Hot Destination: Devon and Cornwall by Simon Heptinstall

There are plenty of great holiday spots inland too. Devon has rich rolling countryside with two spectacular moorland National Parks, lush river valleys, pretty villages and grand historic towns. Cornwall seems more rugged and ancient - with the clear influences of Celtic culture, tin mining and fishing everywhere.

Both counties have high hedges, narrow lanes, thatched cottages, scores of superb country pubs and some of the country’s best cooking ingredients right on the doorstep.

They’ve become world-famous for their great food, which ranges from the creamiest ice cream and meatiest pasties to the gourmet food of celebrity chefs like Michael Caines (Devon), Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall (Devon), Rick Stein (Cornwall) and Jamie Oliver (Cornwall).

The mild climate, subtropical gardens and Mediterranean style seashores of Devon and Cornwall persuade many visitors they don’t need to holiday abroad - especially in times of economic hardship. When the pound is weak, England’s westcountry makes a good value alternative to continental resorts.

And it’s easy to have a budget holiday in these counties. World-class attractions like the South West Coast Path, Dartmoor and some of Britain’s finest beaches are completely free. Travel is cheap because distances are short, food can be as cheap and appetising as fresh fish and chips or hearty locally-sourced pub grub. And some of the regions finest hotels have particularly good value rooms available currently.

Perhaps not many guests at the sumptuous Bovey Castle on Dartmoor will be scoffing fish and chips for lunch. But this luxury country retreat offers fantastic value for a stay at Peter de Savary’s exclusive ‘hotel and sporting estate’ whose members include Freddie Flintoff, Colin Montgomerie and Greg Norman.

A short distance south, on the fringe of Dartmoor, Holne Chase Hotel and Restaurant is smaller but offers an intimate indulgent experience. This whitewashed former abbot’s hunting lodge is now a boutique country house hotel set in its own beautiful parkland with private fishing on the River Dart. It also claims to be Britain’s most dog-friendly hotel.

Of course England’s western peninsular is most famous for its two coastlines. The north is more dramatic and exciting with rocky headlands facing into the Atlantic. The south is more gentle and verdant, with sheltered wooded estuaries and coves. Around the coast are plenty of fabulous places to stay right next to the sea.

St Enodoc Hotel is a wonderful seaside retreat in Rock on the north Cornish coast. Rock has its own small beach while surfing sands are nearby. The lively restaurants, bars and shops of Padstow are a five-minute ferry ride away. It’s very family friendly, with babysitting and kids’ play facilities. There’s an outdoor heated pool too.

There are more great views across the water at the Old Quay House Hotel in the picturesque harbour town of Fowey on the south Cornish coast. It’s a small Victorian townhouse hotel full of modern style and quality, with an acclaimed restaurant - and all on one of Europe’s prettiest waterfronts.

Further west, on the unspoilt Roseland Peninsular, visitors can stay in the tiny hamlet of Portloe, right on a wild rocky cove. Stormy waves have been known to spray the Lugger Hotel’s windows. Around 400 years ago it was a smugglers’ lair, now it’s a cosy boutique hideaway with a charming restaurant.