National Trust - Bideford Bay and Hartland

The stretch of coast between Bideford and Hartland is absolutely relentless - in the best possible way. Sheer cliffsides drop hundreds of feet to a rocky shoreline that looks like it's been through a geological tantrum. The National Trust manages this section, which means you get proper access to some of Devon's most dramatic coastline without the theme-park queuing.

What you're actually doing here is walking. Long walks, mostly. The South West Coast Path cuts through, offering views that justify the leg-work - if you're prepared for it. There's no single "thing" to see, which is precisely what makes it work. You get weathered sandstone cliffs, coves that vanish at high tide, and the kind of light that changes every twenty minutes depending on the clouds.

Historically minded types will find their fill too - Hartland Point has a Victorian lighthouse, and the area's shipping history is written into every rock formation. The cliffs themselves tell you that this coast has always been unforgiving.

Walkers and seriously committed photographers will find themselves here for hours. Families with young children will tire after an hour or so - it's not a destination with facilities or attractions, just landscape. Allow a full day if you're doing the main paths properly.

You're minutes from Bideford itself, and the nearby glamping at Coastal Cabins or Roeys Retreat gives you proper accommodation without sacrificing access. This works brilliantly as a day-trip anchor point during a park-based holiday - dramatic enough to stand on its own, close enough not to eat your entire day driving.