Beautiful things in Perranporth
5th March 2026
Empty beaches, a slower pace and the joy of getting lost. David Lorimer of Brocante in Perranporth loves discovering new places in Cornwall’s Secret Season
“This time of year, you have the chance to explore a bit more without crowds. It’s a good time to come down, and quite forgotten by a lot of people,” says David. “You think, well, it’s wet. But there’s still stuff you can do when it’s raining – and it gives you the chance to explore more of the towns, villages and countryside, at a pace you just don’t get in summer. And find new things.”
“We say beautiful things, to create an experience. It’s about people coming in and seeing things that they want for the house.”
GET LOST
David’s secret reason to be by the sea at this time of year is simple: get in the car and drive – no particular destination in mind – just see what happens. “I don’t mind getting lost, because then you find new things.”
A new coffee spot, towns you don’t normally visit, different walks with his little greyhound. Recently he discovered Ost in Truro, where chef Alan Rosenthal was hosting a pop-up supper. He also stopped at the Halfway House near Wadebridge where South African chef Hank de Villiers Ferreira is cooking up dishes well worth the detour. “It’s really nice to find new places to eat – at this time of year you can find places a lot easier. And sometimes you find new things which are really interesting.”
Just like the places David stumbles on during his winter rambles, people who come to Brocante find things they didn’t realise they’re looking for.
The shop is filled with a curated range of home interiors. “We say beautiful things, to create an experience,” explains David. “It’s about people coming in and seeing things that they want for the house. Not necessarily need. But we pride ourselves on selling things that make people’s houses really nice.”
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Even on a steely winter’s day, the window display of homewares and gifts beckons people inside. But then part of what drew David to Perranporth – and keeps Brocante’s doors open every day except Christmas – is its spirited, year-round community.
“I love Perranporth. It’s got a really big local community, which is one of the reasons we made the decision to open here 20 years ago.” His commitment back to that community is straightforward: stay open. “If somebody is looking for a card on a rainy day in January, they don’t have to think, ‘will it be closed today?’”
WINTER FINDS
David’s tips for visitors to Perranporth in secret season? The Watering Hole – one of the only pubs right on a beach – is a must. Duck in under the heaters, order a hot chocolate and watch the Atlantic on a blustery day. His local highlight is the Jaipur Indian restaurant’s charity dinner, where you pay what you want, meet new people, and give the money to a good cause. “It’s an amazing thing to do,” says David.
Nestled on the seaside town’s ‘high street’, Brocante offers a warm welcome with walls full of beautiful things to browse. “We try to make it look as simple as possible but give people an idea of how it’s going to look in their own homes.”
Now with nine stores across Cornwall and Devon, it’s much bigger than David and his partner thought it would ever become. “To celebrate 20 years is amazing, considering it was something that was meant to be a small little business.” To mark the milestone, Brocante is offering 20% off full-price furniture – the first sale they’ve ever held.
It’s as good a time of year to bring a new look to a property, says David, as it is to find new places to visit and perspectives by the coast.
Will you find your secret reason to be by the sea in Perranporth?
