barbecue or campfire to start a wildfire that can damage large areas of countryside. With your help we can avoid these problems, and continue protecting these places for generations to come.

Our car parks in this area do not permit overnight camping or parking. We understand many people want to enjoy spending time in the outdoors but there can be an unintended impact on flora, fauna and wildlife.

Why isn't camping allowed in National Trust car parks?

Sadly, many visitors leave rubbish, empty glass bottles and disposable BBQ’s which pose a risk of fire.
There are no toilet facilities and so human waste and used toilet paper is often left in hedges. This isn’t good for wildlife or nice for our rangers when strimming or undertaking other conservation work.
There is no planning permission in place and camping is in breach of National Trust bye-laws.

By not wild camping you are helping to look after and protect the wildlife that makes this place their home. Thank you.

Care for the countryside

When you visit the coast and countryside, we ask that you please follow the Countryside Code:

Respect other people

Consider the local community and other people enjoying and working in the outdoors
Park carefully so access to gateways and driveways is clear
Leave gates and property as you find them
Follow marked paths and local signs
Be nice, say hi

Protect the natural environment