Hendra Beach

The stretch of sand at Hendra is properly exposed when the tide drops, revealing dark volcanic rock formations that make brilliant rockpooling territory. It's not one of those Instagram-famous Cornish beaches where you'll queue for a parking spot, which is refreshing, though the access is a bit of a mission - you'll need to park up near Praa Sands and make your way down on foot.

The beach itself is quieter than the better-known spots along this coast, which means families with younger children can actually find space to spread out. The rock pools here are genuinely rewarding; you'll find small fish, anemones, and crabs if you time it right around low tide. It's the sort of place where an hour vanishes and everyone comes away with pruney fingers and salty hair.

Walkers tend to find it's a decent stopping point on the coastal path rather than a destination in itself. The sand is coarse and the water cold even in summer, so it's more of a poking-about-in-pools situation than a proper swimming beach. Worth factoring into a longer walk rather than planning an afternoon here.

If you're staying at Foxglove Field Glamping nearby, it's an easy jaunt and breaks up a holiday park stay nicely. Best visited at low tide when the pools are most active, and frankly, the quietness is half the appeal.