Pedn Vounder Beach

The walk down to Pedn Vounder is steep - genuinely steep - but you'll understand why once you reach the sand. This small beach sits tucked beneath dramatic cliffs near Penzance, the sort of place that feels properly remote even though it's within spitting distance of the town. The cove itself is intimate, with golden sand that's usually quieter than the bigger Cornish beaches. Bring decent shoes because the cliff path is unforgiving, especially after rain.

You get a proper sense of why people come here: the rock formations are striking, and at low tide there's space to spread out without bumping into families who've driven straight to the car park. It's worth allowing a good two hours if you want time to explore the beach itself rather than just huffing down and back up again. Swimmers should check conditions first - the beach faces west and can get choppy depending on swell.

This works well as a morning venture if you're staying at Lands End Camping & Glamping or Roselands Caravan Camping Park nearby. You could easily combine it with other south-coast spots in the area without dedicating your whole day to it. The walk keeps families with older kids entertained, though toddlers will struggle with the descent and ascent. Best visited outside peak summer weekends unless you're after that proper wilderness feeling - then it's rather lovely even when busy.