Cornwall's unusually-shaped and sea-carved coastline has resulted in some of the most ruggedly beautiful beaches in the entire country.
Steep cliff backdrops, soft white sands and sparkling blue waters are not uncommon in these parts, with many Cornish beaches looking more Caribbean than British.
Add to that the fact that many of Cornwall's beaches have received prestigious Blue Flag Awards for safety, cleanliness and water quality-orthat several are also dog-friendly (at certain times of year)-and you can see why this part of the island is a beach haven for the whole family.
Here are five of the most beautiful:
Sennen Cove Beach
Sennen Cove Beach can be found adjacent to the small coastal village of Sennen, just nine miles from Penzance. It is a major draw with the surfing set, as the turquoise waters here boast a year-round swell, but swimmers are welcome too as long as they stay between the protective flags.
Take a walk around the quaint fishing harbor, where you'll find several restaurants, pubs and galleries, or simply settle down on the golden sand and admire the view.
Porthcurno Beach
Walking down to the sheltered cove that houses Porthcurno beach is like discovering the set of a James Bond movie. The sea here is a staggering shade of blue, and the white sands never seem to get overly crowded, despite this being one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall.
There aren't any provisions on the beach itself, so most people pack a picnic and make a day of it.
A three-minute climb up the hillside steps along a marked path will get you to the famous clifftop Minack Theatre-an open-air theater carved into the rock-one of Cornwall's most popular visitor attractions.
Perranporth Beach
In contrast to Porthcurno, Perranporth is a massive beach, with over three miles of golden sand and windswept dunes. It's the kind of beach where you can enjoy any kind of water sports imaginable: surfing, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, etc.
This is also a great beach for families and groups, as there is a beach bar and cafe situated on the sand (the UK's only bar fully located on the beach). The local village-with several shops and attractions-is an easy walk from the shore as well.
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Porthmeor Beach
As locations go, Porthmeor Beach is one of the most ideally situated. Its sandy shore kisses the town of St. Ives, meaning that if you're basing yourself in the pretty seaside town, you're never more than a quick walk away.
This is a safe, sandy beach where visitors tend to spend the whole day. The Porthmeor Beach Cafe overlooks the sand and is a great place to grab a quick bite morning, noon or night.
Lusty Glaze Beach
With a name like that, you're bound to be intrigued by this stretch of beach, right? Technically, this small picturesque cove is privately-owned, but it is open to the public year-round, meaning you can enjoy a quick bit of sunbathing whenever you like.
Down on the sand, there's a restaurant and bar that regularly hosts concerts, as well as a watersports center to offer you everything from surfing lessons to rappelling equipment.
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