Widegates

Two ancient churches stand guard over this quiet Cornish village, where stone cottages line narrow lanes that have barely changed in centuries. St Lalluwy and St Antoninus speaks to Widegates' deep roots - this isn't some chocolate-box tourist trap but a proper working village tucked into the rolling countryside between Bodmin Moor and the coast.

The real draw here is the landscape itself. Cutkive Wood and Trebeigh Wood frame the village in thick green, perfect for muddy walks where you'll hear more birdsong than traffic. History buffs should seek out Tokenbury Camp, an Iron Age hillfort that offers cracking views across the Looe Valley once you've made the trek up.

Families might fancy a day at Adrenalin Quarry - Cornwall's answer to proper adventure sports with zip lines and cliff jumps that'll get the heart racing. Less extreme but equally entertaining is Kartworld for those who prefer four wheels to free-falling.

Getting here means navigating some proper Cornish lanes, though Menheniot station puts you on the main London-Penzance line if you're coming by train. Looe is your nearest proper town, about twenty minutes down winding roads that'll have you questioning your satnav.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around here makes perfect sense. You're within striking distance of both moor and coast - Eden Project's half an hour east, while Looe's beaches beckon southward. The Garden House provides a gentler nature fix between the wilder attractions, and you'll appreciate having a comfortable base after days spent exploring Cornwall's less trampled corners.