Author: gloversure

A Walk Through Guide to Porthtowan & Chapel Porth

porthtowan wheel coates by adam gibbard visit cornwall

Our latest location, Porthtowan on Cornwall’s North Coast, has it all; a long low-tide beach awarded Blue Flag status, playful sand dunes, dramatic cliffs, mining heritage, and an almost wild-west frontier feeling. BBC One ‘Poldark’ fans will recognise it immediately. Just what we like from a beach.

Read our guide to Porthtowan and Chapel Porth to find out more.

Located a few miles south along the coastal path or road from the mining town of St Agnes is this relatively unknown gem. Depending on which way you arrive into the village, Porthtowan can initially seem very low key. It’s all part of this small village’s charm, and it couldn’t be further from the truth once you start exploring.

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

The village itself has a number of family-suited restaurants, cafés, bars and shops to keep everyone well fed and watered during their stay.

And this is Porthtowan’s big pull. The Blue Flag awarded beach is one of Cornwall’s most popular surfing spots thanks to the direction it faces, the amount of swell it picks up, and good sand banks.

Join the best of them in the waves and visit Falmouth and Porthtowan Surf School, based next to The Unicorn pub, for all of your surf equipment, hire and lessons. For younger children there’s a play park, should they ever get bored of cricket on the beach.

Backed by large dunes and dramatic cliffs, the beach at low-tide reveals a long expanse of golden sand. It’s easy to see why the village lies in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Walk northwards along the sand and you’ll end up at Chapel Porth – an equally as stunning beach managed by the National Trust.

No visit here is complete without having a ‘hedgehog’ from the Trust’s café – Cornish vanilla ice cream smothered with farmhouse clotted cream and rolled in their own honey-roasted hazelnuts.

From here it’s time to climb the coastal path back to Porthtowan, passing what remains of the Wheal Charlotte engine house and some of the county’s best mining relics and stunning views out to sea.

We ended up in the Blue Bar for surf-style pub grub and the best views over the beach for a sundowner. Bliss.

Explore more of North Cornwall, and read our blog on Portreath, a short drive or walk from Porthtowan.

Take a look and book our self-catering properties at Porthtowan, or talk to a member of our team on 01637 861 005. Keep an eye on our special offers page for the latest deals and discounts, and browse our beach locations to explore more of Cornwall.

Top 5 minimoon properties from Beach Retreats

Beach Retreats has lots of different beach-side properties to suit your minimoon style (that’s a short break away to celebrate your nuptials, if you’re short on time). Take a look…

Couple walking on the beach in Cornwall

Minimoon. Noun: a short break spent together by a newly married couple, typically in advance of a longer holiday to be taken at a later date.

Minimoons make for the perfect post-wedding break – quite simply a mini-honeymoon that typically lasts for a long weekend. With all of our properties situated a short hop from the beach, Beach Retreats is the ideal choice for a minimoon.

Here’s our pick of the best Beach Retreats properties, each with their own minimoon style and available to book for 3 nights outside the school holidays.

Sand Pails, Camel Estuary

Sand Pails, Camel Estuary

Minimoon style: Peace and escapism

Situated on the tidal tributary of the River Camel just outside Padstow, Sand Pails offers an idyllic traffic-free location on the edge of the water. This two-bedroomed property sleeps up to four people with Harlyn, Treyarnon, Porthcothan, Trevone, Constantine and Hawkers Cove a short drive away. Read more about Sand Pails.

9 White Lodge, Mawgan Porth

9 White Lodge, Mawgan Porth

Minimoon style: Panoramic sea views with village amenities

This roomy three-bedroomed apartment gives you Mawgan Porth beach just 150m down the path, with the fun and foodie havens of Padstow and Watergate Bay a short drive away. Read more about 9 White Lodge.

15 Waves, Watergate Bay

15 Waves, Watergate Bay

Minimoon style: Foodie lovers

15 Waves offers contemporary beach living with some of Cornwall’s best restaurants on your doorstep. Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, The Beach Hut and Zacry’s; they’re all on your doorstep with the beach just 150m away. Book 15 Waves, Watergate Bay.

Zinc 14, Fistral

Zinc 15, Fistral Beach

Minimoon style: Thrill seekers who like a buzz

If you like your holidays with plenty of action, then Fistral is for you. Surf on Cornwall’s premier surfing beach, choose between one of the many up-and-coming eateries overlooking the sea and then kick back in Zinc 14 and beautiful contemporary comfort. Read more about Zinc 14.

Cove Cottage, Sennen

Cove Cottage, Sennen

Minimoon style: An off the ‘main land’ vibe with wild scenery

A fantastic position overlooking Sennen Cove with everything on your doorstep; a beautiful surfing beach, galleries, restaurants and surf schools. This is far off the off the beaten track, with spectacular coastal walks to Land’s End on one side and St Just to the other. Read more and book Cove Cottage, Sennen.

Search our live availability and remember that most of our properties are available for short breaks outside of the school holidays. Just get in touch and to a member of our reservations team.

Coastal running – #behere with Beach Retreats

The first in a series on blog posts on coastal running in Cornwall. Challenging trails. Spectacular coastline. And no iPod. Why you’ll turn your back on road running forever.

“You only have to look at the scenery here to see the appeal of running along the coast path,” says keen trail runner Helen Clare as we lace up our running shoes.

We’re on the North Cornish coast about to tackle a 30-minute circular route for my first foray into coastal running, and I’m a little nervous.
The 3.6 mile round trip is rated easy to moderate on the South West Coast Path’s website, but I’m not convinced. My 20-minute jogs around the flat local park seem like little preparation.

Starting from our holiday home at Watergate Bay, the plan is to follow the two-mile stretch of golden sand southwards to Porth Beach, before climbing up onto Trevelgue head and back along the coastal path to where we started off.

From a physical point of view, coastal running can be more challenging on your legs, core and cardiovascular system, but the softer surfaces are a lot easier on your feet. And as we step as step out the door, my fears are immediately diminished by a cool sea breeze. I’m confronted with a vista of endless blue skies, a beautiful expanse of beach, and barely another soul around.
“It’s about making most the most of the landscape on your doorstep,” says Helen as we start off. I notice there’s no iPod strapped to her body. “Why, when you can absorb the natural surroundings – listening to the birds, the wind and waves?”

I can see Helen’s yoga background coming into play. There are other reasons too which remove coastal running far away from its tarmacked counterpart. “Coastal running is more about freedom, being relaxed and not running against a clock.”
My mind starts clears as we reach the half way point – an almost meditative state. Wondering where that split in the path leads? There’s nothing stopping you to change your route and go exploring. Feeling tired? Then walk for a stretch, or turn around and head back home. No one’s judging.

The terrain along the coastal paths in Cornwall is so varied that you can choose how challenging you want your run to be. And god. Those views. I’m so engaged the whole way that I barely notice how long we’ve been running for when I find myself back where we started.

Later, after we’ve showered the sand and salt out of our hair, we make our way to dinner overlooking the beach and fall into our seats. Exhausted, happy, and exhilarated.

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

And the best thing? It didn’t really feel like exercise at all.
We stayed at The Village with Beach Retreats, a development of eco-houses built into the hill above the beach at Watergate Bay.

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

Hit the coastal trails with Beach Retreats’ guide to invigorating seaside running experiences.

We joined professional yoga instructor and trail runner Helen Clare at www.helenclareyoga.com

COMPETITION – Win a seven-night getaway

*COMPETITION CLOSED*

In desperate need of a bit of beach time? Then this competition for a week-long getaway is for you – and three friends or family!

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Visit Cornwall to offer a special seven-night stay for four people overlooking Watergate Bay on the north coast of Cornwall. Here’s what you need to know:

The beach and local area

Watergate Bay’s two-mile stretch of sand calls for you to do as little or as much as you like. Foodies will find Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, The Beach Hut and Zacry’s catering for all tastes. Or if hitting the waves if what you fancy, the Extreme Academy surf school and hire is right on your doorstep for surfing, kitesurfing and other watersports you never knew existed.

We doubt you’ll tire of the beach, but if you do you’ll find Padstow and Newquay a few miles drive away with Rick Steins, Nathan Outlaw or other casual eating options to have your fill. There’s a spectacular coastline, or head to the south coast for a more laid-back coastal scene.

Take a look at our favourite ‘must sea’ retreats and explore our other holiday lets.

The accommodation

Your prize includes seven-nights at The Village – Watergate Bay’s new eco-development cut into the cliffs overlooking the beach. You and three others will be staying in a two-bedroomed self-catering property which serves up contemporary open-plan interiors and en-suite bedrooms. Coupled with surf stores, outdoor showers and full-width balconies, these are holiday pads you won’t want to leave.

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

How to enter

Just follow follow this link to Visit Cornwall’s website, fill in the form – it’s as easy as that. You’ve got until 30 June to enter. Good luck!

*COMPETITION CLOSED*

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

Rick Stein lands at Fistral

Rick Stein’s latest restaurant opened on Newquay’s Fistral Beach just in time for the Easter weekend. With a laid-back self-service style, it’s dishing up fish and chips and flavours from the Far East.

If you follow our blog regularly then you will have noticed the surge of new restaurants in the past year that have decided to open their doors on Fistral Beach near Newquay. Still on the map for its world-class surfing, it’s gradually become a bit of a foodie destination too – and all the better for it we think. Rick Stein is the next on the list.

Stein has become emblematic of Cornish cuisine, with fresh local seafood at the heart of what he does best. But things have moved on from his Seafood Restaurant in Padstow which he’s had for more than 25 years, adding other local restaurantsin Padstow, Falmouth, Porthleven and Winchester to his venture.

Now the empire has landed at Fistral. The casual, laid-back affair might not be what you expect from Stein, but self-service fish and chips works well here at one of the busiest beaches in Cornwall. They don’t take bookings but you should be able to find a seat quite quickly.

Talking about his new venture, Rick said: “It’s exciting to be opening a restaurant on Fistral, even my Aussie friends in Sydney know it; some were lifeguards there in the 70s. I imagine the restaurant buzzing with people enjoying a great beach and the sort of food you have to have by the water.”

What’s on the menu?

You’ll find Rick’s famous fish and chips cooked in beef dripping – cod, haddock and lemon soul feature. For something different you’ll find chilli burgers to add to homemade tartare sauce and authentic curry sauce.

Curries and other dishes inspired from Rick’s travels in India and the Far East have also been recently added to the menu, including Goan chicken curry, lamb karahi, pad Thai noodles, nasi goreng and vegetable makhanawala. Not forgetting Ice cream and drinks too.

It’s a win!

www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/fistral/

Take a look at Beach Retreats’ properties in and around Fistral.

Walk through Cornwall | Carnewas & Bedruthan

Roughly halfway between Newquay and Padstow, just a few miles up the coast from Watergate Bay lies one of Cornwall’s most popular must-see spots.

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

The wow factor doesn’t even begin to cover it, but this piece of coastline keeps itself well hidden from the road and as you first enter the car park. Take a short walk along the well-trodden paths, a mix of hard earth and cobbled routes, and you will be rewarded that are arguably some of the best views in Cornwall.

Welcome to Carnewas. These giant granite pillars viewed from the imposing cliff tops have been carved out by the relentless action of thousands years of wind and waves. It’s hard not to gaze across the scene and imagine shipwrecks and smugglers.

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

Bedruthan beach is accessed via a very steep staircase – not for the faint hearted. Here the golden sands are punctuated by beautiful green pools. Visitors are reminded to take care as the steps can be submerged for two hours around high tide.

A longer walk along the coast will take you to Diggory’s Island and Booby’s Bay – download one of the walks via the National Trust here

Carnewas at Bedruthan has also been recognised by the Science & Technology Facilities Council as a Dark Skies Discovery Site. Due to its location away from street lights and no man made obstructions, it’s a place to marvel at the stars and night sky.

The area is owned by the National Trust, who also run the car park (remember to take a couple of pounds with you), shop and a popular café to sit and take in what you’ve just seen. The buildings are a reminder of Carenwas’ industrial past when iron, copper and lead was mined from the cliffs.

Alternatively, pack some food and enjoy the grass-lined picnic benches.

Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is just a five minute drive from our properties at Watergate Bay, including our Village properties.

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

Beach Retreats hosts Food Tube

As an ambassador for Jamie Oliver’s Food Foundation charity, Danny McCubbin is spreading the love of cooking and eating good food. We’ve picked some of our favourite video recipes from him, one of which was recently filmed in our Watergate Bay ‘Village’ properties.

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

 

Danny McCubbin has worked for Jamie Oliver for more than 10 years – four of them as his personal assistant. Unsurprisingly, it seems that cheeky Aussie Danny has absorbed Jamie’s enthusiasm and passion for food.

It’s something that’s become extremely important in Danny’s new role as an ambassador for Jamie’s Food Foundation. The charity is committed to shaping the health and wellbeing of current and future generations, by providing better access to food education for everyone.

As part of his work, Danny regularly travels the worlds and uploads video recipes of him cooking with various high-profile foodies to Jamie’s Food Tube channel – one of the largest food channels on You Tube.

As part of the FoodTube family, his travels recently took him to Watergate Bay and Fifteen Cornwall’s Spring Fayre. In between checking out the stalls and food demonstrations, he managed to squeeze in a new recipe filming at his home for the night, Buryan– one of our spectacular properties overlooking the beach.

Alternatively, want someone to cook for you? Check out our top 5 restaurants in Watergate Bay.

Easy Mint Sauce

This is such a simple recipe, perfect for Sunday roasts – especially some gorgeous lamb for Easter Sunday. Spot the lovely kitchen backdrop?

 

Kale salad with anchovy and lemon dressing

Danny teams up with organic fruit and veg box supplier Abel & Cole for this simple, tasty and healthy salad.

 

Soda Bread

One of Danny’s all-time favourite Ministry of Food recipes. If he can bake it, anyone can!

Hoxton Cheese Steak

Exactly what you think it is. Danny joins Fifteen Graduate Joe Gray to make one of Joe’s steak sandwich which he sells at Hoxton Market.

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

Search your holiday dates for available properties and check out our latest offers.

Swim, relax & dine offers

Forget chocolate eggs, here’s an extra special treat that will last way beyond Easter, allowing you to enjoy some of Watergate Bay’s finest restaurants alongside the Watergate Bay Hotel’s Swim Club facilities.

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Far away from the hubbub of daily life lies Watergate Bay Hotel’s Swim Club – a secluded area designed for kicking back or taking time for some active relaxation. And as it practically laps against some outstanding places to dine, these two offers are too good to refuse.

Zacry's Watergate Bay

Swim and dine

Experience the calm that is Swim Club and enjoy a later table at Zacry’s – the new restaurant at Watergate Bay which combines brasserie-style eating with contemporary American attitude. Work up an appetite for dinner, or take things a little slower, it’s up to you.

– Use of the Swim Club facilities from 6pm
– 25m sea-view infinity swimming pool
– Outdoor Canadian hot tub
– Cardio room
– Ocean Room with fire and cafe bar
– Dinner at Zacry’s from 8pm onwards

The price is included with the cost of your dinner.

Swim_club_massage_658x400

Day Membership

If you feel like you need to take some time out, this is the offer for you. Day Membership allows you to enjoy Swim Club, a 60 minute treatment and a two-course lunch at The Beach Hut or The Living Space. The offer includes:

– 25m sea-view infinity swimming pool
– Cliff terraces with hot tub
– Sea-view manicure & pedicure snug
– Cardio room
– Ocean Room with fire and cafe bar
– 60 minute treatment
– Two course lunch in The Beach Hut or The Living Space

The price is £80, or upgrade to a 90 minute treatment for £100.

To book Swim and Dine, please contact Watergate Bay Hotel’s reservations team on 01637 860543 or email [email protected]

To book your Day Membership, please contact Watergate Bay Hotel’s Swim Club on 01637 861237 or email [email protected]

Padstow Kitchen Garden | Courses

Hailing from a long line of farmers, ex-chef Ross Geach certainly knows a thing or two about growing and cooking great quality seasonal produce. If you’ve eaten out in Cornwall recently, chances are the menu will have included fayre from his farm aka Padstow Kitchen Garden.

Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_tomatoes_Ross_and_Jack

Rewind to more than 130 years ago, and you will have found Ross Geach’s grandfathers toiling the fields at Trerethern Farm on the hills above Padstow.

Fast forward to the 1990s, and sixth generation farmer Ross Geach was setting off on a different – but nevertheless related – path, swapping the fields for a kitchen as a chef at Rick Stiens down the road.

But farming roots run deep, and growing vegetables as a hobby in his spare time just didn’t cut it. In 2007, Ross gave up his career to take over Padstow Kitchen Farm full time, and hasn’t looked back.

Today, it grows a huge variety of vegetables which find their way into some of the county’s finest restaurants including Rick Steins’ restaurants, No.6 and Rojanos in Padstow, Fifteen Cornwall at Watergate Bay and Casamia in Bristol, to name but a few.

Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_polly_tunnel
Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_fennel
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Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_earth

Ross is the first to admit that it hasn’t always been easy, but his farming lineage means he has been able to absorb the knowledge of his relations and master his craft.

The proximity to some of Cornwall’s top restaurants has certainly helped the success – all the salad and veg that is cut by hand first thing in the morning by Ross and his dad Ron is delivered to restaurants the same day ready for lunch service. You don’t get fresher than that.

Ross was recently very proud to be shortlisted amongst the big-guns in the category of Food Hero for the Food Magazine Reader Awards alongside the likes of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Michael Caines, Nathan Outlaw (watch the video below) and Mitch Tonks.

Did you know…?
‘Tre’ is used in a lot of Cornish place names – Tregothnan, Trebetherick, Trelissick, Tregony – and means homestead.

Vegetable gardening courses

Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_tomatoes
Padstow_Kitchen_Garden_tomatoes_vine

Fancy yourself as green fingered? From June to September, Ross will be running vegetable gardening courses for all abilities. Lunch cooked by Ross himself is also included in the price starting from £65 per person.

Dates are available on his website, but if your group of 8 or more friends want to get together on a particular date, give Ross a call and he’ll see what he can do.

Padstow is a 20 minute drive from our properties at Mawgan Porth and 25 minute drive from our Watergate Bay properties.

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.