Kampaoh Las Arenas

Any exploration of this untamed corner of Cantabria should start with a clifftop stroll to the village of Pechón (25 minutes’ walk), appreciating the coastal views as you go – once there, peep into Santa María de los Ángeles church to see its magnificent Baroque-era altarpiece. If you need to cool off on the return journey, stop by remote Playa de Pechón beach for a refreshing dip in the small, sheltered bay. You can also explore locally along the Deva River and the Tina Mayor estuary by sailing boat, canoe or kayak, while any anglers among you may like to try fishing for sea bass, bream and salmon. Seafood is something of a regional speciality, with fresh clams and hearty tuna stew on the menu in the restaurants of Santander (45 minutes), where you may also like to see great art at the gleaming Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín or spend a lazy day basking in the sun on El Sardinero beach with the kids. If you need more inspiration for family days out, make a beeline for Cabárceno Wildlife Park (40 minutes), laid out on the site of a former open-cast mine. Take a cable-car ride over the whole compound to spot endangered species including African elephants and white rhinos, or join a driven safari through their spacious enclosures.