Author: gloversure

7 Must Do’s in Falmouth

Spend your family holiday on the beach this summer and enjoy the laid-back coastal lifestyle in Falmouth.

Known for its creative buzz, contemporary art galleries, maritime heritage and fantastic array of places to eat and drink, Falmouth in south Cornwall offers a wide range of activities suitable for all. To help you get planning, we’ve handpicked 7 must do’s, a stone’s throw from our Falmouth self-catering holiday homes.

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

Walk the South West Coast Path

Walk onto any beach in Falmouth and you’ll spot part of the South West Coast Path to your left or right. Marvel at the pretty sea pink flowers. Amble past Pendennis Castle. Stop for a picnic at Gyllyngvase beach. Catch the sun on the rocks as it begins to set. You’re sure to find something different and exciting each turn you take.

Find your closest route.

Go rockpooling

In just a 12 minute walk from our luxury self-catering apartments, guests will find themselves at Castle beach, Falmouth’s go to spot for rockpooling. At low tide you’ll be pleasantly surprised with hundreds of rockpools just waiting to be explored. Keep your eyes peeled for the natural display of fascinating and tough creatures, including the Cornish Sucker fish, Worm Pipefish and the Common Shore Crab.

See our full guide to rockpooling and where to go.

See Falmouth from the ocean

Departing three times a day, between Truro and Falmouth, Fal River’s Enterprise Boats give you the chance to see Cornwall from a different perspective. This unique sea route will take you past iconic maritime locations, historic houses and landmarks, as well as taking you up close to the array of ocean-going vessels laid up at anchor on the upper reaches of the Fal River. Get your cameras ready while you sail past Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

See a Fal River time table.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

Offering lots of giggles as you attempt to get on the board (and stay on it), Stand Up Paddle Boarding is quickly becoming one of the go to watersports for those holidaying and living in Cornwall. Whether you want to rent a board and explore the coast yourself, or hire an instructor that will teach you how to ‘ride the waves’ this sport offers plenty of fun for all abilities.

If you don’t want to try it alone, then check out Falmouth Surf School, where up to six of you give it a go…on one board!

Enjoy Sunday lunch at Star & Garter

Star & Garter take Sunday lunch very seriously and we love it! Whether it’s moorland aged rump of beef, a luscious leg of lamb or some proper roast pork with the best crackling you can imagine. All their meat is supplied by renowned Cornish butcher Phillip Warren and served with crispy duck fat roasties, monster Yorkies, silky gravy and a selection of local, seasonal veg. So, go in and while away the afternoon in front of the fire, enjoy the view over the bay and, well, tuck in.

Roast is served 12-3pm and 6pm – 9pm.

Explore more of our 10 favourite restaurants with amazing sea views.

Sunday Roast at Star & Garter, Falmouth

Get lost in Trebah Gardens

Cornwall’s not only known for its stunning beaches, its magical gardens are home to a wealth of exciting, rare and beautiful plants and trees just waiting to be explored. Visit Trebah Gardens is a sub-tropical paradise with its very own private beach, four miles of footpath and vibrant tunnels of colour. The gardens are open daily from 10am and can be reached in a 15 minute car ride from our Falmouth holiday homes.

Check out more of what Cornwall has to offer and explore our holiday lets in The Lizard Peninsula, West Cornwall.

Trebah Gardens

Book your stay in Falmouth with Beach Retreats.

Why you should choose a Beach Retreats property

Award-winning Gloucestershire blogger Thrifty Mumma tells us why you should choose Beach Retreats for a relaxing and restorative family holiday.

Thrifty Mumma recently enjoyed a stay at our Mawgan Porth property, Skyline. Skyline sleeps 14 guests, accepts pets and is just 500 metres from the golden sanded beach. Here’s how she got on:

Famous for its dramatic coastline, picture-perfect harbours and breathtaking beaches, Cornwall has long been a desirable destination for worldwide travellers and UK holidaymakers alike.

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

As a new parent, I wanted the reassurance of a UK staycation but I also required somewhere which could relax and restore us all as a family. Having enjoyed countless Cornish holidays and as a graduate of University College Falmouth, I was keen to return to the beautiful county that has stolen a piece of my heart.

I wanted to explore a part of Cornwall that was new to me and I searched for a letting company which could meet my needs in terms of location and luxury.

Beach Retreats became the natural choice offering an award winning website, knowledgeable, accommodating staff and a varied property portfolio, all of which are beachside.

We were immediately enticed by Skyline; a spacious, modern property nestled in the hamlet of Mawgan Porth with the wow factor of a large balcony and stunning sea view.

On arrival at the property the reality lived up to the pictures I had seen online and I simply fell in love!

Able to comfortably sleep 14, the gorgeous house offers large bedrooms with luxurious beds and bathrooms, wonderful waterfall showers and whirlpool baths. In the Master, our beautifully appointed en-suite bathroom had a deep set jacuzzi bath with a large window complete with a view down the valley to the sea. I indulged in a dip and couldn’t help but relax as the warm bubbles soothed my skin and the vista simply melted my cares away.

However, the star of the show at Skyline is the living space. The airy and sophisticated lounge is glass fronted with a balcony outlook and offers unrivalled views of the sea as the waves roll in. The comfortable sofas allowed us all to sit and watch the surfers as they caught the final few waves of the day. Skyline even boasts an outdoor shower and wetsuit store for the surfers in the family.

The well-equipped kitchen has a large wooden table so each and every guest has a seat at mealtimes and, as night falls, the thoughtful light installations allow the house to feel both cosy and contemporary. Skyline is awash with coastal accents from abstract artwork and driftwood mirrors to deep turquoise vases and plush coral cushions.

Importantly for us, the house was packed full of thoughtful family friendly features. In fact, the high-quality travel cot, highchair, baby swing and fully equipped playroom made Skyline the perfect home from home.

And, as with all Beach Retreats properties, the proximity to the seashore was impressive and allowed us to easily walk to the water in a matter of minutes.

Mawgan Porth beach is a sumptuous sandy cove backed by marram covered sand dunes and enclosed by cliffs. When the tide is out the sand stretches for miles and you can build sandcastles and explore rock pools and caves to your heart’s content. The beach even has its own resident waterfall!

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

From the beach we made our way up and along the coastal path with the baby carrier – the views across the shimmering Atlantic made the climb worthwhile and we all felt refreshed with our lungs full of sea air.

Mawgan Porth has a number of local amenities including The Beach Box Café, The Catch Seafood restaurant and The Merrymoor Inn as well as the village stores. After the long drive, this meant we were able to park our cars in Skyline’s two designated spaces for the duration of our stay.

Within walking distance there are also two state-of-the-art Spas – Bedruthan Hotel and The Scarlet Hotel. During our stay, we enjoyed a ‘Restore Me’ Spa day at Bedruthan Hotel. The treatments were wonderfully relaxing and we took advantage of the sea view spa facilities before devouring a delicious lunch at on-site Wild Café. Afterwards, we sampled the unique open air sensory spa garden which takes you on a journey of hot and cold experiences to enliven your senses. As we sat around the campfire in our fluffy robes sipping herbal tea the first few flakes of snow began to flutter around us.

In no time at all we were back at the house and even in the unexpected and undulating March snowfall Skyline remained a warm, cosy and welcoming retreat for us all. I’ve never stayed somewhere so beautiful before – what better place than Skyline to be snowed in!

So, if you are in need of a relaxing, restorative retreat then look no further. Thank you for our blissful stay Skyline, we can’t wait to book our next Beach Retreat!

Check out some of our luxury retreats fit for a king, featuring pools and indoor pool rooms.

More about Jamie Collier

Gloucestershire born and bred, Jamie lives in a leafy Cotswold village with her husband and baby daughter. Cornwall holds a special place in her heart – it is where she spends many family holidays and she is also a graduate of University College Falmouth. When she’s not looking after her family or writing an article, you can usually find her on the beach. You can subscribe to her dedicated blog at thriftymummathriftybubba.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter too.

6 Secret Beaches to Explore in Cornwall

Polly Joke Beach with waves and green cliffs

Leave footprints in untouched sand whilst you discover Cornwall’s hidden gems.

We’ve put together six beaches so you can avoid the crowds no matter what time of year. No queues for parking, plenty of space to throw a ball and your pick of where to set up camp for the day on your very own secret beach. What’s not to love?

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

Polly Joke

Polly Joke Beach with waves and green cliffs

Porth Joke (also known as Polly Joke to locals), is located deep between the two headlands Crantock and Holywell Bay. Filled with rockpools, caves and a shallow stream, Porth Joke is the perfect beach for those with little ones in tow.

Dogs welcome all year round. No lifeguard cover.

Rinsey Cove

Just a few miles west of Porthleven is the pretty Rinsey Cove. Allowing dogs all year round, this cove is perfect for those holidaying with their canine friends. Spot the charming Wheal Prosper Mine as seen on the BBC One Poldark series set above its cliffs.

The beach is just a 10-minute walk from a National Trust car park, however access is steep and visitors need to climb over rocks to reach the beach.

Dogs welcome all year round. No lifeguard cover.

The Strangles

For stunning rock formations and soft sand, head to Strangles beach in north Cornwall, just 1 mile from Crackington Haven. Local photographers often come here for its stone arch and Cornwall’s highest cliff reaching over 700 feet high. When the tides out Strangles joins up with its neighbouring beach, Little Strand. Are you brave enough to join the naturists that bathe here in the summer months?

Dogs welcome all year round. No lifeguard cover.

Leggan Cove

Uniquely positioned between two quarries, Leggan Beach sits east of the Lizard Peninsula backed by high cliffs, ideal for sun worshippers wanting to shelter from the wind. The crystal-clear water makes this a great spot for snorkeling and diving and a great rock pooling for children.

Dogs welcome all year round. No lifeguard cover.

Nanjizal Cove

Remained more or less untouched, Nanjizal just 1 mile from Sennen beach is a rocky cove with spectacular clear water. The cove is extremely difficult to access, but once here, there are plenty of rock pools and caves to explore. Look out for its friendly neighbours as seals often bathe directly opposite on the cliffs.

Dogs welcome all year round. No lifeguard cover.

Find out more about Sennen in our blog all about the area.

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

Book your Beach Retreats holiday.

We love Windrush

What is the most important criteria for choosing where to stay on a Cornish holiday? The views? The location? The interior? Local amenities? We stayed at Windrush, Holywell Bay and it puts this criteria into focus.

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

There is a degree of smugness when we stayed at Windrush. The position in the middle of the village is a few hundred metres from the beach, meaning no driving to the car park, queueing to get in and paying. So it was so easy to step out of the front door and wander down.

Windrush, Holywell Bay

And what a beach! We loved exploring Holywell Bay as it opens out into a wide expanse of sand, framed by cliffs on both sides. There’s space for everyone too, from dog walkers, families, surfers and photographers making the most of the continually changing landscape.

Fancy staying in Holywell Bay? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Holywell Bay.

Holywell Bay’s USP must be the dunes that rise above the beach and its criss-crossed paths which rise and dip with foot and paw prints. Truly somewhere to lose yourself.

Discover six stunning spots to watch the sunrise in Cornwall, each offering panoramic views and unforgettable moments along the coast.

On the beach itself, the tide covers mussel-encrusted rocks and crags and caves to explore, pools of seawater waiting to be replenished. We didn’t find the secret caves accessible at low tide, but there is still so much to stimulate the senses – this is true escapism.

Elsewhere in the village we found the 13th Century Treguth Inn, complete with a thatched roof and traditional pub menu. It’s only 100 metres down from Windrush so couldn’t be more convenient. On the edge of the beach, St Pirans Inn is also a short walk and open seasonally from mid-March.

So eating out is covered, but for eating in and supplies, we jumped in the car back up to the neighbouring village of Cubert where the convenience store is well stocked with everything you need. It’s a mile up the road, just two minutes away with long opening hours and friendly staff.

Windrush

We found Holywell Bay to be the perfect destination to escape to, the opposite of the everyday rush.

But what about Windrush? It’s a four-bedroom, split level detached house which has been beautifully upgraded by interior designer Nicola O’Mara to deliver comfort and character.

The dual-aspect living room was the focal point of the house, complete with open fire, patio doors out to the garden and feature pieces to savour. By day it’s light and bright, by evening it’s warm and cosy with subtle lighting.

We decided on a pizza making competition, for some evening fun (with a four-way tie for the victory) followed by drinks in front of the open fire (the convenience store in Cubert sells bags of logs).

Elsewhere the four bedrooms, two with en-suite, another with access to a jack and jill bathroom, feel separate away from each other, so everyone has their own space. Two bedrooms have a sea view – that’s the first thing you do when awake, check the view.

Favourite space? That’s the summer house, light and bright and stylishly furnished – the perfect spot to finally finish that book. The garden as a whole has been divided into sections, grass and patio with a corner seating area and a further terrace with seating. You’ll also find a gate leading down to the beach.

Favourite part of the weekend? Waking up to the sea views is worth savouring, as is exploring the beach. Windrush gave us the perfect mix of contemporary comfort and position to make the most of Holywell Bay.

Check availability and book Windrush.

Swim and Dine offer

Staying in and around Watergate Bay? Swim & Dine combines two of the best things at the Bay; the hotel’s Swim Club facilities and dinner at Zacry’s. Here’s all you need to know about this special offer.

The offer

Book a later table at Zacry’s, Watergate Bay Hotel’s new restaurant which combines big brassy American-inspired flavours with fresh local produce, and spend some quality time in the Hotel’s Swim Club beforehand. From £36.50 per person for a three-course meal in Zacry’s.

Swim Club facilities

– Below the hubbub of Watergate Bay Hotel is Swim Club, a secluded area designed for being active and kicking back and relaxing:
– 25m sea-view infinity swimming pool
– Outdoor Canadian hot tub
– Café-bar
– Cardio room with Concept2 rowing machine, SkiERG, matrix hybrid cross trainers, running machines and fitness bikes
– Treatment rooms, plus a manicure and pedicure room. Treatments can also be booked up until 7pm, take a look at the treatment list.
– Stylish interior-designed spaces to find your own space to chill out

Zacry’s

Zacry’s style combines a classic brasserie with Cornish local produce. Executive chef Neil Haydock also draws on international influences, particularly his passion for contemporary American cuisine. There’s Fiorentina steak cooked on the indoor charcoal oven, grilled plaice on the bone and spiced venison.

How to get the Swim and Dine offer

Book your later at Zacry’s from 8pm onwards quoting Swim and Dine. You’ll then be able to visit Swim Club from 6pm on the day of dining. Treatments can also be booked up until 7pm, take a look at the treatment list. Swim and Dine costs from £36.50 per person for a three-course meal in Zacry’s.

Read more online or to book your table at Zacry’s please contact Watergate Bay Hotel’s reservations team on 01637 861231.

Great Cornish Food Festival 2017

Beach Retreats heads to the annual Great Cornish Food Festival to sample its delicious delights.

Food, food and you guessed it, more food! Who wouldn’t love the Great Cornish Food Festival? Now on its 9th year, the festival is bigger and better than ever. Opening the show, was one of our favourite celebrity chefs, Nathan Outlaw.

Recently voted Best UK Restaurant by the Good Food Guide, you can imagine how excited we were to watch him cook and prepare a fish dish right in front of us. Below Nathan is preparing his mackerel salad.

Throughout the demo, Nathan gives the audience quick tips and tricks including how to make his garlic salad dressing. Don’t worry, if you weren’t there, here it is: (ingredients are free poured depending how much is needed)

4 parts olive oil
1 part red wine vinegar
Half a garlic clove
Handful of finely chopped parsley

After the demo it was time to check out the rest of the market.

With over 70 food and drink exhibitors, selling everything from pasties to peanut butter, from land and sea, and all produced in Cornwall, here are a few of our favourites, starting with the local bread makers.

One of our favourite stalls of the day had to be the Curds & Croust stand, tasting the new award-winning Miss Wenna Cornish Brie.

Cornish Sea Salt made an appearance, harvested fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, just 8 metres from its Salt House on the Lizard.

Ice cream, ice cream we all scream for ice cream…literally. With fantastic new flavours including candy floss, gingerbread, eton mess and cherry pie, we couldn’t resist a little taster.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Sisley’s & Crellow stand is the one for you. Locally made jams and chutneys in all kinds of flavours (psst strawberry was the best).

You may recognise the name of this next one from our previous blog ’24 hours in Port Isaac with the Nathan Outlaw experience’. Cornish Jack Cheese is favoured by Nathan Outlaw and used in most of his restaurants. And we can see/taste why.

And with so much food, we are in need of something Cornish and delicious to wash it down with. We loved the homemade pink lemonade from this quirky stand.

One for the Cider lovers…Cornish Orchards. Locally enthused at Westnorth Manor Farm near Liskeard.

Last but by no means least the award-winning Tarquins Gin. Tarquins won the title of Best Gin Worldwide at the San Fransico International Wine and Spirits competition in 2016. Now they have more exciting flavours and are stocked internationally.

The Great Cornish Food Festival is running 7-10 September 2017. Get yourself down there this weekend at Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall.

Book your Beach Retreats self-catering holiday now.

Top five surf-friendly holidays

The autumn swells have arrived in Cornwall and that means warm waves, kinder weather and fewer people on the beach. Jump in the car last minute and hit the surf in style staying in one our surf-friendly properties with surf lockers, surf showers and the waves on your doorstep.

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

The Beach, Porthtowan

Wake up to the sound of waves at The Beach, a cool and contemporary new collection of apartments overlooking the surf at Porthtowan. Check the surf from your bedroom window before grabbing your board and heading down the private path to the beach (before breakfast if that’s how you roll). Lock up your boards and beach toys in the secure ‘surf’ store and then while away the day on your balcony until your next session.

Take a look at our properties at The Beach.

Take a look and book our self-catering properties at Porthtowan, or talk to a member of our team on 01637 861 005.

Zinc, Fistral

A short walk from Zinc and you’ll find yourself standing on Fistral Beach, the UK’s surf capital. The world famous beach draws thousands of visitors and surfers each year but come autumn there are plenty of waves to catch. Check the conditions from your private balcony at Fistral Surf or light the barbecue on the terrace at Zinc 14 as you watch the swell roll-in and surfers pass by.

Take a look at Zinc 14.
Take a look at Fistral Surf.

Waves, Watergate Bay

Not only are you 100m away from one of Cornwall’s premier watersport destinations at Waves – a collection of modern one, two and three bed apartments – but one of Cornwall’s favourite foodie destinations too. Waves benefits from surf lockers and a shower area, meaning you can surf your heart out at Watergate Bay and spend the day on the beach before refuelling at The Beach Hut, Zacry’s or Wax restaurants to name a few.

Take a look at Waves.

Coast, Porth

All that separates Coast from the sand at Porth is a lovely private terrace and a stretch of lawn. Bodyboarders, beginner surfers and families can spend hours in Porth’s gentle waves before progressing to the more powerful surf at Watergate Bay or Fistral in either direction up the road. If you like fresh, contemporary interiors with a light and spacious feel, with a private lockable surf store in the car park for surfboards and beach equipment, then Coast is for you.

Take a look at 2 Coast.
Take a look at Beachside.

Oceangate, Fistral

Head to Fistral’s southern end for a quieter slice of the action. At Oceangate, a contemporary and sleek new development of apartments, you can turn up the volume with great surf out front or take some downtime at the tranquil Gannel Estuary a short walk behind you. Fistral’s hub of shops and restaurants including Rick Stein, The Fish House Fistral and The Stable wait at the other end of the beach, or be lazy and kick back at home in front of the view.

Take a look at 4 Oceangate.
Take a look at 17 Oceangate.

Dive into the exciting world of alternative surf activities in Cornwall and discover new ways to enjoy the waves.

12 Days of Christmas in Cornwall

Looking for a reason to visit Cornwall this Christmas or looking for inspiration for what to do? You’re in luck. Here’s how we do the 12 Days of Christmas in Cornwall, by Beach Retreats. Book your Christmas break with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.

Thinking about bringing your dog on holiday? Check out our dog-friendly holiday properties.

1. Ice skating at the Eden Project

Our favourite festive activity is back at the Eden Project from 14 October until 18 February. Get your skates on and book your spot here.

2. Outlaw Christmas Market

Not your usual craft event, the Outlaw Christmas Market will come to Falmouth town centre in December (dates to be confirmed). Celebrate handmade and artisan gifts this Christmas.

www.outlawevents.co.uk

3. Padstow Christmas Market

Cornwall’s favourite festive family market is back for its eighth year from 7-10 December. With more than 100 crafts folk and producers, 40 star chefs, fireworks, santa fun run and lots more, it draws a crowd of 45,000 and an electric atmosphere.

www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk

4. Mousehole Lights

Visit the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole on 16 December at 7pm for the big ‘switch on’ of the iconic Cornish illuminations. Or visit them in your own time until 6 January.

www.mouseholelights.org.uk

Check out our holiday properties in Mousehole to experience everything the area has to offer.

5. Christmas Day swims

For the brave – or mad – only. From Penzances’ promenade, Hayle and Gwithians’ golden sands to Sennen Cove or Polzeath. There will be an organised Christmas Day swim somewhere near you.

6. Watch a show

From the creative team that brought you hit shows Dick Whittington and his Mousehole Cat! and Jack and the Beanstalk, Hall for Cornwall are proud to present its own home grown production to enchant and entertain adults and children alike. Edward ‘Kernow King’ Rowe and Granville Saxton return in this year’s Christmas show Sleeping Beauty, the final chapter in a trilogy of adventures featuring our much loved Cornishman, Kenwyne and his extended family.

Purchase your tickets here.

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/sleeping-beauty

7. Boxing Day walks

Blow away the cobwebs with a Boxing Day walk on your favourite Cornish beach. The perfect family activity and antidote to one too many sherries and mince pies on the big day. Here’s some inspiration.

8. Montol Christmas Festival

A six day arts and community festival in Penzance celebrating the midwinter solstice and Cornish traditions of the past, culminating in the main event on Montol Eve on 21 December. There’s a main parade, lantern making, storytelling, carol singing and more, take a look here.

9. Reindeer Parade

Meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and the rest of the herd in November as as they parade through Truro starting from Victoria Square. A magical experience for children. Dates to be confirmed.

10. Cotehele decorations

Visit the father Christmas of all Christmas decorations at Cotehele – the famous 60-foot garland made with tens of thousands of flowers grown in the gardens of the National Trust estate. Gawp above and then stick around to eat, shop and sing with various happenings from November through to December.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

11. Pick your Christmas tree

Search for your favourite Christmas tree among hundreds in Cedar Croft Nurseries near St Tudy. Tie your personalised ribbon around your chosen tannenbaum and it will be cut fresh for whenever you want it.

www.cedarcroft.co.uk

12. Shop Cornish at Christmas

From coal and logs for a roaring fire, to mince pies and mistletoe, fine wine and fantastic food, Cornish Food Market have everything you need. All delivered in time for a proper Cornish Christmas.

www.cornishfoodmarket.co.uk

Check out our 10 favourite retreats for Christmas to celebrate the season in style.

Book your Christmas break with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.

24 hours in Port Isaac with the Nathan Outlaw experience

Delectable food, historic harbour, Doc Martin and a home from home in the centre of it all…

So when you only have 24 hours in Port Isaac where do you begin? With the tide in, boats bobbing and the sun shining, we headed straight to the picture-perfect working harbour.

Boasting clear waters on a sunny day, narrow winding streets and white-washed fisherman’s houses, we took the coast path up the side of the cliffs, towards the iconic ITV’s Doc Martin house (perfect place for a selfie with the Doc).

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

Experiencing Outlaw’s

After a quick tipple at the Golden Lion, we headed back up the hill towards our Beach Retreat holiday home ‘Lobber’, where we were more than ready for our seafood-tasting menu at the fantastic Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, conveniently perched directly opposite.

Recently voted the UK’s Best Restaurant by the 2017 Good Food Guide, Nathan Outlaw is renowned for his tasty sea-to-plate dishes with an extra twist.

The First Course

To kick things off we started with the wine flight (don’t mind if we do). The fabulous wine connoisseur gave us his expert knowledge on where and how each wine was made and a little history behind the families that maintained the vineyards.

Here he pours two glasses of the Sparkling Koshu 2014 from Japan.

Ensuring the wine complimented the food, our first course was the Cured Monkfish, Tomato and Sea Purslane and it certainly hit the spot.

Nathan’s simple and honest approach to seafood cookery mixed with the careful thought given to every tail and scale that enters his kitchen, really does provide a memorable dining experience.

Second Course

My favourite course, number 2 was the Gurnard and Porthilly Sauce, a dish that you will never want to end. Crabs are caught locally at Porthilly and then made into a delicious bisque like sauce. This sauce has everyone talking on TripAdvisor.

Accompanied by a glass of Capellania Blanco Reserva 2012, Marques de Murrieta, Rioja, Spain.

Main Course

Onto the mains and we certainly don’t doubt Nathan Outlaw’s ‘King of Fish’ title. The Cornish Turbot, with a side of tenderstem and roast onion sauce with potato.

Dessert

If you love your sweet food then this is the course for you! Strawberries and sugared shortbread biscuit in a delicous jelly with elderflower ice. Pour the ice onto the strawberries and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how much extra taste it adds.

Last course…

Cornish Jack Cheese (who doesn’t love cheese), Beetroot and Walnut Tart! As if things couldn’t get any better. The perfect end to a perfect meal. This course was wonderfully combined with a glass of Banyuls Reserva NV, Domaine La Tour Vieille,Roussillon from France.

Intrigued about how all this amazing food was prepped, we headed into the kitchen to get a little sneak peek as the chefs work.

Nathan Outlaw currently holds four Michelin stars across his empire of exquisite seafood restaurants.

There’s our dessert again, we couldn’t possibly eat anymore…

What do you do after a big meal when on the coast? Get outside and walk off your dinner with some of the most beautiful and rugged Cornish views. When leaving Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, head down the hill in the opposite direction towards Port Isaac’s sister port, Port Gaverne.

Enjoy a drink at the Port Gaverne Hotel and Restaurant before heading back up the hill. Sit on the bench half way up the hill and take in the inspiring views.

Much to our surprise, we found ourselves in the middle of the Port Isaac Carnival on our way back to Lobber.

It’s pleasant to see how much the locals come together and welcome visitors from near and far to join in with their celebrations.

Book your self-catering stay in Port Isaac with Beach Retreats.

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.

Learn more about Padstow in our blog all about how to enjoy a week in Padstow, and explore what it has to offer.

Cornish New Year's resolutions

Fun activities & new skills that you’ll actually enjoy doing in 2019 – our list of top New Year’s resolutions based around Cornwall. Join us in 2019.

Master the chef

Padstow Seafood School

When you’re among the best chefs and restaurants in the South West, why not join them and learn how to cook your favourite dishes. You can iscover how to cook some of Rick Stein’s own recipes but seafood isn’t the only thing on offer; Indian curries, Italian favourites, Spanish tapas and patisserie are some of many day courses.

www.rickstein.com/school/

Dive into something new

Cornish Rock Tors

Coastering with Cornish Rock Tors isn’t just about trying a new extreme sport. By scrambling, climbing, jumping and swimming along the Cornish coast you’ll also get a whole new perspective of Cornwall. They have various activities running from Polzeath on the north coast and the Roseland on the south, with two distinctly different vibes.

www.cornishrocktors.com

Be a culture-vulture

Across Cornwall

If you’re feeling jaded from far too much of everything over Christmas then get reacquainted with some culture. From Tate St Ives and Truro’s Hall for Cornwall performance space, to Open Studios Cornwall and our county’s brilliant museums, there’s plenty to make you’ll feel revitalised.

Get fit Cornwall style

Across Cornwall

Forget the gym. Getting fit in Cornwall is all about enjoying the great outdoors: surfing, coastal running, cycle trails, sea swimming, walking the coast. The best bit? It doesn’t feel like exercise at all.

Forage and feast

With the Fat Hen, West Cornwall

Join Caroline Davey in Cornwall’s wild west and forage, cook and feast the freshest of local produce. There’s gourment weekends, game, fish and bread making courses amongst others. It doesn’t get fresher than this.

www.fathen.org

Credit James Bowden

Spend more time with the family

With Beach Retreats

Building sandcastles on the beach with your youngest. Learning to surf with your teenagers. Walks on the beach with your partner. Holidays in Cornwall with Beach Retreats are made for spending more time with your nearest and dearest.

Book your stay in 2019 with Beach Retreats online or call our team on 01637 861 005.