Hawker's Hut

The corrugated iron shelter that sits above Hawker's Cove near Bude is one of those places that rewards the curious more than the casual tourist. Built as a rest spot for fishermen hauling their catch up the steep cliff path, it's now a simple monument to a harder era of Cornish coastal life. You won't spend long here - thirty minutes maximum - but the views across the bay are genuinely fine, and there's something grounding about standing where working people once caught their breath between lugging boxes of mackerel.

Walkers get the most from this one. The hut sits at the end of a proper coastal path that demands decent legs, and once you're there the exposed position feels earned rather than gifted. History types and anyone interested in how ordinary Cornish people lived will find it quietly moving - no plaques, no fuss, just a weathered shelter that's still doing its job after well over a century.

You'll need to park in Bude and walk - there's no road access, so factor in at least an hour for the round trip depending on your pace and fitness. Spring and early autumn are best; winter winds howl through that iron like a ghost, and summer crowds thin out the romance a bit. It's free, of course, being just a hut. Both Atlantic Horizons and Wooda Farm Holiday Park sit within striking distance, making this an easy morning detour from a week's camping. Don't expect a cafe or facilities - bring water and good boots.