Tehidy Country Park

Tehidy Country Park spreads across 260 acres of mixed woodland and heathland just outside Hayle, and it's the sort of place you can lose a good half-day without trying. The park was once part of a grand estate - you'll spot the old mine workings and industrial heritage dotted about - but these days it's firmly nature territory. Woodland trails wind through beech and oak, open out onto heath, and if you time it right in late summer, the gorse and heather put on a proper show.

Walkers will find plenty here. The terrain's mostly gentle, though there are hillier sections if you want them, and you can string together anything from a quick 45-minute loop to a full couple of hours without backtracking. The park is genuinely quiet on weekdays - weekends bring families but never feels rammed. There's a car park and basic facilities, though no café, so bring a flask.

It's not a destination in itself if you're after dramatic views or rare birds. But if you're caravan-ing at Higher Trevaskis or one of the other holiday parks within a few miles of Hayle, Tehidy is exactly what you want on a morning or afternoon when you need space and trees without the tourist machinery. The industrial heritage is interesting if you're into that sort of thing, but most people come simply for the walk. Free to enter, and worth the drive from any of the local parks.