If you're planning a family holiday on the Lizard Peninsula, you're in for a treat.  This corner of Cornwall is defined by its dramatic coastline, crystal-clean waters, and beaches that feel a world away from the overcrowded tourist hotspots further north.

Whether your kids want to hunt for crabs in volcanic rock pools, try bodyboarding for the first time, or just build the ultimate sandcastle, the coast around Coverack delivers.

If you are staying with us at Little Trevothan Camping & Caravan Park, you are perfectly positioned to hit all of these spots.  Here is our definitive guide to the best family-friendly beaches nearby, from doorstep favourites to hidden gems.

Coverack Beach - Your local best friend

Sometimes the best places are the simplest.  Right in the heart of Coverack village, this small beach has a relaxed, traditional feel that families just love.  At low tide, children can spend hours exploring the rock pools while parents enjoy the harbour views and slower pace of life.  Once the tide goes out a large expanse of great sand appears, fabulous for family games and sandcastle building!

The water here is often calmer than on Cornwall’s more exposed beaches, making it ideal for paddling, swimming, or launching a paddleboard on a sunny day.

One of the nicest things about Coverack Beach is how easy and laid back it feels. You can wander down with a bucket and spade, grab an ice cream from one of the local shops, and settle into a proper seaside afternoon without too much planning.  Trust us, you'll love it.

KENNACK SANDS - The all-rounder

Kennack Sands quickly becomes the absolute favorite spot for families who discover it during their holiday on the Lizard Peninsula. Because there is significantly more space here than at some of Cornwall’s more crowded tourist hotspots, children can run around freely, fly kites, and play beach games without you ever feeling squeezed in.

At low tide, the shoreline opens up beautifully to reveal expansive patches of soft sand and a legendary network of rock pools that are teeming with local marine life.

It is also an exceptional spot for safe family swimming thanks to its gentle slope and seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover. Whether you are visiting for a classic summer beach day or taking a long, wild walk along the South West Coast Path during the quieter autumn months, this stretch of the Cornish coastline always feels wonderfully peaceful and unspoiled.

Kynance Cove - The bucket-list icon

You’ve almost certainly seen photos of Kynance Cove on postcards or Instagram—its brilliant turquoise water and towering serpentine rock stacks look more like the Caribbean than the UK.  It is probably the most photographed beach in all of Cornwall.  However, despite being one of the most famous spots, it still manages to feel completely magical the moment you step onto the sand. 

For kids, it’s the ultimate adventure playground.  At low tide, the receding water reveals hidden caves like The Parlour and The Drawing Room, alongside brilliant rock pools that will keep them busy for hours.  Just keep in mind that it does require a bit of parenting teamwork. The walk down from the National Trust car park is quite steep and uneven, so you’ll want to ditch the flip-flops for sturdy shoes, and definitely leave the pram back at the campsite if you're taking that route.  There is a wider tarmac pathway/road which takes longer, but is an easier walk with younger children.

Whichever way you go the payoff is incredible.  Bear in mind though that because it is so popular, our biggest piece of local advice is to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon during the summer holidays; then you'll beat the crowds, easily grab a parking space, and catch the most beautiful light of the day.

Poldhu Cove - The surfer's paradise for kids

For a classic Cornish family beach day, Poldhu Cove is genuinely hard to beat.  Located on the beautiful west coast of the Lizard Peninsula, this gorgeous sandy cove is bounded by towering cliffs and offers a vibrant, active atmosphere that kids absolutely love.

It’s the exact kind of beach where families arrive intending to stay for a quick hour and end up spending the entire day without anyone getting bored. The wide expanse of soft sand is perfect for beach games and building epic sandcastles, while the gentle Atlantic rollers make it a hotspot for water sports.

It is an exceptional place for older children and teens who want to try bodyboarding, splashing in the surf, or even booking a beginner surf lesson with the local surf school.

For parents, there is total peace of mind thanks to full RNLI lifeguard cover throughout the summer season.

Our Local tip (and this is an absolute must!) - You cannot visit Poldhu without stopping at the *Poldhu Beach Cafe*, which sits right on the edge of the sand. Open every single day of the year (one day off for Christmas), they are famous across Cornwall for their "over-the-top" hot chocolates loaded with fresh cream, marshmallows, and toppings. It’s the ultimate bribe for when it’s finally time to pack up the towels and head back to the campsite!

DOLLAR COVE - The hidden treasure gem

Dollar Cove is great for aspiring pirates, dramatic beachcombing and uncovering local history.

If your family loves finding coastal spots that feel a little more secret and wild, Dollar Cove is well worth a spot on your holiday itinerary. Tucked away on the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula near Gunwalloe, this atmospheric beach gets its name from the silver Spanish dollars that allegedly washed ashore from a famous shipwreck back in 1785. It’s a fascinating history of shipwrecks and smuggling that instantly captures children's imaginations.

The beach itself is beautifully rugged and untamed compared to the calmer bays nearby, with rolling Atlantic waves, dark sand, and striking rock formations creating a truly cinematic atmosphere. In fact, it is so visually striking that it was chosen as a key filming location for the BBC's hit drama series **Poldark**—fans will instantly recognize it as the dramatic backdrop for many of the tense shipwreck and smuggling scenes starring Aidan Turner.

Because of the powerful waves and shifting tides, it’s not the best spot for paddling or swimming with toddlers. However, it is an absolute paradise for adventurous family walks, beachcombing for unique stones, and soaking up the raw beauty of the Cornwall coastline.

Our Local Tip (for families with their dog) - Dollar Cove is completely dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions, making it the perfect place to let your four-legged family members run wild while the kids hunt for pirate treasure among the rocks. Even better, it's located right next door to the beautiful Church Cove (featuring the historic St Winwaloe church right on the sand), giving you two unique spots to explore in one trip.

🏖️ Local Advice: How to Ace a Lizard Peninsula Beach Day

• Respect the Tides: Many of our local coves completely change shape depending on the water. A massive sandy playground at 2 PM can be entirely underwater by 6 PM. Grab a cheap tide timetable from a local shop or check online before setting off.
• Embrace the Rockpools: Don't just buy cheap plastic nets that break in five minutes. Grab a sturdy bucket and look for anemones, small shore crabs, and blennies (little fish that can hop between pools). Always put the creatures gently back where you found them!
• Pack for the "Cornish Microclimate": The Lizard Peninsula sticks out into the Atlantic. It can be blazing sunshine on the beach but quite breezy up on the cliffs. Always pack windbreaks and an extra hoody for late afternoons.

🏕️ Why Little Trevothan is Your Perfect Beach Base

After a long day of sun, sea, and sand, there is nothing better than coming back to a peaceful, spacious base to wash off the salt and fire up the BBQ.

At Little Trevothan Camping & Caravan Park, we pride ourselves on being a quiet, family-friendly haven just minutes from Coverack village. We offer beautifully maintained camping and touring pitches, alongside modern static caravans for families who want those home comforts.

With plenty of open space for the kids to safely play and our central location on the Peninsula, you can be on almost any of these beaches within 5 to 25 minutes.

👉 Check our availability and book your next family holiday today!