Trevone Bay

The bay itself is the draw here - a proper crescent of golden sand backed by low cliffs, the kind of place that feels properly Cornish without the tourist crush you get at Padstow proper. At low tide you get a decent stretch of beach; at high tide it's more intimate, the water coming right up to the rocks. The village of Trevone sits right behind it, which means you can grab a coffee and a pasty without much faffing about.

It's a solid spot for families with younger kids. The beach shelves gently, there's rock pools to poke about in when the tide's out, and the sand is fine enough that you won't hear complaints about it getting everywhere. Older children and teenagers will find it a bit quiet unless there's a decent swell - then the surfers show up and it becomes more interesting to watch.

Walkers get something out of it too. The South West Coast Path runs through, and you can pick up decent routes heading towards Trevose Head or back towards Constantine Bay. The cliffs aren't dramatic, but they're pleasant enough, and the light at the end of the afternoon is genuinely lovely.

If you're based at Padstow Holiday Village or Dennis Cove Campsite, Trevone Bay is basically on your doorstep - fifteen minutes' drive at most. It's the sort of place you'll visit a few times across a week-long stay, not a single big outing. Free to access, obviously. Go at slack water for the easiest beach time.