When considering South West tourist destinations - outside of Bristol and Somerset, of course - Cornwall's picturesque beaches and vast expanse of coastline spring to mind. Every year thousands of people flock to the southern-most region of the country and, while many leave relaxed and satisfied with their stay, there is no just no pleasing some visitors.
Despite beaches in the county regularly receiving high ratings on TripAdvisor, some tourists still found things to complain about, including claims of 'seagulls scoffing pasties' to 'very cold water'. Now, if you've lived near a harbour of any kind you'll know to keep a hawk-like eye on any birds wandering too closely by, but not everyone knows the wise ways.
Others cites surfer 'posers' and 'pub-goers' for ruining their trip to the beach, reports CornwallLive. Be on the look out for blonde-haired wetsuit wearers and anyone with a drink in their hand, apparently.
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Here are the best Cornish beaches as voted by TripAdvisor users - and the reason some critiques think you should best avoid it.
Fistral Beach
Recently named one of the best beached in the Europe by TripAdvisor, even Fistral Beach at Newquay is not without its flaws. Stuart Wojdyta, from Wrexham, claimed that his visit was ruined by 'seagulls scoffing pasties'. He wrote: "Avoid if you like pasties!
"Seagulls everywhere who were dive bombing to pinch my large Cornish pasty! Nightmare scenario!"
User @Confi D was rather more disappointed by the 'posers' they saw at Fistral Beach, complaining: "Hundreds of people in the water and only five people in one week surfing, lol, at most 5 metres, yet they still walk around with open wetsuits and makeup DUDE.
"Wake up posers and VW drivers. DON'T FOLLOW THE CROWD."
Perranporth Beach
To be fair, being forced to go to hospital because of a rogue seagull attack would be enough to ruin most people's holidays. Mandy S, from London, warned visitors to 'beware of rogue seagulls' on Perranporth Beach, on the county's northern coast, writing: "Beautiful beach but my trip was ruined by a seagull dive bombing me, it missed my ice cream but bit my lip causing bleeding and swelling.
"NHS 111 advised me to go to urgent care at Penzance hospital where I was given a weeks course of antibiotics. There are no notices re dangerous seagulls just a warning not to feed the gulls... a couple of inches higher and it could have blinded me. I certainly had no intention of feeding the gull."
Meanwhile, user @MrsR told tourists 'don't bother' visiting this particular beach due to loud pub goers nearby, writing: "We went to Perranporth years ago as a family and wanted to re-visit. I would say that there are now far nicer beach experiences to choose from.
"There is a holiday park that has direct access to the beach so it was packed. The pub on the beach gives it a Brits abroad feeling. If you want something more authentic to Cornwall then keep looking."
Sennen Beach
Though Sennen Beach, just round the coast from Land's End, is known as one of the county's prettiest beaches, thanks to its white sand, more than one critic was left unimpressed by its 'scratty' appearance. Tourist Julie P, from Exeter, wrote: "There are much better beaches in Cornwall than this one.
"No spectacular cliffs, just sloping grassland. Lots of scratty stones backing the beach - and lots of potentially dangerous rocks in the water." She did recommend other Cornish beaches as alternatives to folks looking to visit the county.
User @Robin_K, from Accrington, went so far to call the beach 'nasty' in his review.He said: "This is just a bog standard beach that has little character and which tends to attract families with their deckchairs and windbreakers."
Savagely, he didn't even step foot on the beach, finishing his post up by saying he "continued straight on".
Sandymouth Bay Beach
Sally M, from Berkshire, was left disappointed after her visit to Sandymouth Bay Beach, just north of Bude, due to the "very steep incline" required to reach the public toilets. She wrote: "Stony until the tide goes out about lunch time. Accessibility not for the faint hearted as very steep, toilets situated at top so a few trips up and down required."
She also noted the parking was "minimal" but remarked that the "surfing is good though, so long as you avoid the rocks".
User @lilypop2005 suggested a name change for the beach due to how "stony" she discovered it to be. She said: "Sandymouth... more like Rockymouth! Excellent for surf but not good for a stroll or young ones to play."
CalDevine, from Bristol, claimed they were "underwhelmed" after visiting the beach with friends, stating that they had "been, seen, will never return". They elaborated on their harsh opinion, writing: "Puzzled as to why anyone would think this stone covered, windswept cove with dull, eroding, shale cliffs is a great beach.
"Have they never been to a beautiful beach? There are many in the UK, this just happens not to be one. I wouldn't waste money on a holiday in this area."
Porthminster Beach
Phillip H was left bitter and bitterly cold after going for a swim at Porthmister Beach, near the quaint town of St Ives. He wrote on TripAdvisor: "We visited the beach yesterday, had to walk ages to the sea because the tide was out, and when we got there, it was freezing and very windy.
"The sand was awful as it is the wrong sort of sand and very sticky. It got everywhere and I'm still finding bits today!" Despite his disappointment and his one star rating, Phillip ended by saying: "Will be back next year".
Another user, @Rother13, from London, didn't like sharing the beach with 'a noisy religious group'. He complained: "What was supposed to be a lazy tranquil experience had to be cut short. 25-30 incredibly loud young people dressed in red t-shirts and black trousers and part of the Sharing the Good News about Jesus movement attempted to involve the children in 'fun' games as a first step to converting them.
"When I go to a beach, I do not want to see people huddled in prayer and being louder than football hooligans and disturbing the peace. I really do not expect politics or religion fervour when I am eating an ice cream and enjoying such idyllic surroundings!"
Porthmeor Beach
User @WendyAH8, from Reading, had more than a few complaints about Porthmeor Beach, also near St Ives, which she described as 'hell on Earth'. She wrote: "Why would anyone with any sense want to go to this place which is hell on earth?
"Crowded, noisy, nothing to eat but bad fish and chips and Cornish pasties, and the beach packed full of the morbidly obese, screaming sunburnt children in buggies and people with tattoos."
She ended her devastating review by noting that Porthmeor Beach is apparently "the place to go to see parenting at its worst and cardiovascular disease waiting to happen".
Porthcurno Beach
One visitor to the area was apparently left frustrated that Porthcurno Beach, near the historic Minack Theatre, faced north. User @steadyslack, from Exeter, commented: "The best beaches don't face north as this one does.
"If you want to enjoy the late afternoon sun, this is not the place." They did, however, remark that the beach was "nice and wide though" and gave a two star rating.
Crantock Beach
Writing in the half-term holiday after a series of Covid-19 lockdowns had been lifted in June 2021, one user couldn't believe how busy Crantock Beach, just south of Newquay, was. User @cablecar6 complained: "Crowded, busy, loud, old parking machines, no social distancing!
They did admit "we did visit in half term so this is why it was probably so busy" but decided they wouldn't return outside of the holiday season, writing that they "won't be coming again as it is just far too busy!"
St Ives Harbour
St Ives is possibly THE tourist destination in Cornwall, but even it isn't devoid of the harsh words of a TripAdvisor reviewer. User @Linzi515, from Nantwich, labelled St Ives Harbour Beach as "the worst of the beaches in St Ives", seeming irritated by the amount of boats in the St Ives Harbour compared with the three other beaches surrounding the town.
She complained: "I much prefer the other three beaches in St Ives that are much bigger. The harbour beach is surrounded by boats which isn't ideal for families with kids playing."
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