Newquay: its beaches - all five of them - are magnificent for doing everything you do on beaches, from sandcastling to walking, not just for surfing, and, as they face different ways, at least one is always sheltered. Its old industries were fishing and smuggling: pretty harbour, pilchard shoal spotters’ hut and caves. The town is lively with young people and pubs. There are surfing championships, surfing equipment for hire, sea fishing boat trips, swimming pools (indoor and outdoor). Trerice, 3 miles, is a beautiful Elizabethan house (Nat. Trust). The beach rock towers of Bedruthan Steps, 8 miles. Truro and the utterly different, wooded-creek Cornwall, only 16 miles.

... and a smart, sunny first floor apartment on the quieter Pentire side of Newquay, with lovely long views of Fistral Beach and the magnificent, rugged coastline to Towan Head. Shop/PO 500 yards, coastal walk to excellent restaurant, 800 yards (remember torch!). Golf. Pretty village of Crantock,  mile across the Gannel estuary.

Twenty-two privately owned apartments horseshoe around a manicured communal garden. From the parking area, access over the garden to shared hall; stairs up to first floor and your own front door; hall with laminate wood floor, open-plan living/dining/fitted kitchen (dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer) with CD player, books/games, laminate floor and French windows (safety balcony rails) with super beach/sea views; two bedrooms a double (5’ bed) with en suite shower-room (suite), and a twin with pull-out truckle bed; bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). No smoking. Helpful owners offer a pick up service from airport/station, and will book taxis, restaurants, order flowers etc by arrangement. Great place to chill out and watch the ever-changing moods of the sea.