Most lists of the best beach pubs in Cornwall are about the north coast: Padstow, Rock, Newquay and St Ives. On the south coast, around St Austell Bay and Mevagissey, there are only a few pubs actually on the beach. The two right by the sand are The Rising Sun at Portmellon and the Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris. Close behind are the Ship at Pentewan, a short walk from the beach, and the harbour inns at Charlestown and Mevagissey.
We run The Rising Sun, so we're one of the pubs on this list. We've tried to describe the others fairly.
Which pubs are on the beach on the south coast?
The Rising Sun, Portmellon. The Rising Sun Inn is a 17th-century free house on the beach at Portmellon, a mile from Mevagissey in south Cornwall, with Cornish ales, locally sourced food, live music and sea-view rooms. Dogs welcome in the pub. The bar looks straight out over the cove, and the sand is about fifty yards from the bar. Go for: a pint with the tide coming in, Sunday roast and live music.
The Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris. A free house above a small beach on the far side of St Austell Bay, near Par. CAMRA says well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed throughout. Go for: a pint at the end of a coast path walk, looking back across the bay.
Which are a short walk from the beach?
The Ship Inn, Pentewan. A two-bar village pub near Pentewan beach, with a beer garden across the road by the river. Listed as dog friendly by CAMRA. It gets busy in summer. Go for: after a day on Pentewan Sands.
Charlestown's harbour inns. Charlestown is a Georgian harbour about twenty minutes from Mevagissey. Pier House is right on the harbour front, with a restaurant, a terrace and fifteen rooms. The Rashleigh Arms, in the village, has eighteen rooms with breakfast and dog-friendly rooms you can book. Go for: a harbour view and a bigger menu.
The Harbour Tavern, Mevagissey. On the waterfront in Mevagissey, with the boats outside the window. A harbour rather than a beach, but the sea's right there. Our guide to the pubs in Mevagissey has the rest of the town.
Which beach pubs in south Cornwall take dogs?
Dogs are welcome in our pub, and CAMRA lists the Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris, the Ship at Pentewan, the Rashleigh Arms and the Harbour Tavern as dog friendly. We couldn't confirm Pier House's dog policy, so ask them. Wherever you go, ask at the door before you settle in, as some pubs keep dogs to the bar. The beaches have their own rules. Portmellon Cove, outside our door, has a Cornwall Council dog ban from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. Outside those hours and for the rest of the year, dogs are welcome on the sand. Our dog-friendly pubs guide has the full list and the other beaches.
Which beach pubs have rooms?
The Rising Sun, Portmellon: two sea-view rooms above the bar, room only, from £110 a night in winter. Up a flight of stairs. No dogs in the rooms.
Pier House and the Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown: bigger inns with more rooms, and the Rashleigh Arms includes breakfast.
More detail in pubs with rooms near Mevagissey.
Is a beach pub worth it in winter?
Often more than in summer. In August you're fighting for a table outside. In winter you get a seat by the window, the fire on, and the sea doing whatever it likes. Opening hours shrink in some places from November, so check before you set off.
We're open all year: Monday 4 to 9pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 4 to 10pm, Thursday to Saturday 12 to 11pm, Sunday 12 to 8pm. Sunday roast is 12 to 3pm, Tuesday is Pie & Mash with the quiz or bingo from 7:30pm, and our Christmas menu runs Thursday to Saturday, 5 to 9pm. If a sea view is the whole point, our guide to eating with a sea view near Mevagissey covers the rest.
So which beach pub should I pick?
On the sand, with a roast and a band on a Sunday: The Rising Sun, Portmellon.
At the end of a walk round St Austell Bay: the Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris.
After Pentewan Sands with the kids: the Ship, Pentewan.
A harbour, a terrace and a bigger menu: Charlestown.
Boats outside the window and the town on the doorstep: the Harbour Tavern, Mevagissey.
If it's us, book a table for the roast, or book a room and stay over.
Quick answers
What is the best beach pub near Mevagissey? The Rising Sun at Portmellon, a mile south of Mevagissey, is on the beach. It's a 17th-century free house with Cornish ales, a Sunday roast and live music, and dogs are welcome in the pub.
Are there pubs on the beach on Cornwall's south coast? Yes, though not many. Around St Austell Bay, The Rising Sun at Portmellon and the Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris are right by the beach.
Which beach pubs near St Austell have rooms? The Rising Sun at Portmellon, plus Pier House and the Rashleigh Arms at Charlestown.
Are beach pubs in Cornwall open in winter? Many are, often with shorter hours. The Rising Sun at Portmellon is open every day all year.
The Rising Sun Inn, 2 Portmellon Park, Portmellon, Mevagissey, Saint Austell PL26 6PL · 01726 473214 · Book a table