Eliza Beach

A sheltered crescent of golden sand backed by low cliffs, Eliza Beach sits just south of Bude and delivers exactly what you want from a Cornish beach without the crowds you'll find at Summerleaze. The sweep is modest - perhaps 200 metres at high tide - but that's rather the point. Families with young children get real value here because the beach catches afternoon sun and has a gentler gradient than some of the rockier stretches nearby. Swimmers should check conditions before entering; the water's cold but clear, and there's decent swell when Atlantic storms push through.

Walking types will find the coast path picks up from either end, offering proper clifftop routes toward Widemouth Bay or back towards Bude's town beach. Allow two to three hours if you're combining it with a coastal walk rather than just a couple of hours for a beach session. Low tide reveals more sand and rock pools worth poking about in - kids will lose an hour here if you let them.

The car park situation is tight, which genuinely keeps the numbers down. Summer weekends fill up quickly; weekday mornings or shoulder seasons (May, September) are far more pleasant. There are no facilities directly on the beach, so bring what you need. If you're staying at Wooda Farm Holiday Park just 2.4 miles away, this makes an effortless walk or short drive. It's the sort of beach that rewards patience over haste - visit early, stay late, and you'll understand why locals guard it.