Stay near UK beach with ‘Caribbean-like’ golden sand and crystal clear waters

The UK might not necessarily have an international reputation for its beaches, but with the average summer getting hotter and hotter it increasingly should. Cornwall, in particular, has some stunning coastal locations, none more than Pedn Vounder Beach.

This gorgeous cove on the south coast of the Penwith peninsula has a simply incredible beach that is open to the public and features golden sand with the sort of clear light blue waves you’d normally associate with the Caribbean. It’s an unbelievable beach and, even better, there are a good few places to stay within a short drive of it. 

If you’re looking for a really rustic country stay, for example, the The Flower Shed, in Penberth Valley, could be perfect. This gorgeous little converted cottage has been redeveloped with real taste to make a beautiful one-bedroom stay that oozes romance from every brick. 

It’s about a 15-minute walk from Pedn Vounder Beach, making it about as close as you could possibly stay, and it’s got real character. With a 4.88-star rating from over 100 reviews, too, it’s clear that people have loved their time in it, and is an affordable option at £80 a night (although this number could vary depending on when you’re booking). 

If you want something within around a five-minute drive of Pedn Voucher Beach but with a much more modern aesthetic, check out this unique lodge near Porthcurno Minack, also on Airbnb. It’s a two-sleeper and has a very eco-home look and feel to it, and has a sea view right out of its main entrance. 

Set on the grounds of a farmhouse, it looks like it has a few more modern touches inside. Crucially, it has a 4.92-star rating from 26 reviews and is priced at £97 a night. 

If you’re planning a trip that has more than two people involved, though, you might want a bigger place, and AirBnB thankfully has a great option there, too. You can rent this entire cottage in Saint Levan for £140 a night this September, getting two bedrooms and space for four guests. 

It’s a beautiful little home, with a wood-burning stove for cosy evenings and low beams making it clear just how old the building is. Plus, of course, you’re close to the beach at roughly a 10-minute drive ensuring it still feels like your local haven. 

These all offer up terrific options that would have you able to spend a whole day at the beach, right down to sunset, without worrying about a long journey home, but if you’d like the comfort of a hotel experience, you might have to accept a longer drive back to it.

Best Western’s nearest hotel, for example, is in Newquay, roughly an 80-minute drive, which is very manageable. If you chose this option you’d pay for the convenience of a hotel, plus the bonus of the restaurants and attractions of Newquay right on your doorstep.

Whatever option you choose, though, the delights of Pedn Vounder Beach are way more accessible than you might think.