Home to an array of accessible walks and attractions, Cornwall is a wonderfully wheelchair accessible holiday destination, and its beautiful beaches are no different. Oh yes, whether you love wild waves or beachfront bars, Cornwall is home to lots of great beaches that are easily accessible, from the rugged north coast to South Cornwall’s balmy shores.
We’ve gathered the county’s most accessible beaches to make your next holiday smooth sailing: think sandchairs for hire, level access, and nearby facilities that ensure you’re never far from an ice cream or a portion of fish and chips.
Ready for an unforgettable beach day? Read on to find your next favourite…
Note: Any sandy beaches are best navigated using suitable equipment, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Summerleaze Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Yes
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01288 352226 to book
There are many amazing beaches in Bude, with several boasting easy access for disabled visitors, including Crooklets Beach, Duckpool, and Summerleaze. A haven of sand and surf, Summerleaze Beach is one of the most popular beaches in North Cornwall, with surfers coming for the consistent swell and bathers enjoying the year-round swimming at Bude Sea Pool (the pool itself isn’t wheelchair accessible). For those with limited mobility, Summerleaze is the perfect place to soak up a sunny beach day, with a nearby café promising ice creams galore and a children’s play area ensuring the little ones are thoroughly entertained. To continue your waterside adventure, Bude’s canal boasts an uber-pretty setting for a scenic, wheel-friendly stroll, with a 1.5-mile surfaced trail and plenty of lovely picnic spots along the way.
Mawgan Porth
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Yes
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01637 860240 to book
Just outside of the hustle and bustle of Newquay, Mawgan Porth is a beach that boasts a little bit of everything. A dog-friendly beach throughout the year, and with oodles of spaces at low tide, this family-friendly beach is great for days out with the whole pack in tow. Easy, level access from the car park makes entry to the beach a breeze, and a hireable sandchair makes exploring even easier. Lifeguards patrol between May and September, and little rock pools, caves, and a stream offer lots to see and do for curious youngsters. With high cliffs on either side providing welcome shelter from coastal breezes, pack up a picnic, sit back, and enjoy a balmy day soaking up some vitamin sea.
Perranporth Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Yes, with additional access to the beach via a wheel-friendly slope and bridge
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 07881 521730 to book
Another of Cornwall’s beaches to offer a great sweep of golden sand, Perranporth Beach is a haven of sun, sand, and sea. Access to the beach is via a short slope from the car park, then a small bridge - all super wheel-friendly. Known for its powdery sand, Perranporth Beach is best enjoyed with an all-terrain wheelchair, or one of the sand chairs available to book locally. It’s well worth it, as not only can you enjoy the giant dog-friendly beach, but you can make the most of the UK’s only bar on a beach, The Watering Hole. Oh yes, wheelchair accessible throughout, this beachfront bar and café is the ultimate place to enjoy a sundowner or midday refreshments, whether you fancy some fish and chips or a cooling pint of Cornish cider.
Watergate Bay
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Gentle slope
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01637 860543 to book
A blend of golden sands and rugged cliffs, Watergate Bay beckons for wheelchair-friendly beach days with the family in tow. Not only is the beach accessible via gentle slopes, but so are all of the cafés and restaurants within Watergate Bay Hotel, so you can make the most of your visit whether you want to read your book on the beach or watch the surfers enjoy the Atlantic swell with a glass of something tasty in hand - we particularly recommend camping out at the café for some storm-watching in the winter months. The beach is popular with families, with ample space for every kind of beachgoer. Kids will love bodyboarding till lunchtime, while the local amenities make picnics super easy, with the likes of takeaway pizza and hot dogs offering something for all.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Yes
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01326 312884 to book
It’s of little surprise that one of Cornwall’s Blue Flag beaches is super wheelchair accessible, including a bookable sandchair from the beach café. Access to the beach is nice and level from the car park, with some beautiful gardens nearby for a spot of sightseeing as you go. There’s a handy kiosk at the entrance to the beach for all your snacking needs, including ice creams, Cornish pasties, and hot chocolates. For something more substantial, Gylly Beach Café is wonderfully accessible, with spacious interiors and lovely views across the beach. The vibrant town of Falmouth is only a short drive away, with lots of great independent shops and art galleries worth a browse.
Porthminster Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Gentle slopes
Disabled parking spaces: No
Disabled toilets: Changing Places toilet
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01736 795352 or 01736 799097 to book
Although there is a car park up a short slope from the beach, we recommend visiting Porthminster Beach by parking in St Erth and using the Park & Ride - it’s particularly good fun for families with children! Arriving at the beach, you’re met with a magical mix of white sands, turquoise waters, and palm trees, creating the ultimate backdrop to your beach day. Grab an ice cream from the kiosk, or settle in for a Mediterranean-inspired meal at the Porthminster Beach Café, one of Cornwall’s excellent Michelin-recommended restaurants. The charming coastal town of St Ives lies just around the corner along the promenade, so you can easily explore the winding streets where many wonderful shops, eateries, and galleries await.
Marazion Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Yes
Disabled parking spaces: Yes
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01736 710265 to book
Overlooking St Michael’s Mount, Marazion Beach has one of the most iconic views in Cornwall, with the added bonus of popping across the causeway (at low tide) to explore the historic castle in all its ancient glory. A sandchair can be organised from the Mount, giving you easy access to explore Marazion’s sweeping beach at leisure. Alongside the causeway, low tide reveals lots of fascinating rock pools where tiny crabs and fish can be seen, while windy days often see kitesurfers putting on some seriously impressive aerial displays. For the best views in the house, access The Godolphin via the lower levels for ramped entry, then sit back and enjoy the views across St Michael’s Mount while tucking into a plate of something delicious.
Fistral Beach
Beach type: Sand
Level access: Gentle slope
Disabled parking spaces: Yes, although limited
Disabled toilets: Yes
Sandchairs available: Yes, call 01637 850584 to book
Newquay is home to many beaches, but none so famous as Fistral, with its epic surf and vibrant setting. The best part? It’s also one of the most wheelchair accessible beaches in Cornwall! A sandchair is available to hire from Fistral Beach Surf School, where you can also hire any necessary equipment to hit the waves, as well as lessons for those new to the sport. There are several top-notch restaurants overlooking the beach, with easy access from the ramp. We recommend The Fish House for exceptional seafood or The Stable for unbeatable pizzas, both with incredible sea views. Fistral Beach is also dog-friendly year-round, so the whole pack can enjoy a visit to this beloved Cornish beach.
Trevassack Lake
Okay, so while there is a little homemade beach here, Trevassack Lake is an honourable mention as it’s one of the best places in Cornwall for accessible watersports. With a giant SUP board and a Katakanus (a kind of fully accessible catamaran-like vessel), anyone can enjoy some time on the water here, regardless of experience or ability. Alongside the equipment, there are also accessible showers for warming up post-adventure, and a lovely waterside café for light lunches and refreshments.
Excited to explore Cornwall’s coast? Discover our beautiful Cornish cottages, or browse our collection of accessible cottages to find exactly what you’re looking for.