Arguably the most beautiful beach in Cornwall, Pedn Vounder is a secluded slice of paradise. Tucked away at the far end of a craggy granite bay near Land’s End, the beach is famed for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, and near-white sandy shore. Once a hidden gem.
With such an abundance of natural beauty it isn’t hard to see why it has got Instagrammers talking but you have to be pretty determined to get there as it cannot be reached by road. One wrote: “I think I have just discovered the most beautiful beach in Cornwall and there is literally nobody here!”
Pedn Vounder beach can be found on the south coast of the far-western tip of Cornwall. Only a few miles around the coast from Land’s End this beach is still considered a fairly remote, inaccessible cove set at the foot of craggy granite cliffs.
Located at the eastern end of the bay that makes up Porthcurno cove, on a big enough low tide you can walk to Pedn Vounder from neighbouring Porthcurno Beach. However, be warned, as the tide comes in you will not only find yourself cut off but facing a climb up the steep cliff “path”.
Unfortunately it is no longer Cornwall’s best kept secret, thanks to Instagram, but its relative inaccessibility means it is still a remains something of a hidden paradise as it cannot be reached by car. Because of its seclusion Pedn Vounder is an unofficial naturist beach.
The headland to the east of the beach is the location of the famous Logan Rock, a rectangular block of granite which weighs about 70 tons, and which can be rocked back and forth by one person. The beach also featured in the TV adaptation of Poldark where it was used in a dream sequence of “Nampara Cove”.
According to cornwall-beaches.co.uk Pedn Vounder comes from the Cornish ‘pen’ meaning head or end and ‘an vounder’ which translates to “of the lane”.
They advise: “As with all of Cornwall’s beaches it is important to check the tides when planning a vist. We would recommend aiming for low to mid tide as the beach size is much reduced at higher tides. Without a doubt the best time to visit Pedn Vounder is on a Spring low tide. Plan your visit carefully around 2 hours before the low tide and you will spare yourself the horror of making your way down the cliff ‘path’.
“Even if you do plan on taking the route down the cliff you will need to check the tides as high tide sees the beach almost disappear and it is possible to find one’s self cut off. Pedn is a place of beauty throughout the year. Time it right and you can still have it to yourself.”