Polzeath Beach

The moment you crest the dunes at Polzeath, you understand why this stretch of North Cornwall coast has pulled in surfers and families for decades. It's a proper Blue Flag beach - three miles of golden sand with a decent swell most of the year and enough space that even in peak summer you're not standing shoulder to shoulder.

The beach breaks into two clear sections. The northern end suits swimmers and families, with gentler conditions and a lifeguard presence in summer. Head south and you'll find the surfers congregating where the waves actually do something interesting. There's a reef break that gets going when the Atlantic sends proper swell, and the local surf schools are always busy along the shore.

Walkers should allow a couple of hours to properly explore. The cliffs either side are manageable walks - nothing punishing - and low tide opens up rock pools worth investigating if you've got kids. The beach itself is accessible from the car park in New Polzeath, though that fills up fast in August.

Truth is, Polzeath works because it's not trying too hard. There's a café doing decent coffee, a couple of shops selling wetsuits and beach gear, but it hasn't been overdeveloped into theme-park territory. If you're staying at Porthilly Beach or St Minver holiday parks nearby, you're barely fifteen minutes away. Families with older kids will get proper value out of a full day here. Younger ones might manage three to four hours before boredom sets in.