5 to try: arty beaches in Cornwall

There is plenty of art to see in Cornwall, but if you fancy making something of your own, Cornwall has perfect beaches for plein air (the art of painting outside) and even classes and special holidays. If that all sounds too much, settle for some glorious photography to take home of the dramatic landscape.

Here are some arty beaches recommended by Cornwall Life Magazine.

Porthgwidden beach - St Ives A lovely small beach to set up your easel and encapsulate the sky, sea, sun, sand and rocks which frame it. The restaurant on the beach is also a fantastic place to take lunch.

Gwithian beach - Hayle A stunning stretch of coastline where, at the right time of year, the sun dips into the Atlantic Ocean. A must for photography enthusiasts, it has endless possibilities.

Lamorna Cove beach - Penzance The backdrop for the 2013 movie Summer in February, the Cove has a small pebble beach beside the harbour and quay with lots of large granite boulders especially at low tide.

Godrevy beach - Hayle This National Trust beach set at the end of St Ives Bay offers stunning views of the lighthouse of the same name, which inspired Virginia Woolf’s novel To The Lighthouse.

Marazion beach - Marazion Marazion Beach offers a spectacular view of St Michael’s Mount and the bay beyond, Mounts Bay, voted one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

Trebarwith Strand beach - Tintagel At high tide the beach is completely submerged by waves crashing on the rocks and the high hills on either side frame the stunning sunsets which bring people in their dozens to this spot.