THE swell of the water laps over my surfboard, breaking the floating daze into which I’d fallen, lulled by the hypnotic glint of the sunlight dancing on the surface.

Looking over my shoulder I spot the beginnings of what could be the one to carry me to shore.

I shift my weight and prepare to ease my body on to the board. The faintest hint of white begins to bubble as the wave grows in size and speed.

I begin to paddle, long strokes sweeping down the side of my “stick” until I feel the wave swelling just behind me, four quick strokes and then comes the moment. I strain my triceps to pull myself from lying prone to standing in one swift, smooth movement.

And then I’m up, standing aloft my board, riding the crest of the wave, feeling sheer exhilaration. This lasts all of five seconds before I fall into the water with all the grace of a drunken hippo.

Coughing and spluttering, I break the surface. Oh well, time to try again. I might be rubbish but damn it’s fun.

I’d come to Fistral Bay, in Cornwall, to discover whether Britain has indeed got talent – as a holiday destination. I hadn’t been to Cornwall since I was five or six, three decades ago when the UK seaside was just about still in fashion and the rest of Europe was financially just out of reach.

Back then the trip took up to eight hours in the car. This time I made the trip courtesy of a Jet2 flight from Leeds Bradford Airport to Newquay. A small matter of 55 minutes: take off, have a coffee, land, brilliant.

The 20-minute coastal drive from airport to hotel was enough to take my breath away. The Cornish coastline is simply beautiful, offering the kind of view you think you have to go abroad to find.

My first impressions of Newquay were a little negative, being too reminiscent of Blackpool; but luckily my hotel was in the Pentire area of the town, at the very end of the bay and cut off from the hustle and bustle. In this secluded corner, modern sophistication is forcing back the tired old image of the traditional seaside resort.

No more so than my resting place, The Bay Hotel, which sported a luxurious spa complex (back massages to die for) a chic bar and, best of all, balcony rooms with a view of the sea when you wake up: how uplifting and inspirational.

Pentire is also home to the Quiksilver Surf School, which enabled me to fulfil a life-long ambition. Perhaps at 36 I was the oldest and baldest in a wetsuit, but I loved every minute of my lesson and can’t wait to try again.

The beauty of Cornwall (as long as you have a car) is that every village/resort/attraction is within about 45 minutes to an hour and the drive itself is a pleasure, taking you through gorgeous countryside.

Included in these is the Eden Project, near St Austell. I’m not a museum person but this is one impressive venture, particularly the rainforest biosphere. Best of all, if you are in a rush to get back to the beach (it was 27C... I was!) you can zoom around it in a hour flat and still see so much.

Watergate Bay, another highlight, is just five minutes from Pentire/Newquay. There are two reasons to visit. The first is the viewing area on the hills above the bay, a stunning spot to watch the sunset. The second is Jamie Oliver’s ‘fifteen’ restaurant, a great place to grab breakfast and watch the early morning joggers on the golden sand of the beach.

After three days in this jewel of the south west. the answer to ‘has Britain got talent?’ was a yes louder than Susan Boyle herself could belt out. So with the weak pound and the Eurozone so pricey, why not try a little bit of Blighty this summer?

You won’t regret it.

FACTS & FIGURES

• Flights from Leeds Bradford to Newquay start at £19.99 one way inc taxes. Flights depart Wednesday, Friday and Sunday until September.

• For more details on staying at The Bay Hotel see www.newquay-hotels.co.uk or call 01637 852 221.

Lessons at the Quiksilver Surf School start from £25, see www.quiksilvernewquay.com or call 01637 851 800.

HIGHLIGHTS

•The Eden Project: www.edenproject.com

• Lewnnick Lodge: stylish restaurant atop the cliffs of Pentire with an awesome view and great food (www.lewinnick-lodge.info)

• Padstow: sleepy Cornish fishing village home to a number of Rick Stein ventures including the Rick Stein Cafe – try the sea bass it’s perfection (www.rickstein.com)

• Watergate Bay: beautiful beach and well worth a visit to Jamie Oliver’s fifteen (www.fifteencornwall.co.uk)

MORE INFORMATION

See www.visitcornwall.com