Six things you must do in Cornwall

Cornwall provides some of the best surf this side of Hawaii

Britain's best-loved peninsula has just been voted the nation's favourite holiday destination. Gareth Huw Davies checks out six of Cornwall's must-see, must-do attractions...

1. Surf's up

Welcome to the two-coast county, joined up by the 326-mile Coastal Path. On the south, pretty fishing villages and sheltered creeks. On the north, endless sands and rugged cliffs plummeting into the Atlantic. And some of the best surf this side of Hawaii. We liked the family beach at Perranporth but, for the busiest buzz, head for the stretch between St Ives and Polzeath. There are umpteen places to hire equipment and book lessons: www.surfsupsurfschool. com;www.harlynsurf.co.uk; www.reefsurf school.com. The Extreme Academy offers more adrenaline sports (www.extreme academy.co.uk).Travel is easy with flights to Newquay and a direct train from London from June (www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk). For surfing breaks try www.bigfriday.com.

2. The world under glass

The Eden Project showcases the planet's plant diversity in the world's largest greenhouse, the now-iconic bulbous'biomes' (the biggest could hold the Tower of London) on a landscape despoiled by china clay mining. Now it's bursting with 5,000 species from many climatic zones. It does music, too.This summer Peter Gabriel, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen are on the bill. The nearest train station is Par, a short taxi trip away. Adults £14, children £5 (www.edenproject.com).

3. Jamie goes west

Since last summer Jamie Oliver's Fifteen has been one of the hottest bookings. In the restaurant overlooking Watergate Bay, he is offering 'Deli Farm coppa, gooey burrata, blood oranges & funky leaves' as one of six courses at £50 per person. They also do breakfast (www.fifteencornwall.co.uk). But it was Rick Stein who first put Cornwall on the good-food map. Make your choice in Padstow from his Seafood Restaurant (his top table), St Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein's Café and Stein's Fish & Chips (www.rickstein.com).

4. Lost gardens found

For 80 years The Lost Gardens of Heligan slumbered after many of the men who tended them set off to war in 1914 and never returned. Then, in true fairytale spirit, Tim Smit hacked through the 1,000-acre thicket near Mevagissey, beginning one of gardening's most thrilling restoration projects. Among the prize old specimens are a fabulous collection of rhododendrons and camellias, and a wild area filled with Jurassic Park tree ferns. (www.heligan.com). See also www.gardens ofcornwall.com. Other star'wet day' attractions include the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth;The Tate, St Ives; the Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay, and the National Lobster Hatchery at Padstow.

5. Stage by the sea

Just beyond Penzance is the Minack Theatre, probably the only venue in the world where you might see dolphins at play just beyond Prospero's right shoulder in The Tempest. The late Rowena Cade made her open-air theatre from a natural amphitheatre carved into Porthcurno's cliffs. This summer's programme includes Shakespeare's Tempest and Twelfth Night, as well as HMS Pinafore (www.minack.com). Try also Sterts Theatre (www.sterts.co.uk): bring your own cushion and picnic to Bodmin Moor.

6. Duchy original

Cornwall is a long way from most places, and driving can be a pain, so catch a train to Penzance (the night sleeper from Paddington and, if you are really spoiling yourselves, book into the Hotel Penzance (01736 363117, www. hotelpenzance.com). There are buses and fabulous railway branch lines. Dine with a beach view at Porthminster cafe, St Ives, or try the clifftop restaurant Lewinnick Lodge at Newquay. Current crop of prize-winning pubs include Hewas Inn at Sticker (www.cornwalltouristboard.co.uk).