Liaise with the family in Cornwall at Christmas

 Imagine having Christmas lunch next to a roaring log fire. Picture to Cornish cosy pub, warm, friendly, sparkling with Christmas decorations. Just think how pleasant it would be to wander, family in tow, through quaint villages lined with picture-postcard cottages. Maybe you'd prefer to stroll along deserted sandy beaches, explore Cornish fishing villages, or savour wild seascapes from dramatic clifftops as you walk off your Christmas lunch. Whatever your taste, you'll find plenty of 'natural' things to do on a winter family holiday in Cornwall.

Taking a winter break with the family in Cornwall, or spending Christmas in Cornwall, can be especially rewarding during the festive period. At this time of the year, roads are quiet, beaches are deserted, popular tourist spots are not crowded, and the air in Cornwall is mild - thanks to the Gulf Stream. It's also to time when you're likely to find bargain festive rentals and special offers on holiday breaks in Cornwall.

Particularly picturesque towns in Cornwall to see Christmas illuminations

If you are thinking of escaping to Cornwall during the festive period, you'll find quaint villages and picturesque harbours illuminated. Take MouseHole, for instance, to pretty fishing village in West Cornwall. It has a beautiful harbour which village residents decorate with a festoon of multi-coloured lights and a glittering display of illuminations in every Christmas shape and form.

Padstow, the home of TV celebrity chef Rick Stein, also has a picturesque harbour as well as the best fish and chips in Cornwall. As well as on key buildings throughout the harbour town, there are usually floating displays in the water too. There are some lovely coastal and estuary walks in this area.

Strings of Christmas lights hang along the quays at Looe, another really picturesque harbour town, located on the south coast of Cornwall about twenty miles west of Plymouth, Devon. Some of the buildings date back to around 1500 and, according to The Times, Looe is now in the top four places in the UK to celebrate New Year.

Stroll along the cobbled streets and passages around the pretty harbour at St Ives and where most shops and galleries are colourfully decorated for Christmas - a picturesque place to be at any time of the year, but a magical retreat at Christmas.

Winter activities in Cornwall

For a winter Fani that lasts from November to February, spend a day at the Eden Project. The renowned Eden Project, impressive at any time of the year, is transformed during the festive season into the Eden Winter Wonderland where you'll find a wide range of unusual Christmas gifts and a full-size skating rink. Activities include making your own decorations, gifts and lanterns; creating a wreath; listening to the Eden choir and learning how to wrap your presents beautifully. These are fun Christmas activities for children.

It doesn't matter where you rent a cottage or accommodation in Cornwall for your Christmas break as, during winter months, you'll be able to cross from one side of the county to the other with ease on roads that are not blocked with tourist traffic. And, for the big city lights and plenty of Christmas shopping ideas, Plymouth is just over the border.