Sandymouth beach, just a 15-minute drive from the Cornish town of Bude, is a serene stretch of coastline that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The reason for this is its steep walk down from the car park. Those who are willing to brave the slope, will find themselves at a peaceful escape with fewer visitors than other nearby beaches. This hidden coastal gem is cared for by the National Trust, so you’re guaranteed breathtaking views, untouched sands and preserved natural beauty.

This beach is notoriously known for its high tide, meaning the sea covers the majority of the beach. It’s easy for the tides to take people by surprise, so be sure to check tide times ahead of arrival. Cattle and sheep can be found grazing on the cliff top fields all throughout the year so be alert, especially for those visiting with dogs.

If you’re planning on spending a long day at the beach, then you’re advised to try and arrive an hour or two before low tide when there’s the most sand and rock pools to explore. You must remember that the coast is a dynamic environment and ever-changing. The sand tends to get moved around by the tides and sea conditions so it's almost impossible to predict what the beach will look like that day. This is what the National Trust claims to be “magic of the coast”, and we couldn’t agree more.

The steep cliffs towards the back of the beach are geologically significant, making it a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), including fossilised plant remains and 300-million-year-old twisted rock formations, common to the Bude area. They also feature a couple of small waterfalls, so be sure to look out for them on your adventures.

There are a couple of pleasant walking trails to enjoy here. The Sandymouth to Duckpool coastal walk follows the South West Coast Path to Duckpool before returning along the same route. The panoramic views stretch far along the coast, with clifftops adorned with wildflowers during the summer months.

The other enjoyable trail goes from Sandymouth to Stove Wood, offering contrasting landscapes as it follows dramatic coastlines to Duckpool before heading inland along a wooded valley, through the centuries-old Stowe Wood before heading back to Sandymouth. This route is ideal for birdwatchers as blackcaps, linnets and stonechats can be found there.

This is a popular spot for families during summer - with a seasonal lifeguard and its clean water, it makes it all the more appealing. It’s also popular with surfers looking to ride the Atlantic swells, or nature loves captivated by the surrounding terrain. Keep a sharp eye out for the ghostly remains of a shipwreck half-buried in the sand.