Dollar Cove

The rocky inlet at Dollar Cove cuts into the Cornish coastline with real drama - narrow and steep-sided, it's the kind of place that makes you understand why this stretch of coast was once rife with smuggling. The cove itself is small, barely fifty metres across, but the walk down to it through coastal scrub rewards you with proper sea views and that particular smell of salt and seaweed that you don't get inland.

It's free to visit, naturally, since there's nothing here but rocks and water. Allow twenty minutes to pick your way down and back up - the path's not hazardous but it's uneven underfoot, so bring decent shoes. The real appeal is the remoteness. You won't find a café or facilities, which means it stays quiet even when nearby beaches are rammed with families and their windbreaks.

Histoy buffs will appreciate the smuggling connection - there's genuine intrigue in standing somewhere boats once landed contraband under cover of darkness. But this isn't a place to spend hours. It's a proper stop-off rather than a destination in itself, ideal if you're walking the coast path or exploring the wider area around Cornwall.

If you're based at The Secret Garden Glamping or Henry's Camp Site, both within easy driving distance, Dollar Cove makes a satisfying half-hour detour on a coastal loop. Go at low tide if you can - you'll get more beach to explore. High tide and the cove fills up quickly.