This is my favourite beach ever. We discovered HB about 10 years ago when we bought our eldest on one of his first holidays.
It's a great beach for children because there is a gentle stream that comes from the back of the beach to the sea. For about 6-7 years we only stayed near the stream and didn't go near the sea. All the families camp out there as it's so safe to let the kids play. Further on the beach spreads out and is quite long so even in dreaded high season you can find a spot all to yourself. It's mostly sandy but at low tide there's a fair bit of shingle.
Also at low tide the beach doubles in size again and you can walk a good distance round to the left - this is where the rock pools are, the flat sand for cricket and football and good rocks to fish off.
There's a lifeguard station actually on the beach and it is well patrolled.
If you walk the length of the beach to the right and look hard enough you can find the actual holy well that people have apparently been visiting for thousands of years for it's healing properties.
Holywell Bay was used as the North Korea beach landing scene at the beginning of Die Another Day.
Behind the beach are massive sand dunes where the kids and I can have fun for hours. From either side of the beach runs the coastal path - one way goes to Crantock and the other to Perranporth, neither are that far away and make a pleasant walk. The views are stunning.
Park at the National Trust car park or at St Piran Inn (see my review).
There are two shops for beach tat in Holywell and in the summer there is always a snack van on the beach.
Cannot recommend this beach enough. 10/10 read more