You know you’re really getting away from it all when you lose mobile phone reception before even reaching your destination.

Being greeted by a family of ducks on your doorstep is another pleasant reminder that you’ve left the trappings of city life far behind.

My boyfriend and I were in north Cornwall for a short break, staying at Hengar Manor Country Park, tucked away in the beautiful countryside near Bodmin.

Set in the secluded grounds of a 17th-century manor house, Hengar offers a range of self-catering accommodation centred around a large duck pond – which explained our aquatic visitors.

But don’t let Hengar’s rural setting fool you into thinking there’s nothing to do. Just a 20-minute drive away lies the north Cornwall coastline – home to a whole host of sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages and clifftop pathways. Then there’s the wilds of Bodmin moor, the rugged ruins of Tintagel castle and the Camel Trail cycle path all within easy reach.

We were staying in one of the Park Villas, a cosy two-storey house with three bedrooms, spacious open-plan living and dining area and a patio complete with a table and chairs overlooking the pond.

A short walk away is the reception area with plenty more to keep you busy, including an indoor swimming pool, gym, spa, tennis courts and bar. There’s even a pitch-and-putt and archery lessons for the kids.

While the sun was shining, we made a beeline for the beach. Nearby Polzeath is something of a surfer’s paradise and the wide sandy beach is perfect for a traditional seaside day out.

There are various surf schools and hire shops for those who want to take to the waves, but if you’re happier with both feet on dry land, a nice alternative is to follow the coast path round towards the town of Rock. From here you can hop on the ferry, which runs every 20 minutes throughout the day, across the estuary to Padstow.

The small harbour town of Padstow has become something of a foodie haven, with celebrity chef Rick Stein’s abundance of eateries (including a seafood restaurant, fish and chip shop, and cafe) leading to the town acquiring the nickname “Padstein”.

If you don’t fancy eating in one of the Stein-endorsed establishments, try The Basement – a cosy restaurant set just back from the harbour offering sumptuous seafood and creamy Cornish brie served with homemade chutneys.

Another day, another picturesque fishing village, this time the sloping streets of Port Isaac, which lazily wind their way down among white-washed cottages to the sea.

If the streets seem familiar, it’s probably because they are better known as the fictional community of Port Wenn, made famous by Martin Clunes in ITV1’s Doc Martin, which was filmed in the village.

On the walk down to the harbour – the roads are very narrow so leave your car in the car park at the top of the hill – be sure to pop into a gift shop or gallery to pick up a Cornish cookbook or splash out on an original driftwood sculpture.

While Cornwall may be well-known for its seafood and pasties, there’s a rather surprising industry thriving on the slopes of the river Camel. Just ten minutes along the meandering country lanes from Hengar Manor is the Camel Valley vineyard.

The family-run business has been producing award-winning wines since 1989 and boasts an impressive array of honours. Second generation winemaker Sam Lindo gave up a job in the City to take over winemaking duties from his parents nearly a decade ago and offers insightful tours around the site, complete with a free glass of sparkling wine on the sun-drenched terrace to finish.

And, of course, a trip to Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without tucking into a Cornish pasty on the beach or stopping off for a cream tea before the long drive home.

  • A week in Park Villa accommodation, which can sleep up to eight people, at Hengar Manor Country Park starts from £249.
  • For details of other accommodation options and to book, visit www.hengarmanor.co.uk or call 01208 850382
  • Camel Valley Vineyard offers guided tours on weekdays between April and September for £7.50, including a glass of wine or soft drink. Visit www.camelvalley.com