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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.

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.

5 houses that boast stunning terraces as well as jaw-dropping coastal views.

We choose 5 houses that will help you make the most of your holiday home with alfresco dining, sun seeking, relaxing and more. How will you spend time on your holiday terrace?

Trethvor, Fistral

First up is Trethvor (meaning seaside in Cornish), a sleek coastal pad offering sweeping sea views across Fistral bay. What is it  we love best about Trethvor? You guessed it, the stunning private ‘wrap-around’ terrace and its stunning 180 degree views of the coast. Look out to Trevose headland and lighthouse, out to sea and inland over Newquay; perfect for both alfresco dining.

Trethvor is one of the last buildings on the Pentire headland, with coastal walks and inspiring sea views on your doorstep. Throughout the summer, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins jumping in the bay.

Book your stay at Trethvor with Beach Retreats.

The Penthouse at Coast, Porth

Next up is The Penthouse at Coast, where you couldn’t get closer to the beach even if you tried. Situated where the land meets the sea, guests can walk through gardens and a gate, directly onto the family-friendly Porth beach. There are no roads to cross, just a wide expanse of golden sand on your doorstep.

This large private terrace comes with spectacular sea views and the chance to dine outside whilst the sun sets on the horizon.

Book your stay at The Penthouse at Coast with Beach Retreats.

Panorama, Mawgan Porth

Perfectly located just 800 metres from Mawgan Porth beach, Panorama fuses haute design and stylish interiors with beach inspired features to create a majestic luxury bolthole for families, small groups and design-aficionados.

Tucked away on a private road, the stunning terrace is the perfect setting for family and friends to sit back and relax whilst enjoying a Cornish sunset like no other.

Book your stay at Panorama with Beach Retreats.

No 1 The Beach, Porthtowan

With a beach just 10 metres away, No 1 The Beach is perfectly positioned on the edge of Porthtowan, where the village has a lovely relaxed, off-the-beaten-path feel, with a very pretty sandy beach backed by dunes.

Listen to the sound of rolling waves, smell the sea air and watch the daily sun seekers, surfers and families on the beach pass you by. What’s not to love?

Book your stay at No 1 The Beach with Beach Retreats.

The Tower, Praa Sands

Last but by no means least, we have The Tower in Praa Sands. The Tower is a large duplex apartment, occupying the top two floors of Acton Castle with a stunning roof terrace dating back to the 18th century. Views consist of the immaculate communal gardens, Mounts Bay and the famous St Michael’s Mount in Marazion.

Here you’ll find plenty of space for alfresco dining, loungers and a coffee table set.

Book your stay at Praa Sands with Beach Retreats.

 

Pentire, Newquay.

Nestled on the cliffs at Pentire Headland, Lewinnick Lodge overlooks Fistral and out across the Atlantic to Watergate Bay. Lewinnick Lodge will welcome you with open arms, did we mention they’re dog-friendly too?

(Aerial view taken by Layton Bennett Photography)

The award-winning bar and restaurant has one of the best coastal views in Cornwall. Huge windows take advantage of the restaurant’s location while letting light flood into the open space. In the summer, the terrace lets you taste the salty sea spray whilst sipping cocktails. Whereas in the winter, the Lodge is a cosy haven to watch the Cornish storms roll-in from the Atlantic.

The interiors of the bar and restaurant reflect the Lodge’s spectacular position. Inspired by the wild scenery of Pentire Headland, the Lodge combines coastal interiors with country living to create a contemporary and relaxing space. It’s a world away from your everyday 9-5.

(Aerial view taken by Layton Bennett Photography)

The Food:

Serving modern British food with an emphasis on fresh fish, the lodge is the perfect venue to enjoy fine Cornish fare and hospitality.

The chefs freshly prepare all meals, tailoring the menus to make the most of seasonal produce. During busy times, diners may have to wait for their food to be served. This delay however is well worth waiting for – the aromas and the flavours of the food will not leave your senses and taste buds disappointed! Treat yourself to the seasoning of Thai chicken skewers with pickled vegetables and satay sauce or savour the flavours of baked scallops cooked with chilli and ginger in a puff pastry case.

All produce is sourced locally, with most of the dishes caught from the surrounding waters of Cornwall. From net to plate to ingredients obtained from neighbouring farms, the menu is brimming with Cornish produce.

For desert, indulge in hearty favourites like sticky toffee pudding, warm chocolate brownie or boozy cherry fruit crumble.

There is also a variety of drinks, including an impressive wine selection and local ales.

Just a stone’s throw away from Fistral beach, which is becoming a vibrant foodie bolthole, Lewinnick sits within easy walking distance from our self-catering properties in Fistral.

BOOK YOUR SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY IN FISTRAL.

Creating handmade candles on the north Cornwall coast.

There is nothing better after a blowy coastal walk than curling-up by a roaring log fire with a good book and the warm flicker of candle light. To add to this special hygge moment, a heavenly scented candle can create the perfect atmosphere for unwinding. During the cold winter months cosy fragrances of fig, orange and cinnamon, and dewberry and bramble enlighten dark spaces. Whereas summer scents including apple and elderflower, sea salt and grapefruit and lime uplift the mood, bringing the outdoors indoors.

In Cornwall it is easy to find scents which inspire. Country lanes bursting with the smell of wild gorse, salty sea air and wildflower meadows. Based on a traditional working farm, St Eval Candle Company sources its scents from nature. Surrounded by fields and hedgerows teeming with wildlife, the candle company is in the perfect location with the north Cornwall coast on its doorstep.

Candle-making:

At the candle factory visitors can watch the team make the candles from the viewing area from hand-poured pillars to traditional drawn processes. During bank and school holidays, visitors will discover a candle-dipping area, where you can create colourful candlesticks – ideal for children. The factory is a great place to explore, especially on a rainy day in Cornwall.

On dry days, visitors can venture to the outdoor observation area which overlooks the farm’s wildflower meadows and bee garden. The farm is home to a rare bird species called Corn Buntings that can be spotted foraging in the fields and hedgerows. At the observation area visitors can learn about the flower species and the wildlife that thrive in the fields. It is the perfect spot to sit down and have lunch, so why not pack a picnic and go alfresco!

After visiting the candle factory and the wildlife observation area, unwind and explore the beautiful candle shop on-site. Selling popular fragrances from tin candles to dinner candlesticks, the shop is a great place to find your favourite fragrance.

Discover the beauty of the north Cornwall coast.

A short coastal walk from Watergate Bay to Porth.

 

Wrap up warm this Autumn and explore the rugged coastline around Watergate Bay by foot.

With hidden coves to discover, wildlife to spot and views overlooking the Atlantic sea, this two mile walk is perfect for dog walkers, couples and families.

The walk begins at Watergate Bay car park. From here, ascend the coastal path to the left of the car park found embedded in the cliff.

Follow the meandering path to the top of the cliff and take a moment to look down at the beach below. With two miles of golden sand and huge swells, you’ll see why Watergate Bay is popular destination for families, dog walkers and surfers.

In autumn the beach is still full of movement. Surfers are carving waves, while adventurers enjoy wild swimming and paddling in the shallows during low tide.

After taking in the fresh sea breeze, continue treading along the path where hedgerows and wild countryside are starting to turn amber.

Small birds will flit across your trail as they forage for food in the earth.

Out to sea, keep a look out for flocks of migrating sea birds making their way south. Some birds can be seen taking shelter in the rugged cliff face.

Below you’ll see a hidden sandy beach known as Fruitful Cove which can be accessed at low tide walking from Watergate Bay beach.

A little further along the path, as you start your descend from the cliff top, you will see a sign for Whipsiderry beach. This is a quiet a beach, boasting rock pools and caves that are worth exploring.

Sheltered by enormous cliffs, access to the beach can be negotiated by steep steps with railings down the cliff face.

At low tide, the rock pools are teeming with wildlife. Attached to the wave-washed rocks you will discover Cornish mussels and limpets clumping together.

On the beach, couples enjoy romantic walks in the shallows, while dogs play in the sand and families explore hidden caves.

Surfers take to the autumn swells.

After leaving your footprints on Whipsiderry beach, make your way back up the cliff and continue wandering down the path into Porth.

Before heading to the beach, venture over to Porth Island, which can be accessed by a narrow footbridge.

Here you’ll find the remains of an ancient settlement. At the end of the island there is a blow hole which is quite spectacular on windy days and best seen at mid-tide.

The coast path back from Porth Island will take you down to the beach.

Porth beach is a flat sandy beach perfect for families and dogs.

Walk along the beach  and head towards a row of shops. Here you will find beach inspired boutique and coffee shop Roo’s Beach.

A cosy coffee shop, Roo’s Beach offers a selection of herbal teas and ground coffee – a perfect spot after your walk to watch the world go by.

Book your self-catering holiday in Watergate Bay.

 

Five sandcastles, four tantrums and eight ice creams (two of which are dropped) – our research reveals British seaside holiday habits for the 21st century.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. That’s according to our survey which you may have spotted in the national press.

Walking along the pier and building sandcastles emerged as the most popular family seaside pastimes in the survey which compiled the experiences of 2,000 families and compared it with a survey conducted 30 years ago.

Andrew Easton, business manager for Beach Retreats said: “Around half of British families will be taking a staycation in 2016 and the appeal of the British beach holiday stronger than ever.

“Documenting your beach holiday with photos, social uploads and selfies is now a typical part of a beach holiday, but it’s great to see that outdoor activities, discovering the beach, are still so important to families.”

Here are a few of our favourite findings:

The average British family holiday involves a three-hour journey, four tantrums and two days of rain

One of our favourite things about UK beach holidays is the sea air – with three quarters of people (73%) saying it’s what they love most about the seaside

Children ask “Are we there yet?” five times and parents enjoy only two lie-ins, but do get at least 16 hours as a family on the beach

Whilst on holiday, half (54%) of British families will watch a sunset, almost a third (29%) will have a barbecue on the beach and 22% adults will try a local craft ale

Buckets and spades are top of the list for beach essentials

Taking a phone to the beach is more important than a towel for four in 10 people – while one in four parents will obsess over the perfect beach selfie

Eight ice creams are eaten per person, although two will be dropped

Families will also have to contend with three occasions of seagulls swooping in, five sandcastles are built and three inflatables are blown up by puffed-out parents

Parents will normally get less than two and a half hours to themselves most days but will manage three quiet drinks over the holiday

More than two thirds (69%) of families will not head to the beach without at least one weather-proof essential such as a windbreak, full waterproofs or an umbrella

Traditional British beach behaviours are still as popular as ever, with building sandcastles (69%), digging holes in the sand (61%) and exploring rock pools (58%) listed as the most popular things to do beside the seaside

Families will play two board games and visit two holiday attractions together on holiday

Thankfully, only 4% of people wore a hankie on their head to protect them from the sun and 2% ate jellied eels while on holiday.

Find a retreat in one of our beach locations, and browse our special offers page for the best deals.

It’s no secret that we love the beach here at Beach Retreats. And you can’t get closer to the beach than these five properties.

2 Coast, Porth

Distance from the beach: 0 metres!

When we say ‘the walk to the beach’ this barely ranks as a walk! All that separates 2 Coast from the sand on Porth Beach is a lovely private terrace and stretch of lawn. Make space on the private terrace for BBQs, grab your board from the lockable surf store and roll onto the beach from this contemporary ground floor apartment. Two bedrooms, sleeps six.

Book your stay at 2 Coast, Porth.

Atlantic View, Widmeouth Bay

Distance from the beach: 10 metres

Away from the crowds but with direct access onto the beach and Widmeouth Bay’s iconic Black Rock and rockpools out front, Atlantic View is hard to beat in terms of location. But it rules in terms of luxury and eco-credentials too. Think high-spec interiors, full-width balconies, large-ensuite rooms, open-plan living and log burners in each of the six self-catering holiday lodges, all of which are completely reliable on renewable energy.

Book your stay at Atlantic View, Widemouth Bay.

The Beach, Porthtowan

Distance from the beach: 10 metres

Life is better at The Beach, consisting of five contemporary apartments looking down onto Porthtowan just metres below. Watch the tide come and go, indulge in a spot of people watching from your balcony, or explore the coastal path on your doorstep. When the surf picks up, grab your board and head down the path to the water before rinsing down afterwards in your outdoor shower.

Book your stay at The Beach, Porthtowan.

Waves, Watergate Bay

Distance from the beach: 100 metres

All of the best bits of Watergate Bay on your doorstep from a modern collection of one, two and three bedroomed apartments at Waves. The beach is your playground with watersports featuring large, but fine food is also the order of the day here The Beach Hut and Zacry’s restaurants overlooking the sand. Don’t forget to check out Watergate Bay Hotel’s swim and dine or day membership offer to make use of its blissful swim club facilities.

Book your stay at Waves, Watergate Bay.

Cliffside, Whitsand Bay

Distance from the beach: 130 metres

Embrace cabin life at Whitsand Bay while the sea laps the shore as the bottom of the cliff. Cliffside takes in 180-degree sea views stretching all the way to England’s most southerly point, The Lizard, some 60 miles away in the distance. Our happy place is throwing open the bi-fold doors onto the decking – the perfect spot for morning coffee or sunset drinks.

Book your stay at Cliffside, Whitsand Bay.

Search for your beachside holiday with Beach Retreats online.