Kynance Cove

Kynance Cove is one of the most celebrated and photographed beaches in Cornwall, a dramatic composition of turquoise water, gleaming white sand and strikingly coloured serpentine rock stacks rising from the sea. Owned and managed by the National Trust, the cove sits on the western Lizard Peninsula and is accessible via a footpath from the car park above, with a descent of around 10 minutes. The geology is extraordinary, with the dark green and red serpentine rock creating formations unlike anything else on the British coast, and the colour of the water on a sunny day rivals anything in the Mediterranean.

Dogs are welcome at Kynance Cove year-round with no PSPO restrictions, though the National Trust asks for leads near nesting birds in spring. This is a genuinely excellent dog friendly beach but one that rewards careful timing: the cove is almost completely submerged at high tide, and the majority of the beach is only accessible for a few hours either side of low water. The rock stacks and caves are fascinating to explore with a dog at low tide, and the clear, shallow water in the sandy channels is perfect for paddling. The National Trust cafe above the beach has an outdoor dog-friendly seating area. Plan around the tide and arrive early in summer.