Top 10 Family-Friendly Beaches with Walks on the South West Coast Path
Planning a family trip to the UK’s stunning South West Coast Path? These 10 family-friendly beaches and walks are perfect for children and families of all ages — from toddlers to teens. With sea caves, rock pools, and unforgettable views, these hikes blend adventure and beach fun for a perfect UK family holiday.
Explore the South West Coast Path with Kids
If, like me, you’ve been left with feet itching to head to the path, we have 10 fabulous beaches and short walks that will suit the whole family to explore the South West Coast path.
What is the South west Coast Path?
The South West Coast Path stretches 630 miles from Minehead, Somerset to Poole on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Whilst as a family you may not be ready for the full 600 miles, there are endless options for incredible short hikes that can be done with the whole family. The best part, of course, are the hundreds of beaches to explore; from tiny rocky coves, to harbour beaches perfect for sea glass collecting, to huge expanses of golden sand and turquoise seas. Wherever you choose you’ll be treated to magnificent views and that feeling of freedom that only being outside in the full force of the wind, water (yes sometimes rain, this is the UK) can often bring.
How to Hike the South West Coast Path with Children
We generally find our kids will tolerate (or even enjoy) a hike if there are plenty of options to play along the way: skim stones, clamber over rocks, collect beach treasures, dig a huge hole, build a fortress or poke around in rock pools. In this list, you’ll find a beach and a hike for each destination. Some are short strolls, other longer half day hikes that still leave plenty of time for playing along the way.
You won’t find many town beaches in this list. Instead, you’ll find mostly natural beaches with awe-inspiring rock formations, like sea arches or caves. There are beaches with hidden secrets that make exploring much more exciting too. Think hidden caves, waterfalls and wildlife encounters.
Read our full guide to St Ives with kids here
Here are our top 10 beaches along the Southwest Coast path, all of which can be combined with a family hike along the South West Coast Path for a fantastic day out.
Our absolute favourite Coast Path walks are from Zennor to St Ives or from Kynance Cove to Lizard Point. Both are filled with spectacular coastal views, wildflowers and wildlife. If I had to pick one, I’d chose Zennor to the Carracks, then pop to St Ives for some beach time. This particular walk is jaw-droppingly spectacular and includes scrambling over huge boulders.
Top 10 Family Beaches and Walks on the South West Coast Path
Kynance Cove, South Cornwall
Beach
Kynance Cove, just 2 miles from Lizard point, is a spectacular natural playground. This idyllic beach has white sand lapped by startling turquoise water and is one of the best beaches along the South west Coast Path to visit with children. At low tide curious visitors can explore hidden caves in the rock stacks, wade through knee deep water to secret swimming spots and explore the rocky islands. Just be careful not to become cut off and check tide times before you visit. Kynance is a place you’ll want to return to again and again, finding something new every time.
Hike: Kynance Cove to Lizard Point
The walk from here to Lizard Point is just 2 miles each way, with scenic vistas around every corner and wildflowers carpeting the ground. Once you reach Lizard Point, stop for an ice cream at the nearby café or pop into the National Trust Wildlife Station and borrow binoculars. You can often spot dolphins, seals or the cheeky Cornish chough.
Parking (National Trust) is limited so arrive early or outside peak times.
Porth Chapel, St Agnes, North Cornwall
Beach
At first glance, Chapel Porth beach looks like a very pretty cove. However, explore a little further and you will find narrow openings in the cliff face behind the expanse of the beach. Heading into the narrow gap you might find yourself immersed in an underground waterfall, surrounded by rainbows dancing in the spray. It’s a fantastic place for a game of hide and seek or to admire the raw power of the Atlantic. If you visit outside of peak season, you might be lucky enough to have the beach to yourselves.
Hike: Chapel Porth Beach to Wheal Coates
For a fantastic coastal hike in Cornwall, from the car park, follow the coast path to visit the atmospheric remains of Wheal Coates, a remnant of the Cornish mining industry and one of the most photographed buildings in Cornwall. This is another fascinating area to explore and if it sparks an interest in the history of the area, there is a quaint little museum in nearby St Agnes.
Barricane beach, Woolacombe, North Devon
Beach
This little beach is situated on the outskirts of popular Woolacombe. Barricane has an entirely different vibe to the main surfing beach. At low tide head to the left of the beach to find rockpools, some as large as a small swimming pool and others not much bigger than a cup of tea. When you’re finally tired of the rockpools, head back to the beach to skim stones or search for shells. Barricane, an anagram of Caribbean, is a magnet for exotic shells from the warmer waters across the Atlantic, making it a great spot for finding beach treasures.
At the end of the day, watch the sun set over the ocean whilst enjoying delicious Sri Lankan Curry from Barricane Beach Café. Absolute perfection.
While you’re in the area, try Woolacombe Surf School. The instructors are knowledgeable, kind, patient and even provide free photographs of your surf session. Alternatively, you could join a National Trust beach clean (occasionally these include a silent disco) or spend time exploring the sand dunes.
Hike: Morthoe to Morte Point
While in the area, head to neighbouring Morthoe and try the walk to Morte Point where you can climb the ‘Stegosaurus’ rocks and watch the waves crash against the rocks below. The area is rich with tales of the shipwrecks and looting that occurred before Bull Point lighthouse was built.
Porthmeor, St Ives, Cornwall
Beach
You are spoilt for choice in beautiful St Ives, but Porthmeor beach is strong contender. A huge stretch of golden sand, plenty of shells to collect and behind the beach you will find the Tate St Ives Museum. The museum has done a brilliant job of catering for children. There is a lovely cafe nearby, book early to secure a table for dinner and sunset views. Spend your day bodyboarding or surfing, relaxing on the sand or eating ice cream (just watch out for seagulls – seriously, they are ruthless).
To the north of Porthmeor rises ‘the island’. The sunset views from here are incredible. Kids will love the ‘pirate walk’ by professional storyteller Shanty Baba (book in advance).
Hike: Zennor to the carracks
Possibly the best section of the entire Coast Path, the walk between St Ives and Zennor is not to be missed. There are various option depending on how far you want to walk. Use the 16A bus to/from Zennor at the start or end of the 8 mile walk.
For a shorter walk, head to Zennor and complete the circular route to the Carracks (5.5 miles). We found this walk via the excellent iwalk Cornwall app. It remains the most stunning walk we’ve ever been on. There’s a lovely pub in Zennor, the Tinner’s Arms, for the end of your walk too.
Porthcurno, Cornwall
Beach
Another beach looked after by the National Trust, Porthcurno has two main attractions. The first is the wide expanse of soft, white sand, backed by the dramatic power of the Atlantic Ocean (swimming here is not advised unless the lifeguard is present). It’s easy to spend hours exploring this gorgeous beach, one of the most stunning in Cornwall.
For the second, walk up the stone steps hewn into the granite cliffs to find the Minack Theatre. The Minack is an awesome sight and watching a play here is a bucket-list experience. Astonishingly, the open-air theatre was built by hand by Rowena Cade and a small group of Cornish people. The audience sits on a series of semi-circular stone steps, built into the very cliff, leaving the dramatic ocean as a backdrop to the performance.
Hike: Porthcurno to Penberth Cove
From Porthcurno to Penberth Cove, passing Logan Rock and views of the famous Pedn Vounder Beach. This short walk has a lot to offer! The walk down to Pedn Vounder is not advised with young children, but the views from above are gorgeous.
Heddon’s Mouth, Devon
Beach
There is something a little magical about Heddon’s Mouth beach. Firstly, it’s only accessible by foot, keeping this lovely place very natural. You won’t find any facilities, but it’s all the lovelier for it. There are spectacular views along the coast to either side, huge rocks formations shaped by wind and water over millennia to explore and the remains of a dome shaped lime kiln at the entrance to the beach. The stony beach leads to endless play opportunities: skimming stones, building towers and fairy houses, climbing the rocks or just lying back and relaxing.
Hike: Heddon valley walk
The walk to Heddon’s Mouth is as lovely as the cove itself. There are several family friendly walks to the beach. Park in the National trust car park, where you will find toilets, information and a kiosk. From here there are many options. For an easy walk, follow the accessible path through tranquil forest along the river and over a wooden bridge to the beach. This circular walk is 2 miles.
To enjoy more of the South west Coast path with stunning views and lots of variety, take the higher path just to the right of the start of the walk, and head up along the coast, around a hairpin bend until you find a wooden bench. From the bench follow the grassy path, which connects to the South West Coast Path back to Heddon’s mouth. After exploring Heddon’s Mouth, follow the valley path back to the carpark. This walk is about 4 miles and is a superb mix of coastal views and peaceful forest, complete with an idyllic stream forging its way around boulders and overhung by deciduous trees. As you reach the end of the walk, look out for a wild play area and sculptures. Our kids, aged 7 -13 absolutely love this walk.
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
Read more about family-friendly things to do in Falmouth
Beach
We love Falmouth, a thriving and creative university town with so much to see and do. Read more about our recommendations at the end of this post. Gyllyngvase beach is beautiful blue-flag beach with soft sand, a fantastic beach café, toilets, paddleboards to rent and access to the South West Coast Path. The beach is fairly protected from the wind too. We also like exploring the rockpools at nearby Castle Beach to find winkles and anemones and to search for seaglass. We think this is one of the best family beaches on the South west Coast Path, with the bonus of thriving Falmouth too.
Hike: Pendennis castle and headland
From Gyllyngvase there is an easy walk to Pendennis castle and headland. The Castle has an interesting history from Tudor times, through capture in the English Civil War to the first World war.
Hengistbury Head & Mudeford Sandbank, Dorset
Number 8 is a bit of a cheat as the South West Coast Path ends before Hengistbury Head, but it’s fairly close and a great option!
Beach
Hengistbury head, a few miles east of busy Bournemouth and Boscombe is a huge beach of sand and shingle backed by cliffs. Around the corner from Hengistbury Head, over the headland, you will find Mudeford Sandbank. Mudeford sandbank is a thin peninsula of soft sand that feels a world away from the UK. On a sunny day this feels like being in the Mediterranean. To the west side is a quiet harbour where you can watch the sun set. To the east the sun rises and there are gorgeous views across the sea. The sand is soft and white, with tufts of seagrass framing perfect views. Along the centre of the peninsula, a double row of pretty, pastel coloured beach huts perch on the sand. If it’s an option, these rare residential huts can be rented, although be warned it isn’t cheap.
From the sandbank you can catch a passenger ferry to cross the short distance to Mudeford and walk to nearby Avon beach, a larger, more traditional beach. Mudeford itself is a great spot for crabbing where the crabs seem keen to walk into the net for a brief stay in a bucket before returning to the sea. At Avon beach we’d recommend eating at The Noisy Lobster (make sure to book ahead) which has great food and décor.
Hike
The walk here (not on the South West Coast Path, but just as beautiful) connects the beaches, and gives great views along the coast and over Christchurch harbour. Start at Hengistbury Head carpark and visitor centre (the café here is much nicer than it looks from the outside!) and follow the route up the path to Hengistbury head.
After admiring the views, continue round and head down the path and steps to Mudeford Sandbank. After fully exploring this area, either turn around and head back, or catch the passenger ferry to Mudeford, where you can either walk an inland route back or catch the bus to Broadway shops, a short walk from the car park. Alternatively, stop on the Sandbank and take the land train (seasonal).
Croyde, Devon
Beach
Croyde beach is a big, beautiful and perhaps the best surfing beach in England. It is also one of the best UK beaches for families. The waves can be pretty fierce, so make sure to follow the lifeguards’ advice and stay between the flags. At the edges of the beach, you will find rockpools to examine and little pools that are great for younger kids to play in. It’s very easy to spend an entire day at this beach, however if you do fancy a change, it’s a short walk to the pretty village of Croyde which has some great pubs, shops and cafes. We would recommend visiting Croyde at any time of year, although it can be busy in the summer.
Hikes: 3 options, Middleborough Hill, Baggy Point or Putsborough
There are so many great options from Croyde. If you park at the National Trust Baggy Point carpark, you will find a handy map and volunteers who can give advice. You could do the short walk up to Middleborough Hill for incredible sunsets and far reaching views across the coast.
There is a 2.6 mile loop walk along the coast to Baggy Point and back across the fields, including an accessible path. The formidable power of the wind and crashing waves makes the start of this walk exhilarating. Sea thrift covers the ground in spring and early summer, followed by the cheerful yellow, coconut scented gorse through summer and into autumn. This is a wonderful short walk with lots of variety and unbelievable views.
For a longer, but arguably much better, walk (approximately 5.5 miles), continue along the coast path from Baggy Point towards Putsborough, where you can stop for refreshments before heading back. First retrace your steps along the coast path, before turning left at a signpost, across the fields and back to Croyde. We love this longer route, which has amazing views of the long expanse of sand dune backed beach running from Putsborough to Woolacombe and beyond. Once back at the start, Sandleigh tearooms are next to the car park, sitting in a walled allotment garden that is a perfect little spot to relax
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Beach
Durdle Door needs no introduction. It has become very popular, so we would suggest going early or later in the day. The entire beach is a feast for your eyes, the rock arches, white cliffs and ever changing play of light on the sea are endlessly entrancing. Both the beach at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are fairly protected by the cliffs behind, making them sheltered places to relax or play. Lulworth Cove itself is very pretty and good fun to explore with kids. There is also a very good visitor information centre which is worthy of your time.
Hike
The 2-mile walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is hugely popular for very good reason. This is one of the best coastal hikes for families on the South West Coast Path, ending in one of the most well-known and spectacular views in the UK. At any time of year this is a gorgeous walk and can be particularly beautiful on a winter’s day. Starting in Lulworth, follow the fairly steep steps along the Coast Path until you find the steps down to Durdle Door. Explore the gorgeous beach, go for a swim and relax until you’re ready to head back. Once back in Lulworth, stop at one of the beach side cafés or just enjoy the pretty cove.
If you have time in the area, another lovely walk is from nearby Ringstead to Osmington Bay, where you will find the Smuggler’s Inn. This walk will likely be a little quieter, although still quite popular and utterly spectacular.
FAQs about walking the South West Coast Path with Kids
Q: What are the best beaches on the South West Coast Path for children?
Our top three recommendations from this list are: Porth Chapel Beach, which is so exciting to explore with it’s hidden caves and secret waterfalls; Barricane Beach for rockpool exploring and gorgeous sunsets, and Heddon’s Mouth which is just a natural beauty.
If you prefer sandy beaches, Porthcurno (near St Agnes, Cornwall), Cornwall, Porthmeor ( St Ives, Cornwall) Croyde Bay (North Devon) or the main beach at Woolacombe (North Devon) are all lovely but unspoilt sandy beaches good for building sandcastles, relaxing and swimming.
Q: Is the South West Coast Path suitable for kids?
Yes, although you may need to select the walk carefully depending on the age and ability of your children. Be aware that there are often steep cliffs adjacent to the path and make sure they stick to the path at all times. The weather can change quickly so always take or download a route map, take plenty of food, water and suncream and layers for if the weather turns. We would recommend downloading the what3words app in case of emergency and taking a fully charged phone on longer walks.
Hiking the path will be a great experience for your children, and with a few precautions can be done safely.
Q: How long does it take to walk from Kynance Cove to Lizard Point?
The 2 mile walk from Kynance Coe to Lizard point takes between one and two hours to walk with younger children, stopping to admire the views along the way. With older children you will likely walk this section of the path in about 45 minutes.
Q: Can you take a buggy on the South West Coast Path?
Some sections of the South West Coast Path are buggy friendly, however often the routes to beaches involve a lot of steps and are not suitable to take a buggy up or down. Good options with a buggy are the Heddon’s mouth accessible walk (joins the South West Coast Path at Heddon’s mouth) and the Baggy Point accessible walk.
Some sections, such as Zennor to St Ives, include large boulders to scramble over and are only accessible by foot. A back carrier may be an option for younger children.
Q: What should I pack for a day walking the South West Coast Path with kids?
Make sure everyone has sturdy footwear for hiking safely, including children. The Coast path is not the place for Crocs or flipflops. Make sure to pack food, plenty of water, suncream, sunhats, waterproofs and perhaps a picnic blanket. If you’re going to spend time on the beach you might want to take a small silicone bucket and a ball. We also take bags to collect any rubbish we find along the way.
Go Explore the South West Coast Path with Kids
These are just a small selection of the places on the South West Coast Path that have taken our hearts. Places we return to regularly when the pull of the ocean calls us out from our landlocked town, to feel the wind on our faces and tingle of icy water on our toes. These are special places where the whole family can feel that sense of awe and wonder that makes us feel small in this special world.
Have you walked any of these routes with your family? Share your tips or tag us on Instagram @near_and_far_explorers
