Kynance Cove

Kynance Cove is the most dramatic beach in Cornwall — a small sandy cove at the base of towering serpentine rock stacks on the Lizard Peninsula. The rock formations are extraordinary — deep green, red, and purple serpentine twisted into caves, islands, and arches by the sea. At low tide you can explore the caves and walk between the rock stacks. At high tide the beach largely disappears. The walk down from the National Trust car park takes about 15 minutes on a steep but well-maintained path with spectacular views opening up as you descend. The café at the bottom is one of the best-positioned in the country. The turquoise colour of the sea against the dark rock is genuinely otherworldly — it looks like the Mediterranean but freezing cold. Timing is everything here — check tide times before you visit. Low tide gives you the full beach and cave experience. High tide means a much smaller beach but impressive wave action against the rocks. Swimming is beautiful but only for the brave (cold, potentially strong currents). It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain, is a short walk along the coast path.