Maer High Cliff Beach

The cliffs here are the real draw - proper dramatic stuff that towers over a decent stretch of sand and shingle. You get good views along the coast towards Bude, and on a clear day it's the kind of place where you can really see why people get obsessed with Cornwall's coastline. The beach itself is manageable at low tide, though it can disappear pretty quickly when the water comes in, so check your timings before you head down.

It's a solid spot for walkers. The cliff-top paths are straightforward enough, and you can loop towards Bude easily enough if you fancy extending it. Photographers will find decent angles, especially in golden hour light. Families with young kids should know it's a bit of a trek down to the actual beach - not impossible, but worth factoring in. If the little ones are after a full day of buckets and spades, you might find they get restless after a couple of hours.

Wooda Farm Holiday Park sits just 1.7 miles away and has the facilities to keep people occupied beyond beach days - that matters when British weather turns. Atlantic Horizons, the glamping spot near Poundstock, is far enough out that you'd only really base yourself there if you're after the full rural experience rather than easy beach access.

Free to visit, no obvious restrictions. Summer weekends pull crowds, but midweek in shoulder season is when you'll actually enjoy it.