Tidal Pool

Low tide on the Cornish coast reveals something magical - rockpools teeming with life that you simply cannot see at high water. The tidal pool near Treyarnon is one of those spots where you genuinely feel like you've found something the other tourists haven't, though you'll want to time your visit carefully if you actually want to see anything worth seeing.

What makes this worthwhile is the sheer variety of marine life on offer. Anemones, starfish, crabs, small fish darting between rocks - if you've got kids, they'll be absolutely transfixed turning over stones and peering into crevices. Adults tend to either love it or find it a bit samey after twenty minutes, depending on whether they're the type to crouch down and actually look. Bring a net and a bucket, wear old shoes you don't mind getting wet, and definitely check the tide times before you go. You'll want to arrive within the first hour or two after low tide; any later and you're just staring at rocks again.

This works brilliantly as a morning activity if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Dennis Cove Campsite or Padstow Holiday Village - it's only a few miles from Treyarnon, so minimal faff getting there. Combine it with a proper beach day at Treyarnon itself or head to Watergate Bay Touring Park's stretch of coast for something with a bit more drama. Free admission, obviously. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you've got patient kids.