first direct - Little Black Book

I’m sure Sands End is beautiful in the summer, but for me the only time to visit is in autumn or winter. It’s a quaint little village and there’s not much there, but that doesn’t really matter because with Sands End it’s all about the beach. It seems to stretch on for miles and miles and when the weather’s a bit rough and ready you get a real sense of drama unfolding in front of you – the crashing waves, the racing clouds, the rugged cliffs rising high into the sky. There’s nothing quite like walking along, tasting the salt in the air, feeling the wind whipping your hair and the spray on your face. It can feel a bit desolate, but there’s no place like it on earth.

There’s ample parking along the beach road, and a car park that you can even fish from at high tide. It’s also a stone-skimmer's paradise, and apparently one of the best surfing spots in the area. But the best bit for me is taking a bracing walk, then ending up at the local pub and feeling the warmth returning to your bones as you leave the cold outside.