Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall has been ranked among the top ten best beaches in the world by Big 7 Travel, beating exotic destinations with its white sands and clear turquoise seas. The list of the 50 Best Beaches in the World includes many expected locations, from the Seychelles to Sri Lanka, but only two European destinations made the top ten, and Porthcurno is the only one in the UK.
Why Porthcurno Beach is so highly rated
The list explains the reason for the Cornish beach's ranking, saying: "Hidden beneath towering granite cliffs in Cornwall, Porthcurno Beach is easily one of England's most beautiful. The entire Cornish coast is known for its rugged coastline and significantly better weather than the rest of the UK, and with the clear waters and bright sands of Porthcurno Beach, it's easy to imagine that you're in the tropics."
Found just a few miles from Land's End, Porthcurno Beach is reached by a sloping coastal path and is surrounded by cliffs that protect it from high winds. The bay has soft golden sands and clear blue waters, and during the summer months there are usually safe places to swim marked out by lifeguards.
What to see and do at Porthcurno
At low tide, the sea rolls back to expose a walking route to the neighbouring beach of Pedn Vounder, but visitors are advised to check tide times for the return, as people sometimes find themselves cut off. Overlooking the beaches is the iconic Minack Theatre, where a variety of plays and family shows are scheduled, with incredible cliffside views as the backdrop. Though it looks like something from Roman times, the theatre was designed by Rowena Cade and opened in 1932.
Another creation of Rowena's was the Porthcurno Wendy House, a playhouse carved into the granite rockface of the cliffs, complete with a fireplace, glass windows, and two storeys of rooms. It is now closed to the public, but the exterior can still be seen from the beach.
Other UK and Ireland beaches in the top 50
Porthcurno is a small village, adding to the beach's charm and remote feel, with a few facilities such as a pub and shops. The village was once home to the world's largest submarine station, and at the PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, visitors can learn about its role in WWII and explore the tunnels built to protect its infrastructure.
Aside from Porthcurno, only three other UK and Ireland locations made the top 50. Luskentyre Beach in Scotland was praised for its white sands and rugged mountain scenery, while Keem Beach was named "one of Ireland's true hidden gems." Whitesands Beach in Wales was also on the list, with the guide stating: "While the coastline looks its wildest during winter, on a clear summer's day, the sea views can rival those of any beach in the world."
