Looe Island or St Georges Island

You'll spot this small island off Looe's coast before you work out how to actually get there - and that's half the fun. St Georges Island, also called Looe Island locally, sits just offshore and can only be reached by boat, which keeps the crowds manageable and the whole place feeling genuinely separate from the mainland hustle.

Once you're over there (summer boat trips run regularly from Looe town, though do check ahead as services vary), you're looking at a proper little nature reserve with a handful of buildings, some atmospheric ruins, and surprisingly good views back towards Looe and the surrounding coastline. There's a small cafe and basic facilities, which beats being completely abandoned out here. The walk around the island takes a couple of hours at a leisurely pace, and the whole experience feels properly adventurous without requiring actual mountaineering skills.

Historians and wildlife spotters will get the most from it - the island's got genuine historical layers and bird watchers find it worthwhile. Families with younger kids might find the return boat trip the highlight; the island itself can feel a touch barren once you've walked the perimeter. It's worth combining with a day in Looe itself, which has decent fish and chips and a proper seaside town feel.

Stay nearby at Tencreek Holiday Park or Killigarth Manor if you want easy access to Looe as your base. Allow three to four hours total including the boat crossing both ways. Go when the weather's decent - wind and rain make the island feel less magical and considerably damper.