Mona Island

Rocky outcrops don't get much more atmospheric than this tidal island just off Exmouth's coast. Connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway at low tide, Mona Island feels properly cut off from the modern world when the water rises around it. The remains of what locals believe to be an ancient hermitage sit atop the rocky mound, though archaeologists remain divided on exactly what stood here centuries ago.

Walking across at low tide is the only way to reach it - check tide times before setting off as you'll be stranded for several hours if you get it wrong. The scramble up the grassy slopes takes about ten minutes, rewarding you with cracking views back across the Exe Estuary towards Exmouth's seafront. History enthusiasts will appreciate the mysterious stone foundations, while families with older children often make it part of a beach day.

It's free to explore, though there's absolutely nothing in the way of facilities or interpretation boards. Allow a couple of hours including the walk across and back. The site works brilliantly as a morning adventure if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Exmouth - Devon Cliffs and Dawlish Sands are both within easy striking distance for a proper Devon coast experience.