Geography: Stuck out on the most south-western edge of England, it's not the quickest place to get to, but its isolated nature is a large part of its charm. Luckily, travel links are good and if you plan your trip well you don't need wads of cash to have a good time.

The basics

Currency: Pound £

One of Cornwall's biggest draws: surfing

Map

How to get there: Direct trains operate from London Paddington, South Wales, the Cotswolds, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath, Swindon, Portsmouth and Cardiff.

Newquay airport has services from London Gatwick, Stanstead, Dublin, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Durham Tees Valley. You can also fly into Plymouth and cross the border into Cornwall from there. Services run from London Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds/Bradford, Bristol, Jersey, Cardiff, Dublin and Cork.

Cheaper travel options include the coach or you can drive joining the M5 to Exeter, then taking either the A30 or A38 into Cornwall, depending on your final destination.

Accommodation

Cornwall is fantastic territory for going back-to-basics with a spot of camping. Not only is it a cheap option, there are plenty dotted all over the county, allowing you to travel more freely. If you can't cope with the great outdoors, consider a Youth Hostel. They are great value for money, but you have a roof over your head and hot running water, and can choose whether to have a private room or a dorm, depending on your budget.

If you're splashing out, get a true taste of Cornish living and stay in a farmhouse or hire a pretty cottage in one of the many fishing villages. "Three of us stayed in a cottage in Bude and paid about £160 each for a whole week," says Josie, 23. We felt like we were living in luxury and ended up taking taxis everywhere because the fairs were only a few pounds each." Check out the Cornwall Tourist Board's website for more details on where to stay.

Sightseeing & activities

If you don't like fresh air, turn around and head home. Cornwall is all about the countryside and beaches and boasts some of the most beautiful spots in the country. "If the sun's shining you feel like you're abroad in Cornwall," says Josie. "The coastlines are really dramatic and the turquoise waters and surfers give it a brilliant atmosphere of being in the Med."

Generally speaking, the south coast is home to cute coves and picturesque fishing villages (think cobbled streets and pretty painted cottages), while the north coast is all about sweeping expanses of golden sand.

If the sun's shining you could be abroad

Needless to say, adventure sports are a big attraction here. As well as the obvious (surfing, windsurfing and climbing), you can try your hand at canoeing, diving, sea kayaking, parachuting and kitesurfing. Two of the best spots for watersports are Newquay and Watergate Bay. For the less adventurous, simply enjoy the beaches and check out some of Cornwall's historic sites and museums.

Entertainment & nightlife

Dotted down Cornwall's north coast are a run of holiday spots that young people flock to. The areas of Newquay, Polzeath and Bude have become synonymous with beach parties with hundreds of school leavers making the most of the stunning scenery. The once sleepy towns are beginning to wake up to the impact all this partying is having on their areas, however, and locals are increasingly cracking down.

If this is the case and the party's over, head into the towns of Newquay and Bude where it will be carrying on in the many bars, pubs and clubs. "I've been to Newquay and Bude," says 21-year-old Pete. "I'd say Bude is more bohemian and has a pub culture, whereas Newquay is where you go if you want to go clubbing till 3am."

Food & drink

Most areas offer a good spectrum from decent pub grub to fancy restaurants. Being such a busy fishing area, seafood fans will never be disappointed in Cornwall. Also home to the Cornish Pasty, many towns are littered with pasty shops claiming to sell the 'best pasties in Cornwall' - and most seem to boast an award, too. Cheap and filling, there are endless varieties, and although they can't all be the best, it's pretty difficult to find a bad one.

The whole of the West Country is famous for its cider - or 'scrumpy'. There are a few renowned Cornish ciders, but neighbouring Devon is where most of it is made. There's plenty to be had here, just be aware of it's potency before necking too much.

The final word:

"Cornwall is still as beautiful as ever but you don't have to have a family or grey hair to enjoy it anymore," says Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of South West Tourism. "Places like Watergate Bay and Lusty Glaze have bars and bistros on the beach, and there is plenty of nightlife, making it a venue for entertainment as well as the classic daytime activities. It used to be perceived as somewhere you stop going after you hit 13, but there are so many adrenaline activities emerging, such as coast steering, making it somewhere for active, young people, too."

Updated: 27/04/2010