The unspoilt UK beach with golden sand and waters so blue ‘you could be in Minorca’
Located on Cornwall’s South West coast, Kynance Cove is a small but stunning National Trust site that's famous for its rocky coastline and breathtaking ocean views. Despite being just 200 meters in length, this beautiful beach was even hailed as one of the best beaches on the planet in the 2024 edition of The World's 50 Best Beaches.
Small but perfectly formed, Kynance Cove’s allure is the striking combination of white sand and turquoise waters, the likes of which you would be more likely to find in the Mediterranean than the UK. Nestled away from the usual South West tourist hot spots, the sheltered location makes it all the more beautiful.
The Cornish gem also boasts an array of unique rock formations, including the intriguing Serpentine Rock and Asparagus Island, a small tidal islet where rare wild asparagus grows. These natural wonders contribute to the cove’s distinctive beauty and charm, offering visitors a scenic and unique landscape to explore and photograph.
Visitors to the award-winning cove have left thousands of five-star reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, calling it "breathtaking" and a "National Trust treasure". The otherworldly beauty is so intoxicating, that beach lovers have been quick to comment about how it could easily be a beach on the French Riviera or the Balearic Island of Minorca.
The incredible ambience of Kynance Cove is something to be savoured, and as such many visitors to the area choose to stay and play overnight or longer. While there are very few facilities on the beach itself, a slow meander into the nearby village of Halston will provide shops, refreshments and somewhere to lay your head.
Where to stay near Kynance Cove
Housel Bay Hotel
With thousands of visitors descending on the area every year, there are plenty of hotels and B&Bs available to suit all budgets.
According to TripAdvisor, the highest-rated hostelry is the Housel Bay Hotel & Restaurant, a traditional seaside hotel with spectacular views. Within easy reach of the beach, the Cornish Coast Path is even closer, running through the gardens, just outside the hotel door.
Other great choices include the Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa with its comfortable rooms and breathtaking sea vistas and Polurrian on the Lizard which offers 12 acres of gardens and its very own beach.
Where to eat
Kynance Cove Cafe
Just a few short minutes away from the beach, the Kynance Cove Cafe has been rated 'excellent' on TripAdvisor with an overall score of 4.5 out of five. Visitors love the views out over the cove, as well as the delicious cakes and pastries.
People looking for heartier fare could try the Smugglers Fish and Chips in Lizard which serves up fresh fish that the locals love, while the Cadgwith Cove Inn has over 700 reviews from delighted visitors who tucked into lunch or dinner during their stay.
Given the remote location, what could be more perfect than a hot coffee from Ellie's Soul Kitchen, a converted camper that sits on the edge of the bay?
Where to drink
The Witchball
Given the peaceful and remote location, there aren't any pubs next to Kynance Cove, and most visitors would prefer to keep it that way. Just up the road in Helston, however, The Witchball is a traditional Cornish watering hole that offers reasonably priced bees and ciders, as well as a hearty lunch menu.
Just up the road The Top House Inn, the southernmost inn in all of England, serves beers, wines and spirits in its renovated bar, as well as a tasty Sunday lunch that gets booked up very quickly.
The glorious coastal scenery around Kynance Cove
If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here