Tuckingmill Valley Park

The valley itself is the main draw here - a proper slice of Cornish countryside that doesn't require a guidebook or admission fee. You're walking through a gorge of sorts, with the stream doing most of the talking as it tumbles over rocks and feeds into pools dark enough to actually look inviting on a hot day. It's the kind of walk where you can't plan much beyond "follow the water and see where it goes."

This works best for families with kids old enough not to need constant attention, and walkers who like moving water as much as they like moving themselves. You can be in and out in an hour if you're lazy about it, or spend a proper afternoon if you've got the legs for it. The ground gets boggy in winter, so come spring through autumn for the best footing.

From Redruth, it's a straightforward run to the valley - the town's become something of a base for exploring the wider mining landscape around these parts. If you're staying at Lanyon Holiday Park (closest option at 2.5 miles) or any of the other spots dotted round the area, this makes an easy morning or afternoon slot into a bigger itinerary. Pair it with a walk round one of the bigger parks nearby and you've got a solid day that costs nothing but petrol.