Booby's Bay

The name alone will raise a smile - and Booby's Bay lives up to the giggle factor without being anything remotely crude. It's a proper Cornish beach tucked between Treyarnon and Constantine Bay, the sort of place locals know well but tourists often miss entirely, which is precisely why it's worth the detour.

You get a sheltered cove with golden sand, backed by low cliffs and a scattering of rock pools when the tide's out. The beach faces north-west so the light's lovely in the late afternoon, and the swell here is nothing to fear - it's mellow compared to nearby spots, making it genuinely decent for a casual swim or paddling with children. The main appeal is the quiet. Even in August, you'll find patches of sand without a parasol in sight.

Park up in Treyarnon - it's barely a minute's walk down - and allow an hour or two depending on mood and tide times. The beach works well as a morning stop if you're exploring the Constantine Bay area or heading towards Watergate Bay. If you're camping at one of the nearby holiday parks - Dennis Cove or Padstow Holiday Village are both within four miles - this makes an easy afternoon outing when the bigger beaches feel rammed.

There's no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. It's not a destination beach, but for families wanting somewhere low-key and genuinely peaceful, Booby's Bay does the job nicely. Worth the slight effort to find it.