Bude

The swimming pool here is the shape of a sea serpent. That's your first clue that Bude isn't quite like other Cornish seaside towns - it does things its own way.

Rugged cliffs stretch north and south from this former fishing port, hiding a collection of beaches that range from proper surfing breaks to sheltered family coves. Sandy Mouth Beach draws the board riders, while Wren Beach offers calmer waters for younger swimmers. The coastline is relentless here - cliff after cliff broken by deep valleys where streams cut through to the sea.

Beyond the beaches, Bude's character comes from its position between coast and countryside. The town sits at the mouth of the River Neet, with the Bude Canal running inland through gentle farmland. Walking the towpath takes you away from the salt air into proper Cornwall - fields bounded by stone walls, distant church towers marking ancient villages.

Northcott Mouth beach lies just south of town, a wide expanse of sand backed by low cliffs. Further along, Holacombe Beach and the smaller Rane Beach offer more secluded spots when the main beaches get busy in summer. The coast path links them all, though some sections involve a fair bit of scrambling.

Getting here means the A39 from Barnstaple or the A3072 from Holsworthy. The nearest station is Gunnislake, about an hour away by car. Staying at one of the holiday parks around Bude makes perfect sense - you're close enough to walk to the beaches but far enough out to enjoy the peace of the Cornish countryside between adventures.