WE decided to catch the Staycation bug this year and the long sweeping beaches of Cornwall beckoned. The South West is famed for its surfing culture, but it has much more to offer families who don't want to spend their time spitting out salt water.

The country's southern-most county boasts beautiful bays with sandy beaches, idyllic fishing fishing villages, the windswept treasures of Bodmin Moor and, of course, Land's End. With two children in tow, the list of visitor attractions and scenic vistas is endless, and when they get sick of sand, sea and sunshine, there are theme parks aplenty, visitor attractions and historic places of interest to entertain even the most disgruntled.

Cornwall’s Crealy Great Adventure Park – there's another one in Devon – has more than enough on offer to entertain throughout the day. Boasting a variety of rides, including The Beast, the Viking Warrior and Morgawr, the theme park, found between Newquay and Wadebridge, is great fun. For younger children, Dizzy Dina and Swampy's Sky Ride are two rides they will love to revisit again and again and again. Some of the rides were basic for Millie, 15, and 11-year-old Zack but there was plenty of fun to be had on a glorious sunny day getting soaked to the skin on Thunder Falls and Raging Rivers.

My love of camping is shared by Zack, but not so much by Millie. I think it gives you a sense of freedom and being based at Trevornick Holiday Park on the north coast of the county, near to surfing mecca of Newquay, left us perfectly positioned to explore all that the area has to offer.

Just a few miles from Newquay, a trip to the town's zoo is always a surefire way of keeping children interested and entertained throughout the day.

But the best thing that Cornwall has to offer, that is also pleasing on the pocket, is the wonderful beaches, whether it is the Newquay's famous, and packed, Fistral Bay the more secluded Nanjizal Bay, Penwith, or my personal favourite, Crantock Beach.

And let's be honest, there is nothing better than enjoying the sun while swimming or surfing in the crystal clear waters along the Atlantic coast of Cornwall.

For information about the zoo visit www.newquayzoo.org.uk/ or www.crealy.co.uk/Cornwall for the theme park.