Surrounded on three sides by sparkling seas, Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places you are every likely to visit. Benefiting from warmer weather thanks to its southerly throne, this rich county is famed for its lush and varied countryside (think swathes of wildflowers and swaying palms), chocolate-box luxury cottages by the Cornish sea, exquisite beaches, rugged cliffs and lovely seaside towns and villages. Intensely beautiful, it’s not surprising this gorgeous county has inspired some of the greatest artists, authors and adventurers of the 20th Century.

These days, Cornwall is both a tranquil refuge and a hub of activity, from the surfers’ paradise of the north coast to the picturesque coves of the south. It also boasts envy-inducing culinary acumen, home to countless waterfront pubs, cosy country inns and Michelin-star restaurants, all ready to reward sightseers after a day exploring. With such pedigree tucked under its verdant belt, it’s no wonder Cornwall is the favourite luxury holiday destination of so many families, couples, dog owners and honeymooners.

Food, glorious food! Cornwall is famed not only for its pasties, but for the wealth of raw talent found in the restaurants, bistros and farmers’ markets peppered throughout the county. Well-known household names also choose Cornwall as a place to set up camp, taking advantage of the quality produce from the land as well as the water.

With much of our boutique accommodation near the waterside, you’ll no doubt find indulgent seafood within a stone’s throw of your doorstep. Enjoy the finest fresh fish, local meat and seasonal produce all year round at markets, award-winning eateries and “proper” Cornish pubs, and season with authentic Cornish sea salt!

To mix things up a little bit, why not take your food alfresco? Nothing will beat finding a sea-view bench and tucking into a hearty portion of fish and chips or ginormous ice cream as boats lazily make their way across the horizon. Alternatively, you can create your own culinary masterpiece from the comforts of home or try a starlit beach BBQ. For some handy tips, here’s our ‘catch and cook’ guide.

Awash with a unique atmosphere, wherever you go for a drink in Cornwall you will be able to feel the magic of the county. For a night of heritage and harmony, wander over to your new local for sea shanties as the sun goes down outside, or for ultimate romance pop a bottle of fizz on ice and toast to the holiday of a lifetime.

As well as a gastronomical hotspot, Cornwall boasts a huge number of growers, brewers and distillers. If you are into your tea, Tregothnan in Truro should pique your interest. Proud to be the first ever English tea company to have created a range of delicious teas grown on British soil, they have been making cuppas in Cornwall that bit more authentic since 2005.

For wine-lovers, the county has a number of vineyards producing certifiably Cornish wines, including the famous Camel Valley Vineyard. Just to make choosing that much more complicated, Cornwall is also home to some of the finest breweries in the world, including many small-yet-mighty independent breweries.

Wherever your luxury self-catering cottage is in Cornwall, you won’t be far from beautiful beaches and sandy shores – the perfect setting for anyone, any time of the year. Let the lure of salty air draw you to the beach and watch the surfers ride the swell all the way to the breakers. With surf schools offering private lessons on most major beaches, you can even give it a go yourself!

The Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan are just two of the natural wonders of Cornwall and feature rare and exciting flora cultivated and maintained so that visitors can travel around the world in the space of an afternoon. There are also 12 castles dotted around the county, including the magical Tintagel Castle, drenched in Arthurian legend.

For those who embrace the sun on their face and the wind in their hair, the South West Coast Path should be on the top of your list – Cornwall hosts 300 of the 630 miles of dog-friendly hiking trail, giving a viewpoint like no other over the dramatic coastline and rolling Atlantic.