We’d been walking for several hours, but I could have carried on all day, such was the utter splendour of our surroundings as we navigated our way along the South West Coastal path. Alone.

Walking has never been my thing, preferring faster methods of transport like planes, cars and skis to propel me around, but when you are ensconced in the most picturesque hotel in the world, tucked above the Portloe quayside, overlooking the fishermen, it’s the only justifiable thing to do.

Because the cliffs round here are entirely untouched and largely owned by the National Trust, meaning that apart from walkers there is nothing but nature and bird song to keep you company, enhanced by views that defy belief.

I reached St Austell in such good time that - having checked into the utterly idyllic Lugger Hotel, met up with one of my best friends who now lives in this part of the world, gasped at the sea views and balcony and booked dinner for the following night - we had time for a stroll around the tiny village and hit the village pub for supper. The following morning, the sun shone and our good fortune continued.

Having expected rain and freezing temperatures (well I am British) I hadn’t even packed a T-shirt, so had to borrow appropriate clothing and suncream for our walk along the cliffs, popping out at The Nare Hotel overlooking Carne Beach on the Roseland Peninsula.

Catering to a more genteel clientele than a couple of hot, inappropriately dressed walkers, we sat by the edge of the pool and ordered sandwiches in our best cut-glass accents (it was like being in the English version of the Riviera).

Food being a big selling point for The Lugger, it was fully booked when we appeared later, suitably clad if slightly sunburnt, for dinner. Breakfast too was a highlight, the local kippers being consumed two days in a row as we drank up the scenery once more, this time more desperately as the sand in the egg timer came to an end.

With the train on hand to whisk me home again, rather than five hours in the car, the sting was taken out of the journey home, although as the train pulled further and further away from Cornwall, the entire weekend began to seem implausible. Could it have really been that perfect?

LETTING THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN

* It’s something we all dream about isn’t it, luxury train journeys on routes which take your breath away, from the Rocky Mountaineer gold leaf dome carriages across Canada, to the famous Blue Train across Africa or even the Orient Express.

And yet come a bank holiday weekend or the summer hols and we all jump in our cars and sit on the motorway for hours on end, often stationary, trying to get to England’s far flung places – Wales, Devon, Scotland, The Lakes – to relax and let our hair down.
 

All in the name of fun, except by the time we get there the journey has all but finished us off. So why don’t more of us take the train? Inconvenience? Cost?
 

Having tried it out for myself on the way to Cornwall for the weekend, I can say this is definitely the way forward, my journey from Oxford to St Austell via Reading with First Great Western being seamless, relaxing and swift.

The scenery was quite spectacular – we forget how beautiful the UK is when stuck on the M4– fields, hills, rivers, beaches all panning out in front of you and still cheaper than a tank of petrol there and back.
 

But the biggest luxury for me wasn’t the interior, service, views or speed, it was the time itself, time not spent peering at the SatNav, shouting at the children, searching for a service station, throwing bananas towards the back seats or playing Little Mix on repeat.

Now that’s travelling in style.

Advance single fares from Oxford to St Austell start from £14.50 each way. For the best value fares buy before you board at www.firstgreatwestern. co.uk Super off peak single £51, return £89
lOff Peak Single £67, return £111.50. Anytime £143, return £247.