Covington Woods

The woods around Covington form a proper tangle of oak and beech that feels worlds away from the coastal circus just down the road near Polruan. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - birdsong, the occasional rustle of something unseen in the undergrowth, and not much else.

Walking here is what you're after. Trails wind through enough woodland to keep you occupied for a couple of hours, though it's not a destination where you'll spend a full day. The forest floor is soft with leaf matter, and in spring the light breaks through the canopy in that golden, cathedral-like way that makes photography types irritatingly happy.

This suits walkers more than anyone else. History buffs won't find much to bite on, and the woodland itself lacks the dramatic rock formations or streams that make some Cornish forests proper showstoppers. Kids will manage an hour before asking if you've got snacks. Elderly visitors might find the uneven terrain a bit wearing depending on their mobility.

Since you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Par Sands, Tremeer Farm, or East Crinnis are all within three miles - Covington Woods makes a solid backup plan when the coast is too windy or crowded. You won't need to pay anything to access it, and you can literally roll out of your holiday accommodation and be among the trees in minutes. Go early to dodge any afternoon foot traffic, though honestly there's rarely much of a queue here.