It is situated on the east side of the River Camel estuary approximately six miles (9.7 km) north of Wadebridge and one-half-mile (800-metre) south of Polzeath.

It lies considerably below the current surrounding ground level, having been excavated in 1863 after being completely buried by drifting sand.

Trebetherick Point, a headland to the west of the village, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geology.

[3] As a child, John Betjeman (who would later become Poet Laureate) enjoyed family holidays in Trebetherick and he returned there often as an adult.

Betjeman's poem Greenaway describes the stretch of coast at Trebetherick between Daymer Bay and Polzeath where he often walked.