GUNWALLOE Cove - CHURCH COVE BEACH

Gunwalloe

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Gunwalloe Church Cove beach
Loe bar near porth leven

Loe Bar and Loe Lake

 

Gunwalloe

Church Cove Beach at Gunwalloe, is a sheltered, south west-facing cove on the beautiful Lizard Peninsula in south west Cornwall.

This is a popular family beach, with a small stream running across it that is ideal for paddling - Church Cove is an excellent beach for swimming and has life guard patrols during the summer months.

The beach has a range of facilities nearby, including National Trust Parking and Toilets. The National Trust car park offers disabled access to the beach.

  • National Trust car park
  • Toilets
  • cafe - Refreshments
  • Lifeguard during summer months
  • No dogs Easter to October
  • Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N50º 02' 31.54" W5º 16' 12.81"

Dogs are allowed on the beach outside of the peak holiday season.

The area is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The beach gets its name from one of the more curiously-sited of Cornwall's old churches, the church of St Winwaloe (St Wynwallow,) at Gunwalloe. Located at the northern end of the beach, the church is separated from the sea only by the rocky hump of Castle Mound, whilst its detached bell tower is actually dug into the cliff side.

The church is known as the Church of the Storms due to its unique and precarious position; which has frequently, over the centuries, had to be reinforced by the tipping of vast quantities of granite into the gap between the church and Dollar Cove to break the force of the waves. There was a major settlement here between the ninth and eleventh centuries, hence the siting of the church in such a seemingly isolated place.

Today there is just church, farm and sandy beach - an idyllic spot, except in a storm. To the north is Halzephron Cliff, scene of many shipwrecks; the name comes from the Cornish als and yfarn, meaning 'Hell's cliff'. Nearby there is good food to be had at the Halzephron Inn.

On the Cliff tops by the Loe Bar National Trust car park - between Loe Bar and Gunwalloe, is a memorial plaque commemorating the men lost at sea during the sinking of HMS Anson. HMS Anson was shipwrecked in 1807- the frigate was beached during a storm - locals were prevented from saving many of the crew due to the ferocity of the storm. The incident led to the invention of the rocket powered rescue system for ships in distress, by Helston man Henry Trengrouse. He originally named the device as the 'Bosun's Chair' - which later change its more common name the ' breeches buoy'.

NB ALL map locations are approximate - please verify location with the owner prior to booking - Map not displaying in IE? try the F5 key

 
GUNWALLOE PORTHLEVEN HOLIDAY RENTAL

St Michaels Farmhouse  Pets Allowed Parking Available St Michaels Farmhouse
Tel: 01736 741479.   Self-catering Holiday Rental in Ludgvan nr Marazion, Mounts Bay with Sea Views- sleeps 6. - suitable for Large Groups, Prices from £850 Pets Welcome
AUGUST and SEPTEMBER VACANCIES
  • St Michael’s Farmhouse.: (sleeps 6+):
  • Sept 13th - 20th £1800
  • Sept 20th - 27th £1600
  • Dec 20th - 27th £1750

Close to sea & awesome beaches. Prices reduced. Tel: 07961 332879 Last updated 08 July 2025 E&OE



The Cabin, The Teahouse and Foxy Shepherds Hut  Parking Available The Cabin, The Teahouse and Foxy Shepherds Hut
Tel: 01736 741479.   Self-catering Holiday Rental Camping and Touring in Ludgvan nr Marazion, Mounts Bay with Sea Views- sleeps 6. Prices from £350 to £900
  • The Cabin - (Sleeps: 3+)
  • August 01st to 08th £900 NOW £800
  • August 08th to 15th £900 NOW £800
  • August 15th to 22nd £900 NOW £800
  • August 22nd to 29th £850 NOW £750
  • September 05th to 12th £800 NOW £700
  • September 12th to 19th £750 NOW £650
  • The Tea House - (Sleeps: 2)
  • August 01st to 08th £890 NOW £790
  • August 17th to 22nd 5 nts £690 NOW £590
  • August 22nd to 29th £850 NOW £750
  • September 02nd to 05th 4 nts £600 NOW £500
  • September 05th to 12th £750 NOW £650
  • September 12th to 19th £680 NOW £580
  • 07961 332879

updated 04th Aug 25



An Mordros Hotel  An Mordros Hotel
Tel: 01326 562236.   En-Suite B&B Stays in Porthleven with Sea Views- sleeps 8. - suitable for Large Groups,


Little Tolmennor Barn  Pets Allowed Parking Available Little Tolmennor Barn
  Self-catering Holiday Rental in Breage, nr. Helston sleeps 2. Fri Changeover, Pets Welcome


Trevarthian Holiday Homes  Parking Available Trevarthian Holiday Homes
Tel: 01736 710100.   Self-catering Holiday Rental in Penzance with Sea Views- sleeps 5.


Petra Holiday Apartments  Parking Available Petra Holiday Apartments
  Self-catering Holiday Apartment Rental in Marazion with Sea Views- sleeps 4. Sat Changeover, Prices from £435 to £1100


 

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