Top Tips For Discovering Secret Spots On Your Doorstep

One of the main reasons I started this Cornish lifestyle blog was to push myself to explore more of my home county. The blog has become a motivation for me to venture to new and unknown towns, villages and coastal paths in search of secret spots in Cornwall.

Some of the most memorable trips, walks and adventures I’ve had have been ‘accidental’ or unplanned, and I have stumbled across secret coves, shipwrecks, footprint free beaches and private beauty spots where I feel like the only person to ever set foot there.

Whether you live in Cornwall, the UK or even further afield, I guarantee you there are stones you’ve left unturned, pathways you’ve never walked or stunning scenery you’ve yet to behold in your local area. Read on for my top tips on discovering secret spots in Cornwall or your very own hometown.

Top Tip 1 | Google Map It

Maps are a great way to plan a day trip or your next walking location. I will often wake up with no idea where I’m heading, open Google Maps and choose a coastline or area I haven’t heard of or visited before.

If you live by the sea, zoom in and look for unnamed coves or inlets where secret beaches could be hiding. I’ve found some unreal spots this way, and these are places that aren’t common knowledge and can’t be found in travel guides, guaranteeing more privacy than the popular tourist beaches.

Top Tip 2 | Speak to the Locals

If you’re visiting a new destination, it is amazing what insider knowledge you can gain from being friendly and chatting to the locals. They may want to keep secret spots to themselves, but equally, you might get directions to your new favourite place.

Top Tip 3 | Don’t be afraid to detour

Sometimes the unplanned moments in life are the best. Detouring is a definite yes in my opinion! If you’re doing a familiar walk, shake yourself out of autopilot for a second and take note of your surroundings.

Could you try a different turning or have you always wondered where that dusty lane leads? Worst case scenario, you retrace your steps back to the familiar road. Best case scenario, you’ve uncovered a new location.

Top Tip 4 | Take notes for future reference

With the previous tip, sometimes there are a number of different pathways or directions you could take, and choosing is tricky. Often, each alternative route comes with fresh new views that you don’t want to miss out on.

I always jot down any alternative routes in my notes on my phone, or take a photo to refer to next time. This way, you can continue to enjoy your walk, knowing that you’ve got a brand new route to try next time!

Top Tip 5 | Know your limits

A tip I have fallen foul of so many times. When you’re out walking I’d advise setting yourself a limit as to how far you want to venture or how late you want to be out and about. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been led by my burning curiosity to ‘just make it to that beach’ which in turn leads to ‘just another half an hour’. Before I know it I’ve walked miles and forgotten I now have to walk all the way back, my feet are killing and it’s getting dark!

Top Tip 6 | Mark where you park

If you’re driving somewhere for your outdoor adventure and it’s an area you aren’t familiar with, I’d strongly suggest marking where you park on the Google Maps app or similar on your phone.

It might seem a bit overkill, but it takes seconds and if you do end up losing track of how many left or right turns you took it doesn’t matter. You may also find when you want to turn back, there could be a short cut from the way you came.

Top Tip 7 | Stay safe

When you’re off the beaten track it’s important to be wary of potential dangers. If you’re exploring cliff faces or coastal paths, keep well away from sheer drops, watch out for overhangs (where the edge appears to be stable but has no cliff support underneath) and if you’re thinking of entering the sea, take into consideration tide times, currents and swells.

For countryside rambles in particular, ensure you’re not trespassing on private land, watch out for herds of cattle and as a general rule, just check the weather forecast before you set off – are you wearing the right shoes? Will you be warm enough? Are you going to end up sun-burnt? You get the gist!

Top Tip 8 | Keep it on the DL

My final snippet of advice is pretty simple. What makes some of the best hidden beauty spots so special is the fact they are raw, mysterious and crowd-free. To keep it that way, respect the privacy of these spots for those who have made the effort to uncover them.

I’m not saying this to be selfish, as I am very open about sharing photos and stories of my adventures in Cornwall, but there comes a point where I know which spots not to plaster all over Instagram with exact directions, postcodes and coordinates. Half the fun is in the chase after all, and if I can stumble across these secret spots in Cornwall, so can you!

If you want some places to start, check out my previous blog post on the best picnic spots in west Cornwall.