West Cornwall : St Ives - Porthmeor Beach

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St Ives is one of Cornwall's best resort towns and in Porthmeor beach has one of Cornwall's best urban beaches. Porthmeor is approximately 800m of fine clean gold sand, which generates several surf able peaks across the full range of the tide. The beach is north facing which means that on big days some of the power of the swell is lost as it wraps around the headland but this ensures it is always a suitable beach for novices. In heavy winter storms this angle helps clean up the swell as it wraps around the headland.

Porthmeor beach is ideally located right in the middle of town, so that you don't have far to walk and the amenities are right behind the beach. You could literally roll out of bed and be on the beach in minutes if you have had a late finish or are having an early start.

There is much to do out of the water. Just above the beach is the Tate St Ives art gallery plus the St Ives museum and a plethora of pubs in town. Penzance is literally 5 minutes down the road so there is plenty to do after a day at the beach.

Details
Driving Access: Easy access into town (via the A3074), a maze once inside
Car Park spaces: 100
Price: Less than £5
Beach facilities: Public toilets at back of each car park
Beach type: Sand
Break type: Beach
Pub: Several in town centre
Sort of wave: Spilling
Peaks: Shifting beach
Left/Right: Both
Offshore wind direction: Southerly
Local highlights: Tate St Ives, St Ives Museum, harbour
National Trust: No

Ratings
Ability: Novice - Legend
Kids: 1 - Just the beach
Other stuff: 3 - Tate St Ives, St Ives Museum, harbour
Access: 3 - Steps straight down onto beach
Urban proximity: Close to town
Water quality: Pristine - Blue flag beach

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