Loe Bar Beach

Loe Bar is made up of 2 parts; The Loe, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall and the Bar, a half mile shingle bank which separates the Loe from the sea.

Loe Bar was originally the mouth of the River Cober which lead to a harbour in Helston. However, by the 13th century the bar had cut Helston off from the sea and formed the pool.

The bar is made up mostly of flint although it is uncertain where this comes from as the nearest onshore source is over 120 miles away. There is also a reasonable extent of sand between the Pool and the bar.

Loe Bar has a well earned reputation for being treacherous - over the years several lives have been lost. The combination of powerful waves, a steep slippery shingle bank and vicious currents make it a very dangerous stretch of beach. Rumours of these incidents being the results of a freak wave that claims a life every seven years abound.

At the end of the day the best advice is to heed the signs and don't even think about swimming here.