Saint Materiana

Perched on a dramatic clifftop above Mawgan Porth beach, this modest 13th-century church cuts a striking silhouette against the Cornish sky. The walk down from the car park is steep enough to make you question your fitness levels, but the payoff is genuine - you're standing in one of Cornwall's most atmospheric coastal spots, with the Atlantic wind doing its best to knock you sideways.

Inside, it's all whitewashed walls and worn flagstones, the kind of place where you can feel centuries of worship without any of the fuss. The real draw, though, is the setting. Walkers come here as part of coastal path routes between Bodmin and the north coast, and it's easy to see why. The views across the cliffs are proper spectacular, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles.

It's free to visit and there's no set opening hours - you can access it most times, though check ahead if you're planning a specific trip. Allow 30 minutes minimum if you're just popping in, but an hour or so works better if you want to soak in the location properly. Families with younger kids might find the steep approach a bit much, but anyone who enjoys coastal walks and small churches will get plenty out of it.

If you're staying at Rosebud Farm Touring Park nearby, this makes an excellent morning or late-afternoon excursion. Combine it with a beach walk at Mawgan Porth itself - you'll earn a proper cream tea afterwards.