Author: gloversure

Walk through – Porthleven

This unspoilt fishing village on Cornwall’s south coast is a place for all seasons. Its for ice cream-filled strolls in the summer and spray-flying storm-watching in the winter.

Discover our Porthleven holiday properties.

A happy mix of working village and holiday spot, the historic fishing harbour of Porthleven boasts being the most southerly working port in the UK, located between the Lizard Peninsula and Penzance.

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

Come summer you’ll find children crabbing and jumping from the harbour wall, and at winter it’s up to The Ship Inn, an old fisherman’s pub built into the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, to watch the waves breaking over the iconic clock tower and pier.

We started our walk on Peverell Road and past The Atlantic Inn – nab the seats outside for a sundowner with spectacular views across the village and the sea to Penzance.

Snaking down the road you’ll see signs for the National Trust’s Penrose Estate and Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall cut off from the sea by a shingle bar heaped by the heavy Atlantic seas. This is a great spot for nature watching, walking and running, well away from any main roads.

The main beach is patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards and in the summer is a sun trap thanks to large sea defences. This is the place to BBQ your freshly caught fish. Or if you’re unlucky like us, you’ll find locally caught fish available from Quayside Fish, voted Britain’s Best Fishmonger, on Fore Street.

Continuing on the theme of food you’ll find everything you need to eat and drink right on your doorstep here. The opening of Rick Steins Fish & Seafood in October last year firmly put Porthleven on the map as a foodie destination. But it would be a crying shame to miss out on the other great restaurants including Kota, Kota Kai, The Square Porthleven, SeaDrift Kitchen Café and Amelies.

Meanwhile, The Corner Deli serves breakfast, lunch and wood-fired pizzas on certain evenings, or pick up your own cheese and bread for a picnic on the beach. No visit is complete without going to Nauti But Ice serving more than 25 flavours of Roskilly’s organic ice cream from its Jersey herd and farm on the Lizard. Origin Coffee Roasters also opened The Brew House in 2014 as a place to experience Origin’s speciality coffee at its very best. Don’t forget pub grub at The Harbour or the two fish and chip shops too.

All this sets the scene for a burgeoning food festival. Porthleven Food & Music Festival sees a strong line up of recognised chefs. Save the date in April.

Discover what to see and do in Porthleven with our guide, showcasing its scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and culinary delights along the Cornish coast.

See our holiday cottages in Porthleven.

The Fish House, Fistral

It’s no secret that Fistral is one of the north coast’s finest surf beaches. But it’s fast becoming a real foodie destination too with the opening of Paul Harwood’s Fish House restaurant last year.

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

Newquay’s Fistral beach is back on the map for all of the right reasons. Since The Stable brought its quirky pizza offering to the shores in April last year, locals and holiday-makers alike have been asked to rethink their perceptions of the chip-butty-esqe fayre available from the beach.
Next on the menu is Paul Harwood’s Fish House, which opened in June last year overlooking the sea. It’s a solo mission from a chef – and keen surfer – well known for his 15 years at Rick Stein’s restaurants in Padstow and Falmouth.

The Fish House, Fistral

The restaurant combines Paul’s two passions – the sea and seafood. Described by himself as serving rustic seafood ‘with no one serving food like like this in Newquay’, the focus in on local produce at reasonable prices. Dishes include everything from lobster linguini and fish curry to ribeye steaks and burgers.

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

Paul was kind enough to give us a few minutes of his time after reopening the restaurant for a short winter break – snowboarding and surfing of course.

As a local, what is about Cornwall that you cant get enough of?
Paul: I love Cornwall so much because of the coastline and having the best seafood on the planet right on our doorstep.

Where is your favourite Beach Retreat?
Paul: Pentire Head, just up the road from South Fistral, is a favourite for Fern Pit , Crantock Beach and the Gannel Estuary. Catching the small ferry across the river is magical, and taking a packed lunch for a day on the beach is unbeatable.

What ingredients would you take to a dessert island, and why?
Paul: Three – olive oil, salt, and a fishing rod. Just imagine the barbecues…

Thanks Paul and bon appétit!

www.thefishhouse-fistral.com

Search our Fistral holiday lets.

Discover Egret View at Fistral, our staff pick of the month, and experience the perfect blend of comfort and stunning coastal views.

Tempting treats in February

If you are staying with us this February, here’s a couple of tempting ideas for an extra special treat.

BEACH HUT BARBECUE NIGHT – FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY

Barbecues at The Beach Hut

Who said you can’t have a barbecue in February? At The Beach Hut, right on the shores of Watergate Bay, you certainly can. On Friday 27 February they’re trading wintry weather for a tropical cabana, with a bonfire on the beach, a barbecue on the deck, a bit of Caribbean flare and tropical cocktails. There’ll be traditional steel-drum entertainment too, so limber up for limbo and party into the night.

Tickets cost £30 per person. Book online.

ZACRY’S OFFER

Zacry's Watergate Bay

Here’s an offer you can’t refuse. Book a late table in Zacry’s, the new contemporary American restaurant at Watergate Bay Hotel, and visit their Swim Club before you eat. Work up an appetite in the 25-metre infinity pool with sea view or simply while away a couple of hours in the cliff top Canadian hot tub or beside the log fire in the ocean room lounge.

Find out more.

Angels in the Kitchen | Winter offer

Angels in the Kitchen are exactly what they say on the tin. And now they’re even more angelic, offering Beach Retreats’ guests a very special offer.

We know our guests. And we know that after driving to go on holiday with a car stuffed full kids, the last thing you want to do is cook a family meal. It’s a holiday after all.

Angels in the Kitchen are Kirsten and Sarah – a unique Cornish catering company whose ethos is ‘simplicity’. They offer healthy and wholesome alternative to convenience food, sourcing fresh and local ingredients to create high quality pre-prepared meals.

They also provide a bespoke private-chef service – perfect for relaxing in your own holiday home while enjoying a restaurant experience. The Angels have put together their own set menu but are equally as happy working with you to create something special, whatever the occasion may be. Or perhaps you just want to get the kids to bed early and treat yourself? Canapes, finger food, tapas, birthday cakes, BBQs buffets and sit down meals. The best bit – no dirty dishes.

Check out our locations and retreats across West Cornwall.

Sample tapas menu

Includes marinated olives, crudites, homemade houmous, balsamic dip and fresh bread.

Then a choice of three from meat and fish dishes, including:

    • Mussels with garlic and herb crust
    • Pork meatballs in almond sauce
    • Chorizo in red wine

Then a choice of three vegetable dishes:

    • Roast pepper salad with olive and caper dressing
    • Patatas bravas
    • Courgette fritters with fiery tomato salsa

Testimonial

“We hired ‘Angels in the Kitchen’ at short notice to provide something special for a small group of our son’s friends celebrating his 18th birthday weekend. They didn’t disappoint. The two girls [Angels] came and delivered the tastiest meal that we could have hoped for – a Thai banquet, and the boys ate the lot. The Angels were engaging, fun, and knowledgeable about the design and delivery of the service, and added to the atmosphere. They left after the meal and you’d never know they’d been.”
S. Parker-Arnold, Bristol

Special winter offer

Angels are offering Beach Retreats’ guests a very special offer – 10% off any frozen ready meals over the May half from Friday 22 – Sunday 31 May.

Discover unbeatable savings and unforgettable experiences with Beach Retreats’ exclusive special offers.

Visit www.angelsinthekitchen.co.uk for more information.

Indulge in the flavours of spring with fresh recipes, perfect for the season’s vibrant palette.

Book your holiday with Beach Retreats today.

Get busy in Cornwall this spring

Stuck for ideas, things to do and places to go in Cornwall this spring? Well there’s plenty going on. Here’s our pick of the bunch…

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

The World Pasty Championships

Saturday 28 February

Competitors from all over the world are invited to battle it out at The Eden Project for the 2015 World Pasty Championships. There’ll be traditional Cornish pasty making, as well as the more experimental bakes. It’s open to amateurs too, so why not perfect your pasty and get creative with your crimp? Legendary singers Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac will be headlining and you can even expect some Cornish rap from Hedluv and Passman – including the Cornish Pasty rap.

More information can be found here.

Seal pup season

February-March

Spring is the time to see the Cornish Seal Sanctuary do what it does best – rescue, rehabilitate and re-release stranded seal pups. Around 40-60 pups are rescued each year during the colder months and taken here – the leading Seal Rescue Centre in Europe. The seal hospital and nursery pools are usually full at this time of the year, so it’s the perfect time to visit with little ones.

Visit the website.

Stranded – an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Now until 5 July

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That’s exactly the inspiration behind artist Joanna Atherton’s colourful tapestries created from items washed up on our shores displaying in Falmouth. You’ll find fishing line, netting, rope and… unexpected items. Those with a more classical taste of art might prefer the museum’s Celebrating the Sea exhibition, which features a stunning selection of works from the Royal Society of Marine Artists, running also until 17 May.

For more information visit here.

St Piran’s Day

Thursday 5 March

Legend has it that St Piran was tied to a mill-stone, dropped off a cliff and cast out into stormy waves from Ireland. He then floated across the sea to land on Perranporth beach in Cornwall. Considered as the Patron Saint of Cornwall, St Piran’s Day on 5 March was one of many traditional tin miner’s holidays in Cornwall which involved plentiful feasts and drinking. Eat a pasty – or make your own, join one of the many town processions or take a pilgrimage to Perranporth where you’ll find oratory and other happenings. Newquay Zoo is also expected to be holding its annual pasty throwing competition.

Check out our holiday lets in Perranporth.

Legend of the Bay

18/19 April

Finally, if you prefer your days more action packed then head to Watergate Bay for Legend of the Bay – a unique event bringing together stand-up paddle boarders (SUP) and kitesurfers. Competitors can enter either individual competitions in their favoured sport – a wave jam kitesurf event, or a SUP surf competition – or compete for the coveted ‘Legend of the Bay’ title, which will be awarded to the competitor with the highest combined score from both disciplines.

Keep up to date with the latest information from British Kite Sports.

Book your holiday with Beach Retreats.

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

Walk through – Rock

Gaze across the Camel Estuary from Padstow on Cornwall’s north coast and you’ll spot the village of Rock. We take a walk…

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Said to have been named after the local quarry that once provided ballast for ships sailing from this natural harbour, the name of Rock is somewhat deceptive.

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Long stretches of fine sandy beaches line the edge of the village and the calm tidal waters make it a perfect place to sail, windsurf, water-ski and canoe. Others prefer to take it easy with a spot of fishing or bird watching from the dunes. It’s not hard to see why it’s grown in popularity in recent years.

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We started our walk at the top of the village visiting Lewis’s Deli & Coffee Shop. Here you can stock up on fresh groceries, artisan bread from Da Bara Bakery, all of your favourite local cheeses and plenty of other treats including wine. Rockfish Fish Merchant across the road sells freshly caught fish plus hand-made dressed crab, potted shrimps and fishcakes. Beach BBQ anyone?

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Next door, Mooch Interiors provides tasteful products for indoor and outdoor dining and utility. It’s the start of many great shops you’ll find in this small village.

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Preppy and sailing-inspired fashion features large, with Seasalt, Crew Clothing, Jack Wills and White Stuff all having their own shops based at the top and bottom of the village. The independent Quay 4 Ltd also stocks favourites from Joules Clothing.

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Next stop is Porthilly Cove which joins up with the beach at Rock at low tide. Glance across the estuary and you’ll see evidence of why this is a renowned area for shellfish, with produce championed by chefs and restaurants around the world, including Rick Stein and Nathan Outlaw. Rock Shellfish are key growers and wholesalers of oysters, mussels, clams and samphire, so make sure you sample some seafood during your visit.

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Porthilly Gallery is the working studio of ceramist Paul Jackson, while at Rock Road Gallery you’ll find beautiful paintings from Allan Caswell.

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There’s no shortage of great places to eat or drink away the sunset. Nathan Outlaw’s Mariners Rock public house is home to great tasting no-fuss pub grub and locally brewed beers from Sharps. His two-Michelin starred restaurant has recently moved from the St Enodoc Hotel to Port Isaac a short drive away.

No 1 Rock Road
©No 1 Rock Road

No. 1 Rock Road Bar and Grill, pictured above, and the Rock Inn are a little further down the road offering food and drinks while the popular Blue Tomato café is great for laid-back family food.

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And after all that, don’t forget to take time to explore the beautiful beaches and coastal paths. Take the ferry across Padstow, discover the tranquil Daymer Bay a short stroll along the estuary or the popular surfing beach of Polzeath which is a little further along.

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Talk about a beach retreat.

Rock is a 25 minute drive away from our properties at Watergate Bay and the surrounding area.

Mawgan Porth’s Dark Age settlement

Did you know that behind the north-coast beach and village of Mawgan Porth lies the remains of an excavated Dark Age settlement? We got digging to find out more…

Mawgan Porth

Rewind to AD 850-1050 and you wouldn’t be the only people at Mawgan Porth. When a local landowner decided to build in the village almost 70 years ago, little did he know what he would uncover.

The discovery of a skeleton in 1928, north of the golf course, hinted at an archaeological treasure trove. A full-scale excavation in the 1950s unearthed something remarkable – a Dark Age settlement including three courtyard houses and a cemetery.

But we have more in common with these early Cornish residents than we may first think. Here, they opted for a south-facing slope with low houses built into the ground and turf roofs for shelter. Each of the three buildings found had a main living area featuring hearths and furnishing made of the local slate such as beds and cupboards.

These were fishermen and farmers who, according to excavations of shards of cooking pots, cooked and ate great quantity of mussels and fish.

Other artefacts unearthed include bone combs, knife blades and nails. Animal bones also reveal that the settlers kept livestock such as Celtic ox, sheep and goats, but they also kept dogs and cats. All very familiar really.

The site was probably abandoned in the eleventh century and it’s likely that blown sand engulfed the site and made life unmanageable here. But their story may be far from over. The settlement is still ripe for further exploration, with parts still to be excavated.

More information can be found in leaflets available from the village store, Cornish Fresh.

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

Take a look at our properties available to rent in Mawgan Porth and book your stay today.

Want to have a look at other locations in Newquay? Have a look at our luxury holiday properties in Newquay.

Discover adrenaline-pumping adventures and unforgettable experiences with Newquay’s wild activities.

Beach Retreats visited the unassuming shop on Cornwall’s north-coast to find out more and sample its famous saffron heavy cake as seen on TV.

The secret is out about this unassuming bakery. We visited one of its flagship shops on Cornwall’s north coast to find out more, and to sample some of its famous saffron-heavy cake as featured on TV, of course.

Take a stroll into Portreath village centre and you’d be forgiven for walking straight past Portreath Bakery. But you’d be missing a treat if you did.

Established by Marion Symonds in 1988, the family-owned business has gone strength to strength, now offering much more than the humble – although fantastic – Cornish pasty.

The bakery sources all of its ingredients locally, adding eggs, meat and vegetables, who have been a supplier for more than 20 years.

Over the years the bakery has featured on various television programmes alongside Hugh Scully and ‘Two Fat Ladies’ and has also been personally recommended by Rick Stein’s book ‘Food Heroes’ and Carolyn Martin’s book ‘Our Daily Bread’.

Their famous saffron heavy featured on a recent television programme, Britain’s Best Bakery, where the judges remarked on how moist and fruity it was.

Cornish pastry facts

    • Heavy cake was originally taken to sea as sustenance for sailors, including Marion’s uncle Gordon Greenslade who is now in his 101st year and still living in Portreath
    • Pasties were originally invented by housewives for their husbands to take down the mine and typically had a savoury and sweet end
    • Miners would hold the pasty by the crimp throw this away at the end to avoid eating the arsenic that was on their hands
    • Housewives marked their husband’s initials on the left-hand side of the pastry to avoid any confusion at lunchtime
    • Miners often saved this corner of their pasty for a ‘knocker’ or mischievous elves who were believed to cause bad luck

Portreath Bakery is 30-minute drive down the coast from Newquay. Visit www.portreathbakery.co.uk for more information.

Elevate your beach BBQ game with expert tips and tricks on perfecting a beach BBQ with our guide!

Fancy staying in Portreath? Check out our Portreath holiday retreats.

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

Walk through – Polzeath

A surfers’ haven with beautiful coastal walks to nearby Damer Bay and Rock, Polzeath is a small village situated across the Camel Estuary waters from Padstow.

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The late poet laureate, Sir John Betjeman, adored the North Coast of Cornwall and walking through the small village of Polzeath, it’s not hard to see why.
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Polzeath’s main draw is a fantastic beach which is also one of the UK’s best surfing destinations – there’s no shortage of surf schools and shops to take your pick from. Beach lovers head to New Polzeath, to the right of the bay, for a more relaxed swim.

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Polzeath may be small, but there are plenty of places to eat and shops to explore. At Surf Side, pretty much on the beach, make sure to try The Famous Lobster Roll or Mackerel Scone.

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Waterfront Bar and Grill, Polzeath
©Waterfront Bar and Grill

With panoramic views of Polzeath Beach and Pentire Point, The Waterfront Bar and Grill’s terrace (pictured above) is the best places to enjoy a lazy lunch with a chilled glass of wine or dinner while the sun sets. On Sundays they do a traditional roast dinner (roast beef, Yorkshires and roasties of course). They are open all year round and have a variety of events and specials to keep you coming back.

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Galleon Beach Café is known for its outdoor pizza oven. You’ll also find fish and chips and ice creams a plenty in the village centre.

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The Tube Station is Polzeath’s community charity which serves home-made food at it’s café. But best of all you don’t have to eat or drink anything at all – its lounge space is there for everyone to use and enjoy.

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Whitewater Gallery is well worth a visit, with beautiful ceramics, paintings, jewellery and photographs all on display to buy. Fusion is more fashion-focussed but you’ll find some great gift ideas too.

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The village of Trebetherick and Daymer Bay are around the next corner, another fantastic beach which normally has calmer waves, ideal for swimmers and wind surfers.

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Take a pilgrimage to see Sir John Betjeman who is buried in St Enodoc Church, close to twelfth hole of the St Enodoc Golf Club. Or simply just sit on the beach and watch the day go by.

Polzeath is a 20 minute car journey from Watergate Bay and self catering accommodation from Beach Retreats.

Swim Club | Day membership at Watergate Bay

If all the excitement of Christmas and New Year has left you feeling a little weary, then a bit of ‘you time’ at Watergate Bay Hotel’s Swim Club could be just the ticket.

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

Watergate Bay Hotel, swimming pool.
Winter day membership for Watergate Bay Hotel’s Swim Club allows non-guests to experience the award-winning secluded surroundings to do as little or as much as they want.

Over selected dates this winter, you’ll have access to all of Swim Club’s facilities, the choice between a two course lunch in The Beach Hut or The Living Space and a 60 minute treatment all for £80. Treatments for 90 minutes are also available for £100.

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

Swim Club includes:

  • 25m infinity swimming pool
  • Cliff terraces with hot tub
  • A 60 minute treatment in one of our treatment rooms
  • Sea-view manicure & pedicure snug
  • Cardio room
  • Studio
  • Café-bar
  • Ocean room

Winter day membership dates

Available from:

  • Monday 3 November to Friday 19 December*
  • Monday 19 January to Friday 13 February*
  • Monday 23 February to Friday 27 March*

*excluding weekends and only available to over 18’s

To book your day or to buy gift vouchers, please contact Swim Club on 01637 861237 or email [email protected]

For more information, visit www.watergatebay.co.uk/swim-club/membership/

Explore sensory swims along the Cornish coast, where each dip offers a refreshing and rejuvenating experience amidst stunning natural landscapes.