24-05-2025
Cornwall beach named among best hidden gems in England
The list was pulled together by the outdoor clothing company Millets, who created a list based on high Tripadvisor ratings from a relatively small number of reviews.
Sam Chadwick, blog author and outdoor enthusiast at Millets said: 'In recent years, more people have discovered the benefits of spending time outdoors, with hotspots like Mam Tor and Scafell Pike growing in popularity.
"We have compiled a list of England's best hidden gems, for those who want to avoid the crowds whilst enjoying the outdoors.'
Cornwall beach ranked among England's best hidden gems
The top 10 hidden gem spots in England, according to the list from Millets, were:
Porth Joke Beach, which is located not too far away from Crantock, came in second place, earning a 4.8/5 score on Tripadvisor from 153 reviews.
It just missed out on first spot to Embleton Bay in Northumberland, which had an almost perfect Tripadvisor score of 4.9/5.
Known locally as 'Polly Joke', Porth Joke Beach is an "archetypal Cornish bay of wild rocky outcrops" according to the Visit Cornwall website.
It is located quite a walk away from any parking spot, meaning there is a bit of a trek to get to it, but it is worth it for the relative seclusion and amazing views.
The north-west facing cove is owned and cared for by the National Trust, and doesn't have any amenities.
It has earned plenty of rave reviews from those who have visited, with many appreciating its quiet charms.
One person wrote: "Porth Joke (aka Polly Joke) Beach turned out to be our favourite beach of our holiday! It's a bit of a walk from the nearest car park, but worth it when you get there.
To reach Porth Joke it is a little bit of a walk from the nearest car park (Image: Richard B/Tripadvisor)
"Fabulous spacious sandy beach, dog friendly all year round, great caves, small rockpools, stunning scenery."
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Another said: "Utterly glorious on a hot summers day. Blue, clear sea, golden sand. From late May to July, you have to pass by fields of red poppies. A truly wondrous place."
A third posted: "Hidden gem (or as hidden as a Cornish beach can be). Small, quiet beach if you want to get away from the big beaches and crowds."
Other Cornwall spots that featured in the top 10 were Portheras Cove, Lantic Bay and Cardinham Woods.
