Penally Hill

The walk up Penally Hill from Bude takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a decent pace, and the payoff is proper expansive - you get the whole north Cornwall coastline spread out before you, all golden cliffs and churning sea. On a clear day, you can trace the curve of the coast for miles. It's not a difficult climb, more of a steady tramp through farmland and coastal paths, though the final stretch does get a bit steep.

This is walker country, full stop. You won't find a café at the top or any facilities, so bring water and something to eat if you're planning to linger. The views are the entire point here - there's no visitor centre or heritage plaque to occupy you. That's actually the appeal. It's the sort of place where you can sit for an hour watching the light change on the water without feeling obliged to do anything else.

Families with reasonably fit kids will enjoy it; under-eights might struggle with the length and the muddy bits. The best time is morning, before the wind picks up and the cloud rolls in. Late afternoon works too, though the light gets complicated.

If you're based at Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages or the Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site, it's an easy morning or afternoon excursion - close enough that you won't spend your whole day travelling. Pair it with a coastal walk down towards Widemouth Bay and you've got a solid day sorted. Free, naturally. Bring proper boots.