Porthkidney Sands is a north-facing beach at the mouth of the Hayle Estuary that lies just two miles from the picturesque harbour town of St Ives. Backed by sand dunes and the golf course the beach is dog friendly all year: however dogs are required to be kept on a lead on the footpath leading from St Uny Church to Porthkidney Sands

Across the river are the Hayle Towans.

At low tide the vast expense of sands here can stretch as far as a mile out to sea

and it can be possible to walk around the point to Carbis Bay. Alternatively you can walk along the coastal path which is alongside the picturesque branch-line that runs between St Erth and St Ives or indeed catch the train itself.

As you can tell from most of these images the sky was full of some very heavy clouds on this day and rain threatened so we cut short our walk and headed back home. Oh, and I will add that it can smell very doggy on the way down to the beach (and some dog walkers seem to think it is OK to pick up the poo but leave the bags next to the path) and we witnessed one fairly nasty altercation between one dog owner and another dog. This might not be a beach I visit too often, though I am keen to try the walk to Carbis Bay and also visit St Uny.