Trevaylor Woods

Trevaylor Woods is a proper woodland walk inland from Chysauster, the sort of place that rewards you for leaving the coast behind for an hour or two. Ancient oak and beech trees crowd the slopes here, creating dense shade even on bright days, and the paths wind through fern-thick undergrowth that feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from the holiday parks scattered around St. Ives.

It's walkers' territory, really - the terrain isn't steep but it's uneven, with roots and dips that need attention. Families with older kids will manage fine; toddlers might find it frustrating. There's something appealing about how quiet it stays compared to the coastal trails everyone heads for.

No facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water. The whole walk takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on how much poking about you do. Spring and early summer are best - wet leaves in autumn get slippery, and winter floods parts of the lower sections. Free to access, naturally.

If you're based at St. Ives Holiday Village or Foxglove Field nearby, Trevaylor gives you a change of pace without a long drive. The granite and moorland scenery is lovely, but this is where you come when you want trees overhead instead of sky. It works well as a morning walk before heading down to the coast proper.