Seaton Beach

The beach at Seaton stretches wide and golden when the tide's out, backed by low cliffs that wouldn't look out of place in a children's book. It's properly sheltered - the bay curves round like a bowl, which means you get decent waves without the Atlantic battering you about, and families tend to flock here for exactly that reason. The sand is good, the car park's reasonable, and you can walk the whole length without scrambling over rocks, which is half the battle in Cornwall.

There's not much in the way of facilities - no tacky amusement arcades or fish-and-chip shops right on the beach - so bring what you need. The nearby village of Widegates is small but functional if you've forgotten a towel or want a decent cup of tea afterwards. Kids will get a solid few hours here, particularly if they're the type to build things and potter about in rock pools when the tide's out. Adults who just want a proper beach walk without crowds will appreciate it too.

It works brilliantly as part of a wider Looe area trip - you're only a few miles from Tencreek Holiday Park and the other sites dotted around Widegates, so it's an easy slot into a week of coastal exploring. The walk up the South West Coast Path from here is gentle enough if you're not feeling ambitious. Worth going, though don't expect drama - it's honest, straightforward Cornwall, which is precisely what some people want.