Seasalt Top Beaches

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The Seasalt team reveal their favourite seaside hangouts in our top ten beaches for the summer.

1. Porthmeor, St Ives, Cornwall

Seasalt Director Leigh Chadwick chose this as his best beach because... "My favourite beach is Porthmeor in St Ives where we spent lots of time when we holidayed in Cornwall before we moved down."

Best bits: Classic surf and sand, close by to Tate St Ives and backed by the historic Porthmeor studios and a great beach cafe.

Info: Car parking, café, loos, life guards, blue flag awarded, no dogs.

2. Great Bay, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

The Scilly Isles have so many fabulous beaches choosing just one seems like a tough call but for Anna from our St Mary's store there was a clear winner. "Unanimously voted our favourite beach because of what it doesn't have - just one long stretch of white sand and turquoise sea and barely ever anyone else on it. Less is more, perfect!"

Best bits: The sand, the silence, the colour of the water. Great Bay is also listed in the Rough Guide's top ten beaches in England.

Info: There is virtually nothing here except sea and sand – no cars, no loos, certainly no life guards. Dogs are allowed.

3. Kynance Cove, Lizard, Cornwall

This southerly most National Trust beach was chosen by our Penzance store. They say: "The serpentine cliffs are so dramatic. It can get quite busy on a hot day but we hang out on the grassy cliff top behind the beach which gives a great view and no sand in the sarnies..."

Best bits: Fabulous cliffs contrasting with the golden sand.

Info: A National Trust car park and loo's, café on the beach. No dogs.

4. Harlyn Beach, Padstow, Cornwall

Our Padstow store had no hesitation in nominating Harlyn Bay as their top beach. Nicky says: "It is a fantastic stretch of sand. At low tide there is just so much space. It's a great place to watch the surfers and read a book when I am not in the shop!"

Best Bits: Wide open space for frisbee, great rock pools and surf watching.

Info: Car park and café, life guards and dog friendly.

5. Porthminster, St Ives, Cornwall

For the team at St Ives the nearby café makes the grade in their choice of beach: "Most of us walk past this beach everyday on our way into work. It is a classic sandy stretch and the sea is always so clear, not to mention the fab beach bar that is a must at the end of the day."

Best Bits: Large sandy beach, bar serving good food on a perfect beach terrace.

Info: Car parking, loos, café, blue flag award, life guards, no dogs.

6. Preston Beach, Torbay, Devon

Nominated by our store in Totnes, the team were torn between Preston beach and Soar Mill Cove in South Hams. Fritha explains why it was Preston that came out top in the end: "Rosemary chose this because she has a beach hut there and I chose it because it has a great pub which is fab to sit outside in the summer. A big group of us regularly walk the 7 miles to the beach, come rain or shine, and reward ourselves with a couple pints at the pub."

Best bits: Colourful beach huts lining the back of the beach.

Info: Car parking, café, loos, no dogs.

7. Polridmouth, Nr Fowey, Cornwall

A twenty minute walk from the nearest car park will bring you to the beach chosen by our Fowey store. Secluded and quiet, Polridmouth (pronounced Pridmouth) appeals to those who like to be far from the madding crowds. James says: "After a really busy week, the beach is a good way of switching off. The walk to the cove is very pretty; past a lone house and lily pond. There are never many people down there."

Best bits: Remote, quiet, lovely walk to the beach.

Info: Parking at Menabilly, no loos or facilities, dog friendly.

8. Lantic Bay, Fowey, Cornwall

Lantic Bay brings back childhood memories for Celia from our Truro store: "I grew up in Fowey. We would all pile into Dad's sailing dinghy and potter round the coast to Lantic Bay. It's a pretty remote beach to walk to so sailing was always a good option unless the weather turned!"

Best bits: Isolated, south facing, shingle. Popular for boats to moor up as it's a long walk via the coast path with lots of steep steps.

Info: National Trust Car Park at Polruan, no loos or facilities, dog friendly.

9. Helford Passage, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall

Chosen by the Falmouth store, The Helford Passage has lots going for it: "There is something really special about all the hidden creeks and tiny coves. You can hire a boat outside The Ferry Boat Inn and take a trip up the river - it's a really lovely way to spend a leisurely afternoon."

Best bits: Swimming at Glebe beach followed by a pint at The Ferry Boat Inn.

Info: Car parking, café, loos, dog friendly.

10. Perran Sands, Perranporth, Cornwall

One for the surfers, Adam Cotgreave, Seasalt's Production Manager tells us: "If you go up to the far end of the beach there are no crowds and loads of space in the water. And when I get out there’s always the Watering Hole for a pint!"

Best Bits: Vast stretch of sand, loads of surfing, great bar on the beach.

Info: Car Parking, beach bar, loos, life guards, volley ball, dog friendly at the far end.

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