Porthgwarra

The walk down to Porthgwarra is half the experience. You'll descend a steep coastal path through gorse and wild flowers, and suddenly the cove opens up - a proper little pocket of beach flanked by granite cliffs. It's small, intimate, and feels genuinely tucked away even though it's just a few miles south of Penzance.

There's not much to it, which is precisely the point. A strip of sand, rock pools that reward exploration, and a tiny stream that trickles down from the farmland above. On calm days the water is glassy enough to reflect the cliffs. On rougher days, it's dramatic and bracing.

Walkers will love it - the approach is genuinely beautiful and the cove itself makes for a proper destination rather than just a photo stop. Families should be warned: the descent is steep and relentless on the knees coming back up, and there are no facilities whatsoever, so bring water and snacks. An hour or two here feels about right unless you're serious about rock pooling or sketching.

Staying at Lands End Camping & Glamping puts you within striking distance, and you could easily pair this with wider coastal walking or a visit to Mousehole nearby. The car park is small and fills quickly in summer - go early or accept you might need to park further up and walk. Free to visit, obviously, but don't expect a beach bar or ice cream van. That's rather the appeal.