Cotton Beach

The walk down to Cotton Beach from Bude takes about twenty minutes, and it's properly rewarding. You drop through coastal woodland with the sea appearing suddenly between the trees - that moment when you realise how far the beach stretches. The beach itself is a long, sandy crescent backed by low cliffs and split by a stream that changes character depending on the tide. At low water it's brilliant for families - rock pools, plenty of flat sand for setting up, and the stream becomes almost a shallow playground. High tide squeezes things considerably, mind you, so timing matters.

The northern end is quieter and better for a proper walk; the southern stretch catches families and their windbreaks. The sand is firm enough for a decent stride, and the backdrop of eroded golden cliffs is genuinely lovely without being showy about it. Dogs are allowed year-round, which explains the steady stream of people throwing balls into the shallows.

For a proper beach day rather than a quick dip, allow three hours minimum. It's not one of those Instagram spots that disappoints in person - it delivers. Waves are decent for bodyboarders when the swell's up, rubbish when it's flat. Summer gets rammed, obviously. Autumn through spring is when you get the beach mostly to yourself, though the water's nippy after October.

Both Atlantic Horizons and Wooda Farm sit within easy striking distance, making Cotton Beach a solid anchor point for a week-long park holiday. You could easily combine it with Crooklets Beach to the north or venture inland towards Bodmin Moor.