There is an imaginative children’s play area and numerous birds and animals about the place; as well as the owners’ two dogs, there are peacocks and guineafowl There is a small licensed tearoom. (It’s known as Cornwall’s Beachy Head and is a popular spot for suicides.)Where: Hell’s Mouth is signposted from the B3306 between Hayle and Portreath. Park at the National Trust car park, and take care! (Hayle Tourist Information: 01736 754399.)47PENCARROW HOUSE, NR BODMINThis award-winning Georgian house and Grade II-listed gardens are a great place to spend a few hours, according to Teresa Timms. Either way you return to Fowey via a little passenger ferry from Polruan.Where: take the A390 from Liskeard, then turn off onto the A3082 to Fowey (Fowey Tourist Information: 01726 833616).46HELL’S MOUTHThis dramatically named cliff top will be spectacular viewing position for the eclipse, but Teresa Timms says if you do go there make sure you’re in position before the hours of darkness – the sheer vertical drop into the Atlantic and the treacherous cliffs make it a dangerous proposition otherwise. From here, continue to the pretty little village of Polruan either by way of the creekside path or over the stunning cliffs at Lantic Bay (tougher!). Or you could take the lovely Hall Walk from across the Bodinnick Ferry around Pont Pill, where Daphne du Maurier once rowed herself to her wedding at the church at Lanteglos. “The cakes at Covean Cottage are superlative,” he enthuses, and if you are staying on the island, you could also try their take-away pizzas.Where & when: Covean Cottage, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly (01720 422620).

You can get to the Islands by boat (01345 105555) or helicopter (01736 363871) from Penzance.How much: cream teas pounds 4.45FOWEYPronouced “foy”, Fowey is “one of those neat little towns where boats come and go, and you can while away the hours contemplating the sea,” says Martin Hunt. There is also an off-shore reef that is exposed at low tide and is full of rock pools. Toilets and a tearoom are available on the beach.Where: from Helston take the A3083 to the Lizard and then follow signs (Helston Tourist Information: 01326 565431).How much: charges for parking.44COVEAN COTTAGE, ISLES OF SCILLYOff the coast of Penzance, the Scilly Isles are not particularly good for viewing the eclipse, but, according to Mike Maguire, are the best spot for a slice of lemon poppy- seed cake or an ice-cream sundae. Everyone will appreciate the wonderfully coloured rocks with their fascinating swirls and patterns.

Kennack Sands is also one of the best places in the south west to see basking sharks and occasionally dolphins. This is part of a National Nature Reserve and you will find numerous rare plants and migrating birds. Situated in woodland around six lakes the rides include a “death” slide, a 3D maze and numerous water rides, as well as a huge children’s indoor play area for rainy days.Where & when: Shires Family Adventure, Park, Nr Wadebridge (01841 540276); daily (including 11 Aug) 10am-5pm.How much: adults pounds 5.95, children pounds 3.95, OAPs pounds 4.95 (includes all rides).43KENNACK SANDSThe fact that these two sandy and sheltered beaches are in an area of outstanding natural beauty says it all. To find out more about the area you can visit the Lizard Countryside Centre (01326 221661) which is based at Trelowarren House at Mawgan-in-Meneage, where they have maps and guide books.Where: south Cornwall (Helston Tourist Information: 01326 565431).42SHIRES FAMILY ADVENTURE PARK, WADEBRIDGE”A great family day out” is how Teresa Timms sums up this massive site, which not only houses the largest collection of shire horses in the country, plus a host of animals from pygmy goats to pot bellied pigs, but also a huge theme park.

The area has some of Cornwall’s most spectacular coastline and after the eclipse Teresa suggests calling in to Anne Muller’s Pasty Shop in Lizard village, reputedly the best Cornish pasties money can buy. Teresa Timms recommends England’s most southerly point as a great place to view the big event. How much: Lost Gardens pounds 5 adults, pounds 4.50 OAPs, pounds 2.50 under-15s.41THE LIZARDYou don’t have to be attending the festival to sample what the Lizard has to offer. Lost Gardens of Heligan (01726 844157); open daily 10am-6pm, last ticket 4.30pm (Mevagissy Tourist Information 01726 842266). Return to Gorran via the earthworks that once protected a tribe of Cornishmen from Celtic marauders, or carry on to Hemmick Beach and Caerhays with its fine castle Take a good Ordnance Survey map. Martin also recommends a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, nearby.Where & when: about two miles south of Mevagissey. Manor Cottage also has five rooms.Where & when: Tresillian, nr Truro (01872 520212); Thur-Sat.How much: pounds 23 per person for three courses; pounds 50 per night for double room.40DODMAN POINTMarti Hunt suggests you park at Gorran Haven (see No 8), south of Mevagissey, then walk round the coast past Macnease Point to The Dodman, where a 114m- high headland gives sweeping views of the English Channel.

They offer a table d’hote menu of three courses, including dishes such as wild mushroom risotto with a parsley pesto and fillet of John Dory with ratatouille and tomato butter. This small restaurant (it seats 20) is open only from Thursday to Saturday but they will open specially for groups of 10 people or more Everything is home cooked using local produce. The beach, which has recently won a clean beach award, is a good place to swim, although Chris Davis does warn against doing this on the north side because the cliffs here are unsafe. The beach is easily accessible by car.Where: take the B3276 Newquay to Padstow Road and follow signs for Trevone (Padstow Tourist Information: 01841 533449).39MANOR COTTAGE, NR TRURO”A delightful conservatory restaurant” is how Mike Maguire describes Manor Cottage, which he adds is reasonably priced with good friendly service.