Lannacombe Beach

The walk down to Lannacombe isn't quick - a proper hike through wooded paths that'll take the better part of twenty minutes from the car park. But that's rather the point. By the time you reach the sand, you've left most people behind.

It's a small cove, backed by red sandstone cliffs that turn golden when the sun's right. The beach itself is mostly shingle with patches of sand at low tide, and the water here stays remarkably clear. Swimmers and kayakers come for exactly that reason. If you're after rock pools, time it for when the tide's dropped fully - there's proper wildlife tucked into the stone shelves.

Walkers will love it. The South West Coast Path runs past here, so you can string together a longer day if you fancy it. The isolation suits families with older kids who won't whinge about the approach, though toddlers might struggle with the descent. A couple of hours is plenty unless you're combining it with a longer coastal walk.

Kingsbridge is your nearest town for supplies - about three miles away - though there's nothing at the beach itself. Both Wilton Farm and Start Bay Caravan Park are close by if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days. The cove's best visited outside peak summer when it doesn't feel quite so squeezed. Worth the walk? Absolutely, if you appreciate a bit of effort for your reward.