Cornwall, England
Vault Beach
Vault Beach is one of the most celebrated informal C/O beaches in Cornwall — a secluded, crescent-shaped shingle and sand beach below high cliffs on the south Cornish coast near Gorran Haven.
- Day use
- Hike In
About this place
Vault Beach is one of the most celebrated informal C/O beaches in Cornwall — a secluded, crescent-shaped shingle and sand beach below high cliffs on the south Cornish coast near Gorran Haven. The beach is accessible only via a steep path down the cliff from the National Trust coastal path above, and this difficult access has made it a reliable naturist destination for many years.
The beach faces southeast, catching the morning sun and sheltered from the prevailing southwest wind by the headlands on either side. The water quality here is among the best on the Cornish coast — consistently clear blue-green, with the Roseland Peninsula's clean offshore waters and minimal development upstream of the coastal catchment. The cliff-top approach offers views across Mevagissey Bay and toward the Dodman Point headland to the west.
Vault Beach has genuine C/O community character rather than just being an informal spot — regulars treat it as their beach and have maintained it as such across decades of C/O use. It's one of the better-known naturist beaches in the Southwest.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
South Cornwall naturists and regulars, Roseland and Gorran Haven visitors who know the path, SW Coast Path walkers.
How to find it
From Gorran Haven, follow the SW Coast Path east toward Dodman Point. The path to Vault Beach descends from the cliff top — it's steep and requires care going down and coming back up. Limited parking near Gorran Haven.
Things to watch out for
The path down is steep and can be slippery — appropriate footwear essential. The beach is better at low tide. No facilities. Swim with awareness of the offshore conditions.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
One of Cornwall's better-known naturist beaches — the C/O culture is established and respectful. Maintain that standard.
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