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Cornwall North Coast
1. Sennen Cove
SURF
The most south-westerly surf beach in the UK, and one of the most consistent breaks in Britain on account of its exposed West Penwith location, although the adjoining beach of Gwenver is usually bigger. A WNW-facing beach break, with left- and right-hand peaks up and down its length. It tends to be best from low to mid/high tide but is affected by shifting sands, which can vary the stage of the tide at which it works best.
Best in SE or E winds, which are offshore. Can hold a good-sized swell and may have a wave when everywhere else is flat.
A good place for beginners and experienced surfers alike, as the waves tend to increase in size as you move north up the beach, so you can choose the size of wave you feel happiest with. Watch out for rips though, especially at low tide, and rocks at the south end of the beach.
ACCESS
To get there take the A30 towards Land’s End, then right on a minor road in Sennen village and down the steep hill to Sennen Cove.
FACILITIES
Car park above beach – spaces at a premium in summer so you may have to park in a field above the beach and slog down. Lifeguards in summer. Chapel Idne surf shop above the beach is friendly and well stocked and also does board hire, and there’s a surf school, a great cafe, changing rooms, toilets, pubs and hotels – go to www.sennenbeach.com for more info. On the other hand you could visit the nearby Land’s End Experience if you want to see how to wreck a once lovely natural
Environment…
Webcam – www.chapelidne.com
ACCOMMODATION
Caravan parks and campsites in Sennen and Crows-an-Wra. Youth hostel at Kelynack, just outside St Just, and good value dorm accommodation is available at Whitesands Lodge (www.whitesandslodge.co.uk; 01736 871776) above the beach.
2. Gwenver Beach
SURF
To the north of Sennen, the beach breaks at Gwenver are fast and punchy and tend to work better at low and mid tide, although they’re affected by shifting banks. At the north end of the beach there’s a great right-hander, breaking on a sand and rock bottom, which is best around low–mid tide. Gwenver picks up more swell than any other beach in Cornwall, so if it’s flat here it’ll be flat everywhere. SE to E winds are offshore. OK for beginners, but beware of rips at the north end of the beach.
ACCESS
Either walk from Sennen Cove along the beach – about a mile – or drive back up the hill from the Cove and take the minor road to Escalls, where you’ll find limited parking above the beach at Tregiffian Farm. It’s not easy to find without a detailed map. The car park is a couple of hundred feet above the beach and its hard, steep work coming back up after a long session.
FACILITIES
None.
ACCOMMODATION
See Sennen.
