Author: gloversure

Natural signs – In the sky

Coastal conditions can be unpredictable: sunny one minute, stormy the next. We show you how to forecast what’s coming by immersing yourself in the environment around you…

In the days and weeks leading up to a holiday, how many times do you hit the refresh button on your favourite weather app in the hope of a bright, sunny forecast for your trip? What to pack, days out and activities are almost always planned around what the weather is expected to be like.

But should you plan your break purely on a meteorologist’s weather forecast? As we’ve all had the pleasure of, weather is often a localised and transient thing. Like the sand beneath our feet, it’s always moving, always changing.

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“We always notice when bad weather hits us but if we can watch the progression of clouds in the few hours before, we can predict when the bad weather is coming.”

Rather than stake all your holiday plans on the weather forecast, created by analysing streams of data, why not step outside. Stop, listen and observe your surroundings. It could tell you a whole lot more about what’s about to happen than a regional weather forecast.

Direction of travel

An easy way to tell if there’s going to be a change in the weather is to check the wind, as Tristan Gooley, natural navigator and author of The Secret World of Weather explains:

“The best thing you can do is to take note of where the wind is coming from. It’s one of those things that doesn’t take much time – you could do it after breakfast, lunch and dinner – just check where the wind direction is coming from and if it has changed quite a lot, by more than 90 degrees, you can be pretty sure that a weather change is on its way.”

To gauge the wind direction, find a visual anchor, like a flag, if it’s blowing south east, the wind is coming from the north west, and so on. You could also try feeling the wind direction, Tristan writes in his weather guide. In open ground, close your eyes and turn your face until you feel the wind on both cheeks. Then, raise your hand to chop the air slowly, moving it until you feel the wind cooling each side equally. When you open your eyes, you’ll have a sense of where the wind is blowing from.

Next, take a look up at the clouds. Seeing how they move and change on any given day is also a good indicator of what weather lies ahead.

“We always notice when bad weather hits us but if we can watch the progression of clouds in the few hours before, we can predict when the bad weather is coming,” says Tristan. “If we look at the very highest clouds, the cirrus – the wispy, feathery, candyfloss style of clouds –they’ll start to build in number ahead of bad weather.”

Keep a mid-afternoon eye on what the cumulus clouds are doing, too. These are the fluffy, marshmallow style clouds with flat bottoms.

“Tall cumulus clouds usually indicate that the cloud is just dumping it’s rain on you and then the shower will end, whereas a thick stratus blanket of unbroken cloud across the sky indicates blanket rain.”

“If they’re getting smaller, it’s a sign that the weather will continue to be quite fair for probably the next 24 hours,” he says. “But if they’re getting taller it’s a sign of moisture and instability and things are going to get worse.

“The rough rule with cumulus clouds is if they’re taller than they are wide and they keep getting taller, then you’ve probably got some rain showers on the way.”

Showers pass

Hear the pitter patter of rain on the window on the first day of your holiday? Don’t feel disheartened; it could just be a passing shower. Again, you can tell if the rain is passing through by looking at the shape of the clouds.

Tall cumulus clouds usually indicate that the cloud is just dumping it’s rain on you and then the shower will end, whereas a thick stratus blanket of unbroken cloud across the sky indicates blanket rain. This will be slow moving and could last several hours – meaning you might need to put the day’s beach trip on hold.

Not that a bit of rain need be a barrier to having fun in the sea, particularly if you’re out for a surf. The main weather that will impact the surfing conditions is the wind, but even that you can work around, if you know what you’re looking for.

Weather moves

“As a surfer you can generally find a nook to work with the weather,” says Rachel Murphy, founder of Women and Waves, a surfing society based in Newquay. “It’s not all about where you are, but asking yourself where the weather is going to be good for surfing. You move around with the weather.

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Credit: Women and Waves, @catgram810

The ideal conditions for surfing are light offshore winds, where the wind blows from the land out to the sea. This creates clean, glassy waves. Onshore winds often create broken, messy waves that are more difficult to surf.

Most surfers rely on websites like Magicseaweed and Windguru for surf forecasts but Rachel reckons the best way to determine the forecast is to get outdoors. She says: “When I walk outside, I can generally feel what the wind direction is just from the temperature.

“If there’s a cluster of birds sitting on the beach, check out the direction they’re facing too. If they’re facing one way that’s a pretty strong sign that’s where the wind is coming from.”

“If it’s northerly and bitter then you know the wind is onshore, which isn’t great for surfing on the west coast of Cornwall. Whereas if it’s a warm wind, under 10mph, you know the surf will be clean and nice. You can feel that just on your face.”

Credit: Women and Waves, @catgram810

Animal instincts

Tuning into the sound of the sea can also help you determine what the surf might be like. “You can sometimes hear a big groundswell when you’re near the coast,” says Rachel. “I can hear it first thing in the morning when I’m walking my dog. She doesn’t like it. She must feel the rumbling or vibrations that we can’t. So I can tell if there’s a big groundswell if she’s a bit apprehensive.”

It’s not just dogs that can alert us to incoming weather. If you’re on the beach, watch what the birds are up to.

“So if you see cirrus clouds during the day and then a halo around the moon later that evening, that’s a very strong sign rain is coming.”

“The vast majority of birds are land based,” says Tristan. “They range further from home when the weather is set fair and come closer to home when there’s bad weather on the way.

“If there’s a cluster of birds sitting on the beach, check out the direction they’re facing too. If they’re facing one way that’s a pretty strong sign that’s where the wind is coming from. If they change direction that means the wind direction has changed and it’ll probably be raining by sunset.”

The night before the day

When the sun does set after a busy day on the beach, a final tip for forecasting the next day’s weather is to take a look up at the moon to see if there’s a halo around it.

“The halo shows there are cirrostratus clouds, which mean a warm front is on the way,” says Tristan. “So if you see cirrus clouds during the day and then a halo around the moon later that evening, that’s a very strong sign rain is coming.”

Come rain or shine, the best you can do to make the most of your time by the sea is to have an awareness of the weather but not become a slave to the elements.

“You have to take the weather forecast with a pinch of salt and go with what you’ve got,” advises Rachel. “There’s never going to be a perfect day…just enjoy whatever the day brings.”

Find out more with:

The Natural Navigator

Women & Waves

Experience a surface-level change of pace, and enjoy slowing down and savouring the simple joys of coastal living along the Cornish coast.

A gift from us – Stein's at Home Christmas offer

We know how important food and drink is to the festive season. The tastes and aromas which are so unique to this time of year are central to some of our happiest holiday memories. This is why we are bringing the flavours of Cornwall to your doorstep, by gifting a Stein’s ‘Festive Celebration Menu’ box worth £120, when you book to stay with us this Christmas (booking must be made before December 7).

There’s nowhere better to spend Christmas than on the coast. See harbours lit with twinkling lights, watch stormy seas from a bubbling hot tub, and ramble along empty clifftops. Cornwall captures the natural beauty of the festive season, providing a chance for deep, restorative joy. But what really sets a Cornish Christmas apart is its coastal spin on traditional festive cuisine. Think fresh, sizzling seafood, foraged herbs and locally picked winter root veggies, washed down with your pick of mulled wine, locally brewed ale or gin from nearby distilleries.

Search Christmas holidays.

The box

Stein’s Festive Celebration Menu box will be delivered to your beach retreat. The box includes the highest quality of seafood, all pre-portioned for two and prepared in the style of Rick’s recipe. This is the ultimate at home dining experience, where all the hard work is done for you and you can simply tuck in and enjoy.

Each box comes with all of the necessary ingredients and simple cooking instructions to complete the dish, so that all you have to do is finish off the process and plate it up. When we say it’s easy, we mean it – just a sprinkle here and a grill there, and you’ll have a restaurant quality dinner ready at your own table.

All of our retreats have kitchens equipped with all the required cooking utensils and dining spaces where you can enjoy your dinner in style. So, sit back and make the most of your beach retreat, without having to miss out on that restaurant quality experience. Want to order more boxes? Speak to our reservations team about our unique Beach Retreats discount for guests.

What’s on the menu?

Think bigger than roast meat and gravy. This is supper, Cornish style, and this festive special box provides you with the freshest of seasonal flavours with a coastal twist. The four-course menu includes:

  • Tuna guacamole with spring onion, chilli and soy dressing
  • Langoustines with Pernod and tarragon
  • Brill with truffle butter and mashed potato
  • Spiced custard tart with Cornish clotted cream

With everything packed and kept fresh in food safe chill packs and insulated lined boxes, your Stein’s dinner will be delivered to your doorstep at the beginning of your stay.

Terms & Conditions 

  • One box per booking.
  • Offer only available for new Christmas bookings made before 7th of December 2021.
  • No cash alternative.
  • Boxes will be delivered direct to the holiday let around the 22nd/23rd December 2021.
  • Beach Retreats accept no responsibility for the contents of the boxes, any product defect should be reported to Rick Stein’s Restaurants directly.
  • Please follow safety guidance when cooking the contents.
  • Offer is non transferable if your booking is cancelled or postponed.

So if you’re looking for that ‘home away from home’ feel this Christmas, settle into one of our beach retreats and tuck into the taste of Cornwall, in chef’s kitchen style and with the utmost ease. Knives and forks at the ready.

Search all Christmas holidays

Living in Light

Natural light makes us feel a certain way, when we’re bathed in it and beyond, throughout each day. As those days shorten, it’s a good time to turn your attention to getting enough of it…

As the clocks go back and mild dread of the darker mornings and evenings sets in, autumn may seem the wrong time of year to be thinking about natural light. But then there’s that low, early evening sunshine on a clear, crisp autumn day, reflecting off the Atlantic.

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If you’re lucky enough to be sat on a dune or clifftop to catch the sunset, wrapped in a blanket and armed with a flask of something hot, expect skies cast in spectacular modes that change minute by minute; light pink at first before mauve and fiery orange, carving an arrow of light on the glistening water from the horizon all the way to you.

“Natural light has an advantage over artificial light in terms of allowing us to feel alert during the day and drowsy at night.”

As the light fades, the cold descends and the daylight vanishes, triggering a rise in your melatonin hormone levels, steering you instinctively towards home. Or at least, that’s what’s meant to happen; a healthy intake of natural light throughout the day to vitalise your body and stimulate your mind followed by total darkness to assist uninterrupted, high-quality sleep.

In reality our day-to-day exposure to artificial light and lack of exposure to natural light is playing havoc, disrupting our 24-hour biological clock and circadian rhythms. So what can help your body get back in sync with the phases of day and night while you’re on holiday?

Design for light

You may have heard the term circadian rhythms (circa: round, diem: day), referring to the body’s cycle of physiological patterns over a 24-hour period that evolved over millennia to sync with the light-dark cycle.

Natural light has an advantage over artificial light in terms of allowing us to feel alert during the day and drowsy at night, with our bodies being the most alert during the morning hours of daylight.

Electric light may be obligatory in extending our waking and working hours, as our daylight hours decrease substantially in autumn and winter. However as Professor Derk Jan-Dijk, Distinguished Professor of Sleep and Physiology at the University of Surrey, says, “[w]e are the only species to extend our day using artificial light, and this has consequences”. Even counting on ordinary electric bulbs as our only light source for a whole day, rather than spending time outdoors, may disrupt our circadian clock.

Architecture has an important role to play in how we access natural light throughout the year, utilising design to encourage generous amounts of natural light to flood through internal spaces. Think contemporary, spacious interiors, full-width, floor to ceiling windows with glazing and bifold glass, perfect filters for the soft autumn light.

 “Dawn and dusk in autumn are beautiful times of the day and the light is extraordinary at times.”

When it comes to orientation, north and south isn’t only a gardeners question. South-facing aspects enjoy more time each day to let the light in.

Illuminating views

And that muted light during the autumn and winter months has its own qualities. For more than a century, the unique quality of natural light has drawn painters to Cornwall’s shores, and remains a compelling source of inspiration. “We are surrounded by water which means we get a lot of sun reflection off the blue sea,” says landscape artist Nicola Mosley, whose Cornwall-based studio takes in a harbour view in Falmouth

“The light on a long hazy summer’s day is lovely,” Nicola adds. “But there’s something about the light during the autumn months; it can be more diffused and softer than summer and for me it’s my favourite time to paint. Dawn and dusk in autumn are beautiful times of the day and the light is extraordinary at times. Even in winter the clouds and mist refract the light in a beautiful soft way.”

“Regular good sleep, as well as being beneficial to us physically, helps us cognitively… to manage our emotions and stress levels better.”

When it comes to interior and exterior spaces for making the most of natural light on holiday, terraces and balconies – with added blankets – mean ocean and sunset views in the open, all year round, any time of day. Wide, open-plan spaces allow light to travel freely and when it is time to switch on the lights, LED lighting can be a gentler alternative, in the same spectrum as daylight, keeping that natural ambience going into the evening.

Call of the outdoors

Dr Neil Stanley of the International Sleep Charity reminds us that “sleep is so central to how our bodies and minds function”. Regular good sleep, as well as being beneficial to us physically, helps us cognitively with decision-making and allows us to regulate and manage our emotions and stress levels better.

Studies show that people who suffer consistently poor sleep are, perhaps unsurprisingly, more prone to anxiety, depression, irritability, and the tendency to catastrophise. None of these states of mind are top of the list on holiday, where you should be relaxing and leaving with an invigorated body and mind.

“Donning coats and boots, or wetsuits and drysuits, and escaping through the front door bright and early on an autumn morning is uplifting on many levels, including that crucial intake of daylight”

Our body’s internal 24-hour clock can also be helped onto the right track through outdoor activity during the day. The stunning panoramic views, enjoyed through expansive glazing, can’t help but beckon you outside, on to the winding coast paths and cycle trails, or oceanside, for that spontaneous rush to the water’s edge for a bracing family swim or surf session.

Donning coats and boots, or wetsuits and drysuits, and escaping through the front door bright and early on an autumn morning is uplifting on many levels, including that crucial intake of daylight to synchronise your circadian rhythms, making you awake and alert.

Days well-spent in the natural light of the day could be the make or break, for refreshing minds and bodies, happier moods, and a good night’s sleep.

Want to explore Cornwall in Autumn? Check out our blog on why Cornwall is great in Autumn.

Autumn at EWWines

We speak to Ellis Wharton Wines, a Cornish company that selects the finest wines to accompany your beachside evenings.

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Introducing Ellis Wharton Wines

EWWines started in 2006, selling fine wines and spirits to Hotels and Restaurants all over the Southwest. Our premises at Indian Queens, just one minute off the A30, allow us to sell restaurant-quality wines to the public at competitive prices.  We offer an extensive hand-selected range of wine, spirits, beer and food, with express delivery across the UK or Click and Collect from our large shop open Monday to Saturday.

Beach Retreats carefully select the best locations for your beachside Cornish holiday. Why not allow us to take the same care and hand-select your holiday wines, delivered straight to your cottage doorstep?

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

Autumn wine recommendations

As the nights draw in and we adjust to the Autumnal changes around us, our taste buds also attune to the season. You may find yourself craving darker fruits and warm spiced flavours beside the warmth of a cosy wood burner. These flavours also work well with earthy Autumnal root vegetables and hearty stews, best enjoyed with great company after an active Autumnal Cornish day, whether you walked the coast path, played in the sea or strolled along the water’s edge.  Life’s all about decisions, let us guide your wine selections so you can concentrate on maximising your adventures!

Marques de Murrieta 2016 Blanco Reserva Capellania Rioja (Spain) 2016

The perfect Autumnal white.  From one of Rioja’s oldest Bodegas, produced from a single plot in Rioja Alta, this is a wine of superb balance with well-managed, French oak giving a smoky, toasty character with fresh pear, quince, camomile and dried apricots.  A truly versatile wine, favourite pairings would be with smoked fish or a sweetcorn chowder.  Works well with spiced Asian food too.

La Mascaronne Provence Rose (France) 2020

This wine proves Rose is for all seasons, not just summer! In the words of previous owner Tom Bove, “La Mascaronne has one of the finest terroirs in the Côtes de Provence appellation”.  In a short time, award winning wines were being produced and they are now served in many restaurants in Paris, London and the South of France.  In 2019 RobertParker.com said that La Mascaronne is an organic producer that “clearly merits more attention”.  Pairs well with roast rack of lamb in a redcurrant jam.  Also delicious with grilled prawns, or try with Provençal roast vegetables.

Gran Cerdo “Tempranillo” Rioja (Spain) 2020

One of our favourites at EWWines for sheer quality, quaff ability and the story behind the bottle!  Gran Cerdo Tempranillo is all about the purest expression of fruit with minimal sulphur. The winemaker, Gonzalo Gonzalo Grijalba is a legend (and not just for his name). He has proved that you can make a fantastic Rioja, following Organic & Biodynamic practices, at an affordable price.  Pairs well with most dishes- we love it with a Monkfish succotash or an autumn crown prince squash dish with toasted nuts.

Sons of Kennedy Barossa (Australia) 2018

Hailing from Eden Valley in Southeast Australia, the wine is made from nearby old vine Barossa Grenache (50%) giving concentrated red cherry, with a good helping of Barossa Shiraz (30%) to support with powerful, ripe blackberry fruit with 20% Mourvèdre which adds classic structure.  There is a firm focus on quality with the winemaking here.  Pairs well with a vegetable lasagne, goulash or a smoky rib of beef.

Box wine offer

Let us introduce for you either superb six or tasty twelve.  We select either 6 or 12 wines for you with free delivery to your holiday cottage for £150.  No nonsense, 6 or 12 outstanding wines for your holiday or delivered as a subscription service to any mainland UK address as a monthly (optional) wine box club.

Mixed cases and hampers 

Also do please browse our ever-changing mixed case and hamper deals.  A firm autumn favourite is our mixed Rioja case for £64.  1 Rose, 2 whites and three reds from around the well-known region, probably the UK’s favourite.

Click HERE for directions to the Ellis Wharton store, or browse online HERE. 

Indulge in coastal vibes with our shoreside-inspired drink recipes!

Where to Eat in Cornwall? | Detailed Guide

From tucking into crispy battered fish and chips with mushy peas and a sea view, to fine-dining on seared lobster and creamy mussels, Cornish food is made to put a smile on your face. Created from a culture of fishing, farming and foraging which is integral to the identity of the land, Cornish cuisine excels in its unique flavours and its local-is-best ethos.

We’ve hand-picked our favourite places to dine in Cornwall, selecting restaurants that celebrate fresh Cornish produce. Whether you’re seeking the taste of the ocean’s seafood, locally reared meat or foraged veggie dishes, these restaurants have something for everyone. Here’s our guide of where to eat in Cornwall.

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

The Mariners, Rock

A chef’s take on pub grub, washed down with the finest of Cornish beer. This loved-by-locals pub overlooks the Camel Estuary and serves up the likes of crispy pollock hot dogs, Porthilly oysters and market fish of the day from Cornish waters. A must go to spot when visiting Cornwall.

The Peterville Inn, St Agnes

A traditional pub set in the heart of St Agnes, the Peterville Inn is the perfect place to dine at the end of a blustery coastal walk. Their menus evolve daily in order to make the best of the local, seasonal ingredients, so you’re guaranteed to be tasting the freshest of Cornish produce.

Paul Ainsworth No 6, Padstow

The reputation of this restaurant speaks for itself. With a Michelin star and celebrity status founder chef, you can expect the very finest of modern British food, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. No 6 is situated in a Georgian townhouse in the centre of Padstow, and offers a friendly, warm and sophisticated service.

Fancy looking at other areas of the North Coast? Explore our holiday properties in Padstow, just a short drive away from Port Isaac and Polzeath.

Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Padstow

This prestigious restaurant on the waterfront of Padstow is where Rick Stein’s culinary journey began. It has an international reputation born from its fresh seafood and shellfish dishes, which never fail to impress with their delicate layering of flavours. Dine on the sun-soaked terrace, overlooking Padstow harbour.

Porthminster Beach café – St Ives

This acclaimed beachside restaurant combines Asian and Mediterranean influences in dishes showcasing the freshest seafood, garden grown produce and foraged coastal ingredients. Recently awarded a 2 Rosette award for culinary excellence, this is a go-to destination for the finest of Cornish cuisine.

Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow

This exquisite seafood eatery changes their menus daily and even hourly depending on what the fisherman catch and land at their doorstep. Specialising in the freshest of fish and shellfish, every dish on their menu is a small slice of heaven.

Star & Garter, Falmouth

Fish directly from the boat and meat straight from the farm. The Star & Garter in Falmouth take a no-fuss approach to food, cooking up honest local produce paired brilliantly and served generously. From the fisherman’s catch of the day to mouth-watering Sunday roasts, this restaurant is your go to for a truly Cornish supper.

Kota, Porthleven

Kota means ‘shellfish’ in Maori, and head chef Jude is half Maori, half Chinese Malay. In this 300 year old building, right on Porthleven’s harbour front, you will find dishes of local produce with Jude’s signature Asian twist. From oysters, scallops, pigeon and duck, your taste buds will be delighted with his careful experimentation of flavours and textures.

We have retreats by the best beaches in Cornwall, near all the best foodie spots. Browse our locations to find your place, by the sea. Or, search by retreat here and taste the flavours of the ocean.

Looking for other fantastic restaurants in Cornwall? Check out some of our favourite restaurants with stunning sea views.

10 Restaurants for a Christmas Dinner

Christmas is all about gathering around the table to enjoy the culinary delights of the season, whether it’s a home-cooked feast or a sumptuous restaurant meal. From herby roast potatoes, succulent meats, steaming organic veg and velvety gravy, a Christmas dinner is best spent with loved ones and your choice of wine.

If you’re spending Christmas by the coast, why not take the stress out of the cooking process and tuck into dinner at a beachfront eatery? From cosy family pubs warmed by roaring log burners to classy restaurants overlooking the ocean, here are our top picks of places to eat during the Christmas period.

Find out why December is the best time to visit Cornwall and some of our favourite December retreats.

The Colonial, Tolcarne beach

A slow paced, lavishly designed restaurant and bar positioned right on the sand of Tolcarne beach in Newquay, The Colonial is the perfect dinner spot for those looking to unwind and indulge. Their menu is inspired by the colourful flavours of the Caribbean, but you can expect seafood and traditional hearty dinners during the festive season. Storm watch on the terrace with an invigorating cocktail or settle by the open fire for a full three courses and wine.

Oceanside, Fistral

Soak up the ocean-infused atmosphere at Oceanside, a bar and restaurant on the salty shores of Fistral beach. Adorned with surf-inspired artwork, Bali-style lampshades, comfortable sofas and an open fireplace, this restaurant is ideal for those looking for a laid-back approach to the festivities. Its prime location means it is walking distance from Newquay town centre and many of our Fistral properties, so enjoy a glass of wine or two before strolling back along the beach.

Wax, Watergate bay

Dine in saltwater style at Wax, a popular family friendly restaurant and bar on the shores of Watergate bay. This is a hotspot all year round for beachgoers, and they don’t disappoint during the festive season too, acting as the perfect shelter from the bracing weather. Head here after a blustery walk along the South West Cost Path from Porth beach or Mawgan Porth and warm up with a hot chocolate.

Fort Inn, Newquay

A welcoming pub and restaurant in the heart of Newquay, the Fort Inn comes complete with beautiful sea views. Designed to cater for all members of the family, from little ones to grandparents, the Fort even has its own indoor soft play area. If you are holidaying with the kids in tow, this much-loved locals spot is the place to go for a hearty Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Old Success Inn, Sennen

This serene spot in Sennen Cove is perfect for those looking for a comforting, lazy lunch after a morning spent in the sea air. With stone walls, sea views and an open fireplace, this landmark pub invites you to dine to the sound of the waves crashing outside. Head here to enjoy the festivities, coastal style.

Travellers Rest, Trevarrian

You’ll find this village pub nestled between Mawgan Porth and Watergate bay. Dating back to the 17th century, the ‘Travis’, as it is affectionately known locally, serves the best of seasonal, local produce, set amongst swathes of rural greenery and fresh sea air.

2 Fore Street, Mousehole

If you are looking for the fine dining experience this Christmas, 2 Fore Street offers just that. Set just off Mousehole harbourfront, this intimate restaurant bistro-style restaurant serves up freshly caught crab and bubbling prosecco. Book in for a Christmas dinner and follow the moonlit cobbled streets back to your retreat.

Lewinnick Lodge, Fistral

Lewinnick is the ultimate coastal restaurant. Situated on Pentire headland, you can soak up sweeping vistas as you eat, the perfect viewing spot for striking sunsets. With a bar area, pool tables, fireplace, plush carpets and sofas, you can wind down with a glass of something bubbly before heading to the sleek and sophisticated restaurant room for a truly Cornish Christmas supper.

Cove24, Newquay

One of the town’s newest eateries, Cove24 has had visitors in awe from the first bite. The dimmed lights, leafy plants and velvet seats give indication of what is to come: perfectly balanced, delightful dishes which are crafted and served to perfection. This restaurant is situated on the buzzing high street, just moments from Newquay bay. Head here for Christmas dinner in style.

Merrymoor Inn, Mawgan Porth

Let the flavours of the ocean be your winter warmer at the Merrymoor Inn, Mawgan Porth’s seafront pub and restaurant. Enjoy locally sourced food and drinks to the beat of the ocean, relishing in the warmth of the indoors as the sea foam flies. This pub can be reached via an invigorating walk along the coast path from Porth or Watergate bay, or is just moments from our Mawgan Porth properties.

Fancy staying in Mawgan Porth? Have a look at our Mawgan Porth holiday properties.

Thinking about staying for the New Year as well? Find out the best way to celebrate and spend the New Year in Cornwall.

Space to breathe

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir

As the temperature drops and the seasons shift, it can be tempting to spend your break indoors. But if you really want to feel your shoulders drop and your breathing slow, you need to venture into nature. With a surprising diversity of landscapes, including river banks, ancient woodland and rare heathlands, Cornwall offers a unique natural environment to explore.

“There’s something hugely freeing about being in open space,” psychotherapist and founder of the Nature Therapy School, Beth Collier, told The Guardian recently. “The part of the brain that is responsible for ruminative and negative thoughts – the subgenual prefrontal cortex – has been shown to quieten when we connect with nature, which gives people more space to process their problems.”

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

This feeling of mental space, cultivated by time in nature, is something forager Rachel Lambert seeks out regularly. “When my mind is too busy, I step out on a walk and my worries drop away and things naturally prioritise themselves,” she says. “There’s always something to take your attention in nature, but it’s not searching for it. It’s those things you don’t need to cognitively understand: the breeze on your skin, the rain on your face. It awakens but also settles your whole system.”

Natural healing

Running wild food foraging walks across Cornwall, Rachel is well acquainted with being out in the elements. Based in Penzance, she loves the rugged romance of where the moors meet the sea. But Rachel believes nature is more than a beautiful backdrop. “Interaction with nature is really important,” she says. “It’s not a museum to stand back and admire. Foraging for me is about being able to see the landscape through a different lens. It’s a way to help us understand the environment and see that everything is interconnected.”

“Foraging for me is about being able to see the landscape through a different lens.”

Autumn is especially rich in pickings, with abundant hedgerows all around. “I’ve done some group walks recently between here and Marazion, and we’ve found sea spinach, burdock, yarrow, rock samphire, black mustard, beach roses, blackberries.”

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Rachel sees foraging as an antidote to the sadness of the fading of summer. “For lots of people, it’s a melancholic moment, so I think things like autumn berries can act as a marker and help us appreciate the new season.”

As Rachel explains, foraging is a mindful activity that uses all the senses. It’s hard to fret about work when you’re swerving the spikes of a sloe bush, or admiring the vivid orange skin of sea buckthorn berries.

Credit: Elliott White

“Our lifestyle is changing a lot quicker than our bodies,” says Rachel. “We simply haven’t been in modern houses for that long. But I think stimulating the senses outdoors is a great way of feeling alive – and feeling like a three-dimensional human being.”

Into the forest

Founder of Forest Bathing Cornwall, Paul Simmons, agrees that getting into the wild is key to wellbeing. “Stress is an understandable reaction to contemporary life, because historically we’ve spent so much time outdoors,” he says. “It’s in our DNA. It’s called biophilia – this affinity to being in nature.”

“When you go into the forest, you’re in a different time zone. It’s about slowing down, switching off and being present in that moment.”

A practitioner of the Japanese phenomenon of shinrin-yoku, Paul leads woodland walks across Cornwall, helping people to reconnect with the healing rhythms of nature.

“Forest bathing is the literal translation of ‘shinrin-yoku’, and it’s a clinically proven therapy,” says Paul. Defined as absorbing the atmosphere of the forest, forest bathing “is playful and intuitive. It’s about going back to a child-like state and using all the senses; looking at the light, listening for sounds, feeling the movement of the wind, seeing what you notice.”

“I always say it’s the forest that’s the therapist. As the practitioner, I’m the conduit.”

Paul’s assertion that forest bathing “helps with stress, it helps with sleep, it works with the cardiovascular system,” is supported by studies that show how forests can reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, and increase parasympathetic nerve activity.

“When you go into the forest, you’re in a different time zone,” says Paul. “It’s about slowing down, switching off and being present in that moment. I always say it’s the forest that’s the therapist. As the practitioner, I’m the conduit.”

While he’s forever on the lookout for Cornish woods to work from, Paul has a few favourites. “On the northern side, Tehidy Woods is a good place to go. Then there’s Penrose Estate near Porthleven, and Coosebean Woods in Truro. We have lots of little rivers in Cornwall too, which are great for forest bathing. Being next to running water is so restorative.”

Off the beaten track

For author Sophie Pierce, whose book Wild Swimming Walks Cornwall showcases less-visited but spectacular routes for a stroll and a dip, walking in nature is a therapeutic activity.

“Walking gives you a sense of journey – you feel you’re going somewhere,” she says. “Then there’s the rhythm of the steps. The experiences you have along the way distract you, so that anxious thoughts fall away. And being out of your domestic environment – it’s liberating.”

“It’s exhilarating, watching the waves and being battered on the clifftop by the weather.”

For a walk with a unique mix of landscapes, Sophie heads to Frenchman’s Creek. “You start in the village of Helford, and pass a lovely beach called Penarven Cove. Then you walk around a bit further until you get to Frenchman’s Creek, then come up through the woods, passing a beautiful gallery with a garden called Kestle Barton.”

“If you go to the North Coast, where you’ve got amazing surf, that can be mindful in a different way,” says Sophie. “It’s exhilarating, watching the waves and being battered on the clifftop by the weather.

“There’s a circular walk in our book near Tintagel which involves all sorts of environments and feelings. It starts in the village of Bossiney, before heading through the enchanting woods of St Nectan’s Glen, where there’s a little river with an incredible waterfall, which has long been a place of pilgrimage for Pagans. Then the walk goes past an old mine and through Rocky Valley, where the river flows out to sea.”

“Beautiful landscapes stay with you. They nurture the soul.”

In 2017, Sophie’s life changed forever when her 20-year old son Felix died suddenly. Her new memoir, The Green Hill, will chart her navigation of the tides of grief – and the consolation of the natural world.

“When you lose somebody, you’re desperately trying to gain some kind of understanding,” says Sophie. “And there’s something eternal about nature. It feels permanent and so much bigger than us. I believe we are all part of nature, so if I’m somewhere where I feel in harmony with nature, then I feel there’s a connection back to my son.”

For Sophie, Paul and Rachel, natural beauty is an unbeatable tonic. “Beautiful landscapes where you feel a sense of infinity – moorland where you can see for miles, or a cliff above the sea – it’s almost like a connection with time,” muses Sophie. “Those places stay with you. They nurture the soul.”

Experience tranquillity with yoga on a Cornish beach, where the serene coastal backdrop enhances your practice and rejuvenates your spirit.

Find out more about foraging courses with Rachel Lambert
Book a forest bathing session with Paul Simmons
Buy a copy of wild Swimming Walks Cornwall and learn more about Sophie Pierce.

Natural Signs at Sea

We spoke to sea watcher and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguard and supervisor Andrea Harvey about how we can decipher the signs of the sea: its waters, winds and swells, and the wondrous creatures that swim beneath…

When you imagine spending your holiday by the beach, you’re probably thinking golden sand, cerulean skies, and the distant murmur of lapping waves. It’s a picturesque image, but it’s just that – an image.

The real sea, the one that exists outside of postcards and holiday brochures, is far more vibrant and shifting. As Andrea, RNLI beach lifeguard and supervisor in Perranporth, Cornwall, tells us: “It’s not a cookie-cutter paradise place.”

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The sea is beautiful, yes, but it’s also “rustic and rough”. The winds, waves and tides are constantly changing, and strange creatures emerge from its watery depths. “Everyone wants to be near the sea in Cornwall,” adds Andrea with a wide smile. But can we learn how to read it?

See the swell, watch the wind
Being a lifeguard means constantly monitoring the sea, even when you’re at home. “You look up the conditions the night before to assess the individual beaches you’re working on to prepare for the day ahead,” Andrea says, “using apps like Magic Seaweed and Wind Guru” which report and forecast wind and swell directions.

“If it’s really windy, there’ll be lots of broken messy waves…less wind means cleaner, more defined waves”

The waves that you see breaking on the beach are influenced by several factors including the strength and direction of the wind, and the characteristics of the sea bed. The swell refers to a series of large waves travelling across the ocean before they reach the coastline and begin to form the waves that break on the beach. “If it’s really windy, there’ll be lots of broken messy waves and white water all over the place, and less wind means cleaner, more defined waves that break from a point and peel all the way along,” explains Andrea.

To know if a swell will affect the waves on the beach you’re going to, you’ll need to take into consideration the lay of the land and the swell direction: “If a beach is facing north and there is southerly swell the land mass will restrict the swells access to the beach; however there may still be waves due to the wind,” Andrea says.

“You can tell an awful lot just by sitting and looking at the water for a while.”

There aren’t any objectively ideal conditions: it all depends on what you want to do. “Light offshore winds and medium size swells are ideal for surfers but dangerous for kitesurfers, windsurfers and bodyboarders,” notes Andrea. If you’re just going for a dip, “light winds and 2-3 feet of surf are the best conditions to go in to have fun!”

Written in the waves
But with your feet sinking into soft sand and your eyes drawn out to sea, you might not want to interrupt the moment by checking your phone. The appeal of a beach holiday is partly in immersing yourself in your surroundings: “You can tell an awful lot just by sitting and looking at the water for a while,” says Andrea.

If you’re itching to jump in the water after a long walk, cycle or car journey, try to resist the urge for a moment: instead, sit on the beach, soak up the sun and interpret the signs you see.

If you are heading in for a swim, learning to read the moments of calm can be more important than reading the waves. “Quite a lot of the time, people come down to the beach and they see lots of waves everywhere, then they see a nice seemingly calm tranquil patch in the middle and think ‘oh that would be the best place to swim’ – but actually, that’s straight into a rip,” says Andrea.

A rip is a fast, current running out to deeper water, which can reach speeds of 4-5mph; you might spot a rippled surface where no waves are breaking, darker coloured deeper water or bits of seaweed or debris floating on it, being pulled out to sea. Instead, Andrea advises to swim “where the waves are.”

“It’s not just the water itself that you can read; the sea and skies are home to creatures that even the locals are still learning to recognise.”

If you do find yourself in a rip current, the key thing is not to panic. Don’t try to swim against the current as you may become exhausted. Instead, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float on the water. If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to help you float. Once you can control your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.

“With the sea temperature in the UK averaging just 12 degrees most of the year, there’s a chance you’ll feel the effects of cold-water shock when you first get in,” adds Andrea. The resulting increased heart rate or gasps for breath pass quickly, so relaxing and floating on your back is also a good tactic when the water is a little colder. That’ll reduce the chance of inhaling water and panicking.

Species spotting
It’s not just the water itself that you can read; the sea and skies are home to creatures that even the locals are still learning to recognise. Out at sea one day, Andrea was surprised by a “little fin coming through the water.’’ What she saw, however, was not a shark but a sunfish: a silvery, billowing orb of a fish that measures an incredible 11 feet and weighs up to 2.5 tons.

Their tendency to “lie on top of the water and sunbathe” means they are frequently mistaken for sharks. “They’ve got a really long floppy fin that looks a bit like a shark fin when it’s up in the air,” says Andrea.

“As a lifeguard, you quickly notice when things change and there’s new things going on”

Fortunately, sunfish are harmless. They like to feed on jellyfish, another creature that beachgoers may spot: strong winds and currents bring jellyfish to shore, explains Andrea, making their presence a marker of the recent conditions. And it’s not just surfers and jellyfish that are affected by the wind and currents: if it’s been stormy, you might stumble across a fluffy, whiskery little seal pup. “They’ll just come up to the beach for a little break,” grins Andrea.

Soaking up the landscape
Sitting quietly on a patch of sand and taking in the skies and sea can be a surprisingly exhilarating experience. “As a lifeguard, you notice when things change and there’s new things going on,” says Andrea.

You can tune into the human and nonhuman life around you; this season alone Andrea has seen “a minke whale, dolphins, seals, a jumping tuna fish – usually they’re in shoals so that’s an exciting sight – and quite a few Cornish choughs.”

“Seeing how the tides, waves and winds affect beaches differently is a fascinating glimpse into the powerful forces that shape coastal environments.”

As an endangered species, spotting a chough takes patience, a true sign that you’re immersing yourself in the coastal landscape. These crow-like birds with red beaks and feet are literally the stuff of legend: it’s said that when King Arthur died, his soul left in the form of a chough. Even if you’re on a short break, try to give yourself the peace and quiet to stare out to sea as a lifeguard might: you never know what might emerge.

Coastal adventures
If you wake up one morning wanting to explore somewhere new, simply going from beach to beach can be an adventure. “It’s shocked me how different they can be on the same day. Some of them can catch quite a lot of surf, and some of them can be quite flat,” explains Andrea.

Seeing how the tides, waves and winds affect beaches differently is a fascinating glimpse into the powerful forces that shape coastal environments. It also means you can try out different activities; why not swim and sunbathe at one, and surf at another?

“Really, though, just being by the sea is the true adventure, even for those who know it well.”

But while it’s fun to celebrate the variety of beaches, it’s always best to try and stick to those that are lifeguarded, especially if you are planning on going in the sea. RNLI lifeguards operate on over 240 beaches across the UK during the peak summer season, so there’s plenty of choice: “Lifeguards have done all the thinking beforehand,” says Andrea, meaning that any potential hazards have been noted. There’ll be red and yellow flags showing you the safest place to swim, and you can chat to the lifeguards about any concerns you have.

Really, though, just being by the sea is the true adventure, even for those who know it well. If you stay alert to what’s around you, something unexpected is bound to appear – in water, on the beach or up in the air.

To find out more about the RNLI, how to stay safe and where to find your nearest lifeguarded beach, please visit: rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Experience the captivating beauty of dawn and dusk along the Cornish coast, as we compare and contrast these magical moments in nature’s theatre.

Fairer fishing in Cornwall

Freshly landed catch for dinner might be hard to beat when you’ve escaped to the sea and headed out for the evening. But how do we know that the seafood we’re enjoying has come from a sustainable sea?

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Fishing boats setting off in the early hours, returning in time for kitchen prep. Yellow-wellied ship’s crew battling the elements to bring in the freshly landed produce. It’s hard-won and highly valued catch, and often at its best when you’re close to the source.

Credit: Phil Lockley

But with the spotlight on how the mass fishing industry is causing devastating effects on our oceans – from plastic pollution to harming other sea life – how can we be sure that that the fish sizzling up for dinner by the beach comes from a sustainable, local source?

The chances are that if you order cod and chips in Cornwall, it’s not going to be local. “Swapping your cod for hake or pollock can be the first step to making a more sustainable choice,” explains Marine Conservation Biologist Matt Slater.

“Gradually we’re working to close the loop between those catching it and those eating it.”

Slater now runs the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide – an initiative that encourages people to make sustainable seafood choices. Its website rates the 60-plus species landed in Cornish harbours from 1 to 5 (1 being the most sustainable, 5 being the least, and everything from 1-3 being recommended).

Taking your pick from the recommended list means eating seafood with a healthy population, that’s well looked after by the local fishing industry and is caught with little impact on the environment, no dredging or accidental by-catch.

Safely caught

Slater is quick to highlight that much of Cornwall’s fishing industry is small scale and sustainable. He also emphasises the need for us all to be more adventurous and to try something different when we buy or order seafood, avoiding imported fish from less sustainable sources.

Credit: Phil Lockley

“Historically, much of Cornwall’s seafood was exported to the continent, while much of what we buy in supermarkets is imported,” explains fisheries scientist and line fisherman Al Kingston. “But gradually we’re working to close the loop between those catching it and those eating it.”

“Cornwall’s fishing industry is considered much lower impact than in many parts of the globe…home to a vibrant shore fleet of day boats, whose impact is much less than that of the commercial vessels.”

We can all help close that loop, which means getting our hands on some the freshest and highest quality seafood available, in some cases straight from the fishing community landing their catch in Cornish harbours.

Direct from the source

Joe Emmet has been fishing since he was a child, and uses sustainable potting and hand-lining methods to land brown crab, spider crab, lobster, pollock and mackerel, from his small boat moored on the North Cornish coast in Newquay.

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Credit: Abby Crosby

“We’re truly passionate about sustainability, running our family business, Newquay Fish, as close to zero waste as possible, as well as trying to get people to try species that are in season and local to them,” explains Emmet. He’s just one member of the fishing community listed on the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, alongside others from Sennen to Padstow.

While many of us have seen documentaries slating the fishing industry and persuading us to avoid seafood for the good of the planet, Kingston is quick to reiterate that “Cornwall’s fishing industry is considered much lower impact than in many parts of the globe, and for a long time it’s been home to a vibrant shore fleet of day boats, whose impact is much less than that of the commercial vessels”.

“Megrim has just been rebranded as Cornish Sole. A delicious alternative that’s becoming more popular.”

Al has spent 20 years looking at how fishing can affect protected and sensitive species, from seabirds to sharks, and witnessed a huge shift towards better fishing practices, with Cornwall leading the.

In balance with the wildlife

Take hake, since the 90s, when hake was in massive decline, a recovery effort has seen stocks return to safe levels across northern Europe. The majority of hake landed to Cornish ports is caught using gill nets, and all vessels over 12m long use pingers that scare dolphins and other cetaceans away from the nets.

Fishing boats are now helping sole and Dover sole in a similar way. So, what else should we be eating that lands in abundance on Cornish shores?

“Megrim has just been rebranded as Cornish Sole”, says Slater, “and is a delicious alternative that’s becoming more popular.” Other sustainable choices we can opt for range from rope-caught mussels farmed in St Austell Bay and the Camel Estuary (think steaming pot of moules marinière), to line-caught mackerel (perfect thrown on a beach barbecue).

Cornish sardines are landed in huge numbers by sustainable ring-net fisheries and a small fleet of only 15 boats. Mega shoals are found off our shores from July to January, attracting other marine life too, from dolphins to humpback whales.

“The Wheelhouse Crab and Oyster Bar in Falmouth thrives on the authentic seafood experience, serving up platters of shellfish with bibs and finger bowls.”

“There are many understated local species that are being used more now – namely turbot, gurnard and spider crab,” says Al Kingston. “Spider crab is delicious – it’s just a bit of a faff to eat. But people need to embrace and enjoy the process of eating seafood – not just expect it served up ready to eat in batter, with no thought to its provenance.”

The Wheelhouse Crab and Oyster Bar in Falmouth thrives on the authentic seafood experience, serving up platters of shellfish with bibs and finger bowls. Its success proving that we just need to get stuck in when it comes to crab, crawfish and oysters. It’s all part of the real-deal seafood experience.

And if you’re not prepared to get a bit messy, then seek out the eateries where they serve local seafood dressed up as easy-to-eat dishes, such as at the Verdant Seafood Bar down the road from the Wheelhouse in Falmouth, and Catch Seafood Bar & Grill in Mawgan Porth, on Cornwall’s north coast.

Wherever you eat out, just ask the right questions: how was it caught and where was it caught?

Credit: Matt Slater

So, before a trip to the supermarket or the nearest chippy for dinner, checkout the list of places to buy local Cornish seafood – from fishmongers and fisherfolk, to restaurants and wholesalers, and look out for the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide recommended logo on packaging and menus.

Find out more on cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk. 

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Walk through Polly Joke

Polly Joke Beach with waves and green cliffs

Follow the path between wildflower-bursting meadows and endless fields towards this secluded cove.

Lowenna from our marketing team takes us on the walk down to Polly Joke, a peaceful beach just ten minutes from Crantock village.

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Its only half past nine in the morning but the sun is high in the sky above this stretch of coastline, as I set off on my walk towards Polly Joke beach. A lesser-known gem tucked away in a valley of sheep-dotted hills, this cove is walkable from nearby Crantock village and also can be visited by car, with three car parks nearby.

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Starting on a bumpy path on the West Pentire side of the cliffs, this route takes you through wooden gates, colourful fields and unruly hedgerows on the gradual decline down to the sand. On my right as I begin is Crantock beach, its crescent of sand separated by a stretch of ocean. Immediately to either side of me lies fields of yellow and red wildflowers. If you visit in late spring to early summer, these fields will be blooming with vibrant poppies, filling the space with a dazzling burst of scarlet.

At the signpost, turn left down towards the beach. As you wander down, delight in the uninterrupted sounds of bees buzzing in and out of the meadows, the low rumble of the ocean becoming audible in the distance. This walk to the beach is one of the most peaceful in the area- with no roads or buildings and few people, you become cocooned by the sounds, sights and smells of nature.

The moment that the beach comes into clear view is always special. White waves gallop onto the sand, curling around the shapes of early morning swimmers. Down on the beach, you can cross a trickling river by a small footbridge or paddle through it, letting the water lap onto your feet. At this time in the morning, the beach is relatively quiet, the perfect time to secure a sheltered spot tucked into one of the nooks of the cliff for a day of sunbathing. Polly Joke is dog friendly all year round, and it has no lifeguards so be sure to be careful if going in the water.

Discover the scenic walk from Crantock to a mystery location, exploring hidden gems and stunning coastal vistas along the way in Cornwall.

In just under ten minutes, you have reached a waterside haven. However, if you would like to carry on the walk, you can climb up onto the other side of the cliff, where uninterrupted coastpath leads you round to Holywell bay. This route takes you past sheep which populate the fields, so be sure to keep dogs on leads. If you look down you may spot the colony of grey seals who bask down on the cliffside coves at low tide.

If a day down on the beach leaves you feeling peckish, head back into Crantock village where you will find an array of tearooms and pubs serving light snacks, hearty meals and everything in between. Our particular favourite is Jam Jar Kitchen, a courtyard café tucked underneath a canopy of grapevines which serves superfood smoothies and bagels by day and wood fired sourdough pizza with rosé by night.