Stay at home: West Cornwall

A glimpse of Cornwall at its best: making, baking and gossiping with George Pascoe and Lindsey Thomas at the four-year-old Philleigh Way Cookery School. I dined on my efforts too; homemade cheese and vegetable pasties, red-blooded chuck steak pasties, and scones with clotted cream and jam — no low-fat alternatives here.

01 A 15-minute walk to Portscatho village, part of a National Trust coastal path, where I stopped for ice cream at the Plume of Feathers — a pint’s a good option too.

02 A picturesque 20-minute ferry ride from St Mawes to Falmouth — it saves a 29-mile car journey — takes in some fantastic views of both Pendennis and St Mawes castles.

03 Racing model remote-controlled sail boats at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth.

Seek out the Hidden Hut, overlooking Porthcurnick Beach, for coffee and freshly made lunches, but be sure to pre-book its sell-out, bring-your-own-plates (and alcohol) rustic Feast nights. Held outdoors three times a month, Feast tickets are sold online. September’s menu is pork belly and crackling or Kashmiri lamb.

A short walk to the Cornish coast? A super cafe on the doorstep? Cue The Rosevine, a boutique hotel with apartments that are ideal for families: there’s a self-catering kitchenette area and enough space for children to have their own room. With its own indoor pool and restaurant, its homebody appeal is a winning combo.

Spending time on Porthcurnick Beach, a beautiful southeast-facing sandy cove, where kids can build sandcastles, go rock-pool hunting and brave the cold waves.

Published in the September 2017 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)