Tintagel Castle waterfall

The waterfall at Tintagel Castle isn't the main draw - that honour belongs to the dramatic ruins perched above the Cornish cliffs - but it's the thing that stops you in your tracks when you turn the corner on the coastal path. Water cascades down the rock face with real force, especially after rain, and you can walk right up to it without too much hassle. The spot feels properly Arthurian, if you're into that sort of thing, with mist rising off the rocks and the Atlantic crashing somewhere beyond the headland.

Historically minded visitors will spend the bulk of their time exploring the castle itself, which requires a paid ticket and a fair bit of scrambling up and down stone steps. The waterfall is more of a bonus - a ten-minute detour that rewards you with one of those shots that actually looks decent on your phone, and a chance to catch your breath if you've just tackled the steep climb from Tintagel village.

Walkers heading this way from Bodmin will find themselves on some of the best coastal terrain in Cornwall. It's not a gentle stroll - the path is steep and the wind can be brutal - but the payoff is real. Allow a full morning if you're doing the castle and the waterfall properly. Summer's busy enough to feel like an open day at times, so consider May or September if you want something quieter. Staying at somewhere like Rosebud Farm Touring Park gives you a decent base within a few miles, and breaks up what would otherwise be a very long drive back from the coast.