National Trust - Godrevy

The lighthouse stands on a rocky island just offshore, white and resolute against the Cornish sky. Godrevy is one of those places that stops you in your tracks - you round the coastal path and there it is, proper dramatic against the Atlantic. The National Trust runs this stretch of coastline near Hayle, and it's genuinely worth half a day of walking.

You can't actually reach the lighthouse itself (it's still operational and off-limits), but the coastal path offers several vantage points, and on a clear day the views stretch for miles. The beach below is sandy and sheltered enough for a paddle, though the water's cold even in summer. It's the sort of place where you understand why Virginia Woolf set a novel here - there's something about the light and the isolation that gets under your skin.

Walkers will love this more than anyone else. The terrain's manageable but not flat, and you'll want proper shoes. Budget two to three hours minimum to do the walk justice and actually sit with the view. Families with young children might find the cliffside stretches a bit nerve-wracking, though the paths are generally well-maintained.

Admission is free (it's National Trust land), and there's a car park on the cliffs. If you're staying at Higher Trevaskis or Haven Riviere Sands, both within three miles, this makes a proper outing. Visit in spring when the gorse blooms yellow, or on one of those rare windless autumn days when the sea goes glassy.