Mutton Cove

The cove itself is modest - a small sandy beach tucked below red sandstone cliffs just outside Hayle, with the kind of dramatic Cornish geology that makes you understand why people get obsessed with this coastline. Low tide reveals proper rock pools and stretches of sand; high tide shrinks it to almost nothing, so timing matters. There's a footpath down from the clifftop, steep enough to warrant decent shoes but nothing that'll have you scrambling.

Walkers love this spot. It's part of the wider coastal path network, so you can easily string it together with other coves and headlands nearby without feeling like you've done the full Cornish marathon. Families with younger kids might find it underwhelming on its own - it's not a destination beach with facilities, more of a proper pause point on a longer walk. The rock pools are the draw for children, assuming the tide cooperates.

Historically it's worth knowing about rather than dramatic. The name's caught in local folklore but there's no interpretive board or visitor centre to tell you much beyond what you see. That's partly its appeal - it feels like something you've found rather than been directed to.

If you're based at Riviere Sands or Higher Trevaskis, both just a few miles away, this makes a cracking morning walk. Combine it with Hayle itself, which has proper beaches and a bit more infrastructure. It's free, naturally, and there's no admission to worry about. Allow an hour if you're lingering over the rocks, less if you're just passing through.