The Wooldown torch

Standing on the cliffs near Looe, this weathered stone beacon has watched over the Cornish coast for centuries. The Wooldown torch served as a vital navigation aid for ships entering the treacherous waters around the town, though today it's more of a curiosity than a working landmark.

History buffs will appreciate the story behind this coastal marker, even if there's not masses to see beyond the structure itself. The walk to reach it offers decent views back towards Looe and along the dramatic coastline - well worth combining with a longer coastal path ramble rather than making it a destination in its own right.

Families staying at nearby parks like Tencreek or Waterside might find it a pleasant enough diversion during a cliff-top walk, though younger children could easily lose interest after ten minutes of looking at old stones. The real appeal lies in imagining the sailors who once relied on this beacon to guide them safely home.

Access appears to be free, as you'd expect for something that's essentially part of the landscape now. Allow an hour if you're walking from Looe itself, less if you can park closer to the clifftop. Best visited on a clear day when you can properly appreciate the coastal setting that made this torch so important to generations of mariners.