Cornwall’s Kynance Cove has won worldwide admiration after being named one of the best beaches in the world. The 200-metre-long white sandy beach in Cornwall often makes British visitors feel as if they are abroad.
The beautiful cove came in 48th place in the annual ranking list put out by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, voted by travel experts.
Along with thousands of votes from experts, the study looked at eight different criteria including: uniqueness, local wildness, how untouched it is, the “soundtrack of nature,” ease of access, water calmness, lack of crowds and how “frequently idyllic” it is.
Kynance was the sole British entrant in the top 50 and was ranked alongside beaches in Greece, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.
In fact, the travel writers who carried out the rankings said the Lizard Peninsula cove features a “striking landscape with water a shade of turquoise usually seen in the Caribbean”.
The judges singled out the beach for its unique landscape, quiet and peaceful nature and easy-to-enter water.
“Famed for its rugged beauty and serpentine rock formations, this stunning cove in Cornwall features a striking landscape with water a shade of turquoise usually seen in the Caribbean,” the judges said.
“The combination of turquoise waters and white sand makes it a remarkable standout, especially given its more northern location. At low tide, hidden caves and islands become accessible for exploration, adding to the allure of the area.
“Situated on the Lizard Peninsula, the cove benefits from natural protection, providing shelter from harsher elements. Challenging access via a steep path helps preserve this pristine environment, yet is still attracts admirers year-round.”
Kynance Cove has regularly topped holiday destination tables. A previous study found that the Cornish cove is the warmest UK beach in the winter, with an average temperature of 11.5C. The beach was also included in Lonely Planet’s top 100 beaches in the world, published earlier this year.
Kynance, which is owned and managed by the National Trust, hosts a huge variety of wildlife and plants including rare moths, asparagus and Cornish heath. It is also in the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The cove is home to a natural sea pool, hidden below the rugged cliffs, known as the Mermaid Pool. While tourists can explore the nearby caves at low tide, they risk getting cut off by the tide. Visitors should also take extra precautions since the cove does not have any lifeguards on duty.
Walkers hiking along the picturesque South West Coast Path will stumble upon the beach, as the famous path passes along the cliff top above Kynance.
Meanwhile, beachgoers can also spot some impressive rock formations with quirky names such as Asparagus Island, The Drawing Room and The Parlour.
Kynance Cove has historically had plenty of celebrity fans, with regular visits from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the Victorian era.
National Trust members can park for free at the car park, which is a ten-minute walk to the beach.
The National Trust website warns visitors that the beach can be “extremely busy with limited parking throughout July, August & September”.
The top spot in the world’s best beaches of 2024 went to Trunk Bay in the US Virgin Islands.
Entries closer to home included Cala Mariolu in Italy (2nd), Voutoumi Beach in Greece (5th) and Calo Des Moro in Spain (11th).