Whipsiderry beach

The walk down to Whipsiderry isn't short, and that's rather the point. You get a proper sense of arrival when you finally reach this sprawling Cornish beach, the kind of place that rewards the effort. It's a long, golden stretch backed by dunes and cliff paths, with enough space that even on busy days you can find a quiet corner if you're bothered to wander.

This is a swimmer's beach and a walker's beach. The sand stays relatively firm near the water's edge, and the slope is gentle enough that families with younger kids won't spend the whole time fishing them out of the shallows. The real draw, though, is the isolation factor. It's close to Porth but far enough off the main road that coach parties haven't colonized it.

Walkers will appreciate the clifftop paths that run north and south - proper coastal scenery, this, all golden cliffs and rough grass. You can spend hours just following the coast one direction or another. In summer it gets busy enough to feel alive rather than lonely, but never crushingly so.

Timing matters. Hit it at low tide if you want the full beach experience; high tide crowds the shoreline against the dunes. The wind can whip through here, so check the forecast before dragging a windbreak down that path. Allow a good three to four hours if you want to actually use the beach rather than just peer at it from the car park.

Staying at Trewan Hall or Resparva House puts you within easy reach - both are solid parks with good facilities. Whipsiderry is the sort of beach that makes a holiday rather than just fills an afternoon.