Gillan Creek Retreat

Gillan Creek Retreat is handy for exploring Cornwall’s beaches and coves. Kynance Cove (25 minutes’ drive) has a white sand beach backed by dramatic red-and-green cliffs, and you can walk over to Asparagus Island at low tide. Mullion Cove (20 minutes) has a tiny sliver of beach in the harbour, and novice surfers can head for sheltered Kennack Sands (15 minutes) when other beaches are too windy to get out on the waves. Hikers access the South West Coast Path at Porthleven (20 minutes) for views of the Cornish coastline, and for shorter strolls, Trebah Garden (half an hour) has miles of footpaths through exotic planting and countless secret corners for picnics à deux. Or how about walking across the bay from Marazion (35 minutes, worth a visit for its art galleries) to St Michael’s Mount? Be sure to check tide times before you set off. As well as adrenaline rides, Flambards Theme Park has indoor attractions like the Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz, and if you’re a bit of an animal nut, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary (both 15 minutes) is home to sea lions and penguins as well as Cornwall’s native grey seals.