This time last year we had a brilliant and blustery beach weekend on the North Cornwall coast. We would usually plump for a teeny cottage with a wood burner, but we have a three-year-old boy who is very energetic, so, with a little apprehension, we opted for a family room at the Watergate Bay Hotel.

From the moment you arrive, you are aware of the magnificent ocean; the hotel snuggles into the rugged coastline and is right on the beach. Long walks along the huge stretch of golden sand and kite-flying were followed by longer periods of lounging around in the cosy living space with good coffee and the papers, or bobbing about in the beautiful infinity pool where you can gaze down to the beach below and watch those crazy year-round surfers doing their stuff.

It was without doubt the easiest, most comfortable and genuinely relaxing weekend we have had in ages. Brilliantly-timed tea for children is a fun affair as windswept parents sip their gin and tonics. There are three great restaurants to choose from and with Jamie’s Fifteen Cornwall across the road, and within baby-listening reach, it’s a pretty perfect weekend escape.

 Images by Katharine Davies