Getting there

Planes

Newquay International (www.newquay-airport.co.uk), Cornwall’s main airport, has flights from Manchester (BMI Baby), and London Stansted (Ryanair). Cornwall has its own airline, Air Southwest, which flies from Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Dublin, among others.

Trains

The journey to the South West from London Paddington takes between four and five hours. First Great Western offers the very civilised Night Riviera Sleeper to Penzance, departing London shortly before midnight and arriving at around 8am; to book, ring 0845 700 0125.

Automobiles

The five- or six-hour drive to Cornwall from London, along the M4 and M5 (or via the slower but more scenic A303) is something either to savour or curse. Once in Cornwall, you’ll pretty much need a car; roads can be hellishly congested in the summer, so allow extra time.