The UK might not necessarily have an international reputation for its beaches, but with the average summer getting hotter and hotter it increasingly should. Cornwall, in particular, has some stunning coastal locations, none more than Pedn Vounder Beach.

This gorgeous cove on the south coast of the Penwith peninsula has a simply incredible beach that is open to the public and features golden sand with the sort of clear light blue waves you’d normally associate with the Caribbean. It’s an unbelievable beach and, even better, there are a good few places to stay within a short drive of it. 

If you’re looking for a really rustic country stay, for example, the The Flower Shed, in Penberth Valley, could be perfect. This gorgeous little converted cottage has been redeveloped with real taste to make a beautiful one-bedroom stay that oozes romance from every brick. 

It’s about a 15-minute walk from Pedn Vounder Beach, making it about as close as you could possibly stay, and it’s got real character. With a 4.88-star rating from over 100 reviews, too, it’s clear that people have loved their time in it, and is an affordable option at £80 a night (although this number could vary depending on when you’re booking). 

One five-star review said: “Very cosy amidst idyllic garden and surroundings, very close to one of the prettiest coves in Cornwall. The only sounds were the birds and the wind in the trees. Great to be with charming, friendly hosts.” Most reviews are five-stars and the lower-rated reviews are from a number of years ago. 

The most recent four-star review states: “It was a great place to stay. Superb walking and local pub (5 minutes walk) serving great food and local beers.”

Set on the grounds of a farmhouse, it looks like it has a few more modern touches inside. Crucially, it has a 4.92-star rating from 26 reviews and is priced at £97 a night.

One reviewer stated: “I was looking for a quiet spot as a base while getting about one of my favourite coastlines. The Lodge was ideal in every respect.

“10-minute walk and you’re on the South West Coast Path above Cornwall’s trademark coves. 20 minutes drive and you’re in Newlyn.” The lowest rating for the lodge is four stars and even that says they’d recommend the lodge.

If you’re planning a trip that has more than two people involved, though, you might want a bigger place, and AirBnB thankfully has a great option there, too. You can rent this entire cottage in Saint Levan for £140 a night this September, getting two bedrooms and space for four guests. 

It’s a beautiful little home, with a wood-burning stove for cosy evenings and low beams making it clear just how old the building is. Plus, of course, you’re close to the beach at roughly a 10-minute drive ensuring it still feels like your local haven.

It has multiple five star reviews with most stating how much they love the cottage, one said: “We had an amazing stay at Rosie’s cottage!

“The cottage is really cosy! We would go there anytime again!” It’s worth noting that some reviews comment that upstairs is ‘quite small’ although it has no reviews less than four stars.

These all offer up terrific options that would have you able to spend a whole day at the beach, right down to sunset, without worrying about a long journey home, but if you’d like the comfort of a hotel experience, you might have to accept a longer drive back to it.

Best Western’s nearest hotel, for example, is in Newquay, roughly an 80-minute drive, which is very manageable. If you chose this option you’d pay for the convenience of a hotel, plus the bonus of the restaurants and attractions of Newquay right on your doorstep.

Whatever option you choose, though, the delights of Pedn Vounder Beach are way more accessible than you might think.