Chapel Pool

The walk down to Chapel Pool from Looe is the real draw here. You'll pick your way through coastal scrub and down a decent scramble to reach this small, sheltered cove where the water sits dark and still between high granite walls. It's the kind of place that feels properly remote despite being barely twenty minutes' walk from the town.

What you're actually looking at is a natural pool formed by the rocky shoreline - excellent for a dip on calm days, though the approach is steep enough that you'll want decent footwear. Local fishermen use it, and at low tide you can poke about the rocks. There's something appealing about how unremarkable it looks until you're standing in it - no gift shop, no facilities, just the sea and stone.

The walk itself matters more than the destination. If you're staying at Killigarth Manor or Tencreek, both within two kilometres, it's a cracking afternoon expedition with kids old enough to manage the scramble. Older walkers and swimmers will get the most from it on a clear day. You could easily combine it with a explore of Looe's harbour and fish market.

There's no admission charge and no set hours - it's just there. Allow an hour to walk down, have a look around, and get back up. Summer is obviously better, though spring tides can make access trickier. Go early to have the place to yourself.