Stay in Cornwall

Find your place
to stay in Carlyon Bay

Find Carlyon Bay accommodation that puts you in the right place for your kind of break.

Carlyon Bay is a bay on Cornwall's south coast, about 2 miles east of St Austell town centre. It looks out across St Austell Bay towards Black Head.

Check dates and pricesFind a place to stay Explore the map
The Carlyon Bay Hotel
The Carlyon Bay Hotel

Make yourself at home

Places to stay in Carlyon Bay

Browse all Cornwall stays

Open a listing for photos, contact details and any booking links. Save places with the heart to build your trip.

Check dates and prices

4 places to explore

Carlyon Bay and nearby places

Types use recorded details or the property name. Facilities, prices and availability need checking with the provider. Featured listings are paid placements. Some booking links earn us a commission.

Know before you go

Carlyon Bay: a three part beach, a clifftop hotel and golf course, just east of St Austell

Carlyon Bay is a bay on Cornwall's south coast, about 2 miles east of St Austell town centre. It looks out across St Austell Bay towards Black Head. Par and St Austell railway stations are both about 2.5 miles away, and the A30 is about 8 miles to the north.

The bay has three beaches. Crinnis is at the western end by a rock outcrop, Shorthorn is in the middle and Polgaver is a nature reserve. Much of the sand is stent, waste left by the china clay industry. Cornwall Wildlife Trust rates Shorthorn as a site of national importance, and Polgaver is used by naturists.

The Carlyon Bay Hotel stands on the cliff top above the bay, in more than 250 acres of grounds and gardens. It has a spa with indoor and outdoor pools, several restaurants and its own golf course. The South West Coast Path runs along the cliff top and through the estate.

Read the full Carlyon Bay guide

Get your bearings

See where you could stay

The map shows all 4 mapped stays on this page, including nearby places. List filters do not change the map. Open a pin for the listing and check the road or ferry route before booking.

A little planning goes a long way

Before you book your Carlyon Bay stay

Two properties can look close on a map and still involve a very different journey. Ask about the whole stay, from unloading your bags to getting back after an evening out.

Find places to eat in Carlyon Bay

Parking and arrival

Parking in Carlyon Bay: Parking at the beach development. Hotel guests park free at the hotel. Ask whether parking is on site, reserved elsewhere or in a public car park, and confirm unloading arrangements and the walk with luggage.

Hills, steps and access

Ask the host about the route from the street to your room, lift access, bathroom layout and any steps inside. A central address or harbour view does not tell you whether a property suits your mobility needs.

Families and dogs

Confirm the room layout, cot or extra bed arrangements and any dog restrictions directly. For cottages, check outside space and where you can unload. Do not assume a whole property, parking or pet permission is included.

Good to know

  • Setting: South coast bay about 2 miles east of St Austell, facing St Austell Bay
  • Beaches: Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver, with year round public access
  • Getting here: About 2.5 miles from Par and St Austell stations. By car, take the A391 from the A30 at Bodmin towards St Austell and follow the signs
  • Known for: The Carlyon Bay Hotel, its clifftop championship golf course and the old Cornwall Coliseum site
  • Nearby: Charlestown harbour, the Eden Project, Fowey, Mevagissey and the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Useful things to know

Questions about staying in Carlyon Bay

What is Carlyon Bay beach like?

Carlyon Bay has three beaches: Crinnis, Shorthorn and Polgaver. Much of the sand is stent, a waste product of the china clay industry. Polgaver is a nature reserve and is used by naturists. The South West Coast Path runs along the low cliffs above.

Where is the Carlyon Bay Hotel?

The hotel is on Sea Road, Carlyon Bay, on the cliff top overlooking St Austell Bay, about two miles from St Austell town centre. It sits in more than 250 acres of private grounds. It has a spa with indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants and its own 18 hole golf course.

Can you play golf at Carlyon Bay?

Yes. Carlyon Bay has an 18 hole championship course, par 72, set on the clifftops with views over St Austell Bay. There is also a 9 hole approach course, a practice area and two putting greens. Tee times can be booked online through the golf club, which also offers tuition and membership.

What is there to do in Carlyon Bay?

Walk the South West Coast Path along the clifftops, explore the three beaches or play golf on the clifftop course. In the summer the Shoreside food and drink hub opens on the beach. Charlestown, with its Georgian harbour and tall ships, is close by, and the Eden Project is about 3 miles away.

How do I get to Carlyon Bay?

Par and St Austell railway stations are both about 2.5 miles away. By car, Carlyon Bay is about 8 miles from the A30. From Bodmin take the A391 towards St Austell and follow the signs. Newquay Airport is about 20 miles away.

Can I bring my dog or book a family room?

Policies vary by property and sometimes by room. Check your dates, the number and size of dogs, extra charges, bed arrangements and any age restrictions with the provider before paying.

Does this page show live prices and availability?

No. This is a directory to help you compare places and locations. Use the Check dates and prices button for current prices and availability, or open a listing and contact the property directly for availability and cancellation terms.

Property details come from directory records and should be confirmed with the provider. About Cornish.co.uk · Tell us about a correction

Make more of your Carlyon Bay break

Put your stay together with food, beaches and things to do nearby.