Jubilee Pool

The sea wall at Newlyn holds something rather special - a lido that's been keeping Cornish swimmers happy since 1935. Jubilee Pool is an open-air saltwater affair, fed directly from the Atlantic, which means you're essentially swimming in the actual sea but with the comfort of defined lanes and a proper deep end. It's a genuine local institution, the sort of place where you'll see everything from serious lap swimmers to families splashing about on summer mornings.

The pool itself is Olympic-sized, which sounds grander than it looks - it's functional rather than flashy, all that gorgeous Cornish weathered stone and the kind of authentic charm that comes from being properly used rather than polished for Instagram. On a clear day the setting is proper lovely, with the water reflecting the sky and the whole Atlantic sprawling beyond.

Walkers and swimmers get the most from this. It's genuinely good for a proper swim rather than a paddle, and the location on the Newlyn waterfront makes it easy to combine with a wander around the fishing village itself. Fair warning though - it can get rammed during school holidays and bank holidays, so go early if you want breathing room. Summer's the obvious choice, though even in shoulder seasons the hardy types get in.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Foxglove Field or St. Ives Holiday Village puts you within easy reach - Newlyn's only a few miles down the coast. The pool works brilliantly as a morning stop before exploring the wider Penwith area. Check ahead for opening hours and entry fees before you head down, as these do shift seasonally.