Wren Beach

A proper working beach, this one - Wren sits just south of Bude and doesn't have that polished, Instagram-ready feel of some Cornish coves. The sand's dark and firm, backed by low cliffs with gorse and sea pinks, and the whole place has an honest, lived-in quality that families actually prefer once they're here.

Swimming is decent at mid to high tide, though the currents can be lively so it's worth checking conditions. The waves work for beginners on soft days, but experienced surfers tend to head elsewhere. Most people come for the space - you can spread out without tripping over someone's windbreak - and the uncomplicated charm of it all. At low tide the beach extends properly, revealing pools and stretches of sand that keep kids occupied for hours.

There's limited parking right by the beach and the facilities are basic - no cafe, no showers - so come prepared. An hour or two works for families wanting a coastal break without the circus, though walkers often make it part of a longer ramble along the cliffs towards Crooklets Beach.

Stay at Wooda Farm Holiday Park just 3.2 miles north and you've got easy access without the summer crowds of central Bude. Atlantic Horizons glamping, also nearby, suits those wanting something more relaxed. Either way, Wren's the sort of beach you remember for how easy it felt rather than how fancy it looked.