Maer Lake

The walk down to Maer Lake takes you through proper Cornish countryside before spitting you out at this surprisingly tranquil freshwater pool trapped between high cliffs and the Atlantic beyond. It's a genuine oddity - you'd expect saltwater here, but instead you get this glassy expanse that feels almost inland despite being mere metres from the coast.

There's not much to do in the traditional sense. You come, you look at the water, you walk round it, you leave. But that's rather the point. Families with younger children might find the walk a bit much depending on fitness levels - the descent is steep enough that the return journey genuinely wears your legs out. Older kids and teenagers tend to find it worth the effort, especially on a calm day when the reflections are sharp.

Historically minded types will appreciate that this was once a tin mining area, though you won't see much evidence now. The real appeal is the isolation. Being barely a mile and a half from Wooda Farm Holiday Park, you can have a proper walk from a comfortable base without the usual crowds. If you're staying at Atlantic Horizons further south, it's a nice morning trip before heading into Bude itself.

Go early on a clear day. Later in the afternoon the light turns harsh and the wind can pick up something fierce. Allow forty-five minutes to an hour including the walk itself. Free, naturally.