Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his favourite UK beach in one of the country’s most popular staycation destinations. The celebrity gardener named Porthcurno in Cornwall as his top choice, located in the west of the county and known for its gorgeous white sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs. He wrote for The Times: “Just below the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno in Cornwall is the most glorious arc of creamy white sand that leads down to an azure sea.
“Dolphins leap through the waves and high above is the theatre, nestled among the rocks. It really is a little bit of paradise. Porthcurno Beach is the one for me.” The TV presenter also has a strong connection to the Minack Theatre, located above the beach. He previously described it as a “fairytale-like garden” and has filmed there.
A 30-minute drive from Penzance, there’s a pay and display car park located by the beach, but getting onto the beach requires walking down a sandy path and steep steps.
Visitors should also note there’s a dog ban in place from the July 1 to August 31 between 10am and 6pm. The village has two cafes and has few amenities. The nearest shops are in St Buryan and Sennen.
Also to visit is the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, dedicated to the dawn of wireless science in the former global hub of cable communications, and the Minack Theatre, an incredibly unique open-air theatre that looks out over the bay,
Porthcurno Beach also connects to the Porthcurno circular walk, offering stunning sea views, World War Two defences, and other historical sites.
It’s a breathtaking area, part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and considered some of the most stunning coastlines in Britain.
One person wrote on Tripadvisor: “Fabulous beach, set in a unique natural landscape, made even more scenic having visited it with light fog. Breathtaking the path that soda from the beach and arrives the Minack theatre.”
Another commented: “Amazing beach , great relaxed atmosphere, amazing walks off the beach. Lovely clean surroundings, Minack theatre right next door.”
A third added: “A must do on your trip to Cornwall. Parking is difficult so plan ahead. The sea positively sparkles in the sunlight. It’s one of the most picturesque spots on the island.”