Location: South coast between Polruan and Polperro, near Fowey, South East Cornwall (National Trust)
Distance from West Kellow Yurts: Around 45 minutes by road to the National Trust car park
Allow: Half a day (longer if you walk down to the beach)
Lantic Bay is one of the South Cornish coast's best-kept secrets and a serious contender for the most beautiful beach within easy reach of West Kellow Yurts. A sweep of turquoise water, sand and shingle tucked beneath the cliffs of Pencarrow Head, with no road access and no facilities. Just you, the sea and the sky.
What to expect
The bay sits between Polruan and Polperro, beneath rolling fields, and is reached by a 15 to 20 minute walk from the National Trust car park: across farmland, then down a steep zig-zag path to the cove. The descent is committing (and the climb back is a workout, especially in summer heat), but what you find at the bottom makes it worth every step.
On a calm day the water is clear and surprisingly blue. The beach is mostly shingle and sand, with pockets of softer sand at low tide. It faces south-east, so it gets sun-trap mornings and shade by mid-afternoon. Pencarrow Head, the rocky promontory just to the east, gives some of the best long views on this stretch of coast: on a clear day you can see Bolt Head in Devon to the east and the Lizard to the west, around 70 miles apart.
If you don't fancy the climb down, the cliff path itself is reward enough. The South West Coast Path runs straight across the top of the bay, with views out over the water and on into the Fowey Estuary. In spring the cliffs are decked with sea campion, thrift, ox-eye daisies and sheep's-bit scabious. Dexter cattle and Dartmoor ponies graze the headland.
Getting there from West Kellow
Drive west on the A387 through Looe and Polperro, then take the inland route via East Taphouse and Pelynt towards Polruan. The National Trust Lantic Bay car park is at Bodinnick Heights, around 1 mile from Polruan on the coast road. Postcode for sat-nav: PL23 1LX.
Practical info
The car park is National Trust pay-and-display (free for members). There are no facilities at the car park or on the beach: no toilets, no shop, no cafe, no lifeguards. The nearest toilets are at Lantivet Bay car park, half a mile east. Bring water, food, sun cream and (importantly) something to drink for the climb back up.
Is Lantic Bay safe for swimming? Treat it as unpatrolled. There's no lifeguard service, the beach shelves quickly, and rip currents are possible especially in any swell. Only swim in settled conditions, stay within your depth, and supervise children very closely.
Is Lantic Bay dog-friendly? Yes. Dogs are welcome year-round.
Is Lantic Bay suitable for pushchairs? No. The path down to the beach is steep and not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
While you're there
Pencarrow Head itself is a great short walk for anyone who'd rather skip the descent to the beach. From the same car park you can also walk west to Polperro along the South West Coast Path (a more demanding stretch of around 3 miles), or east to Polruan and the foot ferry across to Fowey. Pair with a wander around Polperro on the way back if you've got the energy.
Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/lantic-bay
