I’ll never forget the drive down to Delabole – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the motorway turned into a right old faff when the satnav decided to play silly buggers just past Bodmin. It kept directing us down these narrow lanes that felt more like goat tracks, and in the end, we ended up doing a three-point turn in a hedge after mistaking a farm gate for the main road. The kids were in the back chanting “are we there yet?” for the umpteenth time, and I was sweating like a porker at a barbecue, convinced we’d end up in the next county. But honestly, that little mishap only ramped up the anticipation – Cornwall’s got this magic way of making even the daft moments feel like part of the adventure.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of single-track dodging, we crested the hill into the village, and blimey, the first glimpse of the place was a proper jaw-dropper. Tucked away in these gorgeous surroundings, it’s a spacious holiday cottage that screams luxury without trying too hard – think beautifully presented rooms with top-notch fixtures that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a mate’s posh second home rather than a rental. We pulled up to ample parking right outside, and even in our frazzled state, we couldn’t help but pause to take in the well-maintained gardens. Lush green lawns, blooming flowers nodding in the breeze, and that fresh Cornish air hitting you like a welcome hug. It was the perfect antidote to our arrival chaos.

Stumbling through the door with bags flying everywhere, the kids immediately claimed the spacious lounge, flopping onto the leather sofa like they owned the joint. I flicked on the massive 70” Smart TV – hello, Netflix binge incoming – and we all collapsed in a heap, giggling about our near-miss with the hedge. First impressions? Spot on. It’s the sort of place that’s ideal for family get-togethers, with room to breathe and everything you need to unwind after a day out. We could even book the neighbouring properties if we fancied a bigger bash next time, but for us, this was plenty.

That evening, we wandered just down the road to Delabole’s slate quarry trails for a gentle explore – those rugged paths with views over the rolling hills are pure Cornwall, close enough to pop back for tea without any hassle. The next morning, a short hop to Trebarwith Strand beach had us paddling in the waves, building lopsided sandcastles while the pasties from the local bakery kept us fuelled. I had a quiet moment sitting on the terrace, mug of tea in hand, watching the mist lift off the fields. Made me reflect on how we rush about back home – holidays like this remind you to slow down, soak it in, and laugh off the small stuff, like rogue satnavs. Can’t wait to go back; it felt like home from the off.