I’ve travelled down to Cornwall a number of times to see our lovely clients in Mawgan Porth, but I’ve never ventured over to South Cornwall, and a trip was long overdue!

So earlier this week I hopped on the train from Paddington, to enjoy a whistlestop tour of Cornwall. Unfortunately public transport just wasn’t on my side that day (don’t even get me started on the Northern line that morning) and our intrepid train crawled to a halt by Plymouth...and refused to move again. So a few hours later than planned we limped into St Austell in the tipping rain, and I happily fell into a taxi to zoom over to Gorran Haven. One stiff Gin and some fish pie later I felt fairly human again, and fell into my bed at the lovely Llawnroc Hotel and had one of the best night’s sleep for a long time ( there is something to be said for hotels without mobile reception...you really do have to switch off!)

The next morning I ventured down the steep little lanes into Gorran Haven, exploring the sleepy cobbled streets and beautiful harbour. The 15th century church has a 100 ft steeple – rising up into the inky grey January sky.

The little winding streets of this fishing village were peaceful and quiet, just the occasional fisherman popping by with a cheery greeting and the seagulls overhead, the kind of place you could kick back and just watch the world go past. Sadly the clock was ticking, and I soon had to huff and puff back up the hill to the Llanwroc.

Next stop was Portloe, and Blackbird Car Hire kindly dropped off my wheels for the day – a nippy little Ford Focus – and armed with my trusty sav nav I set off for The Lugger Hotel. My satnav however seemed to have other ideas and I drove down hill and up dale, across farmyards, into private lanes..passed highland cows and this very impressive castle - does anyone know what it’s called?!

Finally I stumbled upon a sign for Portloe, and off we set down to the harbourside. If you picture a traditional Cornish quayside, with quaint white washed cottages with pastel colours doors and fisherman and their rainbow coloured boats, Portloe ticks all those boxes.

The bedrooms here at The Lugger are light and bright, with crisp white linens, little jars of sweets on the dressing table, large old fashioned alarm clocks ticking on the bedside table and views out across the quayside to the fishing boats.

As I chatted to some guests, who return annually, it became clear that once people visited The Lugger they tended to return again and again! Its definately on my list to return to...

Next stop was Padstow for a spot of lunch! (I get could used to days like this!) My trusty steed and I zoomed across the country lanes until we came across the bustling town of Padstow. After consulting my twitter friends on where to eat, I decided to be a proper tourist.....and had a pasty on the quayside. Bliss.

My last stop of the day was over at Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, to hear all about the new collaboration with Porthminster Beach Cafe. Red Herring will open in late March, with Ryan Fennings at the healm. We are so excited to visit and together with the 'Wild Cafe', Mawgan Porth will have a foodie's paradise! Watch this space for more details soon..

So after a long day on the road, I left my trusty car at Newquay Airport and flew off back to London, armed with packets of cornish fudge, shortbread and a promise to return again soon...

By Diana