St Mewan Beacon

Sweeping views across the china clay country make the climb to this modest summit well worth the effort. St Mewan Beacon rises to just 201 metres above sea level, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in panoramic vistas that stretch from Bodmin Moor to the English Channel.

The approach from High Street takes you through typical Cornish countryside - stone walls, gorse-lined lanes, and the odd farmstead. It's not a challenging walk by any means, though the final push up can get your heart rate going if you're carrying a picnic. Families with older children will manage it easily enough, though toddlers might need a piggyback for the steeper bits.

From the top, the white scars of the Eden Project's clay pits dominate the eastern horizon, while westward you can pick out St Austell Bay on a clear day. The beacon itself is marked by a small cairn rather than anything grand - this is about the views, not the destination.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Pentewan Sands or East Crinnis, it makes for a decent morning's exercise before hitting the beach. Allow two hours return including time to appreciate the vista. Best avoided in thick fog when you'll see precisely nothing for your efforts.