A trip to Cornwall with the family or a good bunch of friends is the perfect way to have some serious fun and totally recharge, whatever the time of year.

A world away from the pumping Atlantic surf of the north coast, take it easy with the chilled panorama of the south. Where the rivers meet the sea, explore the beautiful beaches, coves, estuaries, countless unspoilt fishing villages and magnificent exotic gardens, backed by gentle green hills.

Water, water everywhere... Welcome to one of Britain’s most stunning estuarine areas. Where else do you get two drowned river valleys entering the sea so close to one another, framed by rolling green hills...

The Lizard’s got it all. You don’t get designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for nothing. Discover the countless shining beaches and tiny coves tucked under mighty jagged cliffs, with caves, stacks and blowholes galore.

It may be out on a limb, but the intoxicating mix of arts, history and dazzling natural environment in this far corner of Cornwall means there’s no way you’ll pass it by. Walk in the footsteps of prehistoric man on the exposed and atmospheric moors.

The rugged, wild beauty of this landscape still reflects Cornwall's historic mining past. Today's visitors are drawn here for its fresh air and the freedom to explore sheltered sandy coves, wonderfully wide beaches, cross country cycle trails and exhilarating cliff walks.

The former county town of Cornwall and mentioned in the Domesday Book, Bodmin has a wealth of places to visit including the military museum, Bodmin Jail, the great houses of Lanhydrock (NT) and Pencarrow and a restored steam railway. There is access to the popular Camel Trail cycle route and the nature trails at Cardinham woods.

Rain or shine, winter or summer - miles of spectacular cliffs, rock formations, beaches and pounding surf will set your heart racing. With whitewashed cottages, vibrant towns and quality restaurants, what more could you ask?

Listen to the birdcalls, lapping water and sounds of the woods. Winding its way from a wide-open estuary through dense woods, rolling pastoral landscapes, steep gorged valleys, and brooding moorland, the valley flanking the River Tamar is the ultimate tranquil retreat.

This area takes in Boscastle's truly picturesque north coast harbour (NT) with it's 16th century quay and 14th century cottages clinging to the steep hillside, then down the rugged coastline to Tintagel with it's associations with Arthurian legend and 13th century castle. Inland you will find Camelford, an ancient borough, set in wooded countryside astride the pretty River Camel, a small but thriving town with a rich history.

Bude has been welcoming visitors since Victorian times. The charm and atmosphere of a traditional seaside resort are retained in harmony with modern services and facilities to satisfy today's discerning visitor. The town is situated on the Atlantic Heritage Coast of Cornwall, adjacent to fine sandy beaches, and on the South West Coastal Path. Bude and nearby beaches provide some of the finest surfing to be had in England.

Camborne and Redruth were at the heart of Cornwall's tin mining industry, the largest and richest metal mining area in the UK. The towns are overlooked by the granite heights of Carn Brea and Carn Marth. Portreath is a village nestling in a valley between high cliffs and has a secluded sandy beach which is ideal for families. The 18th century harbour was used in the boom of the tin mining industry and is now a starting point for the Mineral Tramways route that takes walkers, horse riders and cyclists coast to coast across country to Devoran (aprox 10 miles).

An historic maritime town, now home to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Pendennis Castle and it's twin at St Mawes, (EH) were built by Henry VIII, and guard this third largest natural harbour in the world. Ellen MacArthur finished her record breaking solo round the world voyage here in February 2005. The adjoining town of Penryn existed long before Falmouth and is mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086. Nowadays Penryn is the home of the Combined Universities of Cornwall, including part of the famed Falmouth College of Art.

Fowey is an historic seafaring town and once the home of Daphne du Maurier. A literary centre dedicated to her memory is situated in the town and the annual Daphne du Maurier Festival of Literature and Arts is held in May. The deep water harbour is ideal for visiting yachtsmen and a sailing regatta is held in August each year. Lostwithiel is a charming little town situated at the tidal reach of the Fowey river in a beautiful wooded valley just off the main St Austell to Liskeard road.

Fowey is an historic seafaring town and once the home of Daphne du Maurier. A literary centre dedicated to her memory is situated in the town and the annual Daphne du Maurier Festival of Literature and Arts is held in May. The deep water harbour is ideal for visiting yachtsmen and a sailing regatta is held in August each year. Lostwithiel is a charming little town situated at the tidal reach of the Fowey river in a beautiful wooded valley just off the main St Austell to Liskeard road.

The capital of Cornwall until 1838 and dominated by a Norman Keep on a high hilltop overlooking the town. Originally there were three arches, or gateways to the town, one of these, the Southgate Arch, remains to this day. A short stroll through the narrow streets takes you past buildings of all styles and ages; from Tudor and Georgian to gothic Victorian.

Liskeard has long been an historic market town, and is situated at the source of the Looe river. A scenic rail link runs to Looe from Liskeard along pretty wooded riverbanks. Callington is a small 15thC market town between the Tamar and Lynher rivers, behind the town is Kit Hill Country Park with nature trails and spectacular views of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor.

Looe is a long established holiday resort and fishing port with a bustling quayside and unique Banjo Pier. The scenic rail link to Liskeard is well worth a trip to admire the countryside as you travel alongside the Looe River or take a boat trip to Looe Island during the summer. Polperro is a picture book village with narrow, winding streets, cottages perched on steep slopes overlooking a tiny harbour - beautiful views, wonderful cliff-path walks.

Probably the most popular holiday destination in Cornwall and the surf capital of the UK, with Fistral Beach being the venue for many leading competitions. A lively resort with 11 magnificent beaches of golden sand suitable for families and serious surfers alike. Newquay Cornwall Airport has direct flights from London Gatwick and Stanstead. The surrounding beaches of Crantock, Holywell, Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay all have something unique to offer visitors.

Padstow is a fine example of a Cornish-fishing port. The town is largely unspoilt, with a beautiful harbour fringed with many intact medieval buildings. The famous "Seafood Restaurant" run by Rick Stein is situated on the quayside. The unspoilt village of Port Isaac, with its old Cornish character, has been a fishing harbour since the Middle Ages. The narrow twisting streets and white washed cottages lead down the steep hillside to the harbour and a small shingle beach. The village has featured in several film and tv productions over the last few years. Wadebridge is a busy market town and the Victorian rail link to Padstow and Bodmin is now part of the 12 mile waterside Camel Trail for walking and cycling.

Built on a hillside overlooking the Camel Estuary, Padstow is a fine example of a Cornish-fishing port. The town is largely unspoilt, with a beautiful harbour fringed with many intact medieval buildings. The Tudor mansion of Prideaux Place is just outside of town in a commanding position. The famous "Seafood Restaurant" run by Rick Stein is situated on the quayside. Fine beaches can be found nearby and The Camel Trail follows the former railway line and takes a pleasant route to Bodmin.

A bustling town and harbour with Cornwall's only promenade. The main tidal harbour (there is also a closed one) is home to many yachts and the Penzance Sailing Club. The town centre is set back a short distance from the harbour and contains a number of interesting buildings, including the unique Egyptian House in Chapel Street. Land's End is mainland Britain's most westerly point our most well known landmark. The 200 foot high granite cliffs gaze out across the Atlantic Ocean to the Longships Lighthouse, the Isles of Scilly 28 miles distant and beyond that - America

Saltash is a town in the shadow of Brunel's railway bridge (built 1859), and the main gateway to Cornwall. The town retains some original features, including an 18th century Guildhall with granite pillars, and amongst the quaint old cottages you can find the House of Mary Newman, Sir Francis Drake's first wife. Torpoint is situated on the Rame Peninsula on the banks of the river Tamar, and enjoys the best of both worlds. It affords easy access to the amenities of the city of Plymouth and Dartmoor, while to the west there is a choice of several pleasant beaches and bays.

St Agnes is a picturesque village on the north coast, with two main beaches, Chapel Porth (NT) and Trevaunance Cove, at low tide there is a labyrinth of caves to explore. Perranporth is a popular family resort with three miles of wide sandy beach edged to one side by sand dunes, also popular with surfers and for sand yachting. Porthtowan is small north coast village with a large sandy beach, good for families and is renowned for surfing

St Austell is a lively town and capital of the china clay industry in Britain. The area has attracted worldwide attention as home of the Eden Project. Nearby Mevagissey is a picturesque and unique 14th century fishing village located on the south Cornwall coast at the end of a valley close to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

St Ives is one of the most well known towns in Cornwall. Magnificently situated, overlooking golden sands, the town has been an artists' colony for almost 100 years and has the Tate St Ives (opened in 1993), a satellite gallery of the Tate in London. Hayle has long been popular with visitors and is famed for its 3 miles of golden sands stretching around St Ives Bay. With plenty of room there are many options for watersports and plenty of safe warm pools for children to play in.

The Roseland is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt parts of the UK. There are lovely beaches and cliffs, delightful rivers and countryside, pretty villages and hamlets. The region takes in the villages of St Mawes, Portscatho, Portloe, Veryan and St Just in Roseland. Built in 1835, the St Anthony's Head lighthouse is set on a magnificent headland with splendid views across the Carrick Roads to Falmouth, Lizard Peninsula and the infamous Manacle Rocks and there are beautiful beaches at Carne and Pendower.

The elegant Georgian cathedral city is set at the head of the Truro River in the Carrick Roads. It is Cornwall's cultural and commercial centre with excellent shopping and entertainment facilities. Its good road and rail links put it within easy reach of almost every part of Cornwall.

Wadebridge is a busy market town and is one end of the 12 mile waterside Camel Trail for walking and cycling. Rock is popular for its long stretches of golden sand and is a major watersports centre, especially for sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing and rowing. Polzeath is delightful for families and children with golden stretches of sand, plenty of space and rock pools to explore and enjoy. The unspoilt village of Port Isaac has narrow twisting streets and white washed cottages leading down the steep hillside to the harbour and has featured in several film and tv productions over the last few years.

The former county town of Cornwall and mentioned in the Domesday Book, Bodmin has a wealth of places to visit including the military museum, Bodmin Jail, the great houses of Lanhydrock (NT) and Pencarrow and a restored steam railway. There is access to the popular Camel Trail cycle route and the nature trails at Cardinham woods.

Be dazzled by the Isles of Scilly (from Latin for 'Sun Isles'), which have captivated visitors for centuries. Rising out of the Atlantic 28 miles off Land's end, this archipelago of over 100 islands (only five are inhabited) is bathed by the Gulf Stream, famed for its white sand beaches, translucent waters and 'sub-tropical' vegetation. You'll find it seriously hard to believe you're still in the UK. www.simplyscilly.co.uk