Beaches · Itinerary · Seven Bays
The stretch of coast around St Merryn is known as the Seven Bays — a run of golden, surf-washed beaches strung along the headlands between Padstow and Constantine. With a different bay for every day, here’s how we’d spend a week working through them all.
Part of the joy of basing yourself here is choice. Each of the Seven Bays has its own character — one for surfing, one for rockpools, one for a long low-tide walk — and all of them sit within a short drive of Atlantic Bays. Treat the days below as a loose plan rather than a rota; the beauty of having them all so close is that you can follow the weather and the tides.
Day one — Harlyn Bay
Start gently at Harlyn, a wide, sheltered horseshoe of sand that’s a favourite with families. Its position tucks it away from the prevailing swell, so the water is often calmer than its neighbours — ideal for paddling, bodyboarding and first surf lessons. There are usually facilities nearby in season, making it an easy place to settle in for a full day.
Day two — Constantine Bay
Constantine is the classic Seven Bays surf beach: a long, open expanse of sand backed by dunes, catching plenty of Atlantic swell. It’s a beautiful place for a bracing walk and a proper surf, though stronger currents mean it suits confident swimmers and surfers — always check the conditions and any lifeguard flags before going in.
Day three — Treyarnon Bay
Treyarnon pairs a lovely sandy beach with one of the area’s best natural rockpools at low tide — a large, sheltered pool that’s a magnet for children with nets and buckets. Time your visit for a falling tide and you’ll have hours of exploring as the rocks reveal anemones, crabs and tiny fish.
Day four — Trevone Bay
Trevone, the closest of the bays to Padstow, offers a sandy beach at low water and dramatic cliffs around it. Walk the short distance along the coast and you’ll find a striking blowhole — a collapsed sea cave — that’s well worth seeking out. It’s a good day for combining a beach session with a stretch of the South West Coast Path.
Day five — Booby’s Bay
Booby’s sits just along from Constantine and shares its wild, dune-backed beauty. Quieter and more rugged, it’s reached on foot and rewards the short walk with space to breathe. At very low tides the sands here occasionally reveal the timbers of old shipwrecks — a reminder of how exposed this coast can be. Keep an eye on the incoming tide.
Day six — Mother Ivey’s Bay
Mother Ivey’s is a small, pretty cove tucked beneath the headland near Trevose, with clear water and a gentle, sheltered feel. It’s a lovely spot for a calmer swim and a picnic, and the walk out to the Trevose Head lighthouse nearby makes a memorable afternoon with big sea views in every direction.
Day seven — Porthcothan Bay
Round off the week at Porthcothan, a deep, sheltered inlet of soft sand framed by low cliffs. Its long, narrow shape makes it feel protected, and the rocks and caves at the edges are fun to explore at low tide. It’s a fitting, restful finale — the kind of beach where you linger until the light turns golden.
Making the most of it
A few habits will serve you well all week. Check the tide times, as several of these beaches are far more generous at low water and a couple shrink considerably when the tide is in. Heed lifeguard flags where they fly, and remember that the wilder, dune-backed bays can have strong currents. Pack for changeable Cornish weather, and you’ll be ready to chase the sun from one bay to the next — all of them just minutes from your base at Atlantic Bays.