St Winwaloe, Gunwalloe

The church sits right at the water's edge at Gunwalloe, which is frankly mad. Most of Cornwall's coastline has been carved back by centuries of Atlantic storms, yet here stands St Winwaloe, perched on a shingle bank with the sea practically lapping at its walls. You can walk straight down from the car park and be at the entrance within five minutes.

It's a proper medieval church - 13th century at its core - and small enough that you'll see everything in twenty minutes. The interior is plain but honest, with a sense of real age about it. What makes it special is the setting itself. Stand outside and the drama of the location hits you: cliffs rise up behind, the beach spreads either side, and you're genuinely conscious of how exposed this place is to the elements.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate that this is one of Cornwall's oldest dedicated churches. If you've got kids, they'll be less impressed by the interior but the beach access and the novelty of a church on the shore will keep them engaged briefly.

Free to visit, though it can close for private services without warning. Allow thirty to forty minutes including a wander along the beach. Winter storms sometimes make the path treacherous, so check conditions first.

It works well as a stop if you're based at The Secret Garden Glamping nearby - only 2.6 miles away - combining a bit of heritage with a coastal walk. On its own it's not a destination in itself, but paired with the beaches around Gunwalloe it justifies the drive.