Cornwall, England
Porthluney Bay
Porthluney Bay is a sheltered sandy cove on the south Cornish coast below Caerhays Castle — one of Cornwall's most photographed castle and garden settings, with grounds open to the public in spring and early summer.
- Day use
About this place
Porthluney Bay is a sheltered sandy cove on the south Cornish coast below Caerhays Castle — one of Cornwall's most photographed castle and garden settings, with grounds open to the public in spring and early summer. The beach is accessible from a small car park and has a more open character than many of the cliff-access only beaches in the area, though it remains relatively quiet compared to the main Cornish resorts.
The informal C/O tradition at Porthluney tends toward the quieter end of the beach away from the main access point. The sheltered nature of the bay and the south-facing aspect give it better sun and calmer conditions than the Atlantic-facing beaches on the north coast. The castle backdrop is genuinely picturesque.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Caerhays Castle visitors, Roseland area beach-goers, South Cornwall regulars.
How to find it
Follow signs to Caerhays Beach/Porthluney from the roads south of Tregony in the Roseland area. Small beach car park at the access point.
Things to watch out for
The main beach access is used by families and general visitors. C/O tradition is informal and at the quieter end of the bay.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Informal C/O at the quieter end of the bay, away from the castle-visitor traffic.
Know this spot?
Report an update
Beach closed? Parking price changed? Section moved? Send a short note and we'll check it.
Also in England
More places nearby
England, United Kingdom
Basset's Cove
Basset's Cove is a small, sheltered cove on the North Cornwall coast near Portreath, tucked between the headlands on either side and accessible via a path from the cliff top. The cove has an informal C/O tradition among locals and regulars who appreciate the natural shelter and relative seclusion compared to the more visited Portreath Beach to the east. The cove is rocky at its edges with a small sand patch accessible at low to mid tide. The cliff-top approach offers views along the North Cornwall coast toward St Agnes Head to the south and Godrevy Lighthouse to the west — the same stretch of coast that inspired Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'. The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status applies along this whole section.
England, United Kingdom
Brighton Naturist Beach
Brighton Naturist Beach sits on England's south coast, officially designated as Britain's first legal clothing-optional beach back in 1980. Located just east of Brighton Marina, it's marked at both ends by groyne posts numbered 34 and 36, making it relatively easy to identify once you're on the pebble shore. The beach itself is pure Brighton — steep shingle banks, panoramic views of the English Channel, and a backdrop of chalk cliffs. British naturism operates in a different climate than its Continental counterparts, both meteorologically and culturally. You'll find the most activity on warm weekends between May and September, though even midsummer can bring brisk winds off the water. The beach is entirely self-governed with no facilities, rangers, or commercial operators. What you get is a stretch of public coastline where clothing is optional by local agreement rather than resort infrastructure. Brighton's progressive reputation helps — this is one of the UK's most LGBTQ-friendly cities, and that open-minded culture extends to the naturist beach. Access is straightforward via the Undercliff Walk, a paved coastal path running beneath the cliffs. Expect a mixed crowd of regulars who've been coming for decades, curious first-timers, and European visitors surprised to find naturism thriving in England at all.
England, United Kingdom
Budleigh Salterton Naturist Beach
Budleigh Salterton Naturist Beach sits along the Devon coast (despite the template noting Cornwall — the town is actually in East Devon) near the mouth of the River Otter. This clothing-optional stretch is part of a quiet, traditional seaside area known more for its pebble beach and Regency charm than its naturist credentials, making it one of the more low-key nude beaches in southern England. British naturism maintains a modest presence nationwide, and beaches like this draw regulars who value discretion and a lack of commercial development. The pebble shoreline backed by red sandstone cliffs creates a distinctly English Channel atmosphere — dramatic when the sun's out, bleak when it's not. There's no formal designation or facilities here, so naturist use is informal and seasonal, with warmer months and weekends seeing the most activity. You'll walk along a public beach to reach the typically naturist-used sections, and tolerance from textile beachgoers varies. The coastline here is unsheltered and tidal, so expect wind, seaweed, and limited comfortable sunbathing depending on conditions. It's a place for committed naturists rather than casual visitors, and the lack of amenities means you bring everything you need and pack it out.