The Strangles Beach

No Reviews
Tags: Europe and United Kingdom
No
No
Yes - 2km away
Nudity is not required

The Good

  • Secluded and Scenic: The Strangles Beach offers a sense of seclusion, surrounded by towering cliffs and dramatic landscapes, making it perfect if you love nature and solitude.
  • Beautiful Views: The hike down to the beach provides breathtaking views of the North Cornwall coastline, especially from the High Cliff viewpoint, the highest point in Cornwall.
  • Plenty of Space: The beach is expansive, particularly at low tide, providing ample space to spread out and enjoy the sand, rock pools, and stunning natural surroundings.
  • Quiet Even in Summer: Due to its challenging access, The Strangles remains quiet and peaceful even during peak tourist season, offering a tranquil escape from the busier beaches nearby.

The Bad

  • Difficult Access: The walk down to the beach is not for the faint-hearted. The path is steep, with narrow sections and sheer drops, making it potentially hazardous, especially after wet weather.
  • No Facilities: There are no amenities on the beach—no toilets, food vendors, or lifeguards. You must come fully prepared with everything you need for the day.
  • Unsafe Swimming: The currents are strong, and the water is unsafe for swimming most of the time, which can be disappointing if you’re hoping to take a dip.
  • Off the Radar: This beach has no mobile reception and isn't on Google Maps! Know where you're going and take a photo of the map in the car park if need be.
  • Tide Traps: Little Strand, the smaller beach located north of The Strangles, can become inaccessible at high tide, potentially leaving you stranded. Make sure to check tide times before venturing there.

The Naked Truth

The Strangles Beach is a 'secret beach' in Cornwall if you're seeking a nude beach adventure away from the crowds. However, it's not an official nude beach, but nudity is tolerated and common here. The challenging hike and lack of facilities mean this beach is best suited if you're prepared and reasonably fit. The reward is a stunning, peaceful beach that feels like a well-kept secret, perfect for those who enjoy a more rugged, natural experience. Just remember to check the tide times if you plan to explore the nearby Little Strand, as it can become cut off at high tide.

Insider Tip

Check the tides. Don't get stranded on the northern beach when the tide comes in!

Who's Here

The adventurous! On a hot weekend lots of younger couples and solos.

Beach Surface

Pebbles, sand and large rocks

Access Difficulty

Medium - 2km (20min) walk down a steep cliff path. Sturdy footwear needed.
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Photos

Our Visit

Contributor Review – Claudette Perreault
Local Expert. Visited 2024

We recently visited The Strangles Beach in Cornwall, and it turned out to be quite an adventure. Coming from France, we weren’t expecting to go on a hike while visiting a beach in the UK, but that’s exactly what we got! The Strangles isn’t on Google Maps, which made it a bit tricky to find. We ended up following the A39 from Bude and then turning off towards Crackington Haven. After driving through the village, we found a small layby where we parked the car. There’s a donation box at the start of the footpath, and then it’s about a 20-30 minute walk down to the beach.

The walk down was beautiful, with stunning views over the cliffs and the sea, but it was definitely steep, especially towards the end where there’s a narrow path with a sheer drop. There’s a rope to help with the last part, which we were grateful for! It was a bit of a challenge, but totally worth it once we arrived at the beach.

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The Strangles is a very remote and rugged beach, surrounded by towering cliffs that make you feel like you’re a million miles away from everything. The beach is a mix of pebbles and sand, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. We didn’t see many people, just a few other couples who were all naked and seemed to know what to expect. There were also a few solo guys, but they were friendly and didn’t give off any creepy vibes.

One thing we loved about this beach was the sense of isolation. Our cell phones didn’t work here, which added to the feeling of being completely disconnected from the world. It was a beautiful day, and we spent most of it exploring the rock pools and soaking up the sun. The tide was out, so there was plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the surroundings.

As much as we loved The Strangles, the hike back up was definitely a workout! We hadn’t anticipated how challenging the climb would be, especially after a long day at the beach. But in the end, it was all part of the experience.

We’ve visited a few British nude beaches now, and we’re not sure whether The Strangles or Holkham Hall is our favorite. They’re completely different – Holkham has soft sand and is easily accessible, while The Strangles is much more remote with its pebbles and dramatic scenery. But both have their own unique charm, and we’d highly recommend visiting both if you get the chance. This beach definitely ranks high among nude beaches in Europe for its wild, untouched beauty.

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!

Map

Getting There

To reach The Strangles Beach, you’ll need to take a bit of a journey through the scenic North Cornish countryside. But the best places require a little more effort!  The beach is located about 25 minutes south of Bude, using the postcode EX23 OLQ for navigation.

The final part of your journey involves parking in a small layby, with an overflow field available during busier times. There’s no official parking fee, but there is a donation box at the beginning of the footpath if you’d like to contribute.

From the layby, the path to the beach takes around 20-30 minutes to walk. It’s well-marked and offers stunning views, but be prepared for a steep descent towards the end. The path includes large steps and a narrow section with a sheer drop, which can be tricky if the weather is wet. A rope is available to assist with the final scramble down to the beach.

By Car:
Drive south from Crackington Haven towards Trevigue, following the signs as you leave the village. After about a mile, you’ll find the layby on the left, with an overflow field nearby.

By Public Transport:
Public transport options are limited in this remote area, so driving is recommended. If you’re coming by bus, you’ll need to get off at Crackington Haven and then continue on foot or by taxi.

Once you’ve navigated the footpath and reached the cliff edge, the expansive views of The Strangles Beach will greet you.

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