Boutique hotels in Cornwall

June is good for beach-worthy weather without the high-summer crowds. September and October’s still-warm temperatures and impressive waves make for exhilarating surfing.

It’s not all freshly-baked pasties in Cornwall: the sea’s bounty takes pride of place in beach shacks, cosy pubs and award-winning haunts. Michelin-star-studded Restaurant Nathan Outlaw makes the most of the coast’s remarkable seafood, transforming it with delicate and piquant flavours. Don’t leave without sampling a traditional Cornish cream tea, complete with crumbly scones, clotted cream and homemade jams.

Climb up to the clifftop Minack theatre, where you can watch an open-air performance against a glorious ocean backdrop.

Strung across the Cornish shores are an array of cosy inns and seaside pubs, where you can sample home-brewed ales from the well-deserved comfort of an armchair. For a lively evening scene, head to Newquay, which plays host to dusk-to-dawn clubs, fun-loving haunts and buzzing cocktail bars.

St Ives is a surfer’s paradise, with sweeping beaches surrounding its rustic cottages and luxury retreats. Dotted across Cornwall’s southern coast are thriving harbour towns and seaside villages, including Falmouth and Mousehole, which are the perfect spots for a relaxing weekend break.

Cornwall is easily accessible by car, with excellent train links to London, including Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as Birmingham.