Cober Valley (The Moors)

The moorland that rolls out across Cober Valley feels properly remote even though you're only minutes from the coast near Praa Sands. This isn't a manicured attraction with visitor centres and interpretive boards - it's open moorland where you can walk for hours without seeing another soul, if that's what you're after.

What you get here is space and silence. Granite tors punctuate the landscape, heather and gorse dominate depending on the season, and on a clear day you can see for miles across Southwest Cornwall. The valley itself is threaded with streams and feels altogether wilder than the polished clifftop paths you'll find elsewhere along the coast.

Historically minded walkers will find traces of old settlements and mining activity scattered across the moors - there's real history underfoot here, though you'll need to know what you're looking for. It's the kind of place that rewards wandering rather than following a set route. Families with younger kids might find it a bit bleak and featureless compared to more structured attractions, but anyone who enjoys proper moorland walking will find it compelling.

There's no entrance fee or facilities to speak of - you simply park nearby and strike out across the valley. Weather can change fast up here, so go prepared. Spring and autumn are excellent for avoiding summer crowds, though winter walks have their own appeal if you're equipped for it.

It works brilliantly as a counterpoint to beach time. Base yourself at Little Menherion Glamping or Lanyon Holiday Park and you've got both rugged moorland and coastal access on your doorstep.