Church Cove

The beach at Church Cove sits in a tight crescent of golden sand, backed by low cliffs and reached by a steep path that'll have your calves burning. It's properly secluded - you won't find the crowds here that plague the big Cornish beaches, which makes it all the more worth the effort if you're camping nearby at Henry's Camp Site.

What you get is a sheltered cove with decent sand, rockpools that kids genuinely enjoy poking about in, and enough space to actually spread out a towel without sitting on someone's picnic. The water's cold year-round - it's Cornwall, not the Mediterranean - but swimmable enough in summer months. There's a small car park above, though it fills up quickly on bank holidays.

This isn't a destination beach. Don't expect facilities or a beach bar. What it is, though, is a proper alternative to the posher, more manicured Cornish beaches. Families with young children will appreciate the rockpools and relative calm. Walkers should know the South West Coast Path runs nearby, so you can combine it with longer routes. If you're staying at Henry's Camp Site, you've essentially got a private beach on your doorstep.

Go early morning or late afternoon to dodge what little crowd does show up. Bring what you need - water, snacks, sun cream. The beach is free and technically open year-round, though winter swells can make it choppy.