There is easy access to a choice of fine sandy beaches on the Camel Estuary or small and secluded coves on the Atlantic Coast, where you can relax and swim in the Gulf Stream; or play in the rock pools, whilst searching for crabs, mussels and tiny fish; or see the occasional seal, whale or dolphin basking in the sun.

Conditions are ideal for water sports as diverse as sailing, surfing, fishing, canoeing, water skiing and windsurfing, or just lazing on the beach watching everyone else being energetic.

There are a range of golf courses at St Enodoc, Roserrow (which also has an excellent leisure pool and fitness centre), Trevose, Lanhydrock, Bowood Park and a 9 hole course at St Kew.

There is wonderful walking and pony trekking country over coastal and inland routes, including the North Cornwall Coastal Path, the vast expanse of Bodmin Moor and The Saints Way – a 26 mile coast to coast walk from Padstow to Fowey. In addition, bring your cycles, or hire them in Wadebridge, to ride the Camel Trail to Padstow or inland towards and beyond Bodmin.

For the less energetic, there are magnificent country houses such as Lanhydrock and Pencarrow, castles at Restormel and Pendennis and the Victorian Gothic Cathedral at Truro.

Beautiful gardens abound with the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Lanhydrock, Victorian Gardens at Longcross and the Herbery at Hellandbridge.

The Eden Project has become the major attraction in Cornwall since the Millenium. The biomes provide a superb insight into tropical, sub-tropical and Mediterranean vegetation, and caters for all members of the family. The whole project is an incredible experience both to see and visit.

Food and eating out – too many top quality pubs and restaurants to mention.

Village after village; Padstow, Port Quin, Port Isaac, Port Gaverne, Boscastle, St Mabyn, St Tudy, Rock to name just a few.

The legend of King Arthur at Tintagel and Dozemary Pool, Daphne du Maurier country, Thomas Hardy, John Betjeman, the Poldarks and more recently Wycliffe and Doc Martin will have made many places nearby familiar. You will have the chance to see how much nicer they are in the flesh.

Add to all this the leisure parks, old tin mines and many other speciality centres all within easy striking distance, and you have the perfect holiday centre less than five hours from London and the Midlands.