Royal Terrace Gardens (Rock Walk)

The Rock Walk at Royal Terrace Gardens is a proper coastal scramble rather than a polished nature reserve - you're clambering over actual rocks, not meandering through manicured beds. It's the sort of place where you'll need decent footwear and won't mind getting a bit damp if the sea spray's up. The walk takes you along Devon's rugged shoreline with views that genuinely shift as you go. You'll spot rock pools if the tide's out, gulls doing their thing, and the kind of raw coastal geology that makes geology types genuinely happy.

For families with older kids who like a bit of adventure, it's brilliant. Younger ones might struggle with the footing, and anyone after a leisurely stroll should look elsewhere - this demands proper attention to where you're putting your feet. Most people spend between one and two hours here depending on tide and fitness. The nearest town gives you facilities, but there's nothing fancy on site.

It works well as part of a broader Devon coastal holiday. Hoburne Devon Bay, Waterside Holiday Park, and Beverley Holidays are all within easy reach if you're basing yourself in caravans or lodge accommodation. The walk itself is free, which is just as well given there are no cafes or visitor facilities. Go when the tide's low if you want maximum scrambling room, and check conditions beforehand - rough seas make this properly tricky.