Beaches
Tucked away near Carwinion Gardens, the path to the beach at Porth Saxon, Mawnan Smith, is about a half a mile long but worth it to discover the stretch of pebbly sand. It is a cove perfect for wild swimming (swimmer suits optional), rock pooling and watching the boats sail to Mylor and Flushing.Take a picnic and the dog for a proper hidden hideaway.
Porthkidney beach is a gem in St Ives; it's a long sandy stretch, perfect for barefoot running and saltwater paddling. Leave your car in Lelant (by the church), and walk along the coast path (past the golf course) and sand dunes to reach the secluded beach.
Gwenver is the Cornish surfers' beach of choice, with wild waves and one of the best beach breaks in Cornwall, although these waves are not for amateurs. However, the glistening white sand and clear blue water will not fail to impress non-surfers. Hidden down a long flight of steps, Gwenver really is an undiscovered gem. Drive towards Land's End on the A30 and turn right by the chapel just before Sennen. There is a car park at the top of the flight of steps leading down to the beach.
Lantic Bay, Fowey is a sand and shingle cove, dog-friendly, and perfect for secluded picnics and contemplative walks. It's around 1.5 miles from Fowey and Polruan and only accessible by a steep cliff path.
Polly Joke beach is a super-cute and quiet beach in Newquay, perfect for sunbathing with all of Newquay's glamour and buzz just down the road. Park in Crantock village, and walk the coast path to Polly Joke.
Villages and harbours
Porthleven, the most southerly port of mainland Britain, is a pretty fishing village that has earned a place on Cornwall's ever-growing foodie circuit. Chef Antony Worrall Thompson is patron of the Porthleven food festival held in April , which attracts 12,000 people; good venues for food include Kota (Harbour Head), with its mix of Japanese and organic Cornish dishes, the informal Amélies at The Smokehouse) for crayfish and chorizo linguine (£15) and steak burgers (£10) and The Corner Deli (12 Fore Street) for breakfast, cheese and picnic hampers.
The fishing village of Mousehole, which Dylan Thomas described as "the loveliest village in England" is a warren of picture-postcard streets, gastro pubs and galleries and a great place for seaviews.
Where to eat and drink
Just off the harbour front, and perched on the first floor of a St Ives stone building, is Seagrass (Fish Street), a contemporary restaurant with artwork in deep blues adorning the walls. It makes sophisticated use of St Ives' locally-sourced fare for dishes such as lemon sole with white crab, herb butter and braised lettuce hearts (£16.95) and there's also an oyster and shells menu., including a fruit de mer platter of St Ives Bay crab, lobster, razors, mussels, langoustine that has to be ordered 24 hours in advance. Most staples including bread and ice creams are made at the restaurant.
In St Agnes, The Cornish Pizza Company (68 Vicarage Road), with terracotta floors, brilliant colours, and local artworks, has made street pizza cool. All pizzas are thin crust, cooked fresh and named after Cornish engine houses, which makes interesting reading. The most popular pizza is Wheal Roots (£8.95), with cumin, paprika, coriander and chilli chicken; Wheal Geevor comes with Cornish Blue, rocket and roast vegetables (£8.50).
In Polkerris, Sam's on the Beach (14 Polkerris Parade), in a converted lifeboat station, is perfect for a long lazy lunch (stone-baked pizza, lobster dogs or pulled-pork sliders), or watching the sun go down with a cocktail.
The Fern Pit Cafe (Riverside Crescent) has spectacular views over the river Gannel between Pentire headland and Crantock beach on the edge of Newquay, and is full of locals. Three generations of the Northey family (and we all know it takes three to qualify as "proper" Cornish), have been running the cafe since 1910, serving doorstep crab sandwiches and homemade cakes.
Things to see and do
Rogue Theatre's Wild Woodland Summer Ball (tickets £7.50, three years and under free, 21 August-2 September) is a theatrical festival for families, held twice a day at the Rogue Theatre in North Cliffs throughout August. It provides a journey through the trees of Tehidy Woods with storytelling, song and dance, and the chance to create something wild and wonderful in a free woodland craft workshop. Dressing up as woodland creatures and fairies is encouraged.
Koru Kayaking offers guided kayak adventures, such as a North Coast Adventure sea kayaking trip from Trevaunance cove, St Agnes, to secluded beaches, through arches and sea caves, or river kayaking on the Frenchman's Creek Adventure, up an inlet of the Helford river with the chance to spot shipwrecks and swim in the creek.
• Melodie Manners, owner, the Good Cornwall Guide
