Beach Retreats team
05 March 2026
Empty beaches, a slower pace, and the joy of getting lost; David Lorimer of Brocante in Perranporth shares his love of exploring new places in Cornwall’s Secret Season.
“We say ‘beautiful things’ to create an experience. It’s about people coming in and seeing things they want for their homes.”
“This time of year, you have the chance to explore a bit more without crowds. It’s a good time to come down, and it’s often quite forgotten by a lot of people”, says David. “People think, well, it’s wet. But there’s still stuff you can do when it’s raining – and it gives you the chance to explore more of the towns, villages, and countryside, at a pace you don’t get in summer, and to find new things.”
The art of getting lost
David’s secret reason to be by the sea at this time of year is simple: get in the car and drive – no particular destination in mind – just see what happens. “I don’t mind getting lost, because that’s when you find new things.”
Recently, David stopped at the Halfway House near Wadebridge, where South African chef Hank de Villiers Ferreira cooks up dishes well worth the detour. “It’s really nice to find new places to eat – at this time of year, you can find places a lot easier. And sometimes you find really interesting new things.”
Just like the places David stumbles across during his winter rambles, people who come to Brocante find things they didn’t realise they were looking for.
The shop is filled with a curated range of home interiors. “We say ‘beautiful things’ to create an experience,” explains David. “It’s about people coming in and seeing things that they want for their house. Not necessarily things they need. But we pride ourselves on selling things that make people’s homes really nice.”
Community spirit
Even on a steely winter’s day, Brocante’s window display of homewares and gifts beckons people inside. But part of what drew David to Perranporth – and keeps his shop doors open every day except Christmas – is the town’s spirited, year-round community.
“I love Perranporth. It’s got a big local community, which is one of the reasons we decided to open here 20 years ago.” His commitment to that community is straightforward: stay open. “If somebody is looking for a card on a rainy day in January, they don’t have to think, ‘Will it be closed today?’”
Winter finds
David’s tips for visitors to Perranporth during the secret season? The Watering Hole – one of the UK’s only pubs set right on a beach – is a must. Duck in under the heaters, order a hot chocolate, and watch the Atlantic on a blustery day. His local highlight is the Jaipur Indian restaurant’s charity dinner, where you pay what you want, meet new people, and give the money to a good cause. “It’s an amazing thing to do,” says David.
Nestled on the seaside town’s high street, Brocante offers a warm welcome, with walls full of beautiful things to browse. “We try to make it look as simple as possible but also give people an idea of how it’s going to look in their own homes.”
Find your secret reason to visit Perranporth
Now, with nine stores across Cornwall and Devon, the business is much larger than David and his partner had ever thought it would become. “To celebrate 20 years is amazing, considering it was something that was meant to be a small business.”
Will you find your secret reason to be by the sea in Perranporth? Click the link below to explore our collection of Perranporth holiday cottages and start planning your North Cornwall adventure today.
“It’s as good a time of year to refresh a property as it is to find new places to visit and discover new perspectives by the coast”, says David.
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