Mawgan Porth
Porth MauganSun, sand and surf!
At Mawgan Porth, there's a laid back atmosphere, with a sheltered sandy beach with gentle waves making it an ideal place for have your first go at surfing.
Surf's Up
Mawgan Porth's Sunday Times award winning beach has acres of golden sands, great for just relaxing, playing family games, making sand castles or maybe just flying a kite. Fringed by both sand dunes and rock pools, there are also a number of caves to explore, if you're brave enough!
The fantastic Atlantic breakers make for magnificent surfing for all abilities, so there's lots of fun for everyone, all under the watchful eye of the RNLI lifeguards who operate on the beach every day between April and September.
It's also a dog friendly beach, so your four-legged friend can enjoy their holiday as well.
An Epic coastline
For the walkers in your life the South West Coast Path passes right through Mawgan Porth. Walking northwards brings you to the legendary Bedruthan Steps, supposedly named after the giant Bedruthan who used the rock stacks as stepping stones. The landscape is synonymous with shipwrecks and smugglers but there's also evidence of people living in the area 4000 years ago.
Going west the path climbs up to Berryl's Point and onwards to the vast expanse of sand at Watergate Bay, where you will find plenty of places to eat and drink before catching the bus back to Mawgan Porth.
There are also nice walks inland up the valley to St Mawgan, a pretty village nestling in the Vale of Lanherne, where secluded riverside paths pass through dappled woodland.
Mawgan Porth beach is an award-winning beautiful cove nestled amid high Cornish headlands, and a tranquil haven between the bustling towns of Newquay and Padstow.
Mawgan Porth is a world away from Newquay’s crowded beaches, but still benefits from the good surf and spectacular coastal views, whilst the iconic South West Coast Path National Trail runs straight through the beach town. Archaeological discoveries during the 1950s revealed evidence of a Dark Age Village dating back to the 10th century.
Accommodation in Mawgan Porth
Watergate Bay Hotel
All the great things you'd find in a mountain resort - on a spectacular beach on the North Cornwall coast near Newquay. An an irresistible combination of dramatic coastline, adrenaline sports, gorgeou...
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Beach Retreats
Contemporary holiday lets on the Cornish coast What comes to mind when you imagine luxury self-catering holidays in Cornwall? If you’re like us at Beach Retreats then it’s about being able to walk to ...
See accommodationThings to do in Mawgan Porth
The Japanese Garden
Divine features, including the Water Gardens, Stroll Garden and a Zen Garden. Set in approximately 1 acre, the Japanese Garden is a perfect example of small is beautiful.
Mawgan PorthRead morePlan your trip
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Mawgan Porth
Cornwall Airport Newquay is just to the west of Mawgan Porth (it used to be known as RAF St Mawgan) and is served by the Newquay to Padstow bus service (Number 56). The international airport offers daily, all year round services from a number of British airports and a handful of European destinations.
Follow the M5 to Exeter, and join the A30. Follow it across Bodmin Moor and past Bodmin. Look out for signs to the A39 and Newquay Airport. Once past the airport, follow the B3276 to Mawgan Porth. You can also reach Mawgan Porth by turning off the A30 at Bodmin and taking the A389 to Wadebridge, then heading west of the A39.
The nearest National Express stop is located at Newquay, which is close to the centre of the town. You can pick up local connections to Mawgan Porth from here.
Mawgan Porth is served by the No56 Newquay to Padstow bus and the Atlantic Coaster (2022)
The Newquay Branch Line leaves the mainline at Par, Newquay being the nearest station to Mawgan Porth. From there bus services head towards Mawagan Porth, or there are usually taxi's outside.
You could also leave the train at Bodmin Parkway, but would have to get a taxi cross country.
FAQs
View allThere is easy access from the adjacent car park onto the beach.
Betty's Surf Shop have a beach wheelchair with big wheels that they hire out.
Yes, they are situated at the entrance to the car park.
In November 2019 a significant cliff fall took place at Bedruthan beach, with a further rock fall nearby in January 2021.
The initial rock fall caused damage to the lower section of the steps to the beach as well as the cliff face safety netting. Following the first fall, the National Trust commissioned an initial geological survey to determine the stability of the cliff face and assess whether access could be reinstated. The report concluded that further, in-depth, specialist feasibility studies would be required. These will identify whether there are options for stabilising the rock face and repairing the steps and safety infrastructure.
The steps are expected to be closed for the foreseeable future, with no confirmed timescale for the assessment and potential repairs. (2022)
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