Bosahan Cove

Drive down the narrow lane towards Mousehole and you'll spot the sign for Bosahan Cove - easy to miss, which is precisely why it stays so quiet. The beach itself is small but genuinely lovely, a crescent of golden sand backed by low cliffs and fronted by proper turquoise water when the sun hits it right. There's no facilities whatsoever, which means no crowds either, and that's the whole appeal.

This is a walker's beach more than a lounger's beach. The approach involves a bit of a scramble down, nothing treacherous but enough to deter the flip-flop brigade. Once you're down, you've got maybe an hour before the tide starts making things awkward, so time your visit accordingly. Kids will love the rock pools and the relative isolation - feels like you've discovered something the tourists haven't.

It's free, obviously, but bring everything you might need because the nearest shop is back in Mousehole, a short drive away. The Secret Garden Glamping is about five miles inland if you're basing yourself in the area, putting you well-placed for exploring this stretch of coast without the busier beaches nearby.

Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light and emptiest conditions. Winter storms can make access dodgy, so check conditions first. Worth the detour if you're after something genuine rather than another manicured seaside spot.