The Mill House Inn

This charming 18th-century corn mill dates from 1760, and was still working in the late 1930s, when it became first a private house, then a guest house and finally, in 1960, a pub and hotel. Set in seven acres of woodland on the north Cornish coast, it's half a mile from the surfing beach at Trebarwith Strand, one of the finest in Cornwall, while also nearby is Tintagel Castle, birthplace of the legendary King Arthur. The log fires in this beautifully atmospheric stone building are quite capable of warming the residents' lounge and informally furnished, slate-floored bar, where wooden tables and chapel chairs help create a relaxed, family-friendly feel. Locally brewed real ales are furnished by Sharp's and Tintagel breweries, and the ciders are Cornish Orchards and Cornish Rattler. The cosmopolitan wine list features an especially good choice of half bottles and should appeal to everyone. Lunches, evening drinks and barbecues are particularly enjoyable out on the attractive split-level terraces, while dinner in the Millstream Restaurant is intended to be an intimate and romantic experience. Regularly changing dishes use the best fresh fish, meat, vegetables and other ingredients that Cornwall can supply so, starting with the bar menu, there's sweet chilli beef strips with stir-fried vegetables and noodles; and Porthilly mussels in garlic and white wine cream sauce. From the carte, a typical dinner might involve crispy duck with shredded cucumber, spring onions, steamed pancakes and hoi sin sauce; then lemon and sea salt-roasted halibut fillet, pancetta and bean fricassée and rocket; and to follow, lavender crème brûlée. Regular live events feature local musicians and comedians, while calendar fixtures such as Halloween, Guy Fawkes' Night and New Year are not to be missed. Staff will organise water sports, including surfing and deep-water soloing on the rugged sea cliffs.