The UK is full of beautiful beaches, and perhaps Cornwall is the county to which this applies the most. From Porthcurno with its golden sands, to Kynance Cove with its turquoise waters and rocky surroundings, there are plenty of popular and well-known beaches tucked away on the Cornish coast. One you may not have heard of, however, is Porth Joke, or Polly Joke Beach, located near Crantock and Newquay.
This gorgeous cove has recently been recommended by the UK travel experts at UK Hidden Gems, who shared a video clip on their Instagram showing seals sleeping on the sand. They wrote: “Tucked between headlands on the North coast, this hidden gem is loved for its wildflowers in spring, clear waters in summer, and peaceful atmosphere year-round.
“With no shops or distractions, it’s all about nature; seals, seabirds, and Cornwall at its most unspoilt.”
And if coastal hikes are more your thing than relaxing on the beach itself, Polly Joke is still a great destination. A stroll along cliffs and coastal paths will give you a sweeping view of this beautiful bay.
While the experts recommend visiting Polly Joke in the late spring, when the poppy fields around the beach are in bloom, it can still be worth a visit at other times of the year for those looking for a secluded spot away from the crowds that often descend on Cornwall’s more popular beaches.
And it’s not just the experts singing the praises of Polly Joke, with visitors sharing their thoughts on TripAdvisor. One wrote: “Polly Joke has to be one of my favourite beaches. It is a beautiful walk down through the poppy fields from the car park to the glorious sandy beach.
“There are lots of caves to explore, and the beach is also dog-friendly all year round. The beach never gets crowded. You can get a lovely meal at the top of the cliff in The Bowgie Inn.”
While another added: “Porth Joke (aka Polly Joke) Beach turned out to be our favourite beach of our holiday! It’s a bit of a walk from the nearest car park, but worth it when you get there.
“Fabulous spacious sandy beach, dog friendly all year round, great caves, small rockpools, stunning scenery. No cafe, toilets, lifeguards or amenities, just a fabulous unspoilt and virtually empty beach.”
And a third wrote: “A wilder and more remote place to visit than many other beaches in the area makes this a fantastic place to be…even in summer its walk puts a lot of people off, us it’s lack of amenities and life guard!!
“At low tide, it’s a huge expanse of sand wedged between low cliffs. Dog-friendly all year as well.”
