Beacon Lakes

Two pristine lakes sitting inland from Tremayne, Beacon Lakes is a proper working water sports venue that doesn't announce itself loudly but delivers genuine thrills if you're after a bit of action. The twin lakes are set in decent countryside, and on a clear day the water catches the light in that way that makes you forget you're in Cornwall rather than somewhere Alpine.

This is absolutely the spot for anyone who sails, windsurfs, or rows. The facilities are run efficiently - you'll find instruction available if you're a beginner, and the lakes handle everything from casual kayakers to competitive sailors. Non-water types can walk the perimeter, though fair warning: it's not a dramatic landscape, more gently rolling than jaw-dropping. Kids will stay entertained for a couple of hours if they're in the water, less so if they're just watching.

Getting here from the surrounding holiday parks - Mena Farm is closest at 4.5 miles, followed by White Acres and The Laurels at five to six miles - makes it an easy half-day addition to a broader park-based holiday. Go midweek if possible; weekends draw the club crowd. The whole visit works best between late spring and early autumn when the weather cooperates and instructor availability peaks. Admission and activity charges vary depending on what you're actually doing, so check ahead, but it's far from expensive compared to coastal attractions. Whether you're camping nearby or based at one of the larger resorts, this scratches a different itch than beach days.