The Nare Hotel Hotel

The Nare Carne Beach Veryan-in-Roseland Cornwall

A country house perched above the waters of the English Channel, The Nare is a quintessential British beachside getaway. This traditional retreat was built in the 1920s and strongly retains a nostalgic feel about its weathered walls; this is the kind of place where decorum still rules – you can set your watch by the start of afternoon tea and dinner means five-course silver service with white-gloved staff. Owner Toby Ashworth is the perfect gentleman; his grandmother, Bettye Grey, bought the property 20 years ago and even now, at 94, can be found in the airy drawing room with her spaniel, greeting guests. Bedrooms have sea views and all the modern conveniences – new bathrooms, Penhaligon’s products and televisions disguised as paintings. You’ll be tempted to linger in the homely rooms thanks to the deep, comfy beds and hand-picked artworks – all selected by Mrs Grey – but do head out to explore the splendid coastline. Spend an afternoon hiking along the South West Coastal Path up to the nearby towns; the lush, undulating countryside of the Roseland peninsula boasts isolated and dramatic scenery, with diverse flora such as orchids and pine trees, and plenty of sheep. Be back in time for afternoon tea; served promptly at 4pm in the drawing room each day, you may eat as many clotted cream scones as you can manage. Work up an appetite for dinner by strolling along the beach, swimming in one of the two pools, visiting the spa, enjoying the hot tub – it overlooks the water – or playing a match on the tennis court. The menu in the Dining Room changes daily and offers classic dishes including fine shellfish – the crab and the lobster are both landed less than four miles away at Porthloe, so it couldn’t be fresher. The well-stocked dessert and cheese trolleys provide further opportunity for indulgence. The Quarterdeck offers a more casual option and after dinner here you can sample Cornish-grown tea, sourced from neighbouring Tregothnan Estate. You’ll sleep soundly, with nothing to disturb you but the the waves splashing on the golden sands of Carne beach. Doubles from £140 per person including breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner.

Foodie diversion For a lunch of superb Cornish produce, visit Saffron in Truro (01872 263771; saffrontruro.co.uk).

Come here for a classic seaside holiday in epic surroundings.