Rame Peninsula, Cornwall • Beach 4 of 4 • Day Visits Only
Sandways Beach, Cornwall: Complete Guide
Sandways, also known locally as Sandway Cellar, is a quiet beach a short walk north of Kingsand. Before you visit, there’s one thing to know: this is a day-visit-only beach, with an active council safety notice against overnight stays. Full detail below.
Hero photography pending, Sandways Beach from the coast path
→ Safety notice
Sandways is jointly owned and managed by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. The former campsite lease here was not renewed after it expired in March 2024, due to the risk of rockfalls and flooding. Geotechnical assessments in 2024 and 2025 found a serious, ongoing risk to anyone occupying the land, especially overnight, and the councils have been removing tents from the site as a result.
Do not camp or stay overnight at Sandways.
At a glance
Getting There
Getting to Sandways Beach
Sandways has no car park of its own. Park at Kingsand’s Fore Street car park and walk north, either along the rocky foreshore or via the coast path, towards Fort Picklecombe. It’s roughly a 10-minute walk.
There are no facilities at Sandways at all, no toilets, no shop, nothing on site. Bring what you need with you.
Location
What3words: ///copper.plank.bride Open in what3words →
Nearest parking: Kingsand, Fore Street, 100 spaces. Full parking guide →
The walk to the beach
The route from Kingsand is either along the rocky foreshore, only possible at lower states of tide, or via the coast path above. Neither is step-free, so this isn’t a beach for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Sandways access photography pending
The Beach
The Beach Itself
Sandways sits north of Kingsand, towards Fort Picklecombe, and is quieter than any of the three village beaches simply because of the walk required to reach it. It was historically home to a small campsite, run for years by the Sandways Campsite Association.
That changed in 2024. Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council did not renew the campsite lease after it expired in March 2024, following several landslides at the site and rockfalls landing close to tents in preceding years. See the safety notice above for the full detail.
For a day visit, Sandways remains a genuinely quiet spot. It is not a designated bathing water, so there’s no official Environment Agency water quality classification here, unlike Cawsand and Kingsand.
Quick facts
→ Character: Quiet, former campsite
→ What3words: ///copper.plank.bride
→ Lifeguards: None, unpatrolled
→ Water quality: Not officially monitored
→ Overnight stays: Not permitted
→ Nearest village: Kingsand, short walk south
Sandways Beach photography pending
Sandways Beach, north of Kingsand
Why it’s quieter
No car park, no facilities, and a walk required to get there. That combination keeps Sandways quieter than any of the other three beaches, even on a busy August day.
Swimming Safety
Swimming at Sandways Beach, Safety Information
Sandways has no RNLI lifeguard cover, and no official Environment Agency water quality monitoring. Treat it as unpatrolled and unmonitored, and never swim alone.
No lifeguard, no monitoring
If you’d prefer a monitored beach, Cawsand (currently Excellent) and Kingsand (currently Good) both have official Environment Agency classifications, a short walk away.
Cliff and rockfall risk
The same rockfall risk behind the safety notice above applies to the wider site, not just former camping areas. Stay clear of the cliff base.
Dogs
Dogs at Sandways Beach
Sandways does not appear on Cornwall Council’s PSPO restriction list, so dogs are welcome year-round for day visits. The quiet, uncrowded nature of the beach makes it a good option for dogs that prefer fewer people around, though the walk in means it suits confident walkers more than a quick visit. Compare all four beaches →
Along the Shore
Sandways’ Neighbours
Kingsand Beach
A short walk south, the nearest village and parking. Kingsand Beach guide →
Further Out →
Coast Path towards Fort Picklecombe
The coast path continues past Sandways towards Fort Picklecombe and beyond. Coast path guide →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need before visiting Sandways Beach.
Can you still camp at Sandways?
No. The former campsite lease was not renewed after it expired in March 2024, due to a confirmed, ongoing rockfall risk. Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council have been removing tents from the site. Do not stay overnight.
How do you get to Sandways Beach?
Park at Kingsand’s Fore Street car park and walk north, either along the rocky foreshore at lower tides or via the coast path, about 10 minutes.
Are there facilities at Sandways?
No. There are no toilets, no shop, and nothing else on site. Bring everything you need with you.
Is Sandways dog friendly?
Yes, for day visits, year-round, with no seasonal restriction.
Explore Cawsand & Kingsand
See the rest of the bay
Sandways is the quietest of the four beaches. Explore the villages and the other three beaches too.