Author: gloversure

Wild Wine School | Q&A With Debbie Siobhan (Founder)

Whether you’re thirsty to discover more about wine, passionate about sustainability or in search of a new adventure, Wild Wine School has it all.

Experiences to submerge your senses and explore the story of wine, set against a backdrop of Cornwall’s natural beauty. We chat with Debbie Siobhan Warner, the founder of the school to find out more…

Visiting Cornwall for a romantic adventure? Check out our romantic cottages.

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

What were you doing before you founded Wild Wine School (WWS)?

I studied marine biology at university but by the time I’d finished my dissertation, I realised I didn’t want to be an academic, and some of the other career prospects, such as working for an oil company, really didn’t appeal to me. After moving back to London, I spent time in Cornwall and loved the idea of being back by the coast full-time, so I applied for a job at a Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, formerly at Watergate Bay. A space came up last-minute on a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 course and I absolutely loved it; I knew wine was what I wanted to do!

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

Learning about wine is like entering the rabbit hole; all I wanted to do was discover more about wine, how it’s made and where it’s from. I’d save all my tips from the restaurant to go to different wine regions and meet winemakers. I secured a position in the wine department at Fifteen, then I worked as a wine consultant and in sales for a wine wholesaler. It was all very fortuitous.

“There is an experience for everyone. I teach introductory courses that are perfect for curious consumers. We explore different wine regions, the main eight grape varieties and how to pair wine with food.”

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

What inspired you to begin WWS?

Most of my wine education was at the back of a restaurant or a college classroom, but my favourite experiences were out in vineyards – a classroom in the vines. We also studied very traditional wines, with little consideration for sustainability and the environment. I felt like there was a better way of doing it, where people are outside, learning about new, exciting wines.

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

Initially, I started with a supper club, Wild Wine Club. I’d work with chefs to design a menu to work with the wines I’d be showing; we’d have supper outside and I’d share everything I was learning about wines from all over the world. It felt amazing to be sharing this knowledge and guests kept asking how they could learn more so eventually I thought ‘hang on, I could develop this’. The rest is history.

What are the experiences you offer?

There is an experience for everyone. I teach introductory courses that are perfect for curious consumers. We explore different wine regions, the main eight grape varieties and how to pair wine with food.

There’s also an organic and biodynamic workshop focusing on wines made from sustainably and regeneratively farmed grapes. In the afternoon, we make a biodynamic preparation. It’s a bit wild and wonderful, but it’s fun and the wine is proven to taste better.

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

All of the experiences include lunch and wine tasting, working with local chefs to create the menus. For courses hosted at Trevibban Mill Vineyard, we have amazing charcuterie and cheese boards with homemade hummus by Tom, the son of owners’ Liz and Engin. For another, we team-up with Gorse Bakery in Newquay to serve a mushroom and brie wellington accompanied by their delicious sourdough and fresh salads.

What is the ethos behind the school?

I want Wild Wine School to challenge the way that wine education is taught, creating modern courses that look at how we can enjoy wine but also make better choices for our planet. So, the different ways of transporting wine, new formats beyond the glass bottle, and refill or preservation systems.

“I hope people feel inspired and confident to try wines out of their comfort zone.”

I think people can forget that wine is an agricultural product. It’s easy to forget about the farmer that made it, the horses that ploughed the ground, the weather conditions each season; there’s so much beyond what we see. Being outside helps people connect to this story behind the bottle.

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

Is it important for WWS to be in Cornwall?

Cornwall is the most amazing place. We have an incredible hospitality scene here with some of the top restaurants in the country. We’ve got this brilliant wine industry that’s still in its infancy and has exciting prospects bubbling on the horizon.

“One of the hardest elements to expanding your wine knowledge can be identifying and articulating the different flavours you’re tasting.”

Image credit: Ingrid Pop

There is also a blossoming regenerative farming scene here in Cornwall and experimental businesses such as New Dawn Traders who are challenging the way we transport food and drink around the world; it’s inspiring to see this push for positive change.

How do you want people to feel coming away from an experience at the school?

I hope people feel inspired and confident to try wines out of their comfort zone. I think one of the hardest elements of expanding your wine knowledge can be identifying and articulating the different flavours you’re tasting. So many people say ‘it’s familiar but I can’t quite put my finger on it.’ This is the first step to branching out, little by little. It’s not just about wine either, it can help you be mindful with everything you taste.

The wine industry is historically elitist and intimidating. Even when I joined, it felt like an old boys’ club. But that’s changing, there’s so many younger people opening up the space, making it more accessible and bringing in a wave of fresh air. I hope everyone who comes on one of our courses or workshops feels excited to learn more!

Indulge in coastal vibes with our shoreside-inspired drink recipes!


Credit Lewis Harrison Pinder

wildwineschool.co.uk

Find a retreat in one of our beach locations and sip wine by the ocean. Browse our special offers page to find the best deal.

Staff pick of the month: Egret View, Fistral

Our new series, Staff pick of the month, asks members of the team about their favourite Beach Retreats property. This month we speak to Reservation and Customer Service Manager, Lucy Thomasson. Lucy is a Newquay local and a mum of two boys, and she loves raising her kids here in Cornwall and spending time with them on the beach.

Her chosen retreat is Egret View, an impressive family house in Fistral, with views across the River Gannel and towards Crantock beach.

What is it you like most about this property?

There are so many things that I love about this property. The large open plan living space is great for socialising. I can also visualise my children arriving on holiday and being amazed by the wooden boat, climbing wall and slide bed, they would have hours of fun in this house whilst I sit and enjoy the views across the Gannel from the balcony.

What will be your favourite part of the day when staying at this retreat?

Being able to wake up in the morning and walk down to the Gannel for an early morning swim or paddle board.

What is it that you like about the local area?

The property is located close to The River Gannel and Crantock beach which is where I used to spend my summer holidays as a child. I have lots of happy memories and it’s my favourite place to be. My boys love the swings on the trees and hunting playing in the pools of water at low tide.

Want to stay in Fistral? Have a look at our luxury holiday cottages in Fistral.

What’s the nearest beach like and how far is the walk?

Crantock and Fistral are both nearby. Crantock can be reached by walking down to the Gannel and crossing the small wooden bridge at low tide- just be careful to check the tide times or you’ll end up stuck the wrong side of the river! You can also drive round to Crantock for the day to avoid this. Fistral is just five minutes away too, and is a perfect surfing beach. You can also walk the coast path to Polly Joke which is beautiful when the poppies are out.

Take a scenic walk through Fistral Beach and Pentire Point, exploring the breathtaking landscapes and coastal beauty of Cornwall.

Is there a particular restaurant in the area that you would choose to eat at?

Lewinnick Lodge is great for food or just a quick drink after a day exploring. It’s on the headland just a short walk from the property, and the views are incredible.

Can you catch a good sunset or sunrise here?

I love taking an early evening stroll around Pentire headland where there are lovely benches for you to sit and watch the sunset. The sun sets directly over Fistral beach so on a clear evening it looks amazing.

What would you say is a must-see or do in this area?

You have to try paddle boarding or horse riding along the Gannel. The house is a short walk from Trenance stables, where you can book onto horse riding lessons and rides alongside the river.

Egret View sleeps 11 guests and has availability for 2022, click here to find out more.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

The Best Vegan & Vegetarian Food in Cornwall

We take a dive into some of the sustainable, zero-waste and plant-based cafes and restaurants paving the way for an eco-friendlier food scene here in Cornwall.

Visiting Cornwall with an electric car? Check out our holiday lets with electric car (EV) charging points.

More and more of us are trying to live a bit more sustainably, and an increasingly popular method is through a sustainable diet, achieved by opting for plant-based alternatives over meat. With the effects of animal agriculture on climate change becoming apparent, there’s more of an incentive to cut down on personal consumption. And it’s catching – with oat milk now as common as dairy in coffee shops, challenges such as ‘Veganuary’ on the rise, and supermarket shelves full of innovative vegan products, there’s never been more opportunity to make some simple swaps towards an eco-friendlier diet.

Although famous for its excellent seafood, Cornwall’s largely rural and lush landscape means there is plenty of space for veggie produce. This is being utilised across many forward-thinking Cornish plant-based cafes, which are paving the way for more sustainable eating around the county. Since Covid, holidaying locally has also been on the rise, and this has incidentally become a great way of cutting air miles and reducing carbon footprints. So why not take your sustainable stay even further, and sample some of the great plant-based produce Cornwall has to offer?

Here’s our top picks of vegan and veggie eats by the coast.

Quick bites

Fal Falafel Van, Falmouth

Fal Falafel Van are a Falmouth based street food vendor, serving fresh, authentic and award winning Middle Eastern street food. Their menu largely celebrates all things falafel and hummus, homemade to their own unique recipes and served in pittas or salad boxes with pickles, chillies, herbs and sauces. Grab lunch here on the go during a day out in this vibrant seaside town.

Snail’s Pace Café & Bike Hire, Bodmin

For rolling moorland, secluded cycle trails and organic produce, head inland to this unique ‘off grid’ space, set in a beautiful valley at Wenfordbridge near Bodmin Moor. Combining quick vegan and veggie eats with homemade cakes and bakes, Snail’s Pace Café is your refuel station during a day amongst the dynamic landscape of Bodmin Moor. The option for bike hire also encourages you to leave the car behind and explore the many cycle paths in this area, including the iconic Camel Trail.

Be Kind the Vegan Coffee Caravan, Hayle

This down-to-earth, grab-and-go caravan is parked up in South Quay, Hayle, and serves delicious vegan cakes and coffees with one message at its core – be kind, to yourself, others, and the planet. And this is does, with its fully plant-based menu offering an eco-friendly snack option on your beach walk. Try their kebab wraps and bagels, enjoyed with a sea view.

Discover our bespoke holiday cottages in Hayle, a short drive from St Ives and Pendeen.

Eco Dining

Ugly Butterly, Carbis Bay

Adam Handling is one of the chefs pioneering the sustainable food scene here in Cornwall. His new restaurant, Ugly Butterly, is a gem of food innovation and marks a new way of dining in a county so well known for its traditional fast food. Situated on the shores of Carbis Bay, the site of the 2021 G7 summit, Ugly Butterly is a zero-waste restaurant. Any trims or offcuts from its beautiful and locally sourced dishes are transformed into delicious bar snacks and drinks, proving Adam’s ethos that as there is no such thing as an ugly butterly, there is also no such thing as food waste. Although not entirely vegan, the restaurant offers a full, separate vegan menu, including a plant-based tasting menu.

New Yard, Helston

New Yard is situated in a historic stable yard at Trelowarren in Cornwall, which has been owned by the same family for over 600 years. Its sustainable approach to dining may seem futuristic, but nods to traditional methods of self-sustaining households where everything eaten is grown at home and on site. Each night, their beautiful menu changes and is entirely composed of produce foraged from the estate, grown in their walled garden or ethically sourced from the local area. In 2021 they were awarded a Michelin Green Star, which recognizes gastronomy and sustainable practices. They do serve dishes featuring meat and dairy produce, all locally and ethically sourced, but they also run a vegetable-led menu which is entirely vegan and showcases a delicious variety of seasonal vegetables.

The Bean Inn, Carbis Bay

For a more relaxed dining experience, try Carbis Bay’s only fully vegan and vegetarian restaurant. Their ethos is simple – nourishing plant-based food, a relaxed and intimate setting, and takeaway options with plant-based compostable packaging. Not just delicious, their dishes are beautifully presented and packed with colour and flavour. Taste their globally inspired plates and leave feeling satisfied and enriched.

To sample the best vegan and vegetarian food in Cornwall, browse our locations to find a retreat in the right place for you. Be sure to keep an eye on our special offers page, too, for the latest deals. 

Explore the finest food and farm shops in Cornwall, where local produce and culinary delights await to enhance your coastal experience.

The best places to eat and drink in Bude

Made up of a rugged coastline, salty sea air and panoramic scenery, Bude is an underrated gem on the North Cornish coast. Yet beyond its sandy shores lies a colourful seaside town, harnessing its own unique culture and atmosphere with a range of highly esteemed places to grab a bite or enjoy a sundowner after a day on the beach. We have come up with a list of our top places to eat and drink in Bude, ready for you to tuck in during your stay.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

Temple

Temple sits in the heart of Bude and merges fine dining with a fresh, simple outlook which focusses on the idea of healing. Using local, seasonal ingredients, their food mirrors the simple joy of living harmoniously within beautiful surroundings, with the aim to heal the landscape we live in. Here you will find perfectly portioned dishes of braised fennel, BBQ’d mushrooms, daily fresh fish and porchetta with courgettes and picked shallots. For unique, nourishing cuisine, look no further than this roof terrace restaurant.

The Bank at Bude Tapas bar

Set alongside the peaceful ripples of the River Neet, The Bank is Bude’s resident tapas bar, serving an array of authentic small plates designed to be shared with friends. Tapas is inspired by interaction, conversation and sharing, and the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant mirrors this. Situated just a short walk from the main stretch of town and beaches, the serene riverside location sets the tone for an inviting evening of good company and delicious food.

The Deck

The essence of The Deck is based on the relationship between food and travel, combining the best flavours from around the world to create mouth watering dishes. Situated just minutes from Summerleaze beach, their menu is inspired by street traders in Asia, seafood from Europe and chargrilled flare from down under, and contains a selection of skewers, fresh fish and grilled goodness, all served in laid back, beachside interiors. Described by the team as ‘flip flop dining’, head straight from the beach to this eatery for dinner, seaside style.

2 Belle Vue Avenue

This small, relaxed and friendly bistro is hidden in the heart of Bude, offering a variety of mezze, antipasti and tapas dishes from its local produce and Mediterranean inspired menu. Start with butternut arancini or crispy croquettes before tucking into pan seared seabass, washed down with a glass of chilled wine.

The Olive Tree 

Enjoy alfresco dining and delicious flavours at The Olive Tree, a bistro in Bude’s town centre. With a colourful menu, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and a preference for fresh, local produce, this is a perfect spot for a lazy lunch after a morning spent in the surf.

Starboard Bistro and Rosie’s Kitchen

Take your pick of two mouth-watering restaurants in one spectacular location. Refuel after a day of watersports at these two outlets situated beside Crooklet’s beach. Starboard Bistro, Bude’s first wood fired bistro, is your go-to for sizzling pizzas fresh from the Eucalyptus wood fired oven. Or head to Rosie’s Kitchen by the beach, for a quick ice cream or refreshing beer.

The Beach at Bude Hotel bar and Elements Restaurant

The Beach at Bude is your go to spot for sundowners the colour of the evening sky. Feel the aura of sophistication at this chic seafront cocktail bar which overlooks Summerleaze beach. Part of The Beach at Bude hotel, this spot is perfect for an evening of winding down after a day in the sun. The laid-back interiors, decadent drinks and bar nibbles all make the visit worthwhile.

The hotel is now also home to Elements Restaurant, serving up an Italian-inspired menu adorned with local seafood and sharing platters.

Fancy staying in Bude? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Bude.

Looking for other fantastic restaurants in Cornwall? Check out some of our favourite restaurants with stunning sea views.

New food, new flavours

Jude Kereama, Sham Mulji and Fiona Were are among the Cornwall-based chefs revealing some of the tempting new flavours and ingredients on menus in 2022. From St Ives Bay Mackerel to sweet Melder honey, hand-dived scallops and sustainably reared beef, take a culinary tour of the county with some of the most talented chefs working here today…

Interested in staying in our most luxurious holiday cottages? Check out our luxury coastal cottages.

Food pictured: Chef Fiona NZ

Chef Fiona NZ, private chef, Cornwall

Touted as one of the ’10 female chefs to watch’ by The Independent, Fiona Were is taking the Cornish private dining scene by storm. Drawing on her New Zealand roots, classic French training and Asian influences, Fiona travels throughout Cornwall offering her bespoke dining experiences – from intimate dinners à deux to exquisite group tasting menus.

“The ingredient that I’m most excited about using for 2022 is the fantastic seafood that Cornwall has to offer, in particular, hand line caught, St Ives Bay Mackerel. I just love the versatility of this beautiful fish.

“My dishes are always evolving with the seasons and mackerel is often a key feature. It pairs so well with many different flavours, from delicate to robust. I particularly enjoy accompanying this delicious, underrated, sustainably caught fish with herbs I may have foraged on one of my many ornithological forays or that I have grown myself, which add intriguing flavour notes.

“Every ingredient I use plays its own role on the plate. Sometimes less is more, but the flavours and colours are always fresh and intense. The possibilities are only limited by my imagination.”

Beach Retreats in St Ives

Jude Kereama, patron chef, Kota, Porthleven

Meaning ‘shellfish’ in Maori, Kota serves the best local produce with a signature Asian twist from a 300-year-old converted mill on the historic Porthleven harbour front. Half Maori, half Chinese Malay chef Jude Kereama is much-celebrated, having been named ‘Chef of the Year’ in 2019 and chosen to represent the South West in Great British Menu.

“We are looking forward to our new season tasting menu here at Kota, taking advantage of local produce that surrounds us in Cornwall. These include seared hand-dived scallops with xo sauce, crispy onions and venison tartare from a local venison farm which is the best I have ever used (West Country Premium Venison).

“We will serve the tartare with apple, celeriac, hazelnuts and a gochujang dressing. We are also looking forward to producing from our own farm, which we are working on at the moment.”

Find a Beach Retreat near Porthleven

Image Credit: Jude Kereama, Kota, photographer James Ram

Sham Mulji, chef/barista/owner, Situ Café (mobile)

With a menu spanning speciality coffee, masala chai and Gujarati, Ugandan and British fusion food, mobile canteen Situ Café is the brainchild of Sham Mulji – AKA the man behind the van. Visitors to Cornwall can sample Sham’s flavours at local markets, pop-ups and his ‘Eatery Evenings’ – or bring the café culture to their dining room with private catering.

“When I launched the ‘Eatery’ section of the business last summer, I wanted to find the best, local, sustainable produce to continue our aim of connecting communities. I’m particularly excited to explore more of what Homage to the Bovine (grass-fed retired dairy cow beef) have to offer this year ­– building on their sustainable beef practices by using forequarter, shin, ox-tail, marrow and even pushing boundaries by cooking up liver and trotters.

“This is in keeping with our ‘heritage food’ style and, as a farming county, it’s important we take a more sustainable, nose-to-tail approach when eating meat.”

Chef Natasha, private chef, Cornwall

St Ives local and freelance chef Natasha Osborne creates unique dining experiences across Cornwall. Working closely with her clients to plan bespoke menus, Chef Natasha is just as comfortable rustling up a relaxed outdoor wood-fired feast as a refined tasting menu – and can often be found foraging in the Cornish hedgerows for new flavours.

Explore more of our favourite restaurants with amazing sea views.

“I’m most excited about working with new local suppliers. Most recently, I’ve been daydreaming of a dish featuring Melder Honey, which is a honey that’s really local to my hometown of St Ives. It’s the best honey I’ve ever tasted and Toby the owner is so great to work with, often turning up with a truck full of bees and honey for me!

“I’m thinking of recreating a steamed sponge syrup pudding, traditionally made with golden syrup, which I will be replacing with Toby’s honey and adding some blackberries too – perhaps a blackberry custard or crème patisserie. There’s just something so good about an actual, old-school pudding.”

Beach Retreats with room to host

Angus Bell, chef/owner, Restaurant Mine, Falmouth

Nestled in a cobbled courtyard favoured by Falmouth’s arty crowd, Restaurant Mine is a cosy neighbourhood eatery offering a fresh take on classic British food. Le Gavroche-trained chef Angus Bell is the culinary mastermind behind a reassuringly concise menu of locally sourced ingredients.

“I’m very passionate about the provenance of the produce we use. Everything in the kitchen comes from Cornwall, within as small a radius as possible.

“There are some incredible growers here, and I like to preserve the best of each season for use throughout the year.

“One of our suppliers has just harvested his Cornish lemons, which we have on the menu in cocktails and a lemon curd pavlova now and have preserved in salt for future salad dressings and sauces.”

Check out our other locations and other retreats across North Cornwall.

Stay in Falmouth with Beach Retreats

Best Independent Coffee Shops in Cornwall

Nothing goes hand-in-hand with a long coastal walk more than a hot coffee. Spending more time out in nature can often inspire a craving for the organic, and this is where the standard chain coffee shops often don’t quite cut it. Luckily, Cornwall is abundant in independent coffee shops, roasteries and cafes serving up the finest home brewed and hand-picked coffee beans in the south west.

Visiting Cornwall for a workcation? Have a look at our holiday lets perfect for extended stays and working.

We’ve chosen seven of the best places to sample independent coffee here in Cornwall, ensuring that your next hot drink by the sea hits the spot.

Origin Coffee- Porthleven

Origin Coffee are the go-to for organic coffee in Cornwall. An independently owned, speciality coffee roaster, Origin have three sit-in cafes where you can enjoy their produce, alongside supplying many additional cafes and restaurants across Cornwall, and selling their products online. Head to The Roastery, Porthleven, Harbour Head, Porthleven, or The Warehouse, Penryn, to sample a cup of their brewed beans in stylish interiors.

Discover our Porthleven holiday properties.

No. 1 Cubs Coffee- Watergate Bay

Unique, pure, contemporary. No. 1 Cubs take a modern approach to the traditional coffee shop in their four stylish coffee hangouts in Cornwall.  Find them in Charlestown, the historic harbour situated on the south coast, a pop-up coffee van at Watergate Bay and a winter pop up in The Beach Hut restaurant, and a new space on the outskirts of Newquay called The Hangar.

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

Grounded Coffee Co.- Newquay

For organic beans from around the globe, look no further than Grounded Coffee Co in Newquay town centre. Serving a variety of single origin coffees and freshly baked cakes just moments from Towan beach, walk here from our properties in Fistral and Porth for your daily pick-me-up before continuing the stroll across Newquay’s bays at low tide.

Want to stay in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Yallah Coffee- St Ives

Yallah are dedicated to sustainability, reducing waste and minimising their carbon footprint. Their coffee, roasted here in Cornwall, reflects this, from production method to cup. With an emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce and interesting flavours, their produce is sure to delight. You can sample their beans freshly brewed from their harbourside café and kiosk in St Ives or buy bags directly from their roastery in Argal Home Farm, Falmouth.

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Slice of Cornwall- Trewardreva Mill, Falmouth

This fashionable and contemporary-chic coffee shop and eatery is situated in Trewadreva Mill, set just outside of Constantine and a 20 minute drive from the nearby town of Falmouth. They serve up mouth-watering brunches and dark roast coffee and are soon launching their evening menu. This spot is a must visit if you are driving into Falmouth or looking to explore the surrounding area.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Hungry Horsebox Co.- Hayle

If you are seeking a freshly brewed coffee but don’t want to leave the shoreline, look no further than the Hungry Horsebox, a converted horse trailer pitched on the sand of Gwithian beach in Hayle. The scenic spot offers delicious drinks and homemade food which can be enjoyed on the water’s edge. Stop off here on a walk from Hayle estuary and along the three mile stretch of beach.

Discover our bespoke holiday cottages in Hayle, a short drive from St Ives and Pendeen.

North Coast Wine Co.- Bude

This sophisticated coffee and wine bar in Bude’s town centre serve only hand-picked, locally sourced and independent drinks, many of which cannot be found elsewhere. If you’re looking to escape the pasty and fish-and-chips brigade and to taste something more organic, this is your go-to. Open during the day on weekdays and into the evening on Friday and Saturdays, sample their range of creamy coffees- or perhaps an espresso martini.

Fancy staying in Bude? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Bude.

Discover showstopping hot chocolates in Cornwall, where rich flavours and creative twists make for an unforgettable treat.

Six retreats for storm watching in Cornwall

Waves whipped up by the wind, rainbow spray flying over harbour walls, crashing swell and whistling gales. Storm watching in Cornwall is a spectacle of the ocean’s unruly power, and watching it is a humbling experience: all there is to do is stand, mesmerised, at how little control we have over nature’s forces.

We’ve chosen six retreats perfect for storm watching, all situated in positions along the Cornish coast that get dramatic swells during stormy weather. Whether you’d prefer a windswept coastal walk watching the waves form far out to sea or would rather recline back in a sea-view hot tub hearing the sounds of the crashing sea below, book a winter stay this year and witness nature at its wildest.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a log burner? Check out our cottages with a log burner for a cosy getaway.

Please note: When storm watching, always stay safe. Don’t close to the water, as waves can unexpectedly increase in size, and always avoid cliff edges and harbour walls during storms.

Credit: @_rtshots

Toms Cottage, Porthleven – sleeps 2

In stormy weather, Porthleven showcases some of the unruliest seas. The Atlantic swell crashes over the harbour wall and clock tower, creating spectacular scenes which have featured on international news. Tom’s Cottage is situated just 500 metres from the harbour, so you will be able to dash out of the front door as soon as you hear the storm brewing and witness its dramatic display.

For a more panoramic view, take a walk along the coastal path to Looe, where you can see the waves far out to sea. Or, cosy up in the Ship Inn, a traditional pub directly overlooking the harbour where you can watch the waves from the warmth of inside, next to a roaring fire and with a drink in hand.

The Liner, Falmouth – sleeps 2-8

With uninterrupted front row views of Gyllyngvase beach and the expanse of ocean from Pendennis Castle across to the Helford passage, our apartments at The Liner are perfect for watching the storm from the comfort of your own seafront balcony. Simply grab a hot drink and sit back with a blanket as the skies darken and the sea comes to life.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Chimneys, Mousehole- sleeps 6

Mousehole is a picture book village in the summer months, with a gentle swell and sheltered harbour. However, when a storm hits, the surrounding ocean becomes wild and the harbour mouth must be boarded up by a gate to block the impact of the waves. The swell has been seen to surge over the harbour wall in the past, crashing onto the sheltered sandy harbour cove and even up onto the car park in previous years. Our retreat Chimneys overlooks the harbour and adjacent rocky beach, the perfect spot for watching stormy seas.

By the sea, Newquay- sleeps 10

Newquay is known for its world class surf and seven beaches and is a destination people flock to throughout the year to catch a wave. Being on the north Cornish coast, it often gets dramatic swells. The most famous is the cribbar, a huge wave just off Fistral headland. By The Sea is a glass-fronted property perched on the edge of the cliff overlooking the bay, where you can gaze down at the waves from above. Or, head out on a coastal walk around the headland and watch the few pro surfers attempt to catch the cribbar.

The Strand, Porth – sleeps 6-8 

The Strand is perfectly situated just a short walk away from Porth Island, where at mid-tide you can see the blow hole shoot rainbow sprays of water. Wrap up warm and cross the beach then head up onto the island, where you will cross a unique bridge over the stormy waters and experience panoramic views of the ocean expanse. From the Strand properties’ balconies, you can see a glimmer of the sea, a great indicator of when the swell is surging.

Far Horizon, Downderry – sleeps 8

Finally, for a laid back approach to watching the storm, hop in the ocean front hot tub at Far Horizon, which sits directly above the expanse of sea below. Lay back in the bubbles and settle under the stars for an evening of wave watching with a glass of wine in hand.

Discover six stunning spots to watch the sunrise in Cornwall, each offering panoramic views and unforgettable moments along the coast.

Take your work away

Is it time to take your work on holiday? Could a place by the sea be just the place to right the professional balance, giving you a new perspective on the daily routine and a fresher focus? We spoke to three coastal workers to find out how it affects their working life…

The world of work has had many cycles of change, but in the last couple of years, workers have experienced one of the most dramatic shifts, from working from home to hybrid working to working from anywhere.

It’s time for an ‘aworkening‘ to these new possibilities. Taking your work away to the sea could be more than just a change of scene. We caught up with three professionals working on very different projects and businesses to find out what being close to the sea means for their working life.

Visiting Cornwall for a workcation? Have a look at our holiday lets perfect for extended stays and working.

Studio by the sea

Artist Kitty Hillier recently started working exclusively from her studio looking out to the Penryn River as it flows towards the sea. It’s a tidal stretch with a shifting landscape, and bustling boat community right on the doorstep. Whether it’s a fleeting encounter with a Redshank, to making a new home in a boat – “like a giant sculpture really” – being this close to the water has an important role to play in Kitty’s work.

“During the day, a key part of my practice is walking. From here, I can get on to the coast path straight away. In the spring and summer, when I open up the main door of the studio, I can see all the way through, down the river,” says Kitty.

“All year round, I feel very close to the tides, and the weather. If it’s really windy, I’m tuned into that: what’s happening around me, the sounds and direction of the wind. One of the boatyard community will let me know if we’re expecting a really high tide, when the water can come in just past the studio door.

“I’m constantly collecting stuff, starting points or something that helps me resolve a painting. On the coast path between here and Flushing, it’s often very quiet, and particularly at low tide you have these amazing encounters with wildlife; it massively informs what I’m making.”

As well as the solitary time watching the coastal wildlife, or on focused work in the studio, there’s the bustling boatyard and vibrant artist community round the corner.

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“The boatyard here is wonderful, everybody is helping everybody else, whether it’s helping you carry something or giving you some advice; it’s a great community.

“Not far from me are Jubilee Wharf, Fish Factory and Grays Wharf studios and art galleries, where I have shown my work and I’ve done workshops. Since I started working here, I have collaborated a lot more and I regularly meet up with artists in these locations.”

Discover Kitty’s work and workshops – with St Ives School of Painting and Grays Wharf – at https://kittyhillier.co.uk/ and on Instagram @kittyhillier

Seaside growing

Beside Little Petherick Creek and overlooking the Camel River as it flows into the coves and bays between Rock and Padstow, Ross Geach’s workplace is Padstow Kitchen Garden at Trerethern Farm.

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

There must be something in the sea air by the creek, as well as supplying a selection of the best eateries in the area with a bevy of local, seasonal produce – from salad leaves to renowned sausages – the kitchen garden’s honesty box farm shop made it into the Financial Times magazine How to Spend It’s top 50 food stores in the world in 2021.

“The farm has been in my family since the 18th century,” says Ross. “Initially I trained be a chef with Rick Stein, but I enjoyed being on the farm more than the kitchen; being outside, with lovely views, what’s not to like. So I started growing here and its turned into quite a big kitchen garden; it’s around 7 acres now.”

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

The exposed coastal position of the farm dictates the pattern of work. It means “beautiful views, down to Rock in one direction and over to Bodmin Moor in the other”, but often challenging weather conditions for growing. “Nature has a really good way of evening itself out. I’ve really noticed that over the ten years of working in the garden. If you have a really bad start you have a longer season. If you have a really good, early start to the season you’ll probably have a shorter growing season.”

The farm is workplace and space to get away from it all. “We do spend a lot of our time on the farm. My partner and kids, we’ll go out into the farm to have tea on a bench; it’s completely quiet, with no one else around.”

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

When he’s not soaking up the vista from the fields, Ross heads down to the quieter spots along this popular stretch of coast to find a “rock to sit down, with a beer, and make the most of watching the tide come in or go out” or will head out on the water in the family kayak.

The Padstow Kitchen Farm Shop is open 7 days a week from 08.30am to 2.30pm during the winter months, with extended hours in the spring and summer.

Free your workflow

No matter what you’re working on, finding the space to think freely is essential. Novelist and non-fiction writer Wyl Menmuir’s home office is a mile from the beaches of Cornwall’s north coast. A world of constant change, the sea is a dependable source of creative inspiration, mental space, exercise, rest and much more.

“If I’m stuck with a plot, or I need to solve a creative problem, I won’t find that at my desk.”

“It’s a rare day that I don’t see the sea for one reason or another. It might be for inspiration. If I’m stuck with a plot, or I need to solve a creative problem, I won’t find that at my desk,” says Wyl. “I get myself out to the sea. It’s something about being able to see the horizon; the whole environment of it helps me to get into this creative space.”

On the other hand, when Wyl is taking a break from work, he goes for a coastal run, surf or swim to take him away from concerns he has or whatever is on his mind. It’s a cure all, “I use it for pretty much everything,” he adds.

He’s spent the past few months finding out it’s not just him, discovering “almost as many reasons to spend time by the sea, or in the sea, as people” for his first non-fiction book The Draw of the Sea. While scientific researchers have made recent discoveries about the mental health benefits of spending time near or in blue spaces, Wyl’s study – out on Aurum Press in July – is concerned with the human stories of the myriad relationships we have with the sea.

Image credit: Aurum Press

Out swimming with cold water swimmers, he discovered more about the primal relationship we have with the water, “there is this sense that the cold is uncomfortable, but there is this physical draw, a dependency on that cold-water reset.” It’s also somewhere where we relinquish control: “The sea is always reminding you that you have no control – and that can be freeing.”

Find out more about Wyl’s forthcoming book The Draw of the Sea, published in July 2022 and available to pre-order now.

Step beyond the office, choose a place by the sea to take your work away

Discover 10 compelling reasons for a Cornwall workation, blending productivity with relaxation amidst Cornwall’s stunning coastal scenery and vibrant local culture.

Staff pick of the month: Wonderwall, Hayle

Our new series, Staff pick of the month, asks members of the team about their favourite Beach Retreats property. This month we speak to Brand Marketing Manager, Lowenna Logue. Lowenna is a lover of all things Cornwall, and in her free time you’ll find her trailing the coast path, seeking out new beaches and taking photos for her Instagram account, @cornwall_lover.

Her chosen retreat right now is Wonderwall, an eco beach house new to our books which is set in the Upton Towans area of Hayle. 

What is it you like most about this property?

Its unique design and interiors as well as its green credentials – the development is made with locally sourced materials and designed to blend in to the surrounding environment. The large floor to ceiling windows allow the light to flood in onto the pastel colours used throughout. I especially like the second bedroom with the four poster bed and tall window.

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What will be your favourite part of the day when staying at this retreat?

The evening. It has the perfect garden for a family BBQ and get together. My nieces can run and play while the adults relax at the table close to the fire with a bottle of wine. There is also a pizza oven that will really go down a treat. When outside, with the lights turned on at dusk, Wonderwall looks so beautiful.

What is it that you like about the local area?

Wonderwall is just a short walk from Gwithian and Godrevy, here the beaches have plenty of space, backed by sand dunes. I love the walk past Godrevy lighthouse and up around the cliffs where you can often watch seals bathing and playing below. There is an ice cream van that parks here in the summer, right at the end of the walk. It’s a great day out for everyone. The beach itself is fantastic for watersports and exploring the dunes.

Explore more of Hayle, and check out our other holiday properties in Hayle.

Is there a particular restaurant in the area that you would choose to eat at?

Lula Shack. It is right on the beach. I dined here last year and it was unforgettable. The seating is mostly outside, there was a DJ playing, we ordered some seafood and had a fantastic evening. The vibe was very relaxed, we didn’t want to leave. I highly recommend the cajun crab claws from the fire pit or the fluffy pancakes at breakfast. Visit at high tide for a better experience.

Discover the best places to eat out in Hayle and explore the vibrant food scene and local flavours that this coastal town has to offer.

Can you catch a good sunset or sunrise here?

As Hayle is on the North coast of Cornwall, it benefits from beautiful sunsets. One of my favourite pastimes on a summer’s evening is to head to the waterfront with a cool drink in hand to watch the sun go down.

What would you say is a must-see or do in this area?

If travelling with your family, catch the train to St Ives. It is one of the most scenic train routes in the UK – it winds around the cliff edge passing Carbis Bay, giving you breathtaking views. Grab a pasty and an ice cream (watch out for pesky seagulls) and then walk the coast path back or jump on the train again.

Wonderwall sleeps seven guests and has availability for 2022, click here to find out more. 

A better bolthole

What’s the best spot for a winter getaway, for solace, rest and revival? Debika Ray escaped to 15 Cannery Row, Hayle, a frame for life on the shore, finding serene sands, newly arrived birds and buckets of inspiration…

By Debika Ray, contributing editor at Crafts magazine, founder of Clove magazine and writer. Her work has been published in Kinfolk, Wallpaper, the Guardian and Architectural Digest.

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“I have gained very great inspiration from Cornish land- and sea-scape, the horizontal line of the sea and the quality of light and colour, which so excites one’s sense of form,” said the artist Barbara Hepworth in a 1946 interview with The Studio magazine. “And first and last there is the human figure, which in the country becomes a free and moving part of a greater whole.”

Standing in the garden of Trewyn Studio in St Ives, it’s easy to see why Cornwall proved so inspirational for the great modernist sculptor – how she might have felt freed and moved by her majestic surroundings. In November, when I visit, her sloping garden is doused in a misty haze: more than 30 bronze, wood and stone sculptures sit amid a mix of mature trees, ornamental plants and stone walls.

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

“Here, the proximity and exposure to nature is echoed: as day breaks, light falls softly through the large balcony windows into the master bedroom and open-plan living room.”

To one side of the site are a conservatory and light-filled studio, the latter still scattered with tools, materials and clothing and surrounded by uncarved blocks of stone. Through rainy days and sunny ones, Hepworth would have sat – working or thinking – inside these light-filled spaces, looking out over the landscape she designed herself. “Finding Trewyn Studio was a sort of magic,” she wrote of the place. “Here was a studio, a yard and garden where I could work in open air and space. It is completely perfect for me.”

A clearer mind

My artistic aspirations may not be as lofty as Hepworth’s, but, from this vantage point, I find myself wondering what it would be like to move to Cornwall in search of creative inspiration – writing, reading or simply thinking more clearly amid that magical light and fresh, cool air. Cornwall, I’m told, rarely gets cold enough to snow, thanks to its salty air and the tempering effects of the Gulf Stream – a relatively mild climate that makes an outdoor lifestyle both possible and appealing even in the winter months.

“To stay by the sea, is to watch the landscape shift constantly before your eyes… Modern architects have long understood that building should be a frame for life, rather than imposing too heavily on it.”

Want to learn more about how to make the most of your travel? Read our blog on how to do slow travel.

St Ives is a mere 13 minute coastal train journey, via the sweeping Carbis Bay, from St Erth; itself a three minute onward ride to Hayle, where Cannery Row, is located. Here, the proximity and exposure to nature is echoed: as day breaks, light falls softly through the large balcony windows into the master bedroom and open-plan living room, revealing the Hayle Estuary, with its ebbing and flowing tides, just outside.

To stay by the sea is to watch the landscape shift constantly before your eyes. Later, as the sun sets, the same view is slowly occluded, and our view turns inwards, to the spacious, modern, double-height interior. Modern architects have long understood that building should be a frame for life, rather than imposing too heavily on it.

“At Hayle Beach, a brief stroll from the apartment, rolling dunes – or Towans – tumble down from dramatic black rocks, and the eye has to stretch far into the distance before you can see the waves rumbling towards the shore.”

The surrounding estuary is guarded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), because of its abundance of wetland flocks. Winter, they say, is the best time to visit: it’s when you can see vast collectives of teals and wigeons, as well as ring-billed gulls from North America, and can be undisturbed by the higher number of tourists who similarly flock to the area in the summer. Elsewhere along the coast you can spot seals, dolphins and basking sharks, or charter a boat to catch your own fish.

“The uneven ground means the tide moves in inconsistently, forming exposed island-like mounds and the water trickles ashore and encircles them: we stop to chat to fellow walkers who are throwing balls for their over-excited dogs to fetch.

Deserted sands

At Hayle Beach, a brief stroll from the apartment, rolling dunes – or Towans – tumble down from dramatic black rocks, and the eye has to stretch far into the distance before you can see the waves rumbling towards the shore. At low tide, on this autumn morning, the sands remain wet underfoot far away from the water’s edge, as we trudge past a handful of other early risers along the practically deserted golden sands.

The uneven ground means the tide moves in inconsistently, forming exposed island-like mounds and the water trickles ashore and encircles them: we stop to chat to fellow walkers who are throwing balls for their over-excited dogs to fetch; they splash and bound as they do so through the pools of water that are swiftly forming. A raised coastal walk takes us on the high road along the beach, leading past miles of unspoiled views.

“In times when sunshine and warmth are scarce, such qualities are needed to uplift us”

Light and air

Hepworth no doubt chose her home partly with views in mind: the home and studio that the artist occupied for the final 25 years of her life – now the Barbara Hepworth Museum – is minutes from St Ives harbour, amid narrow streets and pitched roofs. She is among the best-known artists to have settled in Cornwall, but she is hardly the only one to have been enlivened by this coastal stretch of south-west England. Ceramicist Bernard Leach set up his world-renowned pottery studio in the town in 1920, and it remains among the best known pottery studios in the world, embedded in Cornwall’s historic relationship with clay.

My stroll through the area takes me past and into art and craft galleries, pocketing ceramic objects to take home as souvenirs. These are dotted across the region to represent the creative community that continues to make the county its home. Today, an outpost of the Tate Gallery sits a short walk away from Hepworth’s house on the site of an old gasworks, and shows off the work of several other notable local names.

“Back in Hayle in the evening, we stick close to the water, and close to home: an atmospherically lit shack on the sand”

Here, too, weather provides a backdrop to the building: standing in the amphitheatre-like entryway, I hear the roar of the ocean crashing against the shore and feel the salty air swirl around me. The sound and weather swiftly vanish as I step inside the serene interior, safely ensconced amid the finely curated art collection, but the sea itself remains visible from the open studio nestled at the front of the gallery, which is devoted to artists who take up residencies there and which you can look down upon from a circular balcony.

Later, from the generous windows of the fourth floor cafe, I spot miniature surfers bobbing on the distant waves, and I am mesmerised for hours by their relentless energy and the movement of the water. At ground level, a glass enclosed restaurant across the road gives a closer view, hovering just over the sands of Porthmeor Beach, alongside seagulls and above the smattering of spectators gathered to appreciate the water sports.

Back in Hayle in the evening, we stick close to the water, and close to home: an atmospherically lit shack on the sand, a local recommendation, serves Cajan-spiced fish and barbecued meats. We eat seafood by the bucket, and wash it down with local beers and Cornish-themed cocktails.

Winter retreats to the coast or countryside are often associated with crackling fires, old furniture, low ceilings or dim lighting. But, as Hepworth understood, the soul thrives on light, air and space. In times when sunshine and warmth are scarce, such qualities are needed to uplift us, and more so for anyone seeking to achieve the artist’s ambition of making the “human figure … a free and moving part of a greater whole”.