Chapel Porth Beach

The sand at Chapel Porth stretches out in a proper arc, backed by steep cliffs that catch the light in late afternoon and turn everything golden. It's the kind of beach that rewards an early start - get there before the car parks fill and you've got room to breathe, to walk the length without dodging families.

What makes this place different from the dozen other Cornish beaches is the tin mining heritage. You'll spot the old engine houses perched above the sand, relics from when this stretch was serious industrial landscape. They're not fancy ruins - they're just there, matter-of-fact, part of the cliff face. Kids tend to find them more interesting than another stretch of sand and ice cream.

The beach itself is good for families with capable swimmers. The water's cold (it's always cold), and there's a decent slope, so little ones can paddle without you needing to wade out too far. Low tide opens up rock pools and more sand to explore. High tide brings it up fast, so don't leave your basecamp right at the waterline.

Goonvrea's the nearest settlement, though it's barely there - you're really using this as a day trip from Perran View Holiday Park or the other glamping spots within a few miles. The walk up from the beach is steep enough to earn a decent thigh burn, especially on the way back. Allow three hours minimum if you're swimming and poking around. Summer weekends get rammed. Autumn or spring mornings? Cracking spot to have almost to yourself.