It was recently dubbed one of Cornwall's 'hidden gems' on Tik Tok. But locals fear this growing social media attention is turning a once under-the-radar beach into an overhyped, perilous attraction. Pedn Vounder near Treen, celebrated for its golden sands and turquoise waters, has seen an influx of beachgoers due to its soaring popularity online.
Residents are concerned over visitors seeking to recreate the Ibiza vibe in Cornwall, which has triggered numerous issues: traffic jams, dumped rubbish including human waste, onsite brawls and fires. The fear is escalated by the lack of lifeguard coverage on a beach known for treacherous rip currents. Locals are apprehensive that growing footfalls are accelerating the erosion and deterioration of the region's beauty.
Reflecting on how social media has drawn overwhelming crowds to the area, thus inflicting massive infrastructural problems, a resident once told Cornwall Live during an earlier visit: "Apart from its access issues and lack of facilities including lifesaving, the huge coverage it has attracted on social media in the last few years has resulted in overwhelming numbers of visitors, who have in turn, created massive infrastructure issues for the local area." Another local voiced their concern, stating that the town's reputation as a 'hidden gem' was having "catastrophic effects on the local environment and infrastructure. Simply put, the narrow lanes, coastal paths and the sheer volume of 'Instagramma' visitors who have 'hea.
