Treyarnon Beach

The sweep of golden sand here runs for nearly a mile between two rocky headlands, and it's the kind of beach that rewards turning up early. Treyarnon sits on Cornwall's north coast between Padstow and Watergate Bay, making it a proper working beach - meaning you'll see surfers, families with buckets, and the odd dog walker all sharing the same stretch of shore. The waves roll in consistently, which is why surfers rate it, but the northern end near the car park is gentler and more sheltered if you've got young kids in tow. At low tide the beach expands considerably and you can walk right out onto the flats, which older children find endlessly entertaining. There's decent parking right above the beach and a handful of beach shops, though calling them facilities might be generous - grab supplies from Padstow first if you're planning a full day. The walk down is manageable without being steep. Realistically, families will get two to three hours here before the novelty wears off, depending on the tide and weather. Surfers and walkers will find more to occupy them. The beach doesn't have the postcard drama of somewhere like Watergate Bay just down the coast, but that's partly why it works - fewer crowds, same quality sand and sea. If you're staying at any of the nearby holiday parks - Padstow Holiday Village is only 3.3 miles away, or Watergate Bay Touring Park at 5.6 miles - Treyarnon makes an easy half-day addition to your week rather than a pilgrimage.