National Trust - Boscastle

The cliffs here rise up sharply from a working harbour that feels properly lived-in, not prettified for tourists. Boscastle is a National Trust village - all narrow streets and slate cottages wedged into a steep valley that runs down to the sea. You'll spend a good hour wandering the village itself, poking into the few independent shops and grabbing lunch at one of the pubs that line the main street. The real draw is the walk up to Penally Point or along the coastal path, where the views back down into the harbour are genuinely excellent.

It's free to wander around, which is the main appeal. No entrance fee, no gift shop nonsense - just a proper Cornish fishing village that hasn't been completely overtaken. The walk down to the harbour is steep, mind you. If you're staying at Pencuke Farm or the Bude site - both within easy striking distance - this makes a solid half-day trip, especially if you combine it with a coastal walk towards Tintagel. Families with younger kids might find the steep streets a bit much, and there's not loads to keep them occupied beyond exploring rock pools at low tide. Historians will appreciate the medieval layout of the place. Visit on a weekday if you can - weekends in summer bring a fair few day-trippers from Bude and Wadebridge. The harbour mouth gets dramatic in rough weather, which is worth timing a visit around if you're here for dramatic scenery.