Bass Point

The coastal path drops away sharply at Bass Point, and you're suddenly aware of the drop - proper vertiginous if you're not expecting it. This clifftop viewpoint near Helston commands the sort of view that makes you understand why people move to Cornwall and never leave. The cliffs themselves are dramatic, fractured granite faces that tumble down to a restless sea below, and on a clear day you can pick out the sweep of Mount's Bay stretching away to the west.

It's essentially a walk rather than a destination - you don't "do" Bass Point so much as pass through it while following the coastal path. That said, stopping here for twenty minutes or so to catch your breath and the view is exactly what the walk needs. The rocks are craggy and coloured russet and grey, and there's usually a stiff breeze that'll keep you honest. Walkers and photographers will find it worthwhile; it's the kind of place that rewards lingering with a flask of tea.

The approach from Helston takes a bit of planning - you'll need to walk the coastal path proper, which isn't a ten-minute stroll. Free to visit, naturally, and best tackled on a day when the weather's cooperating. Henry's Camp Site sits less than a mile away, making it a natural stop if you're based there. Pair it with a proper coastal walk rather than treating it as a standalone visit, and you'll get far more from the experience.