10 Best Spots for Wild Swimming in Cornwall, England

The variety of beautiful wild swimming spots in Cornwall had us going from golden beaches to hidden tidal pools, from spring-fed quarries to babbling brooks. Here is our pick of the best swimming in Cornwall.

There can be few more beautiful places to wild swim in the UK than Cornwall.

Sure, the breathtaking tarns in the Lake District can give it a run for its money. Still, the sweeping arcs of golden sand buttressed by craggy cliffs and rolling countryside are the scenes that entice people to put down their pasties and brave the waters.

But it’s not just Cornwall’s beaches that claim the best swimming spots.

Rocky coastlines, wild moors, spring-fed quarries and babbling brooks provide plenty of opportunities for a surprisingly secluded dip in Cornwall.

Where the low tide reveals hidden secrets only twice a day, there are literally hundreds of places you can swim in Cornwall; these are just some of our favourite spots.

Some are good for a decent lengthy swim; others are a delightful paddle. All are beautiful places in England’s most picturesque county.  

1. LANTIC BAY

Why go? For a remote but lovely beach.

This glorious bay, in a much less visited part of Cornwall, is a bit of a hidden gem.

Surrounded on three sides by near-vertical 100-metre cliffs, the sandy beach stretching out at the bottom of the cove is one of the most beautiful spots in the county.

From the coastal path above the beach, wide-ranging views stretch across the bracken, gorse, and heather-strewn headlands.

A long, well-protected beach offers great conditions for swimming. Explore the shore near the beach or swim around Little Lantic Bay, which is only accessible by boat or a swim.

HOW TO GET TO LANTIC BAY

To get to Lantic Bay, park in the National Trust Lantic Bay Car Park.

From here, it’s a 15-minute walk from the car park to the beach. The last part is quite steep, but there are steps, and you won’t need to use your hands.

Facilities – There are no facilities on the beach, so bring what you need and make sure you take everything with you.

2. GOLDIGGINS QUARRY

Why go? For the novelty of leaping into a spring-fed quarry.

High up on the wild moors of Bodmin, where rocky tors and endless swathes of bracken are broken only by the ruins of disused mines, Goldiggins Quarry is the perfect place for a wild swim.

Totally unexpected amongst farmland, the spring-fed quarry is deep and wide, with clear waters surrounded by rocky beaches and high cliffs.

There’s plenty of room to have a decent swim, and the quarry walls provide some interesting spots for snorkelers to explore.

The cliffs around the edge get higher and higher, providing a natural progression from easy jumps to more exhilarating plunges.

Before heading home, visit the nearby Cheesewring (Stowes Hill). The natural slabs of granite smoothed over the years are an impressive sight overlooking the rugged moors.

HOW TO GET TO GOLDIGGINS QUARRY

To get to Goldiggins Quarry, park at Hurlers Car Park (see map below) in the village of Minions. It’s a 20-minute walk to the quarry past three circles of Neolithic stones.

Facilities – The quarry has no facilities, but it’s a great place for a picnic. There’s a tea shop with toilets in the village of Minions.

3. PEDN VOUNDER

Why go? To swim in one of the most beautiful, untouched beaches in the UK.

Set under huge granite cliffs, Pedn Vounder is possibly one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.

Completely secluded by the cliffs, a huge swathe of golden beach curves around a sandbank that is only revealed at low tide.

There are several hidden coves to explore by wading through the shallow pool of water just off the beach.

The waves can be notoriously treacherous past the sandbank, so you should only go out here unless you are a very experienced swimmer.  

Unfortunately, the beauty of Pedn Vounder is transitory. The sandbar only appears for 2 hours on either side of low tide; in high tide, there’s no beach.

HOW TO GET TO PEDN VOUNDER?

Park at Treen Car Park and follow the signs on a whiteboard for the 20-minute walk to the beach. The descent to the beach is a little tricky, so read up on all the details on our Pedn Vounder guide.

Facilities – There are no facilities at Pedn Vounder.

4. PORTHTOWAN TIDAL POOL

Why go? For a scenic swim in a cliff-set tidal pool.

The St Agnes headland has some of the finest scenery in Cornwall.

The ruins of old mines stand above the heather and gorse-clad cliffs – a swathe of colour in late summer. It’s a beautiful section of the coast that also contains one of the best wild swimming spots in Cornwall.

Wedged between towering cliffs and the Atlantic Coast, Porthtowan Tidal Pool only reveals itself a few hours either side of low tide.

Protected from the rough seas by a wall, it offers a sheltered spot to splash about in a dramatic coastal setting.

The best way to enjoy it is to take a walk along the clifftop coastal path, build up a bit of a sweat while taking in breath-taking views and then descend the rocky steps to cool off in the tidal pool.

We loved it so much, it’s on our guide to things to do in Cornwall.  

HOW TO GET TO PORTHTOWAN TIDAL POOL

The pool can be tricky, but we have marked the exact location on the map below.

Park at Porthtowan Beach Car Park and walk to the pool. You can either walk along the beach at low tide or take the coastal path that rises onto the headland and then descend to the pool using steep steps cut into the rock.

Facilities – There are no facilities at the tidal pool but the excellent Blue Bar cafe is just next to the car park.

5. KYNANCE COVE

Why go? To explore hidden caves and pools.

The National Trust-owned Kynance Cove is one of the most beautiful wild swimming spots on the Cornish Coast.

At high tide, towering buttresses of rock lurch out of the ocean. As the sea retreats, swathes of sand appear between the rugged crags.

The contrast of black rock, golden beach and turquoise water make Kynance Cove a beautiful place to swim.

As the rocks protect the beach, it’s a very good option for families. Swim from one little beach to the next, explore coves and leap into the water from the rocks.  

Make sure you don’t miss Mermaids Pool. Hidden in the cliff wall on the northern side of the beach and only accessible at low tide, its crystal-clear waters are big enough to swim in and deep enough to jump into.

HOW TO GET TO KYNANCE COVE

Park at the National Trust Kynance Cove Car Park. Although the car park stretches into the nearby fields, it can still get very busy in peak season, so try to arrive early.

It’s a 10-minute walk from the car park down to the beaches, which only appear one or two hours after high tide.

Facilities – There’s a café and toilets overlooking the beach, and toilets at the car park.

6. MOUSEHOLE TIDAL POOL

Why go? For a retro swim in a small natural pool.

Less of a wild swim and more of a mild paddle, the small pool at Mousehole (pronounced: Mow-zul) oozes Victorian seaside charm.

The Rock Pool Café – overlooking the water – is a great place for the adults to relax while the kids take a dip. The coffee is ok, the cakes are tasty, the cocktails are creative, and the views are splendid.  

The pool starts to appear around three hours (or so) either side of low tide. It’s little more than 10 metres square, but it’s one of the quaintest swimming spots in Cornwall.

HOW TO GET TO MOUSEHOLE TIDAL POOL

The Rockpool Café and tidal pool are tucked a few steps down from the village car park on the north side of Mousehole.

7. HOLYWELL BAY

Why go? For a scenic sweeping beach.

Only 6 miles from Newquay but miles away from the crowds, Holywell Bay is a huge sweep of golden sand.

Backed by 60 ft dunes, with cliffs on either side and two rocky promontories out at sea, it’s often gloriously sheltered from the wind and the rough seas.

The beach stretches for around 1 mile, offering plenty of places to sit and relax and take a long swim in the ocean.

At low tide, the grotto-like Holywell Cave becomes accessible, and a 70-year-old wreck pokes out of the sea.

Porth Joke is a 30-minute walk away from Holywell Bay and another lovely beach to visit in Cornwall. Wedged between two rocks, you’ll find some of the most turquoise waters in Cornwall.

HOW TO GET TO HOLYWELL BAY & PORTH JOKE

Holywell Bay is owned and run by the National Trust. There’s a car park right near the beach which is free for members or £2.50 for 1 hour.

Porth Joke Beach is a 30-minute walk around the headland from Holywell or a 15-minute walk from the Polly Joke car park. 

Facilities – There are toilets in Holywell village.

8. BUDE TIDAL POOL

Why go? To swim in Cornwall’s grandest tidal pool.

Bude Sea Pool is the granddaddy of tidal pools in Cornwall.

Semi-natural with a man-made wall on one side and rocks on the other, it has welcomed visitors since the 1930s.

Roughly 90 metres by 45 metres it is big enough for a long swim yet shallow and safe enough for all the family.

The best time to visit is at low tide when the sea has retreated beyond the wall and the pool is calm.

There’s a beach below the pool with plenty of room for playing and soaking up the sun.

The pool is completely free, thanks to Friends of Bude Sea Pool.

HOW TO GET TO BUDE TIDAL POOL

Park at Summerleaze Long Stay Car Park, from where it is an easy 5-minute walk to the sea pool.

Facilities – There are plenty of cafés and toilets near the car park.

9. GOLITHA FALLS

Why go? For a secluded dip in a jungle-like forest.

The picturesque cascades that make up Golitha Falls are a popular tourist attraction in peak season.

But head a little deeper, and a secluded section of the river provides a tranquil escape from the crowds.

Beyond the main waterfall, the path appears blocked by a fence. However, a rugged track continues for another 200 metres, delving deeper into the ravine.

Shrouded in jungle-like scenery, moss clings to the rocky walls and vines hang from trees overhead. It’s a magical exploration of an ancient oak and beech woodland where hidden pools slowly reveal themselves.

There’s no long wild swim here, just a dip in the gently flowing waters surrounded by glorious forest.

HOW TO GET TO GOLITHA FALLS POOLS

Park at Golitha Falls Parking in the southern section of Bodmin Moor.

From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to the main falls then another 5-to-10-minute walk along a tricky path that finally drops to the river.

We have marked the exact location on the map below. A couple of the pools have sandy bases but be careful clambering on the rocks as they can be slippery.

Facilities – There are no facilities at the swimming spot.

10. JUBILEE POOL

Why go? For a dip with old-school art deco grandeur.

Honestly, this wild swimming spot in Cornwall is not all that wild.

But we included it for its remarkable location and art deco design.

Perched on the sea wall in Penzance and jutting into St. Michael Mount’s Bay, it’s a tiny slice of Miami in this most traditional of fishing towns.

Opened in 1935, the triangular pool is surrounded by high white walls providing protection from the wind.

Swimmers and sunbathers get dressed and undressed in cubist changing rooms, and a licensed café keeps everyone satiated.

There are deckchairs to laze on the terrace, and the pool is geothermally heated.

HOW TO GET TO JUBILEE POOL

Park in St Anthony’s Long Stay Car Park, just across the road from the Jubilee Pool.

Facilities – There’s a great cafe, and toilets at the pool.

MAP / BEST SWIMMING SPOTS IN CORNWALL

Save our map with all our favourite swimming locations in Cornwall to help you plan your next trip. For more great spots in the area read our guide to the best places to visit in Cornwall.

WHERE TO STAY?

Cornwall is a large area that’s big on variety.

From popular golden beaches to remote moorlands, there are plenty of areas to consider for your Cornish base.

Read our guide on the best places to stay in Cornwall to get your bearings.

MORE GUIDES FOR YOUR ENGLAND TRIP

• Put your trip with our 7-day England itinerary by car.
• Visit York on a day trip from London.
• Plan your stay in the capital with our area & hotel guide to London.
• All our top places to see in England are here.
• Feeling adventurous? Try these outdoor experiences in England & the UK.
• These wild swimming spots in the Lake District are perfect after a long hike.
• Find more great things to do in the Cotswolds here.
• Enjoy one of these country walks in the Cotswolds.
• Our guide to the top places to see in the UK might give you some ideas for your next trip.