Cornwall is famed for its breath-taking coastline and when you come to visit, it definitely does not disappoint. These beaches and clifftop walks attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year; once people have had a pleasant day exploring, walking the South West Coast Path and breathing in that fresh sea air, they often turn to a pub, looking for a relaxing place to have some food and enjoy a relaxing drink or two.
Cornwall has countless fantastic pubs on its coastline, but we’ve tried to narrow down the list to our top ten favourite coastal pubs in Cornwall:
Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris
Few pubs are this close to the beach, with the Rashleigh enjoying a wonderful position looking out over the pretty cove of Polkerris and St Austell Bay beyond. The food here is good, as is the beer — and you’ll struggle to find many with a better view.
https://www.therashleighinnpolkerris.co.uk/
The Watering Hole, Perranporth
The Watering Hole is unique as we think it’s possibly the only bar actually ON a beach among the sands in the entire UK! Found in the middle of one of Cornwall’s finest beaches at Perranporth, this bar holds live music and has an amazing vibe in the summer that really isn’t replicated anywhere else in the whole country.
https://www.thewateringhole.co.uk/
The Port William, Trebarwith Strand
Perched high above the golden sands of Trebarwith Strand’s pretty beach, the Port William has fabulous views out to Rugged Gull Rock and embraces its roots with a gentle nautical theme. The pub is run by St Austell Brewery, so you can expect to enjoy some local beers including a crisp pint of Korev lager or Proper Job Cornish IPA.
https://www.theportwilliam.co.uk/
Driftwood Spars, St Agnes
If the Watering Hole is the only pub that stands on the sand, we imagine that Driftwood Spars is the only one of this list that has its own microbrewery opposite the pub! This friendly inn close to the pretty beach of Trevaunance Cove serves the brewery’s beverages and has a great history as a haunt for smugglers.
The Mariners, Rock
The Mariners pub relaunched under Paul and Emma Ainsworth last year and has gone from strength to strength ever since. Sharp’s Brewery beers are on tap for a refreshing pint, while there’s an all-day menu and cream teas on the food side of things. The menu has been designed by Paul and joint head chefs Joe Rozier and Tom Dawes, with a focus on British classics, but there’s a huge amount of variety to keep even the fussiest diners interested. The Mariners is also fortunate enough to enjoy spectacular views out over the water, especially when dining upstairs.
https://www.paul-ainsworth.co.uk/the-mariners/about/
The Pedn Olva, St Ives
With a name that means ‘Lookout on the headland’ in Cornish, the Pedn Olva is a pub that lives up to the name; with the sea only 30 feet below and flanked by golden sands, it stands on the granite rocks of the cliffs between Porthminster Beach and St Ives Harbour. It enjoys panoramic views of the bay and the bar is connected to a nice hotel if you’re looking for somewhere to stay.
The Old Coastguard, Mousehole
A charming seaside hotel with a lovely bar, the Old Coastguard boasts lush gardens that lead down to the sea, with a beautiful view of St Michael’s Mount rising out of the ocean in the distance. The pub here is known for its great food and is a wonderful place to dine with a view.
https://www.oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk/
The Pandora Inn, Restronguet Creek
The Pandora has an incredible riverside position on the banks of Restronguet Creek near Falmouth. If you sit on the terrace here, you’ll have the perfect spot to soak up sunshine and watch the boats come up and down the river. The Pandora even has its own pontoon leading off the terrace onto the river, so the kids can have a go at crabbing.
Bowgie Inn, Newquay
Perfectly perched on the West Pentire Headland overlooking the sands of Crantock Beach, The Bowgie is a place where you can escape to a slower pace of life with mind-blowing views and an enviable clifftop location. The beer garden here really is one to experience and you’ll always be guaranteed a friendly welcome from owners Andy and Sally Pickles.
Blue Bar, Porthtowan
Established in 1999, this bar has an enviable location by Porthtowan Beach. It’s not a traditional pub, instead more of a modern bar with a relaxed ambience, a pool table and a large terrace. Burgers, platters and pizza are the fare on the menu, while the panoramic seated bay windows make it a great place to while away a day come rain or shine.
That’s our list! Did we miss one of your coastal favourites? Let us know in the comments below!
