Porthbean Beach

A proper little cove just south of Truro, Porthbean Beach is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The beach itself is small - rocky, with patches of sand that shift with the tide - and hemmed in by steep cliffs that give it an enclosed, secret-garden feel. Swimming is possible at high tide, though the water's cold even in summer. Walkers will find the approach rewarding: a steep path winds down from the clifftop, giving you glimpses of the coastline stretching east and west before you reach the beach proper.

This is really a spot for people who like a bit of solitude and don't mind picking their way over rocks. Families with young children might find the descent and the unforgiving beach surface more hassle than it's worth. Photographers, though, will spend hours here - the rock formations and the way light hits the water late in the day are genuinely special.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow an hour or so if you're just dipping down for a look, longer if you're settling in with a picnic or serious about the rock pools. The nearest sizable town is Truro, which gives you proper shops and restaurants if you need supplies. Veryan Camping and Caravanning Club Site sits about four miles away - a good base if you're planning a few days exploring this stretch of coast. The beach works best visited alone or with one or two others; it loses something the moment it gets crowded.