Cornwall’s disabled friendly beaches
A question that is often asked is, “Can I go to the beach if I’m a wheelchair user?” The answer to that is, a resounding “Yes you can!”
Several beaches here in Cornwall provide sand wheelchairs for hire. These all-terrain wheelchairs have special oversized wheels that allow them to roll over the sand with ease. Some allow the user to go into the sea, too. It is best to check beforehand, to avoid disappointment.
The following beaches are all known to have access and facilities for wheelchairs and those with disabilities.
This list is by no means a definitive one, but it is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate as of writing.
Bude
Crooklets Beach
There is level access to the beach from its large car park (with disabled access) and the numerous facilities include a café, play area, swimming pool and toilets. There is also a sand chair available from the Summerleaze Beach Office – 01288 352226.
Duckpool
There is level access to the beach from the National Trust car park.
Summerleaze Beach
There is level, disabled access from the car park, disabled toilets and a disabled sand chair is also available. The Sand Chair should (when possible) be booked in advance either in person, or by calling Summerleaze Beach Office on 01288 352 226 (open June – September). There is a “Changing Places” toilet at the car park near the RNLI.
Widemouth
Good beach access with ramp onto the sand.
Falmouth
Cawsand Beach
A large car park is situated less than 200 yards from the beach. Access to the beach is easy. Facilities include toilets, shops and cafés.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Toilets (inc disabled), Disabled Access. A Sand chair to enable access to the beach and the water for visitors with mobility problems is available for hire from Gyllyngvase Beach Cafe. Telephone: 01326 312 884.
Maenporth Beach
Level disabled access to the beach from the car park. Parking is right on the beach, (charges).
Swanpool Beach
There is a large car park across the road from the beachfront with level access to the beach. Toilets include disabled facilities.
Hayle
Riviere Sands
There is now access to the beach via a ramp at The Bluff Inn pub/restaurant car park.
Towans
There is a wheelchair and pushchair friendly ramp providing easy to access the beach. This is easily accessible from the large car park nearby.
Towans Beach
Lands End
Sennen Cove
Access to the beach is suitable for disabled visitors at the far western end next to the car park. This is only suitable at low tide though. Ample car parking is available in several car parks in and around the village. Facilities include shops, cafés, art gallery and toilets.
Looe
Downderry Beach
The western end of the beach is easily accessed via a path or slipway. There is disabled access to the western beach, but access to the eastern end of the beach is difficult.
Hannafore Beach
Access to the beach is easy from the adjacent car parking along the sea front. Refreshments and toilets. Disabled access.
Portwrinkle Beach
Disabled access is relatively easy via the path down to the harbour.
Seaton Beach
Level disabled access to the beach.
Marazion
Marazion Beach
Easy level access from the main car park. There is also a ramp down to the beach near the western car park. Excellent facilities are available, cafés, toilets, ice cream shops and pub. Sand chair available at St Michael’s Mount, Marazion. Telephone: 01736 710 265
St Michael’s Mount
Mullion
Poldhu Cove
Easy level access from the car park situated behind the beach.
Poldhu Cove
Newquay
Fistral Beach
There is easy access from the car park which has limited disabled spaces. Refreshments, beachside restaurant and toilets. Disabled access. Sand chair available at Fistral Surf Hire Shop. Telephone: 01637 850 584
Mawgan Porth Beach
Easy, level access is via the car park across the road. Sand chair available at Bettys News. Telephone: 01637 860 240
Porth Beach
Easy access from the main car park
Porthcothan Bay
Level access from main car park. Please note that it does involve crossing the road which can be quite busy.
Towan Beach
Disabled access and toilets. A sand chair is available to hire, please book from Blue Reef Aquarium. Telephone: 01637 878 134, charge & deposit.
Watergate Bay
There are several access paths down to the beach which are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Main steps to beach rebuilt to aid ambient disabled users. Sand chairs are available from Watergate Bay Hotel. Telephone: 01637860543.
Padstow
Constantine Bay
Beach access is easy, but the parking is limited. There are disabled toilet facilities.
Treyarnon Bay
Easy, level access from the car park along with plenty of facilities including disabled toilets.
Trevone Bay
Easy disabled access from the car park to the beach.
Penzance
Mousehole
There are slipways leading to the beaches on both sides of the harbour. The slip leading to the carpark is much easier to manage.
Perranporth
Perranporth Beach
The beach has disabled access – Sand chairs are available from Perranporth Gardens. Telephone: 07881521730
Polperro
Talland Bay Beach
There is easy disabled access to the beach from the car park which is close to the beach.
Porthtowan
Porthtowan Beach
Easy, level access from beachside car park, along with plenty of facilities at this Blue Flag beach.
Portreath
Portreath Beach
There is disabled access to the beach via a ramp at the harbour end of the car park. There are some designated disabled parking spaces in the car park that overlooks the beach.
St Austell
Charlestown Beach
There is a gentle slope down to the beach on the southern side of the harbour. It’s a large, stony and very safe private harbour beach.
Charlestown Beach
Gorran Haven
The road slopes right down to the sand with a parking a few hundred metres up the gently sloping hill
Par Sands
Par Sands Beach Level access from the car park which is situated adjacent to the beach. Facilities include a shop, café, pub and toilets.
Pentewan Beach
Level, easy access to the (privately owned) beach.
Polkerris
Ramped access onto the beach along with comprehensive facilities provided by owners Menabilly Estate. These include disabled toilets and a choice of places to eat
Porthpean Beach
A car park is situated by the beach. Access down to the beach is via the gently sloping slipway. Facilities on a small, level concrete promenade backing the beach, include toilets, a shop and refreshments.
Porthpean Beach
St Ives
Porthgwidden Beach
Disabled access from the Island car park via a gently sloped slip road down to the beach. Shop/café nearby.
Porthminster Beach
Easy disabled access to the beach. Sand chair available at Porthminster Beach Cafe. Telephone: 01736 795 352 or 01736 799097.
Porthminster Beach
The Roseland
Carne Beach
Easy access from National Trust car park next to beach. Good facilities for a relatively remote beach.
Pendower Beach
Easy disabled access to the beach
Porthluney Cove (Caerhays)
Privately owned, a large car park is situated by the beach, with easy, level, disabled access. Facilities include toilets, a shop, and café.
Portholland Beach
Easy disabled access, particularly at East Portholland where there is a concrete slope along with further facilities
Towan Beach
Beach is accessed via a 250 yard path.
Wadebridge
Polzeath Beach
Good disabled access and facilities. Sand chairs are currently unavailable.