Tidal pool

The tidal pools around Porthcothan are proper Cornwall - the kind of thing you stumble into rather than plan for. At low tide, the rock formations create natural basins filled with seawater, and it's genuinely brilliant for poking about. You'll find anemones, small fish, crabs if you're patient, and the odd starfish. It's the sort of activity that keeps kids engaged for longer than you'd expect, and adults actually find themselves intrigued too.

Timing is everything here. You need to hit it at low tide to get the pools exposed, so check the tide tables before you head out - get it wrong and you're just looking at a rocky beach. Most trips take an hour or two depending on how thorough you want to be. Bring a bucket, a net if you've got one, and definitely wear proper shoes; the rocks are slippery and unforgiving.

It works well as part of a wider beach day rather than a destination in itself. Porthcothan's got a decent stretch of sand, and the surrounding area is ideal if you're staying at one of the holiday parks - Parkdean Resorts Newquay or the Caravan Park options near Porth Beach are all within easy reach, about six miles away. Free to access, no admission charge, just turn up and make the most of the tide. Best visited in summer when the water's less grim and the sun might actually warm your backside while you're crouched over a rock pool.