Made famous on screen by the likes of TV’s Poldark, Doc Martin and Wycliffe, Cornwall has a beauty can really only be appreciated in real life. This slender county, jutting out to form England’s most south westerly point, boasts 275 miles of coastline that varies from the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic north coast to the calmer sheltered bays of the south, overlooking the English Channel.
Cornwall is a gem of a holiday spot, offering something for everyone. Famous as a surfing destination, there’s also sailing, cycling, sea fishing and diving on offer, not to mention the South West Coast Path to explore. Or, for those whose idea of a holiday is slightly less active, there are dozens of beaches in Cornwall where you can while away a sunny day, many of them dog friendly.
If natural beauty is your thing, visit one of the county’s many impressive Mediterranean style gardens, such as Trebah, with its secluded pebble beach, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the National Trust’s Trelissick, and the world famous Eden Project.
And for culture vultures, there’s a range of museums celebrating Cornwall’s maritime and mining heritage, renowned and artist run galleries including the Tate St Ives, famous landmarks such as St Michael’s Mount, and the must-see open air Minack Theatre, cut dramatically from the cliffs at Porthcurno, where you can watch the sun go down as you enjoy a rendition of Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
All that exploring will give you a hearty appetite, which will stand you in good stead for all the foodie treats Cornwall has to offer. No Cornish holiday would be complete without at least one pasty, a good old fashioned cream tea, and as many ice creams as you can manage. But gourmet cooking is available too, with chefs such as Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and, of course, Rick Stein all having restaurants in the area. Dedicated foodies can even hone their skills at one of the county’s growing number of cookery schools.
Cornwall’s mild climate is part of its ongoing attraction, so there’s no need to wait until high summer to come and visit.