Best beaches in Cornwall for day trips by train

Features: Sandy Beach, Great Location, Family Activities

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩✩✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩✩✩

Porthminster Beach is a popular Cornwall beach, known for its golden sand and clear blue water. A Blue Flag beach with great water quality, it is the perfect Cornwall beach to splash around in the sea then lie back on glorious sand. From the beach, visitors can enjoy superb views over St Ives Bay to Godrevy Lighthouse. For those looking for the best Cornwall beaches by train, Porthminster Beach is ideally situated, at just a 10-minute walk from St Ives Station.

Trains to Porthminster Beach

Nearest train station: St Ives (Cornwall)

• Plymouth > St Ives (Cornwall), Cross Country & Great Western, 2 hours 4, 1 change
• Truro > St Ives (Cornwall), Great Western, 46 minutes, 1 change

What to do at Porthminster Beach

Enjoy the sea and sand!

While visiting one of Cornwall’s beach beaches, where else would you want to be other than on the beach and in the sea? Lie back in a deck chair or directly on the golden sand, and swim in the beautiful blue water.

Eat in St Ives

With an abundance of cafes and restaurants, and only a short stroll from the beachfront, St Ives is the ideal place to stop off for some lunch. After eating, don’t miss out on its many shops and art galleries too.

Classic seaside fun

As a popular seaside resort, Porthminster Beach is very well equipped with all the family fun and games you would expect from a Blue Flag beach. Play 18 holes of mini golf, enjoy an ice cream or stroll along the promenade that runs along the back of the beach.

Features: Golden Sands, Ideal for Swimming

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩✩

A natural paradise within easy reach of a train station, East Looe Beach is one of the most scenic Cornwall beaches. With the Looe River flowing on either side of ancient woodlands towards the sea, East Looe Beach offers stunning scenery all around. With golden sands and a sheltered bay behind the unique Banjo pier, it is one of Cornwall’s best beaches for swimmers and paddlers.

Trains to East Looe Beach

Nearest train station: Looe

• Exeter St Davids > Looe, Great Western, 2 hours 11 mins, 1 change
• Plymouth > Looe, Great Western, 1 hour 4 mins, 1 change

What to do at East Looe Beach

Visit Looe Island

Described as the jewel in Looe Bay, Looe Island is a natural haven which serves as a sanctuary for grey and Atlantic seals.

Combine nature and amenities

With the centre of Looe easily reachable in just a short walk, you have access to all the amenities you might need to enjoy your trip. Then, to get all from it all, head to the coastline, surrounded by a stunning natural environment of ancient woodland, river, golden sands and bright blue sea.

Features: Natural Scenery, Breathtaking Views

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩✩

In the heart of St Austell Bay, Carlyon Bay is a stretch of almost 2 miles of breathtaking coastline. Recommended for those seeking a scenic Cornwall beach removed from the tourist rush, Carlyon Bay is also a more manageable day trip than many beaches in Cornwall. Served by St Austell Railway Station, beachgoers can take a direct train from places like Bristol and Exeter.

Trains to Carlyon Bay Beach

Nearest train station: St Austell

• Penzance > St Austell, Cross Country & Great Western, 55 minutes, direct
• Exeter St Davids > St Austell, Great Western, 2 hours 8 mins, direct
• Bristol Temple Meads > St Austell, Cross Country, 3 hours 3 minutes, direct

What to do at Carlyon Bay Beach

Walk the coast path

Carlyon Bay is truly one of Cornwall’s most picturesque shorelines, a perfect setting for a peaceful stroll with stunning sea views. Four-legged friends are welcome most of the year, though there is a dog ban in operation on the beach from Easter Sunday to September 30.

Stay for longer!

Make a stay of it by booking a night (or more!) at the Carlyon Bay Hotel, a luxury beachfront hotel.

Features: Doggy Heaven, Great Location

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩✩✩✩✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly Cornwall beach, Eastern Green is a wonderful choice. The closest beach to the historic port town of Penzance, visitors can reach Eastern Green from Penzance Railway Station in under 20 minutes. Even better, the walk, along the South West Coast, boasts extraordinary coastline views. At the beach, you’ll have excellent access to local amenities and stunning natural scenery.

Trains to Eastern Green

Nearest train station: Penzance

• Plymouth > Penzance, Great Western, 1 hour 42, direct
• Truro > Penzance, Great Western, 36 minutes, direct

What to do at Eastern Green

Walk for miles

Whether it’s with a dog or without, this extensive stretch of sand and shingle provides plenty of space for long walks. Unlike most beaches in Cornwall, there are no restrictions on canine friends at Eastern Green Beach.

Paddle and play

Adventure-seeking youngsters will also be kept busy paddling around in a large area of shallow waters created by a sloping shelf.

Features: Sheltered Cove, Scenic Beach

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩✩✩✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩✩

Another of the best Cornwall beaches near Penzance, Porthcurno Beach claims to have the softest white sand and the clearest turquoise waters in all of Cornwall. As with most Cornwall beaches, the views are breathtaking, and the beach’s gentle waters make it great for families. Getting there is simply the case of taking a short bus ride from Penzance.

Trains to Porthcurno Beach

Nearest train station: Penzance

• Plymouth > Penzance, Great Western, 1 hour 42, direct
• Truro > Penzance, Great Western, 36 minutes, direct

What to do at Porthcurno Beach

Bask in the beauty

With rugged cliffs and gorgeous sands, Porthcurno Beach is a feast for the eyes. This sheltered cove is an oasis of stunning natural beauty – you truly have to experience it to appreciate the beauty. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable nature retreat (dogs are allowed for 10 months a year too!).

Get in the water

A stream along one side of the beach provides a perfect spot for paddling, while high headlands make it a lovely place for swimming. If you want to catch some waves, it’s best to plan a trip in winter, when the southwest swells offer a quality break for surfers.

Features: Surfing, Dog-Friendly Beach

Family friendly: ✩✩✩✩✩

Dog friendly: ✩✩✩✩✩

Recommendation: ✩✩✩✩

A family favourite, Great Western Beach offers hours of natural entertainment for all to enjoy. Kids love exploring the beach’s many rock pools, while surfers will have no trouble hiring all the kit they need. Named for its connection to Great Western Railway, it’s the perfect beach to get to by train, being only a few minutes’ walk from Newquay station.

Trains to Great Western Beach

Nearest train station: Newquay

• Plymouth > Newquay, Great Western, 1 hour 51 mins, 1 change
• Truro > Newquay, Great Western, 1 hour 18 mins, 1 change

What to do at Great Western Beach

Walk to neighbouring beaches

At low tide, visitors to Great Western Beach have the added advantage of being able to walk to neighbouring beaches. Head west to Towan Beach or east to Newquay Beach; whichever way you go, there are so many beautiful sights all around.

Surf, baby, surf

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or complete newbie, Great Western Beach is a great location to get on a surfboard. Regarded as one of the best Cornwall beaches for surfing, Great Western has all the facilities you need to get started.

It is not hard to see why Cornwall is so popular with visitors and why so many people travel from all across the UK to enjoy the best beaches in Cornwall. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the coastline without waiting in long lines of traffic, travelling by train is the ideal solution.

Going to Cornwall beaches by train means you will be choosing the most eco-conscious travel option. When booking advance tickets with TrainPal, you can also save money on your journey.

With TrainPal, you know that you are getting the cheapest price, as Split Tickets will automatically be applied to help you travel for less. Make sure to look for Off-Peak tickets too, which can reduce the cost of your journey.

Before you travel, check the luggage requirements, especially if you are heading to one of the best Cornwall beaches for watersports: most train operators do not allow surfboards onboard.

• Top 10 beaches in the UK 2025
• Best beaches near London for day trips by train
• Best beaches in Wales you can get to by train
• Best beaches in Scotland 2025 for day trips by train
• The best sandy beaches in England 2025