Par Beach Bird Lake

There's a lagoon just outside Par that most visitors heading to Cornwall's beaches completely miss. Par Beach Bird Lake is a nature reserve built on reclaimed land, and it's surprisingly good for spotting wading birds without the crowds you'd get at the more famous reserves elsewhere in the county.

The walk around the perimeter is straightforward - nothing strenuous, mostly flat paths with decent views across the water. You'll see avocets, redshanks, and if you time it right during migration seasons, some real rarities. The light in the late afternoon is properly golden, which makes for decent photographs if you're into that sort of thing.

It's ideal for a couple of hours if you've got binoculars and patience. Families with young children might find it a bit slow unless they're already keen birdwatchers - there's no play area or facilities to speak of, so it's purely about what you can see on the water. That said, locals know it's a legitimate spot for twitching, so don't expect an overcrowded nature trail.

Combine it with a visit to nearby Par Beach itself - a working beach with proper character - or base yourself at The Meadows Campsite or Pentewan Sands Holiday Park, both just under six miles away. The reserve works best early morning when the birds are most active and the place feels genuinely peaceful.