Stanbury Beach

The beach at Stanbury doesn't announce itself with much fanfare, which is half its charm. It's a proper working stretch of sand just outside Bude, backed by low cliffs and the sort of golden, rippled sand that looks different depending on the light. You'll find rock pools at low tide, which keeps younger kids occupied for a solid hour, and the beach shelves gently enough that paddlers aren't immediately out of their depth.

It's not a destination beach - you won't travel three hours to spend a week here. But if you're staying at Wooda Farm or Atlantic Horizons, both within four miles, it's the sort of place you'd pop to on a quiet afternoon when the main Bude beaches are rammed with families. The lack of facilities means you need to plan ahead with supplies, but that's also why it stays relatively peaceful.

Walkers will appreciate the coastal path access, and the cliffs offer decent views along the shore towards Bude itself. Summer brings visitors, naturally, but even then it's less intense than you'd get at Crooklets or Summerleaze just down the coast.

Allow a couple of hours if you're with kids, less if you're just stretching your legs. The tide matters here more than most beaches - check it before you go, or you'll find yourself stranded on a narrow strip of sand with nowhere to sit. Free to access, no facilities to speak of, and that's exactly how it should be.