Cornwall, UK

Majestic cliffs, rolling hills, vast swathes of blue sea and sandy beaches, quaint villages and castle ruins - all these,and more, combine to create the beautiful landscape known as Cornwall. Situated on the tip of the south-west peninsula of England, and located to the west of the River Tamar, Cornwall is an especially picturesque part of the country and ideal for relaxing holidays.

Steeped in history and of Celtic heritage, Cornwall can be reached by car, train, plane or bus. The main airport in Cornwall is situated in Newquay, a town popular with surfers. National Express also operates a bus service to Newquay, however, if you are leaving from London, or anywhere else in the vicinity, be prepared to spend a long time travelling, as the journey takes over seven hours. There are currently three train operators with services to Cornwall. Although it is not essential, it is useful to have a car in Cornwall, to be able to fully experience the different sights and attractions located around the region.

We stayed in a self-catering cottage in the north of Cornwall, on farmland called Trevigue. The cottage itself, Eastwood Cottage, was large and clean, with all basic amenities. Situated in an extremely scenic location with lovely views over the countryside, the cottage lies on rugged cliffs. Due to its setting, there are a variety of walks that can be done, whether its walking on cliff paths, through wooded valleys or green farmland, the surrounding scenery is always amazing. The closest village to the cottage is Crackington Haven, which also has a beach, and is about a five minute drive away. Trevigue is also well located as a base for exploring other attractions of Cornwall, including the Eden Project, Tintagel Castle and fishing villages such as Port St Isaac.

The Eden Project is located near St Austell, consisting primarily of two huge transparent domes which contain different ecological displays, focusing on the interaction between people and their environment. It might sound a tad boring to some, but it really is very interesting and definitely worth seeing. A warm,tropical environment is created in the Humid Tropics Biome, the biggest conservatory in the world. The visitor is able to walk amidst plants, flowers and trees that are found in tropical climes, learning about their origin. The other dome, the Warm Temperate Biome, focuses on a more temperate climate and exhibits plant life from regions such as the Mediterranean, California and Southern Africa. Amidst all the different types of plants and foliage, lie sculptures and other art works, designed to make it a truly enriching and educational experience. There is also a cafe and restaurant on the site, and when we were there, during the winter, an ice-skating rink.

Close to Trevigue, on magnificent headland, lie the ancient ruins of Tintagel Castle, suggested to be the birth place of King Arthur. There is no conclusive evidence of this, however archaeological finds suggest that there was a large Celtic settlement there in the 5th and 6th centuries. It was only in 1233 that the Earl of Cornwall acquired the land and built a castle. The ruins of the castle are indeed dramatic, situated on the coastline, with spectacular views contributing to the majesty and romance of the area. There is an information centre and small exhibition on the site. In order to reach the Castle, a path runs from Tintagel village, which extends for about half a mile. There is then quite a steep climb up steps to reach the headland where the ruins lie. The village of Tintagel has a variety of restaurants, pubs, souvenir shops and tea rooms, many of which play on the theme of the Arthurian legend.

Port Isaac is a charming, historic fishing village that was used as a port from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century. With quaint cottages, shops, traditional pubs and seafood restaurants lining the narrow, winding streets, it is certainly a treat to explore. The day we were there, it was incredibly cold, but we managed to find a warm pub on the outskirts of the village, complete with roaring fireplace and beautiful views over the sea. Due to its picturesque setting, Port Isaac has been used as the setting for television shows and also a film, Saving Grace, therefore increasing its popularity with tourists. Another village which we visited, close to Trevigue, and which we found just as appealing, is Boscastle. A large, natural harbour, home to numerous fishing boats, is one of the most distinctive features of this village, also dating from the Middle Ages.

Cornwall is a magical and spectacular part of the UK, with awe-inspiring scenery and views. There is much to explore, and in terms of "getting away from it all", this has to be one of the ideal settings in which to do so. It is advisable to spend at least a few days in this beautiful part of the country, rather than a short weekend, simply to have the time to see a good portion of popular tourist attractions, whilst also being able to simply relax and enjoy the splendid surroundings.