Ruan Pool

A small freshwater lake tucked inland from Helston, Ruan Pool is the sort of place locals know and visitors stumble upon by accident - which is exactly why it's worth the detour. The water sits in a shallow basin ringed by trees, with a decent-sized car park nearby and a footpath that loops around the perimeter. It takes about forty minutes to do the full circuit without stopping, less if you're just after a quick leg-stretch.

The appeal is straightforward. If you're camping at Henry's Camp Site or The Secret Garden Glamping - both within easy driving distance - this is somewhere to walk off a cooked breakfast without needing to commit to a full moorland hike. The pool itself is pretty enough, especially on a clear day when you get reflections of the sky. There's a bench or two where you can sit and watch for fish, though it's not a dramatic landscape - more gentle and pastoral than spectacular.

Families with young kids will find it manageable. The path is mostly flat and well-trodden, and there's enough room for a picnic if you've brought supplies. The main drawback is that it's not really a destination in itself - you'll do the walk, enjoy the peace for half an hour, and head off again. Don't expect facilities, cafes, or anything resembling a visitor centre. It's just a proper country walk, which is rather the point. Summer weekends can get crowded with locals, so early morning or a weekday visit tends to be quieter. Free to access, which counts for something.