Church Cove Gunwalloe

Church Cove at Gunwalloe is one of the most extraordinary beach settings in Cornwall, where the small medieval church of St Winwaloe sits in a remarkable position almost on the beach itself, its tower built directly into the base of the cliff. The beach is divided into two sections by the promontory on which the church stands, with the larger Dollar Cove to the south and the smaller Church Cove to the north. Both are sandy and open to the Atlantic, and the combination of the isolated church, dramatic cliffs and open sea creates an atmosphere found nowhere else on the Cornish coast.

Dogs are welcome at Church Cove year-round with no PSPO restrictions, and the beach draws many dog walkers precisely because of its unusual atmosphere and the low visitor numbers relative to its quality. The sandy beach and grassy clifftops above provide varied terrain, and the church grounds can be visited respectfully with a dog on lead. The nearby National Trust car park for Gunwalloe is modest, which keeps visitor numbers manageable. The South West Coast Path connects to Poldhu Cove to the north and Porthleven to the south, both excellent extensions. The whole stretch of coast has a wild, isolated character that makes it feel far from the tourist circuit.