About
Holywell is the largest bay on this stretch of the north Cornish coast near Newquay, a long sweep of golden sand backed by dunes rising over 20 metres. The bay is named after the holy well in a cave on the beach, while the Kelseys headland holds the remains of an Iron Age cliff castle and Cubert Common, an ancient common and Site of Special Scientific Interest, has a Bronze Age barrow. Offshore stand the twin Carter's Rocks, and the Surf Life Saving Club hut once played a Korean bunker in the Bond film Die Another Day. Reviewers single out the sea caves to explore at low tide. Tips from visitors: the car park fills by early afternoon in summer, and the dune crossing is hard going with a buggy. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year, on leads on the Kelseys and Cubert Common from March to September. The easy Holywell beach walk loops from the car park through the dunes.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- CountrysideDawn to dusk
Opening times may change at short notice.
The beach and countryside are open dawn to dusk; the car park is open 7am to 11pm with no overnight parking or camping.
Following a significant rockfall at the northern end of the beach, the National Trust asks visitors to stay well back from the affected area, not to walk beneath the cliffs and not to climb on the fallen rock.
PricingFreeFree for all visitors
Free entry for everyone
Entry
Free for everyone
Pricing details
Free for everyone to visit the beach and countryside. Parking is charged separately for non-members.
ParkingFree for members
National Trust pay and display car park; free for members
Parking details
National Trust car park at the end of Holywell village (TR8 5PF), open 7am to 11pm; no overnight parking or camping. Non-members pay and display: 2.50 GBP up to 1 hour, 5 GBP up to 4 hours, 9 GBP all day (contactless, coins or JustPark, location code 80592). National Trust members park free after scanning their card at the machine or registering it in the JustPark app. Blue Badge holders park free with the badge displayed. Mobile reception can be patchy, so download the app before arriving.
Driving pin: the National Trust Holywell car park (TR8 5PF, what3words disarmed.quietest.withdraw), matched to its Google car-park listing.
JustPark location code
80592Enter this code in JustPark to pay, or at the machine. Members park free after checking in.
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Walking routes3 routes
Holywell beach walk(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkeasyDog friendly
