The Seven Bays
Spray Cottage is the perfect base for your holiday with everything you need right on your doorstep. There is even a different bay for each day of the week!
The Seven Bays are a wonderful collection of sandy beaches centred around St Merryn, all with their own unique characteristics.
Porthcothan Bay
Just a 1.5 mile walk from the cottage, down a rural footpath through fields and woodland, you'll find Porthcothan. A large sandy beach that is a firm favourite with families. The beach opens out at low tide, opening up with small coves to the north and south with lots to explore. At high tide the beach becomes very sheltered from swell and winds due to the cliffs making it perfect for swimming and board sports.
Parking
Car park across the road from the beach. (less than 5 mins drive from the cottage)
Facilities
Toilets and seasonal shop.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round, it is a great beach for walks and a swim in the 'Horse Pool'.
More info on Porthcothan Bay can be found here: Porthcothan Bay
Treyarnon Bay
A 1.5 mile scenic clifftop walk along the coastal path from Porthcothan is Treyarnon Bay. A favourite beach for sunbathing, body boarding, exploring the rock pools, gullies and the renowned swimming pool in the rocks, accessible at low tide. A long narrow beach at low tide, perfect for beach games.
Parking
Car park field above the beach (7 mins drive from the cottage)
Facilities
Toilets and seasonal shop, YHA Trey Bay Cafe, various snack and ice cream vans.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round.
Constantine Bay
The next bay, half a mile on from Treyarnon, is Constantine Bay. A wide sandy beach, loved by all. A popular spot for the surfers or those who like to watch them! Perfect rock pools for exploring and a vast stretch of sandy beach backed by sand dunes. The views across to Trevose Head are unbeatable!
Parking
Large car park field a short walk from the beach in the summer, smaller tarmac car park right by the beach with limited spaces. (7 mins drive from the cottage)
Facilities
Toilets and seasonal shop, coffee and ice cream van.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round, it is a great beach for longer walks across to Booby's and beyond.
Booby's Bay
Large sandy beach when the tide is out, with the beach almost disappearing at high tide! Popular surfing beach for the more experienced, accessed by following the coastal path down over the rocks (may not be suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs). Carry on past the Booby's Bay car park to reach Trevose Head and the Lighthouse for spectacular views down to coast to Newquay.
Parking
National Trust car park on the way out to Trevose Head is a 5 minute walk from the beach. (10 mins drive from the cottage) Trevose Head National Trust Car Park
Facilities
None - nearest toilets at the other end of neighbouring Constantine Bay.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round.
Mother Ivey's Bay
A pleasant and private sort of beach, access to Mother Ivey's Bay is via a 10 minute walk from the National Trust Car Park above Booby's Bay or a 20 minute walk along the coastal path from Harlyn Bay. It is well worth a visit and has a lovely view out to the Lifeboat station.
Parking
The closest parking is at the National Trust Car Park on the way out to Trevose Head, above Booby's Bay.
Trevose Head National Trust Car Park
Facilities
Toilets and facilities are situated at Harlyn Bay.
Dogs
Allowed all year round
Harlyn Bay
Safe beach ideal for a family day out and to learn to surf or body board! There are different access points to Harlyn Bay; from the car park, from the road and from the coastal path. Harlyn Surf School are set up on the beach with surf board, wetsuit and SUP hire, along with providing surf lessons.
Parking: Two large car parks with access to the beach.
Facilities: Toilets in overflow car park, 'Beach Box' cafe situated in top car park, ice cream van.
Dogs: Dogs allowed all year round
Trevone Bay
A large popular sandy beach among families, with plenty of things to do. The West of the beach leads onto another rocky beach (Rocky Beach or Newtrain Bay) which features a large natural tidal pool. It's a 15-20 minute walk along the coastal path from Harlyn.
Parking: Two car parks with access to the beach.
Facilities: Toilets, beach store and cafe/takeaway (a great lunch spot!) and a pub 10 min walk up the road.
Dogs: Dogs are banned throughout July and August between the hours of 10am-6pm.