Author: gloversure

Walk through – Newquay

The second of our walk through series takes us along four beaches, across one harbour, to several tasty cafés and on top of one Huer’s hut.

Walk-Through-Newquay

Starting at Lusty Glaze. Lusty Glaze, a North side neighbour of Porth Beach, is a beach with a lot going on. As well as being a beautiful sandy cove to spend the day sunbathing and relaxing on, it also has a great beach-side restaurant, ice-cream hut and a fantastic adventure centre.

Lusty-Glaze

Up on the 150ft cliff you can zoom your way along the 750ft zip wire and get a birds-eye-view of the beach and Atlantic. But if flying isn’t your thing why not abseil down the cliff face or take on the tight-rope challenge.

By night the beach is equally as busy, especially throughout summer, with Sundowner Sessions. The natural amphitheatre of this horseshoe shaped cove makes a great concert venue. This summer the likes of The Feeling and Newton Faulkner will play at Lusty Glaze. Check out the full line up here.

View-to-Watergate-Bay

If it’s low tide you can go to the bottom of Lusty Glaze and head North to the next beach along the coast Tolcarne. Tolcarne has great character thanks to its quintessential British seaside huts painted in ice-cream tones.

Tolcarne

Tolcarne

Further along the sandy path is Great Western Beach. Relatively empty, Great Western is used as a beach for guests of the former Hotel Victoria, where a lift was installed through the cliff to take people down to sand level!

Newquay

Our fourth and final beach in our walk through is Towan made famous by the ‘House on the Island’, aquarium and harbour. Often busy, Towan beach has direct access to Newquay town centre and the harbour. You could sit here all day and watch people and boats come and go, but that’s hungry work.

House-in-the-Sea

Harbour

Newquay-Harbour

Lobster-Pots

Luckily Gusto’s is just round the corner.

Gustos

This is unique take away, somewhat a Cornish gem, that the locals love! Cooking their own flatbreads and filling them with falafel, meats from the hot plate, delicious salads and sauces AND serving the best cake in town you’d be hard pushed not to fall in love at first bite.

We stopped for a wrap and ‘Tobler Tastic Brownie’ and took in the sights from the harbour wall.

gustos-2

Having filled up we set off in search of one of Newquay’s Huer’s Huts. Perched on top of the cliff above the harbour and distinguished by it’s small, white round shape and large chimney, the Huer’s Hut can be made out from miles down the coast. Thought to date back to the 14th Century the hut was used by a Huer who’s job was to watch for the tell tale signs of pilchard (now more commonly known as sardines) shoals and then alert townsfolk of their arrival by crying out ‘Heva Heva’ (here they are!). The townsfolk would then rush to the harbour and prepare for the pilchards arrival.

Huers-Hut

Turning back towards Newquay the town was buzzing with happy holiday makers enjoying the cafes and shops like…

The Beached Lamb (now closed)

Beached-Lamb

Martha’s Tea Room

Marthas

WaterShed Shop

Watershed

And the coolest Vintage shop in Newquay

Vintage

It’s fair to say a holiday in Newquay will combine a perfect balance of chilling on the beach, eating great local produce and burning it all off surfing, walking and shopping.

Take a look at our holiday lets in Fistral and Newquay.

Lanhydrock Cycle Hun, Cornwall

Lanhydrock is known the Victorian National Trust House and estate that once belonged to the Agar-Robartes family through the 18th Century. Seeped in history and currounded by ancient woodlands, winding rivers and well-kept gardens, Lanhydrock is a great day out.

And it just got even better!

This spring Lanhydrock Cycle Hub was opened, Cornwall’s newest cycling attraction. The £3 million Cycle Hub at the National Trust Lanhydrock estate near Bodmin includes 10km of purpose-built trails winding through the estate’s woodland – including a skills area, a cycle hire shop, the new Park Café and children’s play area, all with plenty of parking.

The trails are cycle specific and designed to be ridden in one direction; however, mums and dads can enjoy running along the green track just as much, especially if your little cyclist isn’t that proficient yet. The green route is smoother and wider and winds through relatively level woodland, so it’s perfect for families and novice riders.

There are three blue trails designed for moderate riders. These are narrower and have sharper turns, dips and jumps.

And finally the red route which has a much steeper incline and created for the more experienced mountain biker.

Take a close look at the trails here.

Bikes are available to hire from Lanhyrdock for the following costs:

Adult bike                         £12 half day     £16 full day
Child bike                         £10 half day     £14 full day
Balance bike                    £5 half day       £7 full day
Tag-along                         £7 half day       £10 full day
Tag-along + adult bike   £17 half day     £24 full day
Trailer                                £7 half day       £10 full day
Trailer + adult bike          £17 half day     £24 full day
Child seat                         £5 half day       £7 full day

Lanhydrock have a full range of bikes for all heights and abilities, child seat mounts and they offer free helmets as standard.

Cornwall or Brazil – Where is this Beach?

If, like us, you have been left out of Roy Hodgson’s preliminary squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, we have a plan B. Spend some time in Cornwall.

It’s really not that different to Brazil, we have great food and drink, currently good weather and beautiful beaches. And it’s those beaches we want to test you on today.

We’ve got ten stunning beaches, but are they in Cornwall or Brazil?  Answers are the bottom of the page (no cheating).

Let us know how you scored by leaving a comment at the bottom.

1. Wide expanses of sand make for a great playground, but is this Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall of Brazil 1

2. Stunning Coastal walks will inspire and reinvigorate, but is this Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 2

3. Gentle lapping waves, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 3

4. Dawn and dusk make for perfect photo opportunities, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 4

5. You have to share the beaches with the wildlife, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 5

6. An inspiring mix of sand, sea and scenery, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 6

7. Space to breathe, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 7

8. Coves and caves to explore, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 8

9. Time to get in the water, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 9

10. The end to a perfect day, but is it Cornwall or Brazil?

Cornwall or Brazil 10

 

Answers: how well did you do?

  1. Watergate Bay in Cornwall

  2. A coastal footpath in Southern Brazil

  3. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall

  4. Copacabana Beach, Brazil

  5. A seagull on a Brazilian Beach

  6. Carbis Bay, Cornwall

  7. Sennen Cove, Cornwall

  8. Nanjizal Beach, near, Land’s End, Cornwall

  9. A surfer on a Brazilian Beach.

  10. Perranporth in Cornwall

What's on in half term in Cornwall

Whether you’re on holiday or live locally there are so many things going on in Cornwall this half term.

Love your Zoo at Newquay Zoo – 24 May – 1 June
Celebrate ‘Love Your Zoo’ week at Newquay Zoo with special trails, talks and facepainting, plus a very special guest on the 29th May!

The Pendennis Cup – 26 May
View a fleet of super yachts race along the coast near to Falmouth. The best vantage point to watch the races will be Pendennis Point. The yachts will be moored at Port Pendennis Marina throughout the week for you to get an up close look at.

Pirates on the Prom – 26 May
Head to Penzance for a day of pirate related music, dance, parade displays and mayhem, including an attempt to regain the pirate world record of fancy dress. There will be a designated area for children with games, displays, rides and cannons and muskets!

Once Upon a Time – National Maritime Museum, Falmouth – 28 & 30 May
This is storytelling with a twist! Get creative and make props to bring the enchanting tales to life.
Times: 11:30am, 2pm and 3:30pm

Zip Wire at Eden Project: Throughout the year
Take an adrenaline-fuelled ride over the Biomes on the SkyWire. At 660m, SkyWire is still the longest zip wire in England and now it’s definitely the fastest. And you can now fly headfirst in our ‘superman’ harness.
Booking is advised.

Lanhydrock Cycle Trails – Throughout the year
Head to Lanhydrock Estate and try out the new cycle trails that take you deep into little explored woodland on the estate. With trails suitable for families and beginners, trailers, tagalongs and disability bikes.
Bike and helmet hire available.

Samba Caipirinha Cocktail, Cornwall

Inspired by the beautiful women of Brazil’s famous carnivals, the Samba Caipirinha cocktail is colourful, embellished and full of flavour.

Made with Sagatiba Pura Cachaca rum, the Samba Caipirinha is infused with the spirit of Brazil. This is the perfect cocktail to make whilst watching the imminent World Cup.

Samba-Caipirinha

Serves one

Ingredients

50ml Sagatiba Pura Cachaca rum
10ml Aqua Riva Agave syrup
1 whole lime de-pithed
1/4 fresh mango
1/2 passion fruit
2 medium sized brown sugar cubes

To garnish

LBV port reduction sugar work
Caramelized passion fruit
Amalfi lemon leaf
Mango slice
Disco Beads

 

Method

Blend Sagatiba pura cachaça together with quarter of melon until pulp texture.

Whilst blender is doing what it does best (blend) cut lime in half and remove pith from both sides, slice each half into 3 creating 6 pac-man shaped wedges.

Add lime and sugar cubes into your chosen glassware and muddle using the sugar to release oils from lime zest and juice from lime to dissolve the sugar.

Add the ½ of passion fruit, Sagatiba and mango pulp and Aqua riva organic agave syrup and stir.

Add a small scoop of crushed ice and stir, taste, WOW! Nice isn’t it! Check the balance of the drink; now is your chance to add a little more citrus or sugar to create epic balance bearing in mind these fruits have natural sweetness.

Time to get creative. Use your imagination to garnish to make it look as good as it tastes!

Method---Samba

Samba-beat

Sagatiba rum is a very clean spirit with the delicate flavour and aroma of fresh cut sugarcane. It’s an extremely versatile spirit and adds plenty of Brazilian flavour to any drink.

Thank you to Josh Linfitt, Head Bartender at Fifteen Cornwall for providing us with this recipe. For help on sugar work feel free to contact us over at Fifteen Cornwall or tweet to @joshlinfitt.

Kernow Made Cocktail, Cornwall

This is the naughtiest milkshake you’ll ever taste. Made with gin, ice cream and sparkling wine, it’s indulgent to say the least.

As it’s made with all Cornish ingredients you can recreate it whilst you’re on holiday with Beach Retreats.

Kernow-Maid-Blog

Serves one

Ingredients

60ml Tarquins Cornish dry gin
40ml Camel Valley Annie’s Anniversary Estate sparkling wine
1 small tub of Moomaid strawberry ice cream
5 Cornish strawberries
1 small scoop of ice

 

Method

Blend all ingredients, apart from the Camel Valley sparkling wine, until smooth.

Pour into a chilled glass.

Very gently pour Camel Valley sparkling wine on top and very slowly stir.

Garnish with edible flowers and a few extra strawberries.

Method---Kernow-Maid

Method-Pt-2-Kernow-Maid

Garnish---Kernow-Maid

Kernow-Maid-Blog

Tarquin’s Gin was launched in 2013 it’s a contemporary take on a classic London Dry. Distilled in North Cornwall, only 300 bottles are made per batch, and each bottle is given an extraordinary amount of personal attention.

Moomaid of Zennor ice cream is a small family run business making luxury Cornish ice cream. With a range of 30 delicious flavours including strawberry, orange and mascarpone and sea salt caramel.

Camel Valley have been producing sparkling wines in Cornwall since 1989 on the sun-drenched slopes near the River Camel.

Thank you to Josh Linfitt, Head Bartender at Fifteen Cornwall, for providing us with the cocktail recipe.

Zacry's – Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Named after the square, rocky outcrop at the south end of the beach between Watergate Bay and Whipsiderry, comes Zacry’s – the newest restaurant in Watergate Bay.

ZACS

Inspired by Executive Chef, Neil Haydock‘s, passion for contemporary American cuisine, the seasonal menu draws on international influences and local inspiration. Grilled meat and seafood feature large. With an indoor charcoal oven at the heart of the kitchen the flavours are bold. You can expect dishes such as Cote de Boeuf, Fiorentina Steak, and Whole Lemon Sole.

Choose from leather banquette’s, zinc-wrapped tables or private dining areas that provide almost complete seclusion to complete your visit to Zacry’s.

There’s a camaraderie here around food which brings a unique energy and buzz. Zacry’s is a place to share both food and good company.

Reserve your table at Zacry’s here or call 01637 861231.

Zacry's-at-Watergate-Bay

Zacry's-Private-dining

Fiorentina-steak

Salmon

Neil-Haydock

Zacry's-food

Fish

Octopus

Zacrys_

Carl-Paparone

Crab

rhubarb-fool

Panna-cotta

Dessert-Zacry's

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROPERTIES IN WATERGATE BAY

Walk Through – Fistral Beach and Pentire Point

Firstly, let us formally welcome you to the first of our walk-through series. Throughout the year we’ll be taking you on a trip around Cornwall, showing you the best places to walk your dog, take your children, eat like a local and bathe on the beach.

Fistral Beach

The first stop on our walk-through of Cornwall is Fistral Beach and Pentire Point.

Fistal Beach needs no introduction, it’s the world-famous surfing beach drawing thousands of visitors and surfers from around the world each year. Aside from the year-round, fantastic surf, Fistral is dog friendly, home to some great restaurants, and starts us on our journey of Newquay.

Interested in looking at our other developments? Check out our holiday developments across Cornwall.

Fistral Beach is a great place to spend the whole day; take a surf lesson with Fistral Surf School, or bodyboard with Rob Barber for a whirlwind ride through the surf.

There is no need to take food with you, Fistral is home to great eateries like The Stable, Fistral Beach Cafe and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. But if you prefer, pack up a BBQ and cook your way through to sunset. The Stable; is a restaurant that represents the West Country to the full, showcasing cider as the main drink and serving alongside it, stone baked pizzas using locally sourced ingredients from the West Country.

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

Sit in with your friends and family or choose the take out option and enjoy your pizza on the shore.

Heading South along the beach you’ll come across two of our Beach Retreats properties, Trethvor and 17 Oceangate, both with commanding views over the beach and within walking distance of Pentire Point, the headland separating Fistral and Crantock Beach.

Patience is a virtue in Cornwall.

Head west from the apartments and you’ll find the coastal path leading to Pentire Point, home to Lewinnick Lodge, a cliff side restaurant looking out over the Atlantic. Around the headland from Lewinnick is the beautiful Crantock Beach.

This blog post covers a 3 mile walk from Fistral Beach to Pentire point and back. Taking you across easy terrain it’s the perfect trail to walk with the entire family.

Fistral

– Best beach for surfing
– Dog friendly year-round
– Restaurants
– Toilets
– Coin operated showers
– Short stay parking

Pentire Headland

– Free Parking on Esplanade Road
– Coastal Paths
– Fistral on left, Crantock on your right
– Kelly’s Ice Cream
– Pitch and Putt

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROPERTIES IN FISTRAL

Explore Egret View at Fistral, our staff pick of the month, offering stunning views and luxurious comfort for an unforgettable stay on the Cornish coast.

Classic Air Force

At Beach Retreats, we’re often asked for ideas on day’s out in Cornwall. Our guests tend to visit the popular Cornish destinations such as St.Ives and Padstow, but there is a great attraction on the doorstep of our properties that we feel you need to know about.

Classic Air Force

Based at Newquay Aerohub, Classic Air Force is a charity set up to save and preserve rare aircraft. With a collection of jet and piston-engine aircraft which include fighters, bombers, trainers and liaison aircraft, Classic Air Force has the largest fleet of post-World War II classic aircraft in Europe.

Classic Air Force is first and foremost a museum but it’s a museum with a twist. Much like ‘Night at the Museum’, Classic Air Force is living. The 60’000 sq. ft. Nimrod Hangar houses several aeroplanes all of which are still in working condition; so on any one day you may see a thirties biplane or a large cargo plane on the floor.

Although the planes are roped off it does not mean you can’t get a closer look. Ask any one of the staff at Classic Air Force and they’ll be happy to drop the rope and show you aboard the planes. You can climb aboard VC10s and BAC1-11s and live out your pilot dreams!

Another interactive part of the museum is the flight simulator. If you aren’t up for a real flight then this is for you. Climb aboard and enjoy a simulated flight from Newquay across the North coast of Cornwall. The flight simulation is changed throughout the day so test it out a few times to take on a new flight path.

And here’s the best part…

You can take a pleasure or acrobatic flight in the planes!

First up, a pleasure flight.

Climb aboard the ‘Rapide’, sit back and relax. Able to carry 8 people this is a great trip for the whole family. With large windows you’ll have a clear view of the undulating Cornish coastline and everything else below. The best bit? One of your party can sit up front with the pilot and get a panoramic, captains view of the whole flight.

Top tip: If you’re not sitting in the co-pilots seat, shotgun the front right-hand seat as you get a spectacular view.

And now for something a little more acrobatic.

Strap into the ‘Chipmunk’ for the ride of your life. Gravity? What Gravity?
After a full briefing from your pilot you’ll be kitted out with a flying suit and intercom headset. You’ll then be strapped into the plane and it’s time for take-off. After a few tight turns to get you used to g-force it’s time for the big tricks.  Loop the loops and rolls are up next. It’s an exhilarating ride that you’ll never forget!

It’s fair to say that the whole family can enjoy the Classic Air Force, it’s not every day you get to climb into history.

NB: Guided tours are not offered by staff in the traditional sense. Instead, staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have and show you aboard the aircraft.

The Stable at Fistral, Cornwall

On April 4 a brand new restaurant opened at Fistral Beach, The Stable. Specialising in pizzas and cider, The Stable began life in Bridport in 2009. Since then further restaurants have opened in Weymouth, Bristol, Bath, Poole and now Fistral.

This is a restaurant that represents the West Country to the full, showcasing cider as the main drink and serving alongside it, stone baked pizzas using locally sourced ingredients from the West Country.

We were lucky enough to get the first taste of The Stable and just had to share it with you.

If you’re staying with Beach Retreats in the coming months make sure you stop by.

Our favourite pizza was ‘The Primrose Piggy’, smoked Cornish dry cured bacon, field mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella topped with a free range egg. However, the team at The Stable had a hard time choosing their favourite but eventually settled on ‘The Red Ruby Rustler’, marinated red ruby ground beef, chorizo, field mushrooms, roasted red onions, tomato and mozarella topped with West Country smoked ham.

Both sound delicious to us! But if you want a real Cornish treat try the crab special.

And the view isn’t bad either…

CHECK OUT OUR PROPERTIES IN FISTRAL