Downderry

Downderry is a small clifftop village on Cornwall’s south-east coast, between Looe and the Tamar Valley. Its south-facing sandy beach stays calm enough for swimming rather than surfing, and rarely gets crowded even in peak summer. Plymouth is about 30 minutes away across the Tamar Bridge.

The village itself is small: a handful of houses, a pub, a village shop and not much else. That’s the point. The beach is rarely crowded even in peak summer, and the coastal walking in both directions is excellent. Head east along the coast path towards Seaton for easy, flat walking with views across Whitsand Bay, or go west towards Looe for something more dramatic. The Monkey Sanctuary at nearby Murrayton is an unusual day out for families.

Downderry works well as a peaceful base for exploring south-east Cornwall without the bustle of Looe or Polperro. Plymouth is about half an hour away across the Tamar Bridge if you want a bigger town fix, and the Rame Peninsula - often called Cornwall’s forgotten corner - is nearby and well worth a day’s exploring. The village also has a tennis court and a small children’s play area near the beach. Low tide reveals wide expanses of firm sand that extend toward Seaton, making the beach particularly good for long walks during spring and autumn.