This popular and accessible medium sized ‘inlet’ type of beach faces due west. The cliffs either side afford a certain degree of protection in many conditions. It is similar in nature to other beaches near-by on in this stretch of coastline: it is owned by the National Trust.
TR12 7JB - Signposted from Cury to the north and the village of Mullion 1km to the south, the road access runs adjacent to the beachhead. The parking area (capacity approx. 220 cars) is the landward side of the road. There is also a limited amount of road side parking not affected by on-road parking restrictions. The beach is on a bus route. The National Trust has provided limited disabled parking next to the main access. There is also a small National Trust parking area on the cliffs on the road to the north of the beach with fine views along the coast: it is approximately 400m from the beach. The main access point is opposite the car park entrance and virtually on the beach. It is level and suitable for many disabled. There is an alternative ramp access point on the northern side of the beach.
It is some 140m wide at high water with a small area of dry sand at most tides which is backed by a small area of sand dunes. The sand is fine and yellow but at certain times of the year there can be extensive areas of shingle. At low water the beach is expansive with exposed areas of rocks on either side. The beach is dissected by a stream. The cliffs on either side of the beach are subject to rock falls
There is safety equipment above the beach. Lifeguards are on duty from mid May to mid September. The Lifeguard facilities are located adjacent to the main access and close to other facilities. There is a designated bathing area.
It is a dangerous beach for swimming due to rip currents and strong undercurrents in certain conditions and certain times of the tide. Swimming should only take place when the lifeguards are on duty and then only in the designated area.
It frequently has fairly good surfing conditions due to its westerly aspect; however it tends to be fairly flat for periods in summer and its exposed beach break can have unreliable waves. Surfing is best at low water. It is not one of the favoured beaches by the more experienced although it is well frequented by locals. Kite surfing is not permitted.
It is generally unsuitable for snorkelling except in calm conditions when at high water it can be interesting exploring either side of the Cove.
At low water a number of rock pools are exposed either side of the beach. Fishing is particularly good off the rocks on the northern side of the beach. It is one of the best spots for ‘plugging’ in the area for bass, pollack and wrasse. Fishing off the beach is also popular.
Dog are not permitted from March to October.
The toilets are situated at the entrance to the beach opposite the car park. There are no disabled facilities.
There is a cafe and shop on the edge of the beach which is open from March to the end of September and then weekends and school holidays. It sells gifts wetsuits and boards in addition to a well known local ice cream. Other facilities including pubs and shops are a short distance away at Mullion.
The beach is cleaned by regularly from April until October and every day during July and August; this includes the dunes, access paths and car park. The water quality is excellent although the stream will vary in quality at certain times of the year.
Poldhu is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; it is famous because the cliffs at Poldhu Point was the location of the first transatlantic message using wireless telegraphy sent by the inventor Marconi in 1901 to St.John’s in Newfoundland. There is a monument to this event on the cliffs in which inscriptions on all four sides tells the story of the event. The reed beds adjacent to the steam and car park are part of the second most extensive area of reed beds in Cornwall and which support a number of uncommon breeding birds.
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