Great Western Beach
A sandy beach for a Cornish beach day.
Lat 50.4160° N, lon 5.0766° W●Sandy beach · Zion (St Day)
Great WesternBeach
Great Western Beach is a sandy beach on the Cornish coast, close to Zion (St Day). It is a designated Environment Agency bathing water, currently rated Excellent. It picks up en…
A sandy bay beach
A beach near Zion (St Day)
Great Western Beach is a sandy beach on the Cornish coast, close to Zion (St Day). It is a designated Environment Agency bathing water, currently rated Excellent. It picks up enough swell to be worth a surf on the right day.
On-site you'll find parking, public toilets, a café or refreshments and seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover. Facilities can be seasonal, so bring what you need out of summer, and take litter home.
A first visit works well with time on the sand, then Zion (St Day) for food, a walk, or the next cove along the coast.
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Interactive map
Around the sand
Places by the beach
Stay for the sand, or head into Zion (St Day) for food and a wider look around.
Tolcarne Beach
Another Cornish beach a short hop from here: Tolcarne Beach.
See the beach →Towan Beach
Another Cornish beach a short hop from here: Towan Beach.
See the beach →
Tolcarne Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Tolcarne Beach.
View beach
Towan Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Towan Beach.
View beach
Harbour Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Harbour Beach.
View beach
Fistral Beach (North)
The next stretch of coast toward Fistral Beach (North).
View beach
The Gannel
The next stretch of coast toward The Gannel.
View beach
Porth Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Porth Beach.
View beach
Tides, dogs and getting there
What to expect at Great Western
It is still a Cornish cove: tides, weather, and seasonal rules. Check conditions before you swim.
On the day
Parking and the walk in
Parking is nearby rather than on the sand. Expect a short walk down, and check signs on the day.
Seasonal dog restrictions typically apply 10am to 6pm from May to September. Dogs are usually welcome outside those hours and in winter. Check the signs on the day.
Check tide times before you swim. Do not assume lifeguard cover.
Walk from the beach
Easy extensions
Walk from Great Western
Follow the coast when footwear, weather and daylight allow. Cliff paths are uneven; turn back if conditions change.
Zion (St Day)
Finish with food, a harbour or lanes in Zion (St Day).
→Tolcarne Beach
Continue along the bay when the path and tide allow.
→A day on the sand
Build a beach day around Great Western
Start on the sand, then walk into Zion (St Day) or keep it simple with a café stop.
Selected planClassic beach daySand first, then Zion (St Day) and a meal.
- 30 minArrive and walk inPark or arrive nearby and take the path to the sand.Available nearby
- 2 hrsBeach timeSwim, rock-pool or sit on the sand while the tide allows.Do not assume lifeguard cover. Check tide and water quality.
- 75 minFood nearbyPicnic, a beach café in season, or a short hop to Zion (St Day).Summer weekends fill quickly.
- 90 minCoast or next coveFollow the coast path or continue to a neighbouring beach when conditions allow.Cliff paths are uneven; turn back if conditions change.
Visitor information checked againstVisit CornwallCornwall CouncilAlways recheck opening, access and coastal conditions.
Great Western and the coast
Sand, the bay, and the short stretch of coast around the beach.
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Around Great Western Beach
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