Hidden UK beach that ‘could be in Bali’

Tucked beneath the towering cliffs of Treryn Dinas in  Cornwall lies the beach of Pedn Vounder. Resting at the eastern edge of the bay that shapes Porthcurno Cove, the lesser-known beach boasts a breathtaking blend of crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft, white sand that could rival the shores of Bali.

But as beautiful as it is, this picture-perfect scene is fleeting, revealed for only a few hours each day before the tide reclaims it. A much-loved destination for ramblers, adventurers and the occasional naturist, the beach entirely vanishes when high tide arrives. Once a closely guarded secret, Pedn Vounder has emerged as one of Cornwall’s most Instagram-worthy coastlines and has earned recognition as one of the world’s finest beaches for two consecutive years.

Up there with great names like Turquoise Bay, in Australia, and Secret Lagoon, in the Phillipines, the annual list of ‘The 50 Best Beaches In The World’ uses aggregated scores from previous media results, official Blue Flag locations, social media popularity and contributions from the Big 7 Travel editorial team, to give Pedn Vounder it’s impressive ranking.

Getting to the beach is widely considered to be physically demanding, and it definitely requires good footwear and some forward planning around the tides. But for many visitors, the remote turquoise beauty of the beach is an unforgettable reward for the effort. The beach is also known to be ‘naturist friendly’, meaning naked bathers could be seen during the warmer months. 

To the east of the beach lies the famous Logan Rock, a 70-ton granite block that can be rocked back and forth by one person. The area was also featured in the TV adaptation of “Poldark,” where it was depicted as Nampara Cove in a dream sequence.

Close by is the pretty Cornish village of Porthcurno. Once a hub of global communications, it was the site of the Eastern Telegraph Company’s cable station, which connected Britain to its overseas territories. Today, visitors can explore the Telegraph Museum and the nearby open-air Minack Theatre, carved into the cliffs with breathtaking sea views. 

Nearly every visitor to this hidden gem has been utterly captivated, awarding it an impressive 4.6 out of five-star rating on Tripadvisor. One visitor said: “This beach cove really is gorgeous, the water is crystal clear and a stunning turquoise colour, you wouldn’t believe it’s in the UK!”

Another added: “Anyone saying this place is anything other than divine is not telling the truth. It IS tricky to walk down to, and you do need to be very careful. Possibly best bathing beach in the world??”

A third review simply said: “You don’t need to go abroad with beaches like this on your doorstep. This is the most beautiful hidden gem, even if it is a trek to get to.”  

As if the many five-star reviews weren’t praise enough, the beach was recently dubbed the ‘Bali of the UK’ after being featured in the TikTok Hidden Gems trend. Some visitors were concerned about the descent to the beach and the nudists, as one visitor explained: “The beach was lovely, but this is not a place to take children as there are naked men and women who attend this beach and the path down to it is quite dangerous.”

This quiet corner of the UK is ripe for exploring all year round. Guests can choose from some incredible places to stay, such as Pendower Cottage in Porthgwarra. A traditional Cornish cottage, the tranquil retreat is perfect for a romantic break/

A little further down the road, Bosistow Farmhouse in St Levin, is a pretty period farmhouse that sleeps up to eight guests while The Upper Deck is a contemporary duplex apartment with far reaching views and modern interiors.

The Lookout in the nearby village of Breen sits on the edge of the beautiful Penberth Valley and features its own at the southernmost tip of Cornwall enclosed garden where children and dogs can play.

And finally, for a spectacular view out across the Cornish coastline, Bracken Bank is an individually designed detached property just a 650m stroll from the South West Coast Path, Porthcurno and Pedn Vounder beaches. Despite growing fame, Pedn Vounder maintains its magical appeal and remains beloved by locals and tourists alike.