Cornwall, England
The Strangles Beach
The Strangles is the dramatically named beach just south of Crackington Haven on the North Cornwall coast — the name refers to the powerful rip currents and treacherous conditions that have historically claimed ships in this section of coast.
- Day use
- Hike In
- Remote
About this place
The Strangles is the dramatically named beach just south of Crackington Haven on the North Cornwall coast — the name refers to the powerful rip currents and treacherous conditions that have historically claimed ships in this section of coast. The beach is accessible only via a steep descent down the cliff on the SW Coast Path, and this difficult access is precisely what makes it one of the quieter and more C/O-friendly beaches in North Cornwall.
The beach is a mix of sand, shingle, and rock platforms at low tide, backed by high cliff slopes carpeted with sea pinks and thrift in late spring. The isolation is real — there are no facilities, no easy exit in an emergency, and the Atlantic conditions can change quickly. Experienced wild swimmers and naturists make the journey specifically for the combination of dramatic scenery and genuine solitude. Swimming is only appropriate in calm conditions.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
SW Coast Path walkers, adventurous naturists, experienced wild swimmers who are aware of the conditions.
How to find it
Access via the SW Coast Path south of Crackington Haven. The descent to the beach is steep and involves some scrambling. GPS: approximately 50.727°N, 4.650°W. No vehicle access.
Things to watch out for
The name is not merely atmospheric — The Strangles has strong rip currents and is dangerous for swimming in anything other than flat-calm conditions. The cliff descent is steep and slippery when wet. No rescue services accessible quickly.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Remote beach — the difficulty of access creates a self-selecting C/O crowd. Treat the isolation as the asset it is.
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