Kynance Cove, Cornwall

Kynance Cove is a sheltered sandy beach on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, known for its turquoise water, offshore rock stacks and sea caves. It lies on the south-west side of the peninsula, managed by the National Trust, and is reached from a car park about 10 minutes' walk away on the cliff path. The cove is bordered by serpentine rock, a dark green and red stone that was once carved into souvenirs sold to Victorian visitors, including Queen Victoria. Rocks including Asparagus Island, the Bellows and Gull Rock lie off the beach, and at low tide, visitors can explore caves, arches and rock pools, including the Devil's Bellows blowhole on Asparagus Island, which spouts spray at mid-tide. The beach disappears almost entirely at high tide, so checking tide times is essential, and the best time to visit is within two hours either side of low tide. A beach cafe operated by the National Trust sits above the sand, and the coastal path leads east toward Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain. A visit takes two to four hours, longer with a coastal walk. The best photographs are taken from the top of the cliff path above the cove, where the colours of the water and rocks show best in morning light, and from the beach at low tide. The car park fills by late morning in summer, and parking charges apply for non-members, so arriving before 10:00 or after 16:00 helps. The Lizard is far from major roads, and the lanes are narrow. Swimming is popular on calm days, but currents near the rocks can be dangerous. Dogs are restricted on the beach in summer.