Cornwall in March

Cornwall, the county in the West. A holiday destination for millions, drawn along the A39 by the promise of sun, sand, surf and sea-themed adventures. In the summer Cornwall is a riot of life and activity. The beaches, roads, pubs and hotels are thronged with happy visitors, all looking for a little light entertainment, outdoor exercise and stress-free downtime.

But what if you travel out of season? What if, in order to take advantage of your remaining holiday allowance and some cheap deals on cottage rental, you visit out of season, in March, for example? What, in this summer holiday specialist, do you find to do in winter?

Firstly, it's safe to say that Cornwall in March isn't as lively as Cornwall in, say, late May. In fact, you would have to work hard to find a holiday hotspot that was quieter than Cornwall at this time of year and that is the first good thing about visiting the county in March; no queues, no traffic jams, no waiting. Of course, it also means fewer shops, no beach activities and quiet, laid back atmosphere; whether or not this suits you depends almost entirely on how much shopping you want to do.

There are a few things you might consider doing:

• Cream Tea - Cornish scones with jam and clotted cream and served with a good pot of team are one of life's little luxuries. Whether you have scone-jam-cream or scone-cream-jam matters little (although one is obviously incorrect) as long as you get a good one; our favourite is place for cream teas is The Dwelling House in Fowey. Fresh (still warm) fruit and plain scones, great jam and large quantities of clotted cream, all backed up by a good selection of teas.
• Quiet Time - head for the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa for a £30 lunch and spa access deal. You'll find good food, friendly staff and a spa with views across the bay to the sea.
• Padstow - head to Padstow for art galleries and good food (much of it from the restaurants and cafes of Rick Stein). You can walk the beach if the weather holds or shop for paintings, sculptures and other holiday mementos if it doesn't.
• Penzance and St Austell - some towns are best saved for the summer when they are busy and the sun is shining. Avoid in winter.
• Eden Project - probably the easiest, if most expensive, way to see plants while avoiding the sleet. Definitely worth a visit if you like looking at trees in a hot, sticky environment.
• Walks - if you are lucky and the weather treats you to a day of dry sunshine, head for the cliffs or moors for a walk around Cornwall's rugged landscape. Fowey to Polkerris to Gribbin Head to Fowey is a decent walk, especially if you grab a cream tea at the end.

Overall, Cornwall in March can be great if you dodge the weather (or dress for Arctic conditions). Same again next year?