Lantic Bay

The walk down to Lantic Bay takes you through proper Cornish countryside before the landscape opens up to a sheltered cove that feels genuinely tucked away. It's a beach that rewards effort - the descent isn't trivial, but you're rewarded with golden sand, dramatic cliffs either side, and the kind of quiet you don't often find along this coast.

What you get is a relatively small crescent of beach that works brilliantly for families who don't mind a bit of a trek. The sand is decent, the water's cold but swimmable if you're brave, and there's enough space to spread out without feeling rammed in with day-trippers. The cliffs provide shelter from wind, which makes a real difference on blustery days. You'll spot rock pools at low tide if the kids are into that sort of thing.

Allow a good hour for the walk down and back up - it's about twenty minutes each way but not flat. The bay itself merits an afternoon, longer if you're settling in for a swim and a picnic. Come outside summer holidays if you want it to yourself.

It's handy if you're based at Tremeer Farm just a mile or so away, or any of the larger parks like Tencreek or East Crinnis further afield. The nearby town of Pont gives you your shops and cafes, but honestly you'll want to pack supplies - there's nothing at the beach itself. Well worth the detour if you're after a quieter slice of Cornish coast.