Mackerel Cove

The beach at Mackerel Cove doesn't announce itself with fanfare. You walk down a modest lane from Treyarnon, parking somewhere sensible, and suddenly you're looking at a proper slice of the Cornish coast - all golden sand, rock pools, and that particular quality of light you only get when cliffs frame the view.

It's a working beach in the best sense. Fishermen land mackerel here (hence the name, obviously), and you'll see boats pulled up on the sand. The cove itself is sheltered, which means the water's generally calmer than the more exposed stretches along this coast. Swimming is decent when the tide's right, and the rock pools reward a poke around, especially if you've got kids aged between five and twelve who haven't yet discovered phones.

Walkers get value here too. The coastal path runs past, so you can string together a decent stretch of walking - Treyarnon's about half an hour's stroll south if you fancy a change of scenery. The beach itself fills up on sunny weekends but rarely feels rammed in the way Polzeath can.

If you're based at Padstow Holiday Village or Dennis Cove Campsite, this is a straightforward 20-minute drive and worth fitting in, especially if you want somewhere less hectic than the main tourist beaches. Bring good shoes for the parking area - it can get muddy. Facilities are minimal, so stock up in Treyarnon first. Summer visits work better than winter, when the wind can be properly moody.