Vealand Nature Reserve

The walk down to Vealand is properly rewarding - a coastal path that deposits you at a quiet stretch of North Cornwall coast where the cliffs drop away and you've got space to breathe. It's a nature reserve, so the appeal is straightforward: wildflowers in season, good bird watching if you know what you're looking for, and the kind of views that make you understand why people move to Cornwall and never leave. The beach itself is manageable and calm compared to some of the more dramatic stretches near Bude, which is only a short drive away.

This isn't a destination that'll keep you occupied for hours - you're looking at a decent walk of an hour or so if you explore properly, maybe less if you just want to grab the view and get on. Families with young kids will manage fine as long as they're used to a bit of uneven ground. It works brilliantly as a morning outing if you're based at Wooda Farm or Atlantic Horizons, both cracking spots within a few miles. On a clear day the light here is exceptional.

Go early in the day if you can. The reserve attracts a steady trickle of visitors and it's better experienced without crowds. Spring and early summer are when the wildflowers make an appearance, which genuinely transforms the place. Free to access, no facilities, so bring water and sensible shoes.