Widemouth Bay, Widemouth Bay: Our Lady & St Anne

The church sits just back from the cliff edge at Widemouth Bay, a modest stone building that's been watching over this stretch of Cornish coast for centuries. Our Lady & St Anne is properly small - you won't spend hours here - but it's got that quiet, salt-worn appeal that makes these coastal chapels worth seeking out.

Inside, it's all whitewashed walls and simple fixtures. The real draw is the location itself. You're perched above one of the best beaches in the area, and on a clear day you can feel the Atlantic wind rattling the windows. It's the kind of place where you understand why people built churches in these spots - the view alone feels spiritual.

The village of Widemouth Bay is just a short walk away (Bude's only a couple of miles inland if you need supplies), so it slots nicely into a seaside afternoon. Park yourself at Atlantic Surf Pods or Wooda Farm Holiday Park nearby, and you've got a proper coastal base. Walkers will appreciate the cliff-top setting and the easy access down to the beach. History buffs might find it a bit austere for lengthy study, but families passing through won't feel like it's a wasted stop - five minutes to look around, then straight down to the sand.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you want the place to yourself. The light's better then anyway, and you'll actually hear the waves instead of the car park.