Treyarnon Bay, near Padstow

Treyarnon Bay is one of the Seven Bays classics near St Merryn: a gorgeous sandy cove with rock pools to explore, a friendly family vibe, and easy access for all-day beach stays. It’s great for swimming and bodyboarding, with RNLI lifeguards in season, and it’s dog-friendly all year round, so it works brilliantly in every season. Add in a large car park, handy facilities close by, and a coast path walk to nearby Constantine Bay, and you’ve got a real crowd-pleaser.

BANNER IMAGE: Treyarnon Bay shutterstock©Charlesy

Beach Overview

Treyarnon (Treyarnon Bay) is a sandy cove backed by dunes and low cliffs, and it’s one of the “Seven Bays” near St Merryn that’s made for classic family beach days. It’s popular, friendly and easy to love: there’s plenty of sand to spread out on, rockier edges for exploring, and it’s a great base for a longer day out because Constantine Bay is only a short walk around the headland. The big bonus is convenience too, with a large car park and a good range of facilities close by.

Lifeguards & Safety

Treyarnon Bay is often patrolled by RNLI lifeguards, however this is not year-round. Always remember: No Flags = No Lifeguards.

Treyarnon Bay Lifeguard Patrol Dates 2026
Patrol times 10am – 6pm

• 03 April – 19 April (Easter School Holidays)
• 25 April – 26 April (Weekends Only)
• 02 May – 27 September (Daily)
• 03 October – 18 October (Weekends Only)
•  24 October – 01 November (October Half Term)

Surf & Watersports

Treyarnon is popular with families and novice surfers, with conditions that can be fun and manageable on the right day. When there’s more swell it can feel more powerful, so it’s best to treat it as a “check conditions first” beach and stick to the lifeguarded area in season. On calmer days it’s ideal for paddling, bodyboarding, and relaxed sea swims, and the rockier corners add an extra layer of “things to do” beyond just sitting on the sand.

Dog Rules

Treyarnon is dog-friendly all year round. There is no seasonal summer daytime dog ban here, so dogs are welcome on the sand in every season. In peak summer, when the beach is busiest, it’s still best to keep dogs under close control around children and other beach users, and to be especially careful near the rocks and in stronger surf. As always, please clean up after your dog to help keep the beach enjoyable for everyone.

Facilities & Accessibility

One of Treyarnon’s strengths is how easy it is for a full day out. There’s a large car park and a good range of facilities close by, which is a big deal for families or anyone who doesn’t want a long trek with beach gear. Access is generally straightforward compared with steeper, more remote coves, though like any sandy beach it can still be a bit of a push with lots of kit. In peak season it’s worth arriving earlier, as this is a popular beach and parking and the main access areas can get busy.

Sand chair hire is available for disabled visitors at Treyarnon Bay. To book, phone the Youth Hostel Association on 01841 520322.

Coast Path & Nearby Walks

Treyarnon is brilliant for turning “beach time” into a proper day out. A favourite is the short coast path walk around the point to Constantine Bay, which is easy to fit in before lunch or as a sunset leg-stretch. You can also do simple clifftop there-and-backs for sea views, or keep it tide-dependent and wander the shoreline when there’s plenty of sand showing.

Places to Eat Nearby

For a reliable, nearby meal after the beach, The Cornish Arms in St Merryn is a strong choice for a relaxed pub lunch or dinner and that cosy post-beach warm-up feeling. This area is also great for “beach first, food second” days because you’ve got plenty of options around St Merryn and Padstow within a short drive.

Rainy-Day Options

If the weather turns, a great nearby indoor plan is the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, which combines a visitor experience with a conservation mission. It’s an easy way to rescue a wet day without straying too far from the coast.