Willy Wilcox Cave

The cave mouth appears suddenly as you round the coastal path above Looe - a dark gape in the granite cliff face that's been attracting curious visitors for centuries. Inside, it's properly atmospheric: you're in a genuine sea cave with a sandy floor and enough headroom to stand upright, though not by much. The real appeal is the history. Local legend ties it to smugglers, and while I can't verify every tale you'll hear down the pub, the location certainly suits the story - hidden enough to work, close enough to the town to be useful.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to walkers who fancy something different from the standard cliff-top stroll, or to families with kids aged eight and upwards who enjoy a bit of mild adventure and aren't bothered by confined spaces. Younger children might find it underwhelming after five minutes. There's no entrance fee, no facilities, and no fixed hours - you visit when you want, which is either refreshingly simple or frustratingly vague depending on your mood.

Allow twenty minutes tops. Go at low tide if you want to explore the foreshore properly, though you don't need to venture far into the cave itself. The walk from Looe is pleasant enough, taking you past decent coastal scenery.

For a park holiday using Killigarth Manor or Tencreek as your base, it's a worthwhile detour on a coastal ramble rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with other Looe attractions - the town itself has proper character, the beaches are good, and there's walking to spare. The cave? It's a decent footnote to a proper day out.