Saint Just Cricket Club

There's a cricket ground tucked away near Penzance that doubles as a proper nature reserve - and that's exactly the sort of thing you stumble upon in Cornwall when you're not expecting it. Saint Just Cricket Club sits in country that's genuinely wild, with the kind of coastal views that make you forget you're stood next to a pavilion. The club maintains the grounds in a way that lets nature get on with its business - rough grassland, stone walls, the works - so you'll spot birds and wildflowers without needing to plan a separate nature walk.

It's the sort of place walkers drift into while exploring the lanes around Penzance, rather than somewhere you'd put at the top of your itinerary. That said, if you're based at Lands End Camping & Glamping (just down the road) and fancy something low-key between beach days, it's worth an hour. The cricket calendar means summer weekends can have actual matches on, which is oddly atmospheric if you catch it - proper village cricket with views. Families won't get bored for long unless the kids are keen on either sport or birdwatching, but the walking routes through and around the reserve are solid.

Check ahead before you go, as opening times and access aren't always straightforward for cricket clubs. The admission situation isn't entirely clear either - you may find it's free to walk the grounds, or there might be a small charge on match days. Either way, it's a genuine off-the-beaten-track spot that tells you something true about how rural Cornwall works.