Pentire Point West

The walk out to Pentire Point West rewards you with one of Cornwall's most dramatic coastal stretches, just north of Holywell. You're standing on proper high cliffs here, the kind that make your stomach lurch a bit when you peer over the edge. The path gets you to a rugged headland where the Atlantic does its thing against granite outcrops, and the views stretch for miles along the north coast.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. The approach from Holywell takes a decent hike, so anyone shuffling along expecting a gentle twenty-minute amble will be disappointed. But if you've got the legs for it and you're after that moment where the landscape stops you mid-stride, Pentire Point West delivers. There's something about standing at the edge of England looking out at nothing but sea and sky that puts things in perspective. Kids aged ten-plus will enjoy it; younger ones might find the wind unsettling and the lack of facilities tedious.

Time it for an afternoon when the light's starting to shift westward, and you'll understand why people bother coming here at all. Allow two to three hours for the full expedition, depending on your pace and how long you linger.

Stay at Anchor Barrow Campsite just over five miles away, and you've got a solid base for exploring this stretch of coast. The site's well-regarded, and Pentire Point West makes for a proper day out alongside other walks in the area. Perran View Holiday Park is another option if you want slightly more facilities nearby.