Seaton Country Park

The walk down to Seaton Country Park from Widegates is half the appeal - it's a proper trek through Cornish countryside before you hit the water. Once you get there, you're looking at a riverside park that sits on the Looe River, with good paths for wandering and enough space to actually move without tripping over other visitors. It's the sort of place where you can spend an hour or three pottering about rather than ticking off a major attraction.

Families will get the most mileage from it, especially if you've got walkers who don't need endless entertainment. There's river access, so you can paddle about or just sit and watch the water. Kids generally lose interest after a couple of hours, so don't go expecting a full day's outing unless you're pairing it with a longer walk upriver. The paths are manageable but muddy after rain - proper footwear matters.

If you're staying at Lydcott Glamping or Looe Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, this works as a decent morning or afternoon break without needing to drive far. It's free to access and there's no formal opening hours that I could dig out, which means you can rock up when it suits. Best visited outside school holidays if you want it quiet. Don't expect facilities - bring what you need. It's understated and unpolished, which is exactly why it's worth the short drive from Widegates.