One of the county's more picturesque beaches. It gets its name from the colossal slate outcrops scattered along the beach. It is said that the outcrops were put there by Bedruthan, a giant, and used as stepping stones. The beach stretches with plenty of interesting nooks and crannies.

As warning signs point out, the cliffs are dangerous, as are the tides. Nearby are Carnewas cliffs, owned by the National Trust, with a cafe and toilets. Bedruthan became a famous destination when Newquay developed as a resort more than 100 years ago. Victorians found it a convenient attraction, and the local farmer responded to this interest.

The dramatic views seldom fail to provide a breathtaking experience. The geology of the cliffs and stacks is fascinating. The legend of a giant called Bedruthan using the beach as stepping stones to achieve a shortcut across the bay seems to be a late 19th-century invention. The first recorded name of 'Bedruthan Steps' is in The West Briton of February 1847 and is likely to refer to the original cliff staircase.

The development of the continuous pounding of the sea upon the coastline means that the rocks are ever-changing. Supplying access to the beach via a staircase has proved challenging. There have been times when the stairs were closed as no safe route was possible. Following a significant rock fall over the winter of 2019, the cliff steps leading down to Bedruthan beach were damaged, deemed too dangerous to use, and closed until further notice.