Mevagissey Viewpoint

The view from Mevagissey Viewpoint stops you dead. You're standing high above the twin harbours of this proper fishing village, with boats scattered across the water like a child's toys and the cliffs dropping away beneath your feet. On a clear day the sight line stretches for miles - you can pick out the curve of the coast all the way towards Dodman Point, and inland the green fields roll back towards Pentewan.

It's the kind of spot that takes five minutes to reach but rewards you for making the effort. No facilities, no faffing about, just a genuine vantage point over one of Cornwall's most working harbours. Walkers will appreciate it as a natural pause on the coastal path, and families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground will find it dramatic without being dangerous - though you'll want to keep a close eye on younger ones near the edges.

Come early morning or late afternoon if you can. The light is better, and you'll dodge the coach parties that congregate here midday in summer. Ten minutes maximum to absorb the view properly, unless you've got a camera and the patience to wait for decent light. It's free, obviously - it's a viewpoint.

Perfect as a half-hour detour between either Tregarton Park or Treveague Campsite and a proper explore of Mevagissey itself. The walk down to the village takes another fifteen minutes, and you'll want that time for a fish and chips on the harbourside.