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Porthmeor Beach is one of the four main beaches in St Ives and is a favourite among tourists and locals alike. The beach is approximately 640 metres wide and offers a range of amenities, including a small car park, an excellent cafe, and a full lifeguard service during the summer months.
Porthmeor Beach is considered one of the foremost surfing beaches in Cornwall, making it a popular destination for surfers, particularly during the winter months when the waves are larger. The beach's exposed location means it is susceptible to south-westerly gales, but it also provides surfers with rare protection from these strong winds.
The beach is also a popular holiday destination for families during the summer, with its golden expanses of sand and excellent water quality making it perfect for day trips and swimming. The beach has a full lifeguard service during the summer, ensuring a safe environment for families with small children.
The Porthmeor Beach Café is located on the beach front, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with snacks and drinks available to take away. The iconic Tate St Ives gallery, which overlooks the beach, features modern and contemporary art exhibitions, and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is nearby. There are also plenty of shops, pubs, and trendy cafes within walking distance of the beach.
The beach is dog-friendly between October and April, but dogs are restricted during the summer months.
Porthmeor Beach is adjacent to the South West Coast Path.
Sand
| Today | |
|---|---|
| Chance of rain | 98% |
| Max temperature | 14°C |
| feels like | 13°C |
| Wind 28mph | |
| Max UV Index |
| Tonight | |
|---|---|
| Chance of rain | 47% |
| Min temperature | 12°C |
| feels like | 11°C |
| Wind 27mph |
The tide at Porthmeor Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 8:07 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 2:28 PM.
Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low
Car park in St Ives fills quickly - car park at top of town with steep incline to beach. Alternatives are: St Erth station or Lelant Saltings.
Seasonal ban in place between the Sunday before Easter and 30th September.
Beach cleaned regularly.
Daily - 30th April - 25th September
Weekends - 16th - 24th April ; 1st - 16th October
Easter - 25th March - 10th April
Oct half term - 22nd - 30th October
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Excellent water quality
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Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (0.2 miles)
Kidz R Us (0.3 miles)
Escape Time - St Ives (0.4 miles)
Cornwall Coast Path (1.5 miles)
Godrevy (4.1 miles)
South West Coast Path - Godrevy Head (4.4 miles)
The Digey Food Room (240 yards)
Moomaid of Zennor (210 yards)
Cellar Bistro (130 yards)
Mount Zion Coffee (160 yards)
Silco Searoom (130 yards)
The Cornish Deli (260 yards)
The Pier Coffee Bar (130 yards)
The Mex (280 yards)
All distances are approximate
less than a mile east-northeast as the seagull flies, less than a mile by road or less than a mile on foot using coastal paths.
less than a mile southeast as the seagull flies, just over a mile by road or less than a mile on foot using coastal paths.
just over a mile southeast as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road or 2 miles on foot using coastal paths.
around 2 miles southeast as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 3 miles east-southeast as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road or 7 miles on foot using coastal paths.
around 3 miles east-southeast as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
around 3 miles east as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
around 4 miles east as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 4 miles east as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 4 miles east-northeast as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 4 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 5 miles by road.
around 5 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 6 miles by road.
around 6 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 7 miles by road.
around 6 miles south as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 6 miles south as the seagull flies, around 10 miles by road.
around 6 miles south-southwest as the seagull flies, around 8 miles by road.
around 7 miles south-southwest as the seagull flies, around 8 miles by road.
around 7 miles south-southwest as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
around 7 miles south-southeast as the seagull flies, around 12 miles by road or 9 miles on foot using coastal paths.
around 8 miles south-southwest as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
Location: St Ives
Location type: Town
OS Grid: SW515408
Coordinates: 50°12'56"N 5°29'0"W
Mapcode: GBR DXV3.M2C
What 3 Words: space.stress.allowable
Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.
Country: England
Local Authority: Cornwall
Parish: St. Ives
Nearest postcode: TR26 1JZ
(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)
Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.
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