We have stayed as a family for the last five years at Treyarnon Bay Youth Hostel. It has been extended and now has a cafe that is open all year round to the general public between 10 and 3pm. It is fully licensed for residents. The food has always been good and as we have always been on an inclusive Surf Package we have eaten here all the time. The packed lunches are enough for the hungriest of teenagers.

The staff have always been very friendly and knowledgeable about the area, although we know that most of them will have moved on when we return this year. There is a TV room and self catering kitchen as well as a small lounging area for when the weather is not good enough to be outside.

The rooms are comfortable and roomy - some with ensuite bathrooms but we have always gone for the shared bathroom facilities which has never caused a problem in waiting for one to be free.

The view from the Hostel is stunning - the sunsets in particular are breathtaking. It is not far to walk northwards to Constantine Bay, and the Coastal Path takes you right round to Padstow or down towards Newquay if you are feeling energetic.

We have been for the Surf Packages that they have promoted in the past with Harlyn Bay Surf School. these have always been worth the money but surprisingly few people have taken advantage of them. Most families we have meet staying their have sent the children off surfing then disappeared to the other end of the county for the day !!!

There is surfing available on the beach at Treyarnon although it is more suited to body boarding as it is quite narrow and there is no surf school situated in the bay.

A lovely setting, with good food and a comfortable bed for the night.

However it can be noisy when children are left to their own devices and parents don't stop them rushing around late at night yelling at the tops of their voices - I have to say that these tend to be Yuppy families who think they are slumming it from the home counties and London who abdicate all responsibility for their off spring.

Essential to book well in advance as it is very popular - we have booked every May for the following May and the last twice have got the last room available.

Cost vary from £8 per person in communal rooms to £50 per family room, although prices should be checked on the web site. You don;t have to be member of the YHA but if you aren;t then a supplement of £1.50 per person per night applies.