W

alk through the cobbled streets of Cornwall picking up the ingredients for a picnic.

When you’ve made the tricky decision as to what goes in the hamper – brie or cheddar? Grapes or apple? Kettle chips or Pringles? Strawberries and cream or sponge cake? The arguments can last for hours, the easy thing is the destination. There’s no debate when it comes to location Lanhydrock.

With panoramic views over the Fowey valley and boasting 900 acres of its own beautiful landscape, Lanhydrock is the perfect spot for an al fresco dining experience. And the house itself, one of the most fascinating of the late 19th century, provides the elegant backdrop.

It’s full of contrasts from the kitchens and servants' quarters to the dining room, the rare book collection in the Long Gallery and the elegant bedrooms.

The kids can work off the sugar fix in the adventure playground with its wobbly bridge and scramble nets while mum and dad can burn those calories with a romantic stroll around the acres of parkland and woodland.