Author: gloversure

The Best Food Takeaways & Deliveries in Cornwall

We’ve collected some of Cornwall’s best pop ups, takeaways and delivery services to help you enjoy your stay in Cornwall this summer.

Visiting with a large group? Discover our large holiday homes perfect for big families or friend groups.

Planning your trip?  Rather than a supermarket delivery, order some of Cornwall’s finest produce to your holiday home:

And for more ideas, Barefoot Cornwall has an exhaustive list here.

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

Our Long List

Location: Bude
Name: Temple
What is it: Food takeaway
Opening hours: Weekend only
How to find out more: www.templecornwall.com/
Description: Modern. Cornish. Seasonal food available for takeaway from the restaurant

Location: Bude
Name: Cornish Coast Farm Shop
What is it: Farm shop and pizza delivery
Opening hours: Weekend deliveries, check FB for opening times
How to find out more: www.cornishcoasts.co.uk
Description: Cornish Coasts, near Bude, has a well-stocked shop, with fresh fruit and veg, and storecupboard essentials. They are also delivery pizzas locally on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Location: Boscastle
Name: Noco
What is it: Food takeaway
Opening hours: Couple of days a week TBC
How to find out more: www.instagram.com/noco_food/
Description: London food collective in Boscastle harbour

Location: Carbis Bay
Name: Bin Two
What is it: Wine delivery
Opening hours: Orders must be received by 8am Monday
How to find out more: www.bintwo.com/our-wines/
Description: Independent wine merchant based in St Ives

Location: Carbis Bay
Name: Porthminster Café
What is it: Seafood takeaway
Opening hours: Fri & Sat only
How to find out more: www.instagram.com/porthminstercafe/
Description: Seafood resturant

Location: St Ives
Name: Bens Cornish Kitchen
What is it: Food delivery
Opening hours: Sat & Sunday
How to find out more http://www.benscornishkitchen.com/
Description: 2 course dinners for 2 people, heat up and serve at home

Location: Charlestown
Name: Appletons
What is it: Food, wine takeaway
Opening hours: Thurs, Fri & Sat eve
How to find out more: www.appletonsrestaurant.com
Description: Italian style restaurant serving dine-away fresh pasta, take away wine and pre-bottled Negronis.

Location: Newquay
Name: Pavillion
What is it: Produce led deli
Opening hours:
How to find out more: www.wearethepavillion.com
Description: Local food heros, supplying fruit and veg from local suppliers, fresh pasta, dine-away dishes, takeaway coffee, housemade sourdough & pastries

Location: Newquay
Name: Good Lyfe
What is it: Re-fill shop
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday
How to find out more: www.thegoodlyfe.co.uk
Description: Plastic free, local refill supermarket. Store cupboard essentials, personal care and gifts. Fresh baked goods at the weekend.

Location: Newquay
Name: Basket
What is it: Coffee & cake takeaway + celebration cakes to pre-order
Opening hours: Monday – Sat 8am – 1pm
How to find out more: www.facebook.com/basket.newquay
Description: Beautiful handmade cakes for takeaway or pre-order celebration cakes, coffee and savoury lunches to takeaway

Location: Newquay
Name: Sprout
What is it: Healthfoods supermarket
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm
How to find out more: www.sproutheatlh.co.uk
Description: Wholefood, organic local deli produce. Deliveries or collection

Location: Newquay
Name: Real Food Box
What is it: Veg boxes as well as meat, dairy and fish
Opening hours: 7 days a week
How to find out more: www.realfoodbox.co.uk
Description: Trevilley Farm shop offering deliveries across Cornwall

Location: Newquay
Name: Hayley Scott Blooms
What is it: Fresh flower deliveries
Opening hours:
How to find out more: www.hayleyscottblooms.co.uk
Description: Flower deliveries to Newquay and surrounding areas. Combine delivery with sweet treats from Basket, Jam Jar & Choukette french patisserie

Location: Newquay
Name: Box and Barber
What is it: Coffee and brunch to pre-order and collect
Opening hours: Daily 8am – 3pm
How to find out more: www.facebook.com/boxandbarber
Description: Origin coffee, acai bowls, avocado toasties and pastries from Da Bara to pre order and collect

Location: Newquay
Name: Adam Banks
What is it: Food delivery
Opening hours: Friday and Saturday only
How to find out more: www.instagram.com/adam___banks/
Description: Fresh pasta dishes delivered within the Newquay area.

Location: Mawgan Porth
Name: El Huichol
What is it: Mexican taco delivery
Opening hours:7
How to find out more: www.elhuichol.co.uk
Description: Authentic Mexican Street food delivered to your door

Location: Mousehole
Name: Lovetts (Newlyn)
What is it: Wine/off licence store, takeout and coffee + home delivery
Opening hours: Fri & Sat 9am – midday
How to find out more: www.lovetts-newlyn.co.uk
Description: Organic wines, craft beer and local coffee (with the occasional doughnut). These guys also do their own pre-bottled espresson martini

Location: Mousehole
Name: Mackerel Sky Sea Food Bar
What is it: Takeaway seafood restaurant + wine
Opening hours: Thursday -Sunday
How to find out more: www.mackerelskycafe.co.uk
Description: Small seasonal seafood bar serving fresh seafood and small plates from the local area

Location: Perranporth
Name: El Huichol
What is it: Mexican taco delivery
Opening hours: Sunday delviery in Perranporth
How to find out more: www.elhuichol.co.uk
Description: Authentic Mexican Street food

Location: Portreath
Name: Portreath Bakery
What is it: Food delivery
Opening hours: home delivery
How to find out more: www.portreathbakery.com
Description: Portreath Bakery is delivering bread, pasties, cakes, flour and yeast for your new baking habit

Location: Porth Beach
Name: El Huichol
What is it: Mexican taco delivery
Opening hours: Saturday delivery in Porth
How to find out more: www.elhuichol.co.uk
Description: Authentic Mexican Street food

Location: Porthcothan
Name: Padstow Kitchen Garden
What is it: Farm shop near Padstow
Opening hours:
How to find out more: www.padstowkitchengarden.co.uk/farm-shop
Description: Tretheran Farm Shop with seasonal veggies all grown on site. Local delivery available to some surrounding areas.

Location: Port Isaac
Name: Nicky B’s Pasty Shop
What is it: Nicky B’s pasties and sausage rolls are available to buy frozen, with local home delivery available.
Opening hours:
How to find out more: 01208 880498
Description: Pasties, Sausage rolls available to buy from frozen. Delivery available.

Location: Porthlevan
Name: The Mussel Shoal
What is it: Takeaway and delivery laidback seafood dining.
Opening hours: Best to follow their social media to keep up to date
How to find out more: www.musselshoals.co.uk
Description: Expect fresh fish finger sandwiches, clam chowder, squid & chips. Often doing pop ups in St Ives, as well as delivery and collection from their usual spot on the harbour.

Location: Portreath
Name: The Flour Power Pizza Parlour
What is it: Mobile Artisan Pizza
Opening hours: Check out the website for locations and times
How to find out more: www.flourpowerpizzaparlour.co.uk

Location: Portreath
Name: The Hub
What is it: Takeaway
Opening hours: 10am to 4pm daily and 7pm Friday and Saturday
How to find out more: www.thehubportreath.com/
Description: Check out their grab and go menus

Location: Rock
Name: Blue Tomato Café
What is it: Takeaway and delivery to local St Minver Parish
Opening hours: Thursday and Saturday
How to find out more: www.bluetomatocafe.co.uk
Description: Anything from salads, curries to salt and pepper squid and fish & chips.

Location: Rock
Name: Pityme Inn
What is it: Food takeaway
Opening hours:
How to find out more: www.pitymeinn.co.uk
Description: Pub classics to takeaway. Local delivery also available

Location: Roseland
Name: Philleigh Way
What is it: Meal delivery
Opening hours:
How to find out more: www.philleighway.co.uk
Description: Pre cooked meal boxes, including Sunday roasts as well as ingredients

Location: St Agnes
Name: Canteen + Schooners
What is it: Food takeaway
Opening hours: Fridays, annouced on instagram
How to find out more: www.facebook.com/schoonerscornwall
Description: Wood fired, casual dining. Usually last minute annoucements made on instagram of flash feeds and take-outs + takeout taco kits from Tom Vase of Schooners to be collected

Location: St Agnes
Name: J Earl Shellfish
What is it: Local fish delivery
Opening hours: Announced on Facebook
How to find out more: www.facebook.com/J-EARL-shellfish
Description: Locallay caught fish, delivery available throught central Cornwall

Location: St Agnes
Name: Genki
What is it: Food delivery
Opening hours: Home deliveries
How to find out more: www.instagram.com/genkicornwall
Description: Breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas. Speciality – Acai bowls

Location: Watergate Bay
Name: Emily Scott Food
What is it: Pop up restaurant
Opening hours: 12 midday to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 9.30pm, close Sunday and Monday
How to find out more: www.emilyscottfood.com
Description: No faffing, no fussing just beautiful seasonal food in the former home of Fifteen Cornwall..

Location: Whitsand
Name: The View
What is it: Resturaunt with outside dining at a safe distance
Opening hours: Fridays, Saturdays & Sunday
How to find out more: www.theview-restaurant.co.uk
Description: Simple food, cooked precisely. Fine dining in a casual and relaxed atmosphere

Location: Whitsand Bay
Name: Pengelleys, Looe
What is it: Fresh fish sales
Opening hours:
How to find out more: 07531 429541
Description: Fresh seafood sold from the hatch, also offering deliveries

Location: Widemouth/Bude
Name: Black Rock Café
What is it: Tea & Coffee takeway
Opening hours: Follow their facebook page for annouced opening times
How to find out more: www.facebook.com/BlackRockBeach1/
Description: Tea, coffee and cake to take away. Bring your own blanket to sit on the beach and enjoy.

 

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

Stay at Home Holidays in Cornwall

There’s no doubt that the face of self-catering holidays in Cornwall has changed in the aftermath of COVID-19. But you can still enjoy the perfect stay-cation or work-action in one of our luxury retreats. With the beach on your doorstep you can step straight out onto the coast for a blast of briny air or a saltwater dip, then hunker down in your private space and make the most of your home by the sea.

SkylineHere are some things we love staying in for on holiday:

Quality time with friends and family

Friends on the beachThe best way to catch up with family and friends is to spend time together in a home-away-from-home. When everyday tasks and distractions are left behind, there’s more time to talk, play and relax together, without the pressures of the chores, work and the daily grind. Make yourself at home in one our stylish properties designed for relaxation and leisure time, and you’ve got all the luxuries and entertainment you need to chill out and enjoy time with each other.

Relax and recharge

Bask in Cornwall’s sub-tropical climate, soak up a mighty dose of vitamin sea, and take time for lazy mornings or afternoon siestas. Wind down to the rhythm of the ocean, pad along the shoreline and hunker down by the log burner with a bottle of red wine and platter of Cornish cheeses. In recent years holidays have evolved into time spent cramming as much as possible into our time off, but having space and time to rest and recharge your batteries is what vacations should be about. So make the most of some R&R in your stylish coastal holiday pad.

Eat gourmet food

Cornwall is renowned for its smorgasbord of delicious food plucked from the coast and the countryside. And you don’t have to step foot in a restaurant for a gourmet spread and excellent service. Make the most of having time to cook up a storm with the best Cornish ingredients, or kick back and tuck into home-cooked deliveries from talented local chefs. From breakfast platters and fresh produce, to slap-up dinners from local pubs and pop ups, all sorts of lip-smacking cuisine and can be delivered to your door.

Try new hobbies

PhotographerHave you ever wanted to try watercolour painting, play guitar or take up yoga? When you’re at home there just seems so little time to take up new hobbies. But once you escape from your daily routine and workaday, there’s much more time to tap into your creative mind and try new things. While you’re taking a break in a Beach Retreat, why not pick up a paintbrush to commit coastal scenes to canvas, craft jewellery from your beachcombing finds, or write a song inspired by the landscapes around you?

Kickback for a guilt-free Netflix binge

Want to catch up on the latest box set or do you have a list of movies you’ve never got round to watching? Once you’ve had a blast of sea air and watched the sun go down on the beach, holidays are a great time to stay in and catch up for a guilt-free media fest. Whether it’s podcasts, Netflix or the latest Box Office hit released on DVD, our properties offer the most stylish lounge spaces and family entertainment systems; so get cosy and grab the popcorn.

Make a playlist

How often do you hear a song you love on the radio, scribble down the name and plan to make it part of a playlist one day? Or hear a tune that takes you back to halcyon days? With time on your hands you can finally take the time to make a playlist of your favourite songs – from chill out tracks to tunes that make you want to dance your socks off. You could even take the time to go through your bulging online photo and video library, and put your memories into photo books and movies.

Take a workation

In an era when the boundaries between home and work are more blurred than ever before, why not mix work and leisure on your self-catering holiday in Cornwall? All of our Beach Retreats are decked out with high-tech facilities, so you’ll have everything you need to run an efficient home office while enjoying time by the sea.

Soak up a different view

 

chamge your perspective

Spending time in a different location gives you time to soak up a different view. This doesn’t only mean a change in scenery, but also inspires a shift in perspective. It’s often only when we’re away from home and our usual routines that we find the time to reflect and make fundamental changes in our lives that make us happier.

Big Spaces

Hitting the beach is going to be a bit different this summer. With some lockdown restrictions lifted and everyone keen to hit the Cornish coast, it’s time to re-think a typical day out. But there’s no reason you can’t feel carefree and have all the fun while staying safe and abiding by social distancing measures. We’re experts in beach life and know every nook and cranny of Cornwall, so we’ve got some great ideas about how to enjoy the natural environment in wide-open spaces.

Poly Joke to Crantock walk throughSecret Beaches

If you’re going surfing or bodyboarding with your family, make sure you head to one of the lifeguarded beaches. But if you want to dip your toes in the breakers and unpack a picnic in a secluded cove, wander off the beaten track to discover some of Cornwall’s more secret beaches. You don’t have to stray far from the heart of Newquay to find the cobalt waters of Polly Joke, backed by miles of rolling heathland. Or nudge north from the main beach at Crackington Haven to witness the staggering rock stacks of The Strangles. Another of our favourites is Nanjizal, a mile or so from Land’s End, with its crystal clear waters and magnificent rock arch. Get an OS map, make it an adventure, and check out a few more of our secret beaches here.

Chasing Waterfalls

The beach isn’t the only place to enjoy the Great Outdoors and dip your toes in the water. Why not head away from the coastal honeypots and explore the woodlands and waterfalls? Tunnel through a wooded valley alongside the River Fowey and you can climb trees, tiptoe across stepping-stones and cross little bridges on the way to the magical Golitha Falls. Take the plunge in one of the pools, picnic in a shady glen and hunt for Cornish piskies in the fairytale landscape.

Bodmin MoorGet High

Climb the peaks of Rough Tor and Brown Willy, and you’re bound to leave the crowds far behind. Rising from the wild and spacious territory of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall’s two highest peaks offer a different perspective of the coast. At just over 400m above sea level, you get eye-popping coastal and countryside views and can see the beaches of the north and the south coasts from a bird’s eye view. To reach the peaks it’s a relatively easy stroll across the rolling moorland, where you can also witness ancient sites including stone circles, quoits and the remains of Bronze Age settlements.

Free Wheeling

Instead of sitting around on the beaches, get in the saddle and hit some of Cornwall’s cycling trails. While the Camel Trail is perhaps Cornwall’s best-known biking route, it does get busy, so why not head out along the web of mineral tramways criss-crossing the county? Of these the Coast-to-Coast between Portreath and Devoran is our favourite. Tick off sea views, woodland, engine houses and quarries, as you follow 15 miles of disused mineral tramways through a World Heritage Site, from the Atlantic coast to the south coast. With plenty of off shoots and sections to play or picnic, it’s definitely a route where you can escape the crowds and reward yourself with a sundowner on beach at the end.

Coast PathThe South West Coast Path

Most of our properties are just footsteps from the South West Coast Path, where you can step out and enjoy the sea views and salty air, while only passing a few other souls on route. If you’re staying in Porth or Watergate Bay, stroll along the cliff tops between the two and you’ll spot more seabirds that people. Push on along the rugged section from Watergate to Mawgan Porth, eyeing up coastal views to Trevose Head and beyond. If you’re staying anywhere near Padstow, make sure you stand on Stepper Point and stare across the Doom Bar to Pentire Point and The Rumps. And if you’re up in Bude tackle the challenging coast path towards the border of Devon, stopping to peer out to sea from the Hawker’s Hut, built by an eccentric poet.

Discover more of our favourite walks along the South West Coast Path.

National Trust

The National Trust have started re-opening their car parks, gardens and parklands across Cornwall, where you can delve into the natural surroundings whilst maintaining social distancing. So whether you tumble through sub-tropical foliage to a pristine beach at Glendurgan, hit the bike trails at Lanhydrock or park at Carnewas to clap eyes on the rock giants at Bedruthan Steps, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the natural wonders of Cornwall.

Poly Joke to Crantock walk throughTop tips for staying away from the crowds

  • Get up early to explore Cornwall before everyone else. Or have a lazy day and head out to later to enjoy an evening adventure and sunset on the coast.
  • Don’t head to the usual spots – get out a map and discover places off the beaten track.
  • Leave the car at home and venture out on foot or bike. This way you’ll avoid the busy car parks and find footpaths and coves away from the busiest attractions.
  • Stay local – all of our Beach Retreats are in stunning locations in easy reach of the coast and cafés. Don’t feel like you have to explore the whole of Cornwall on your visit, you’ll find plenty to do right on the doorstep. This year is all about micro adventures.

An Authentic Taste of Cornwall

Shop Local with The Cornish Food Box

As with so aspects of our lives, enjoying a beach break in Cornwall has changed.  Where we go and what we do will be different, but we’re still committed to helping you make special memories in breathtaking surroundings.

So in the first of a series of the new norm, we’re collating the best of Cornwall to enjoy when you stay with us.

The Cornish food box delivery

As an alternative to the supermarket delivery, or venturing into a supermarket when you arrive in Cornwall, The Cornish Food Box have deliver fresh local produce direct to your holiday home.

They are an award-winning company, also with the option to click and collect from their premises on the A30.  The range is comprehensive, with local vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood and ready meals. The range also covers alcohol, a deli, baked goods and some tempting BBQ boxes.

It’s food which is honest, fresh and made with carte and passion.

Tor and the Cornish Food Bax

 

A taste of Cornwall delivered to your holiday home

PLUS get £5 off any order over £50 by using the code: BEACHRETREATS

www.thecornishfoodboxcompany.co.uk | 01872 211533

Happy shopping and even happier eating!

5 webcams to watch in Cornwall

Stay close to Cornwall wherever you are with some of our favourite beachside webcams

We appreciate you are missing our amazing Cornish beaches at the moment, so we’ve handpicked five webcams that allow you enjoy a sneak peek at some of your favourite locations.

To see more of your special place by the sea and to keep up to date with all things Beach Retreats follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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

Watergate Bay

Home to many of our contemporary self-catering holiday homes, you’ll find plenty to watch at Watergate Bay no matter what the season. See the local surfers catch a morning wave, watch wild swimmers take the plunge and spot wind surfers and dog walkers in abundance. This webcam is positioned at The Beach Hut, one of our favourite go to places to grab a bite to eat as the sun sets.

Watch Watergate Bay webcam.

 

Whitsand Bay

With its dramatic scenery, craggy cliffs and long stretch of golden sand, Whitsand Bay is located in south east Cornwall and is home to six of our contemporary coastal cabins. Surf brand Magic Seaweed have placed a webcam here for locals to check the surf before heading down the winding paths and cliff. This beautiful stretch of Cornish coast is bound by the Lynher and Tamar rivers, the Hamoaze and the sea. Known as Cornwall’s ‘Forgotten Corner’, Whitsand Bay is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Watch Whitsand Bay webcam.

 

Fistral Beach

If you miss jumping from bed to board and need a quick surf fix, this Fistral beach webcam will certainly do the trick. Known as one of Cornwall’s top surfing spots, Fistral is home to countless surf festivals, Rick Stein’s Fistral, The Fish House, Fistral Surf School and our luxury beachside apartments and houses. Watch the surfers head in at sunrise or catch a famous Fistral sunset. This large beach is dog friendly all year round, so you’ll certainly see some wagging tails.

Watch Fistral Beach webcam.

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

Interested in finding out more about Newquay? Discover what to do in and around Newquay.

Rock Beach

From bobbing boats, to kayakers and stand up paddle boarders, Rock in north Cornwall is an exclusive watersports destination giving you plenty to follow when missing your Cornish slice of heaven. The beach provides a long expanse of golden sand at low tide, leading round to Brea Hill and the popular Daymer Bay. Watch the world go by and start planning your next adventure to one of our brand new Rock properties, Bijou and Ferrypoint.

Watch Rock Beach webcam.

 

Minack Theatre and Porthcurno

Take a peek at Cornwall, way down west and watch the waves crash against the cliffs at the famous open air Minack Theatre. Its backdrop can’t be beaten with Pedn Vounder and Porthcurno’s white Caribbean like sand and crystal clear water. Keep your eyes peeled between May and September and sit back whilst a live theatrical play takes place.

Watch Minack Theatre webcam.

Cornwall’s Wild Larder

At a time when the seasonality and provenance of our food are becoming evermore important, people are opening their eyes to our edible landscape. Cornwall is a foodie haven renowned for its abundance of fresh ingredients plucked from the coast and countryside, so it’s little wonder that the shoreline and hedgerows are bursting with them. Cliff-tops are thriving with samphire, gorse flowers and wild garlic, boulders are strewn with edible seaweeds and hedgerows are bursting with all sorts of berries and herbs.

It’s not often that people compare Cornwall’s landscape with the shelves of a supermarket, but whether you want to make chutney or serve up a three-course feast, expert forager Caroline Davey can show you where to find an array of ingredients in nature’s larder. “It’s about using foraged foods like any other ingredients you would buy from the supermarket, and making interesting, delicious dishes with them,” says Caroline.

Fancy staying in a holiday retreat with a hot tub? Check out our cottages with a hot tub for a relaxing getaway.

A keen cook with a background in ecology and botany, Caroline started supplying local restaurants with foraged ingredients back in 2007, and by 2008 she had launched Fat Hen – her own foraging and wild cookery school. Caroline’s renovated barns tucked in the wilds of West Cornwall are the perfect base to bring people together to enjoy the Great Outdoors, go foraging and create fabulous feasts from nature’s bounty. This isn’t foraging for survival’s sake. Greens, herbs, salad, veg, seaweeds, flowers, seeds and roots are cooked up into restaurant-worthy dishes, sometimes topped up with seafood from the local fishermen. “People start identifying edible plants in a bunch of greenery or seaweed and realise not only that they can eat them, but that they actually taste really good,” says Caroline. “The profile of wild food is changing. It’s not just eating wild food that’s important; it’s the process of foraging for our own ingredients that is emphasising our connection with food and the landscape. When you get down to the beach and you’re out foraging you’re living so much in the moment and everything feels so good.”

SEASIDE FORAGING

Anyone can go out and forage for ingredients along the shoreline – seashore plants are very distinctive and quite easy to identify with the help of a guidebook to wild ingredients. Caroline recommends River Cottage’s Edible Seashore.
The coastline is a great place to find seaweed, samphire and sea beet, all delicious served up with line-caught mackerel or foraged mussels. Then you can scour the woodlands and hedgerows for berries, edible flowers, three-cornered leeks and nettles.

Six wild ingredients to forage for in Cornwall

ELDERFLOWER – the taste and scent of English summer. The sweet flavour of elderflower makes delicious cordial and non-alcoholic elderflower champagne’, and can also be used in salads and dressings.

NASTURTIUM
Part of the watercress family, nasturtiums grows so vigorously in Cornwall that some people consider them to be a weed. The leaves and petals have a peppery, tangy flavour and add wonderful colour and punch to a summer salad.

APPLE MINT
A versatile ingredient for cocktails and summer barbecues. Apple mint adds a zingy flavour to salad dishes, cocktails and meat. Or you can simply pour boiling water over a sprig for fresh mint tea.

BLACK MUSTARD
The strong and peppery leaves can be used for frittatas, salads or as a cooked green. Use the flowers in a salad or a Bloody Mary.

ROCK SAMPHIRE
Named after St Pierre (the patron saint of fishermen), samphire is delicious pickled, in a salsa verde, in fritters or alongside fresh fish.

MUSSELS
Our favourite food to forage for has to be mussels. Pick them off the rocks at the lowest tide and steam them in white wine with garlic and cream. Don’t pick them after rain or near a river-mouth and only from September to April.

FAT HEN – www.fathen.org, 01736 810156

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything Penzance and the area has to offer.

Unearth fascinating finds and foraging adventures with Beach Retreats’ insightful guide.

Meet artist Jo Downs

Jo Downs

Jo Downs’ handcrafted glasswork of echoes the beauty and hues of Cornwall’s landscapes and reflects her passion for the coastline.

Imagine a lifestyle entrenched in the beauty of Cornwall’s spectacular coast. Well, for designer Jo Downs, that’s what the daily grind is all about – as she captures the light, colour and detail of this county in her beautiful, handcrafted glasswork. We meet Jo at her Launceston studio to discuss her endless creativity and 25 years of dedication to her craft.

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

TRUE PASSION

I never doubted I’d be an artist. From childhood, I sketched, drew, and had plans to be a potter. But glass, it seems, had other plans for me. I first tried fusing glass at university, and the glorious lump of colour I created got me totally hooked. I couldn’t get over the brilliance and beauty of it. A whole world of creativity opened up to me right then, and I’ve honestly never looked back.”

Jo Downs

BIG IDEAS

I started my career at the deep end, designing large scale installations for hotels and cruise liners. Creatively, it was thrilling, but technically it was very demanding and really taught me the art of perfecting fused glass. Big ideas are no good if you can’t make them a reality for your client. You need to perfect the skill and understand the science that brings the beauty out in fused glass. It’s such a unique material.”

MY INSPIRATION

I came to Cornwall in 2001 and it totally changed my life. The visual inspiration here is endless, and it’s something I’ve poured it into my work ever since. I walk and run on the coast, and my home looks out over the sea, so I’m surrounded by the details and textures of Cornwall every day. Anyone who loves my work loves Cornwall – their passion is the same as mine – and it’s a passion I really love sharing.”

MY GALLERIES

I opened the first Jo Downs Gallery in Padstow in 2005, and now have galleries in St Ives, Fowey, Tintagel, and Launceston (and also one in Surrey). They’ve become a real icon of the Cornish high street, with window displays that showcase all the dazzling colours of the coast, and I’m so proud of that. They’ve allowed me to showcase my large-scale work, and a range of smaller ‘take home’ pieces that celebrate the beauty of Cornwall.”

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

Jo Downs Padstow Gallery

MY STUDIO

My studio is my sanctuary. It’s state of the art – not like thefirst little kiln I had in my bedroom when I was a student – and that luxury allows me to really push the boundaries of what’s possible in fused glass. My work is about capturing beauty in glass, and my studio is the perfect space to think, to draw, and to test out ideas in the kiln, with the radio on and my Jack Russell, Izzy, by my side.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS

I’ve designed lots of collections, but of course I have my favourites. ‘Cornish Pilchards’ is the most recognised and perhaps the best-loved of my designs, and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year! And my wall-mounted Shoaling Fish and Leaf collections were a real game changer for me, and have led to so many wonderful spin offs and bespoke designs, including a stunning range of chandeliers.”

ONE TO ONE

Creating bespoke work is my favourite thing to do. It’s a special thing to design a one-off commission for a unique space. People express their individuality through their design choices, and a commissioned piece is the ultimate example of that. If I can spin my client’s aspirations into a spectacular glass installation or artwork, I will, and if somebody says it’s not possible, I’ll have tons of fun proving it is!”

Embark on an adventure chasing waterfalls in Cornwall, discovering the hidden natural gems and breathtaking cascades of the region.

jodowns.com

Images from an installation at Dragon House, Mawgan Porth.

#beherelater

After two weeks of reflection, worry and uncertainty, being humbled by the work of doctors, nurses and key workers, adjusting to the new norm, and contemplating what’s really important in our lives, we’ve turned our blog over to the Beach Retreats team, now working from home.

We asked them to share their exercise route from the weekend, be it walk, run or cycle.  No beach BBQs, no meeting up with friends, just a snapshot from their course while practising social distancing.

We hope you are all staying safe and we will see you in Cornwall some time soon. #beherelater

Porth and Lusty Glaze

This is Lusty Glaze beach perfectly framed by steep cliffs and the rolling surf, between Newquay and Porth beach. This area is close to Newquay centre, and home to some spectacular coastal views and beaches.

Lusty Glaze looking eastwards towards Watergate Bay

lusty glaze coast line

Porth beach

Fistral and Pentire

On the other side of Newquay centre sits Fistral beach and the Pentire headland. Little Fistral is a hidden gem at the end of the beach.

little fistral

From Pentire, Crantock beach sits across the Gannel estuary.

And for an early morning run, this is sunrise over Fistral beach.

fistral sunset

Mawgan Porth

A few miles along the coast Mawgan Porth remains one of Cornwall’s hidden gems.

the path

Mawgan Porth beach

Mawgan Porth beach

Trerice

It’s not just about the beaches though.  This is the view from Trerice House towards Newquay.

view of fields and trees

Stay safe and we hope to see you soon in Cornwall. #beherelater

Carbis Bay to Porthkidney Sands circular walk

Just a 5 minute walk from 4 Godrevy Court and 4 Seas Reach is Carbis Bay. Often described as the Caribbean with its white sand and turquoise water, this large sheltered beach boasts calm bathing waters, flanked either side by green woodland.

Awarded its Blue Flag status year after year due to its clean water conditions, Carbis Bay is the perfect base for families and water sport enthusiasts.

Below we walk you through our Carbis Bay to Porthkidney circular walk via the South West Coast Path. This particular route needs a low tide at the start of your journey.

beach with blue sky

Start your ramble by making your way down the steps in front of Carbis Bay Hotel towards the beach. The beach itself has a shop for a quick bite to eat or an ice cream, with restaurants nearby inside the hotel. Here you’ll often see the train passing by, voted as one of the UK’s most scenic routes.

picture of beach with blue sky

Walk barefoot along the shoreline and you’ll soon spot Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance. Now a famous lighthouse because of Virginia Woolfe’s novel ‘To the Lighthouse’, the white 26-metre octagonal tower is located 3 miles out to sea at West Cornwall’s St Ives Bay.

picture of beach with blue sky

The long stretch of golden sand at Porthkidney can be reached around the above rocky point from Carbis Bay at low tide, but be aware that the tide comes in very quickly, and strong currents make the water unsuitable for bathing near the estuary.

Porthkidney’s large expanse of sand is perfect for kite flying, ball games and letting the kids tire themselves out. Even in the height of summer there is room for everyone.

When you spot where the Hayle Estuary meets the sea, you’ll find some steps to the right leading you up to the South West Coast Path towards the rail line.

picture of beach with blue sky

Take to the path and begin your walk back, at a higher level offering spectacular views like this one.

picture of beach with blue sky

The stretch of Porthkidney is backed by a large area of dunes, dune grassland and dune scrub, exhibiting a wide range of unusual wildflowers.

picture of beach with blue sky

Follow the wooden posts with a yellow arrow, to keep on the South West Coast Path. Below was our favourite part of the walk and a real Instagram worthy moment. As the tide begins to flow back in, take a moment, rest a while and listen to the sound of the ocean.

picture of beach with blue sky

We take this walk in March, where the wild yellow gorse flowers are out in full. Depending on the time of year, here you’ll spot, sea pinks, bluebells and even the odd daffodil.

picture of beach with blue sky

We’re nearly back at Carbis Bay, where the water is a glistening turquoise. There are often benches along the way for you to take a moment and enjoy the breathtaking ocean views.

picture of beach with blue sky

You’ll now spot St Ives in the distance, known for its stunning beaches, art scene and foodie hot spots. When staying in one of our Carbis Bay self-catering properties, you can walk the coast path for 30 minutes in the opposite direction to St Ives, or take the 5 minute train ride.

picture of beach with blue sky

Known as one of the UKs most scenic rail journeys, we urge guests to experience this in full from St Erth to St Ives. The train comes every 20 minutes in peak season, with the last train returning at 10pm.

Hop off at the end of the line at Porthminster Beach, where you’ll see a large sandy bay backed by a wooded valley, with all the beach amenities you and your family will need.

picture of beach with blue sky

That’s it for the Carbis Bay to Porthkidney circular walk. Once you tick off this one, visit The South West Coast Path and to planning your next ramble along the coast.

Search Carbis Bay Self-catering Holidays with Beach Retreats. 

Spring Gardens in Cornwall

trebah gardens 1

Cornwall is home to an abundance of garden wonderlands thriving with sub-tropical species – and spring is a great season to explore them. Picnic in carpets of bluebells, tunnel through bamboo jungles, and play hide and seek in magical woodlands. These are our top six spring gardens in Cornwall.

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

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith

This sub-tropical garden tumbling down to the banks of the Helford River is one of our favourite destinations for a family day out – and dogs can come, too. Wend your way through magnolias and rhododendrons bursting into bloom, tunnel through bamboo jungles and giant gunnera, and emerge on a divine sandy beach where you can order a mug of tea from the Boathouse Café and skim pebbles to your heart’s content.

More info: Open daily from 10:00. Dogs welcome.
trebahgarden.co.uk

Trelissick, Feock

Whether it’s still cool and blustery, or a blue-sky day with wall-to-wall sunshine, Trelissick’s stunning 300-acre estate is the perfect place for a springtime excursion. Wander through woodland along the banks of the River Fal, climb magnificent beech trees and explore the gardens, then take afternoon tea in the cobbled courtyard, where you can nose around the gallery and second-hand bookshop. Ramp up the adventure by arriving by ferry from Falmouth or Truro, or why not hop aboard the King Harry Ferry and head on to explore the verdant Roseland Peninsula?

More info: Open daily from. Dogs welcome on the woodland trails, but not in the gardens.
nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion

Once home of a legendary giant, part of a pilgrimage route and an all-round enchanting spot to castaway to a fairy-tale castle, St Michael’s Mount is also home to stunning terraced gardens, where exotic plants cling to steep granite cliffs. Stand high in the castle turrets and look down upon stonework and lawns bursting with colour, or follow the trails through flower-lined paths beaten by the salty breeze. More info: The gardens are open from April to September; there are I Spy cards for children, and tours are available.

stmichaelsmount.co.uk

Fancy staying in Marazion, discover our Marazion holiday properties.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell

As we step into springtime, these ancient woodlands, water meadows and productive gardens burst into colour and scent. Daffodils and snowdrops line the paths, beneath tree ferns, banana palms and gigantic rhubarb plants. This historic sleeping beauty was re-awakened from the brambles in 1990 and is now Europe’s largest garden restoration project, with family-friendly trails, farm animals, adventure play areas and secret hides where you can spy on the wildlife.

More info: Open daily, except Christmas day.
heligan.com

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, nr Penzance

Squirrelled away in a lush landscape close to Mounts Bay, art and nature merge seamlessly at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Climb trees, wander through woodland, and nature’s wonderland through a series of art installations including a camera obscura and a series of contemporary sculptures including a Minotaur and a brick throne overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Amongst a series of exhibitions and creative workshops held in the grounds and gallery, this spring you can catch Cousin Jack’s Theatre Company’s performance of Percy Pengelly and the Wibble Wobble. What with a kitchen serving scrumptious seasonal delights, a gift shop and nursery, it makes a great day out for the whole family.

More info: Open daily from February.
tremenheere.co.uk

Lanhydrock, nr Bodmin

One of the most magical times of year to visit Lanhydrock is during spring, when the woodlands of this sprawling country estate are carpeted with bluebells. Explore a labyrinth of footpaths winding through 900-acres of countryside, along the banks of burbling stream and into landscaped gardens where the rhododendrons and magnolias are coming into flower. Step into history in the Victorian manor house, take part in a range of family activities and freewheel along the bike trails – from easy-going family routes to demanding woodland tracks.

Lanhydrock gardens, nr Bodmin

More info: Open daily – see website for times and details.
nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock

 

Discover easter adventures in Cornwall with our guide to seven must-do activities, promising fun-filled experiences for the whole family.

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