Best family beaches in England - Southwest

Cornwall

• St Ives

  Get ready for a civilised day at Porthminster beach. An exceptionally mild local climate makes this a good place to visit for all year round and it has excellent beachside shopping. It has earned a Blue Flag award so expect all the usual facilities and safe water Good sand for building, and at low tide there's plenty of space to run about. Park in the train station car park close by (£3 per day) - or better arrive by train. To eat, try the Porthminster Beach Cafe for delicious sea food on the beach or the cafe at the Tate Gallery, St Ives for magnificent sea views.

  Don't miss: A detour to The Croust House near St Keverne (www.roskilly.co.uk), a working Jersey herd farm where the famous Roskilly's ice cream is made. Children can watch cows being milked and the ice cream being made. Cream teas, ice cream and cakes are served in the cafe from 10am.

  Further information: Visit Britain

• Widemouth Sands, Bude
  This mainly sandy beach has some rocks, caves and rock pools that fill up at low tide with seaweed and creatures. A popular surfers' beach, it is big enough to accommodate both surfers and swimmers in designated areas. Easy access down a slope from the car park (£3.50 per day). Facilities are less extensive than at Blue Flag beaches but include essentials like a loo and a cafe. Take your own shade since this is a wide open beach. There are also lots of extreme sports at the fully licensed Outdoor Adventure (www.outdooradventure.co.uk).

  Don't miss: Adjacent Summerleaze Beach, which has one of Britain's most exhilarating sea water lidos. The pool, built into the base of a cliff, disappears under the waves at high tide. Children love waiting for the sea to com ein over the walls. There is no charge to use the pool.

• Polzeath, Camel Estuary
  This is a Blue Flag beach, with good facilities and popular with all ages. It is the main surfing beach in the area and has a designated area for swimmers. Within a few minutes drive are a host of dramatic beaches. The area around Hayle Bay and the estuary is great for snorkeling. Trevone Bay is a good beach to snorkel from and the beach is the starting point for one of the 10 best rated Cornish walks across the cliffs to Stepper Point, where there is wonderful bird life and during the summer months a good chance of spotting dolphins, porpoises and some times Leatherback turtles offshore. Rock is popular for sailing and nearby Daymar Beach is probably the most picturesque and welcomes dogs.

  Don't miss: The Heritage Coast Service at Polzeath's Marine Wildlife Visitor Centre runs Seashore Searches in the rock pools left at low tide.

  Further information: Visit Britain

  Next, find out which beaches iVillagers rate the best.

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