THERE IS a moment as you step out of Polperro’s model village when you catch yourself thinking whether you are still in some kind of purpose-built creation designed purely for the enjoyment of visitors.

The coastal village is so idyllic and packed full of quintessential Cornish charm that it is hard to imagine it could ever be intended for any other purpose.

But the fact that it is still a working fishing village and has a rich history and heritage dating back hundreds of years just adds to the appeal.

Much of the village, situated on Cornwall’s south east coast, has changed little despite the visitors that have started pouring in over recent years; but that is part of the attraction.

We all love to get away from it all now and again and Polperro is one of those places where you cannot help but unwind and succumb to its charms.

The combination of welcoming locals, quirky independent shops and a wide variety of places to eat, drink or pass the time make it ideal for a getaway.

Our trip will always be remembered as one of the finest dining experiences my fiancée and I have ever enjoyed.

We were treated to a seven-course discovery taster menu by Richard McGeown at his delightful Couch’s Great House Restaurant.

This was fine dining without a hint of pretension and Richard, fresh from cooking the world’s most expensive burger that was created in a laboratory from stem cells, could not have been more welcoming and accommodating.

The menu was tailored to our tastes following a consultation with our charming host and featured delicious scallops, roasted cod from nearby Looe, a duo of duck and local cheeses.

There are plenty of other choices for dining out and we also enjoyed a more traditional pub meal at the harbourside Blue Peter, which offered seaside classics like fish and chips as well as specials based on the catches brought in that day like crab salad.

With its warm atmosphere and generous portions of hearty food it was easy to see why the place was so popular.

During the day there are also plenty of cafes offering lighter bites and food on the go, including the Sandwich Stop that offers delicious sandwiches including crab and prawn or numerous places offering the Cornish holiday must-haves of cream teas and pasties.

The range of charming little shops are often made all the more enticing by their welcoming hosts including Maz Gill’s Cornish Maids Fudge Shop that offers a vast range of sweet delicacies including chilli and cherry bakewell fudge with all the ingredients sourced within a four-mile radius.

There are also a number of arty shops with one of the newest on the scene The Picture This Company, which photographers Paul and Michelle Journeaux opened this year to showcase their stunning images of Cornwall and the South West.

There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation and we were lucky enough to stay at the Penryn House Hotel which is one of those pristine and comfortable little hotels that you simply cannot find fault with and would not want to anyway given the helpful and courteous way you are treated by owners Chris and Anna Pidcock.

While there are a number of places to blissfully while away your time in Polperro itself – such as the informative Heritage Museum charting the village’s maritime and smuggling history – there is also much to explore in the nearby area such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, where we spent an afternoon.

The remarkable attraction, which is run as an educational charity, combines an incredible man-made creation with a celebration of nature in two huge ‘biomes’ boasting plants from around the world built in a giant disused quarry.

It is easy to see why the place attracts around a million visitors a year and we were able to sample the new aerial walkway amongst the tree tops in the Rainforest Biome, which only opened in July.

You don’t even have to get in the car to enjoy Polperro’s surroundings, with the coast path along to Looe offering stunning views for walkers or joggers.

The area is as dog-friendly a holiday destination as you could imagine, with pooches welcomed in most pubs and shops and dog bowls outside almost every establishment.

It’s hard to put your finger on the one thing that stands out about Polperro – whether it’s the narrow streets lined with fishermen’s cottages with restricted access to cars, the old trams rattling up the hill or the cute little beach with caves to explore – but it’s easy to see why so many people we met had fallen in love with it, with many coming back year on year and some even moving there permanently.

To finish on a maritime theme, I can definitely say we fell for its charms hook, line and sinker.

Getaway

Our trip was arranged by Tanya Aspinwall of Marketing Aloud on behalf of the Polperro village committee.

A two-night stay at the Penryn House Hotel, in the centre of the village, costs £72 per person or £82 during Bank Holiday weekends. Visit penrynhouse.co.uk or call 01503 272157.

For details of other accommodation and businesses in Polperro and what to do in and around the village visit polperro.org or lovepolperro.com

Tickets to the Eden Project cost £23 for adults on the door with concessions and discounts if you book online at edenproject.com.