Widemouth Sands

Two miles south of Bude, Widemouth Sands stretches for nearly half a mile in a proper golden arc, backed by low cliffs and dunes that give it a sense of remoteness you wouldn't expect so close to town. The beach itself is vast at low tide - enough space that even on busy summer days you can find a quiet corner. Waves roll in consistently, which makes it popular with surfers, though swimmers and families with young kids do fine in the calmer patches near the southern end.

What makes it work is the mix. There's a lifeguard service in summer, a decent car park (paid, though rates are reasonable), and enough of a beach cafe scene without it feeling overdeveloped. The sand's firm enough for walking, and the dunes have proper trails if you fancy stretching your legs beyond the waterline. Rock pools appear at low tide too, which will keep children occupied for longer than you'd expect.

It's genuinely worth the short drive from Bude, especially if your holiday parks - Atlantic Surf Pods, Wooda Farm, or Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site - are in the area. If the Atlantic swell's up, you'll understand why the surfers are here. If it's flat, you've got a beach that's just pleasant without being exciting, which isn't a bad thing on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. Allow two to three hours minimum. Go early if you can - the car park fills by noon in summer.