Category: Your holiday

Best Independent Coffee Shops in Cornwall

Nothing goes hand-in-hand with a long coastal walk more than a hot coffee. Spending more time out in nature can often inspire a craving for the organic, and this is where the standard chain coffee shops often don’t quite cut it. Luckily, Cornwall is abundant in independent coffee shops, roasteries and cafes serving up the finest home brewed and hand-picked coffee beans in the south west.

Visiting Cornwall for a workcation? Have a look at our holiday lets perfect for extended stays and working.

We’ve chosen seven of the best places to sample independent coffee here in Cornwall, ensuring that your next hot drink by the sea hits the spot.

Origin Coffee- Porthleven

Origin Coffee are the go-to for organic coffee in Cornwall. An independently owned, speciality coffee roaster, Origin have three sit-in cafes where you can enjoy their produce, alongside supplying many additional cafes and restaurants across Cornwall, and selling their products online. Head to The Roastery, Porthleven, Harbour Head, Porthleven, or The Warehouse, Penryn, to sample a cup of their brewed beans in stylish interiors.

Discover our Porthleven holiday properties.

No. 1 Cubs Coffee- Watergate Bay

Unique, pure, contemporary. No. 1 Cubs take a modern approach to the traditional coffee shop in their four stylish coffee hangouts in Cornwall.  Find them in Charlestown, the historic harbour situated on the south coast, a pop-up coffee van at Watergate Bay and a winter pop up in The Beach Hut restaurant, and a new space on the outskirts of Newquay called The Hangar.

Fancy staying in Watergate Bay? Check out our luxury holiday properties in Watergate Bay, Newquay.

Grounded Coffee Co.- Newquay

For organic beans from around the globe, look no further than Grounded Coffee Co in Newquay town centre. Serving a variety of single origin coffees and freshly baked cakes just moments from Towan beach, walk here from our properties in Fistral and Porth for your daily pick-me-up before continuing the stroll across Newquay’s bays at low tide.

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

Yallah Coffee- St Ives

Yallah are dedicated to sustainability, reducing waste and minimising their carbon footprint. Their coffee, roasted here in Cornwall, reflects this, from production method to cup. With an emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce and interesting flavours, their produce is sure to delight. You can sample their beans freshly brewed from their harbourside café and kiosk in St Ives or buy bags directly from their roastery in Argal Home Farm, Falmouth.

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Slice of Cornwall- Trewardreva Mill, Falmouth

This fashionable and contemporary-chic coffee shop and eatery is situated in Trewadreva Mill, set just outside of Constantine and a 20 minute drive from the nearby town of Falmouth. They serve up mouth-watering brunches and dark roast coffee and are soon launching their evening menu. This spot is a must visit if you are driving into Falmouth or looking to explore the surrounding area.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

Hungry Horsebox Co.- Hayle

If you are seeking a freshly brewed coffee but don’t want to leave the shoreline, look no further than the Hungry Horsebox, a converted horse trailer pitched on the sand of Gwithian beach in Hayle. The scenic spot offers delicious drinks and homemade food which can be enjoyed on the water’s edge. Stop off here on a walk from Hayle estuary and along the three mile stretch of beach.

Discover our bespoke holiday cottages in Hayle, a short drive from St Ives and Pendeen.

North Coast Wine Co.- Bude

This sophisticated coffee and wine bar in Bude’s town centre serve only hand-picked, locally sourced and independent drinks, many of which cannot be found elsewhere. If you’re looking to escape the pasty and fish-and-chips brigade and to taste something more organic, this is your go-to. Open during the day on weekdays and into the evening on Friday and Saturdays, sample their range of creamy coffees- or perhaps an espresso martini.

Fancy staying in Bude? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Bude.

Discover showstopping hot chocolates in Cornwall, where rich flavours and creative twists make for an unforgettable treat.

Take your work away

Is it time to take your work on holiday? Could a place by the sea be just the place to right the professional balance, giving you a new perspective on the daily routine and a fresher focus? We spoke to three coastal workers to find out how it affects their working life…

The world of work has had many cycles of change, but in the last couple of years, workers have experienced one of the most dramatic shifts, from working from home to hybrid working to working from anywhere.

It’s time for an ‘aworkening‘ to these new possibilities. Taking your work away to the sea could be more than just a change of scene. We caught up with three professionals working on very different projects and businesses to find out what being close to the sea means for their working life.

Visiting Cornwall for a workcation? Have a look at our holiday lets perfect for extended stays and working.

Studio by the sea

Artist Kitty Hillier recently started working exclusively from her studio looking out to the Penryn River as it flows towards the sea. It’s a tidal stretch with a shifting landscape, and bustling boat community right on the doorstep. Whether it’s a fleeting encounter with a Redshank, to making a new home in a boat – “like a giant sculpture really” – being this close to the water has an important role to play in Kitty’s work.

“During the day, a key part of my practice is walking. From here, I can get on to the coast path straight away. In the spring and summer, when I open up the main door of the studio, I can see all the way through, down the river,” says Kitty.

“All year round, I feel very close to the tides, and the weather. If it’s really windy, I’m tuned into that: what’s happening around me, the sounds and direction of the wind. One of the boatyard community will let me know if we’re expecting a really high tide, when the water can come in just past the studio door.

“I’m constantly collecting stuff, starting points or something that helps me resolve a painting. On the coast path between here and Flushing, it’s often very quiet, and particularly at low tide you have these amazing encounters with wildlife; it massively informs what I’m making.”

As well as the solitary time watching the coastal wildlife, or on focused work in the studio, there’s the bustling boatyard and vibrant artist community round the corner.

Check out more of what Falmouth has to offer by staying in one of our bespoke retreats in Falmouth.

“The boatyard here is wonderful, everybody is helping everybody else, whether it’s helping you carry something or giving you some advice; it’s a great community.

“Not far from me are Jubilee Wharf, Fish Factory and Grays Wharf studios and art galleries, where I have shown my work and I’ve done workshops. Since I started working here, I have collaborated a lot more and I regularly meet up with artists in these locations.”

Discover Kitty’s work and workshops – with St Ives School of Painting and Grays Wharf – at https://kittyhillier.co.uk/ and on Instagram @kittyhillier

Seaside growing

Beside Little Petherick Creek and overlooking the Camel River as it flows into the coves and bays between Rock and Padstow, Ross Geach’s workplace is Padstow Kitchen Garden at Trerethern Farm.

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

There must be something in the sea air by the creek, as well as supplying a selection of the best eateries in the area with a bevy of local, seasonal produce – from salad leaves to renowned sausages – the kitchen garden’s honesty box farm shop made it into the Financial Times magazine How to Spend It’s top 50 food stores in the world in 2021.

“The farm has been in my family since the 18th century,” says Ross. “Initially I trained be a chef with Rick Stein, but I enjoyed being on the farm more than the kitchen; being outside, with lovely views, what’s not to like. So I started growing here and its turned into quite a big kitchen garden; it’s around 7 acres now.”

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

The exposed coastal position of the farm dictates the pattern of work. It means “beautiful views, down to Rock in one direction and over to Bodmin Moor in the other”, but often challenging weather conditions for growing. “Nature has a really good way of evening itself out. I’ve really noticed that over the ten years of working in the garden. If you have a really bad start you have a longer season. If you have a really good, early start to the season you’ll probably have a shorter growing season.”

The farm is workplace and space to get away from it all. “We do spend a lot of our time on the farm. My partner and kids, we’ll go out into the farm to have tea on a bench; it’s completely quiet, with no one else around.”

Image credit: Gemma Shapcott

When he’s not soaking up the vista from the fields, Ross heads down to the quieter spots along this popular stretch of coast to find a “rock to sit down, with a beer, and make the most of watching the tide come in or go out” or will head out on the water in the family kayak.

The Padstow Kitchen Farm Shop is open 7 days a week from 08.30am to 2.30pm during the winter months, with extended hours in the spring and summer.

Free your workflow

No matter what you’re working on, finding the space to think freely is essential. Novelist and non-fiction writer Wyl Menmuir’s home office is a mile from the beaches of Cornwall’s north coast. A world of constant change, the sea is a dependable source of creative inspiration, mental space, exercise, rest and much more.

“If I’m stuck with a plot, or I need to solve a creative problem, I won’t find that at my desk.”

“It’s a rare day that I don’t see the sea for one reason or another. It might be for inspiration. If I’m stuck with a plot, or I need to solve a creative problem, I won’t find that at my desk,” says Wyl. “I get myself out to the sea. It’s something about being able to see the horizon; the whole environment of it helps me to get into this creative space.”

On the other hand, when Wyl is taking a break from work, he goes for a coastal run, surf or swim to take him away from concerns he has or whatever is on his mind. It’s a cure all, “I use it for pretty much everything,” he adds.

He’s spent the past few months finding out it’s not just him, discovering “almost as many reasons to spend time by the sea, or in the sea, as people” for his first non-fiction book The Draw of the Sea. While scientific researchers have made recent discoveries about the mental health benefits of spending time near or in blue spaces, Wyl’s study – out on Aurum Press in July – is concerned with the human stories of the myriad relationships we have with the sea.

Image credit: Aurum Press

Out swimming with cold water swimmers, he discovered more about the primal relationship we have with the water, “there is this sense that the cold is uncomfortable, but there is this physical draw, a dependency on that cold-water reset.” It’s also somewhere where we relinquish control: “The sea is always reminding you that you have no control – and that can be freeing.”

Find out more about Wyl’s forthcoming book The Draw of the Sea, published in July 2022 and available to pre-order now.

Step beyond the office, choose a place by the sea to take your work away

Discover 10 compelling reasons for a Cornwall workation, blending productivity with relaxation amidst Cornwall’s stunning coastal scenery and vibrant local culture.

Private Chefs in Cornwall | Hire for Your Holiday

With the summer season well and truly underway, Cornwall’s restaurants are busier than ever. During your visit, why not escape the crowds and enjoy the delights of the county’s seasonal produce from the comfort of your own holiday retreat?  We have compiled a list of the best private chef experiences in Cornwall, with options ranging from canapes to BBQs, romantic meals for two to large family feasts, inviting you to enjoy a fine dining experience like no other.

Looking for a romantic getaway? Check out our romantic cottages. Alternatively, seeking a holiday retreat with a pool? Dive into our curated collection of holiday cottages in Cornwall with pools for the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

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

Duchy Chef

Renowned throughout Cornwall, Duchy Chef is celebrated for their innovative, top-tier private dining experiences. Indulge in a starter featuring scallops, artichoke, chorizo, and compressed sea purslane, followed by a main course of Cornish Sea trout, Bok choy, Thai Cornish crab broth, and rice fishcakes—each bite infused with the essence of the sea. With options ranging from three to seven-course menus, an evening with Duchy Chef promises a restaurant-quality dining affair.

duchychef.com/private-dining/

Dine with Iris

For something slightly more laid back which still encompasses the bespoke dining experience, try Dine with Iris. Her take on ‘posh picnicking’ includes a delicious seasonal grazing board, pillows and rugs, themed flowers and more, all of which is set up and packed away for you. Just pick a location of your fancy, from your favourite scenic clifftop to a cosy beach nook, and Dine with Iris will take care of the rest. You can also add on additions such as a private yoga class before you eat or live music to accompany your picnic- its truly a Cornish fairy tale scene.

dinewithiris.co.uk

Chef Natasha

Taking inspiration from world cuisine and her experience of cooking in French Ski chalets, Chef Natasha is on hand to provide you with an effortless dining experience which will allow you to sit back and enjoy the delights of your holiday retreat as you await your food. Choose from the finest tasting menus or a more relaxed wood fired BBQ dinner- whatever you fancy, Chef Natasha is sure to cook up a storm.

privatechefnatasha.uk

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Fee’s Food

This Cornish food and catering company provides top-notch local, seasonal produce through its tailored private dining service. Indulge in their classic menu featuring Cornish bouillabaisse, Thai crab salad, and Monkfish curry, or savor their distinctive summer lunch, showcasing fresh barbecued meats and seafood, complemented by salads and roast salmon. They also specialise in catering for weddings throughout Cornwall.

feesfood.co.uk/pages/menus

Discover the latest culinary gems with our guide to new foodie hotspots in Cornwall, where delicious flavours and unique dining experiences await.

Ten tips to help you take better photos

This week we are talking to Damian Bailey, an award-winning wedding and family photographer, on how you can take better photos and make the best of your family holiday memories.

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

“I have been a professional photographer since 2003 and photographing kids and families it is my single favourite thing to do with my camera.

Between July 11th and 31st I shall be in North Cornwall for The Beach Sessions; family photography shoots, morning or evening, at the location of your choice. Relaxed, fun and natural and all done in an hour because you don’t want it to take over your day.

Check out our locations and retreats across North Cornwall.

On holiday with friends? No problem – multi-family shoots are really popular.

On holiday with pets and well-behaved grandparents? Bring them too!

The tips below will help you take better photos of your kids and family this Summer. Or, why not take the stress out of it and let me capture your happy holiday memories, now that you are all finally together on holiday after a hell of a year?

Full details of The Beach Sessions can be found here: damianbailey.com

Explore Instagram-worthy escapes in Cornwall, where breathtaking landscapes and picturesque retreats create perfect moments for your feed.

Ten Tips to help you take better photos

Don’t zoom in – GET CLOSER!

Zooming in on a phone will reduce the quality of the photo. Instead, actually move towards or further away from the subject until you can see what you want to see in the photo. If you can’t do this then you’ll have to use the zoom but try and avoid it if you can.

What are you photographing?

Think really carefully about what is in the photograph. This is called composition or framing the photo. Sounds simple but it’s fundamental to taking good photos.

Law of Thirds

This is a good rule of thumb when taking photos. Depending on your phone/camera, you may be able to turn on a grid created by two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines.

When taking a photo try to place the subject on one of the points where the lines intersect. This will help your composition and make the photos more engaging. It’s not a hard and fast rule but it’s worth thinking about.

Don’t say “Smile!”

Asking people to smile doesn’t work. It just ends up with an awkward half-smile that looks weird. If you want happy expressions in your photos you have to try to make people laugh. You can also ask someone off-camera to help you make them laugh.

Beware! There is no dignity in this! Do whatever it takes to make people laugh whilst taking their photo.

Don’t just stand there!

Don’t just stand there! Try different angles. Shoot from above or below your subject. Lie down, stand on something. Create silhouettes, create movement and variety in your photos, even when photographing the same subject. Shoot in landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) too, to give you maximum choice.

See the light!

Light; it’s the natural resource of all photography and how you use it is the single most creative element at your disposal when taking photographs.

If you are outside, try putting the sun behind your human subject or in the shade. This is counter-intuitive to everything you’ve ever ‘learnt’ about photography, but it is the way of the professional and means that there won’t be any harsh shadow on the faces, no squinting and a lovely halo of light around their head and shoulders. You can also create amazing silhouettes! Of course, sometimes the location and required photos mean your subjects have to face the sun but try to keep it to a minimum of you can.

If it’s cloudy, anything goes!

When indoors, get your subject facing a source of natural light like a window or an open door. Avoid having a window behind your subject as this will often cause your camera to underexposure the photo.

Check out my little video on this subject.

Take LOTS of photos

Practice makes perfect and you’ll never regret taking photos. So take lots of them! I use an app called 1 Second Everyday which is a great way of getting into the habit of recording your surroundings on a daily basis. Also, when taking photos of your kids, for example, take lots at one time. Move around your subject as you are taking photos. Each will be subtly different as their expressions change etc. It’s all about playing around and practising.

Edit your photos

Go through them regularly, delete photos you don’t want to keep, edit the ones you do. Use apps like Snapseed, Blackie and even your phone’s built in editing function. Don’t overdo the filers, cropping and editing but your photos will benefit from some editing.

Do something with your photos

Get them framed and on the wall, upload them to a digital photo frame, make albums. Anything except leaving them on your phone where you’ll never see them.

Back them up

Imagine losing your phone and all your photos with it. Nightmare, right? So, make sure you back them all up. The easiest way to do this is to back your photos up to the cloud. Google Photos is a great option for this. Dropbox also works well. Detachable hard drives are also a good idea.

Enjoy a Stein’s meal at your beach retreat

Stein’s at Home boxes deliver the excitement of a chef’s kitchen to your doorstep, inviting you to simply finish off the cooking process and tuck in to these classic dishes in the comfort of your own home or holiday retreat. In a time where going out to eat is not quite what it once was, the lavishness of fine dining can now be replicated in your home, your kitchen filling with the aroma of Cornish-sourced seafood and fragrant herbs and spices. We tried and tested the boxes ourselves and the process couldn’t be easier- with the dishes all pre-prepared, all you are required to do is finish them off using a hob, oven, grill and microwave (watch us in action on Instagram at 12 270 North, Fistral).

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

 

All Beach Retreats guests will be sent a unique discount code ahead of their arrival.

Scallops sizzle under the grill, hazelnut and coriander butter melting and bubbling down the cracks of the shells. You plate them up, directly onto a bed of seaweed, before tasting the salty flavour of the sea that cuts through the richness of the butter as you mop the scallops up with a serving of crusty sourdough bread.

steins

Up next, lobster thermidor meat soaks up the creaminess of a Vermouth sauce as it cooks. Topped with the twang of Parmesan cheese, you tuck in straight from the shell, alternating rich mouthfuls with the zestiness of new potatoes and locally picked salad leaves.

steins

You finish the meal with a chocolate pavé, the softness of clotted cream wrapping around the crunch of crystallised hazelnuts.

The boxes are an amalgamation of fresh Cornish & British seafood and Rick’s classic dishes, providing you with a flavour-enriched experience which matches that of restaurant dining. The three-course options serve two and range from the lobster menu, with grilled scallops to start, the Indonesian curry menu with a fish and shellfish soup, to a classic steak menu with a smoked salmon starter and vegetarian menu featuring a cashew nut curry and pau bhaji. Other options include mains of turbot and St Edenoc asparagus, hake, coq au Riesling or sea bass, and you can also order a Breakfast Box, Fresh Fish Box or Rick Stein’s Cornish Charcuterie Box. Each menu is carefully crafted by Jack Stein and fellow chefs, using seafood from the Cornish coast wherever possible and always including the freshest ingredients.

If your retreat has a balcony, take your dishes outside for an al-fresco dining experience. With all of our properties just moments from the beach, admire the scenery beyond your windows as you eat, with a glass of the Charlie Stein recommended wine to accompany your dishes. We know that there’s no better way to enjoy the comfort of your property than an evening in with some decadent cuisine, and therefore all of our Beach Retreats guests will receive an exclusive discount on any Stein’s at home box of choice.

If your box leaves you craving more of the Stein’s flavour palette, head out to one of his various restaurants around Cornwall to sample more of the menu in the stylish interiors of his award-winning eateries. Or, if the home preparation has left you feeling inspired, dive into Rick Stein’s very own cooking school in Padstow, where you can attend courses and workshops on how to recreate his foodie magic.

Fancy staying in Padstow and experiencing some of Rick Stein’s restaurants first hand? Check out our luxury holiday lets in Padstow.

Discover the best local eats during your self-catering holiday in Cornwall with Beach Retreats.

Photos taken at 12 270 North, Fistral.

Eating out in St Ives

Unpack a gourmet picnic with your toes in the sand. Dine on fresh fish, gazing out to the ocean where it was caught. Graze on produce picked from sea-hemmed fields. Eating out in St Ives is a feast for the senses.

A fishing village turned artists colony, these days St Ives’ foodie reputation is fast chasing its creative legacy and the allure of its white-sand beaches. Whether you fancy Michelin-starred dining or fish and chips on the beach, these are some of our favourite places to eat out in one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside towns…

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

st ives

St Ives Liquor

Let’s start with a tipple at The Searoom. The family behind this seafront bar spent years experimenting with aromatic flavours plucked from the Cornish coastline, to produce their own St Ives Gin. So where better to sit back and sip handcrafted spirits, graze on tapas and watch fishing boats putter in and out of the harbour?

Porthgwidden Cafe

Tucked on the edge of a white-sand cove, the Porthgwidden Café is a divine setting to feast on fresh Cornish ingredients fused with flavours of Asia and the Med. While signature dishes include the fragrant mussels, crispy squid and leadoff curries, it’s also one of our favourite spots for breakfast. Fuel up for the day with views across the cerulean stretch of St Ives’ Bay towards the iconic Godrevy lighthouse – you might even spot a pod of dolphins.

Porthminster Cafe

Also nudging the town’s pearly sands is the Porthminster Beach Café, which boasts bucket-loads of accolades for its fish-based menu and beachside vibes. Frankly there are few better venues to take a seat on the terrace, sip a crisp white from a beach-bucket cooler, and devour ingredients flipped from the sea and picked from the kitchen garden.

Porthminster Kitchen

Prefer to dine on delectable dishes with a view over the hustle and bustle of the harbour? Take a seat in the light-bathed Porthminster Kitchen, and feast your eyes on views that have inspired artists for centuries. Another restaurant from the team behind the Porthminster Beach Café, the menu offers a light and creative twist on Cornish cuisine, with small plates and global flavours served in a chic urban-style venue.

One Fish Street

Bona fide seafood lovers should book a table for the tasting menu at the intimate One Fish Street. Here the small plates are tailored to what’s landed on the day boats, combined with ingredients from artisan growers and producers. The accompanying wine flight matches each course with hand-selected vintages, most of which are organic, bio dynamic and sourced from small growers.

Rum and Crab Shack

Even vegans can enjoy classic seafood-style dishes at the Rum and Crab Shack, where there’s Tofu Fish ‘n’ Chips on the menu (tofu marinated in lemon juice, wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and cooked in a vegan-beer batter). Whole crab and lobster are also on the menu of varied offerings from land and sea, served alongside a variety of rums from around the world.

Porthmeor Cafe Bar

If you’ve been visiting the Tate St Ives or riding the waves at Porthmeor beach, pause to tuck into tapas and Mediterranean-inspired dishes at the Porthmeor Café Bar. This retro-chic diner overhangs St Ives’ most famous surf beach, making it a prime spot to bag a window seat or heated alfresco booth. We love a ‘build your own’ breakfast beside the waves, or tapas and a glass of fizz as the the sun goes down.

Beer and Bird

A standout amongst the usual seafood repertoire, Beer & Bird is an independent and family-run joint specialising in craft beer and Cornish free-range fried chicken. Serving comfort food in style, you can also get your chops around Belgian waffles, monster burgers and meat-free dishes including vegan fried chicken. All complemented by more than 60 craft beers and ciders behind the bar.

Blas Burgerworks

If you want to eat barefoot on the beach, there’s an abundance of takeaway outlets – just beware of seagulls dive-bombing to steal your chips and ice cream. One of our favourite takeaways is Blas Burgerworks. This ethical take on a burger bar serves mouth-watering stacks of Cornish ingredients from a hatch beside the harbour. And it’s not just for carnivores; vegetarians can tuck into blackbean burgers with corn salsa and guacamole, or halloumi burgers with field mushrooms.

Thinking about staying in St Ives? Have a look at our luxury St Ives holiday properties.

Check out our recommendations on the best places to go for breakfast in Cornwall.

Become a seasoning pro with Cornish Sea Salt during your upcoming staycation

Need a little cooking inspiration for your upcoming staycation in Cornwall? We speak to the team at Cornish Sea Salt to find out their favourite tried and tested, go-to recipes. 

Let us tell you a little about us first…

Cornish Sea Salt is sourced from Grade A Atlantic waters, eight metres from the shoreline on the Lizard Peninsula and hand-harvested in our eco-friendly salt house. Beneath Cornwall’s beauty is a totally unique geographical environment which defines the taste and high mineral content of Cornish Sea Salt. Our salt contains over 60 natural and essential nutrients and minerals which help your body and mind to function.

Explore our holiday lets in The Lizard Peninsula.

The combination of these minerals and nutrients means our salt really packs a punch, bringing zest and zing to your cooking so you can sprinkle less for the same impact – perfect for cooking up a storm in the kitchen on your staycation in Cornwall.

We’ve put together some tasty meal ideas for those slower days, snacks to take to the local beach and slap-up meals using a variety of our seasonings and flavours.

Want to go out for breakfast? Check out our recommendations on the best places to go for breakfast in Cornwall.

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

Brunchin’ 

Slower mornings and long lay ins are a must when you’re in holiday mode, and can only mean one thing – brunch! Once you’ve enjoyed your morning coffee soaking up the views Cornwall has to offer from the comfort of your holiday home, it is time for food.

We’ve got two very special brunch dishes on the menu that are super easy to cook, and will take you to your favourite café without having to leave the house. Our grilled figs on toasted brioche with ricotta, thyme and honey finished with Cornish Sea Salt Flakes is a thing of beauty. The sticky figs hits the spot for those who crave something sweet in the morning, balanced with thyme and flaked Cornish Sea Salt for a sweet and salty finish.

cornish sea salt

Or for something a little heartier, why not try our Australian-inspired potato cakes recipe which we serve with avocado and a poached egg (St Ewe of course) to satisfy that savoury pang. Finished with sea salt flakes, or add our Chilli hit for an extra kick.

cornish sea salt

A taste of Cornwall

During your staycation in Cornwall, give yourself a taste of the coast with our epic corn on the cobs smothered with Cornish seaweed butter. This recipe is SO easy and a taste sensation – believe us! Why not pre-prepare by making your butter with our Seaweed Salt and take to the beach with a portable BBQ!

cornish sea salt

A trip to Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without a scone. Our Smokin’ cheese scones using our Smoked Sea Salt Flakes are a perfect mid-afternoon snack and SUPER easy to rustle up. Eat warm from the oven, slathered in Cornish butter and your favourite chutney.

scone cornish sea salt

Next up is Cornish crab tacos by chef James Strawbridge using our Mexican Salt blend for easy cheat seasoning that packs in the flavour – best served with a cold beer in the sunshine!

cornish sea salt

Come dine with me

Cooking a meal on your staycation doesn’t need to be a chore – with a little added help and theatre! Try these Korean Chicken Wings with our Really Garlicky Salt and cheat a little using some Merchant Gourmet grains to go with them.

cornish sea salt

Finally, the pièce de resistance.. Pavlova with Sea Salt & Peppery Marinated Strawberries (stick with us on this one!) The sea salt and pepper enhances the strawberry flavour and gives this sweet dessert a delicious kick! This really is a dish that has to be tried to be believed – and you won’t regret it!

cornish sea salt

Why not try some of these recipes during your stay with Beach Retreats?

You can purchase all salts for your online food shop at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons.

Find out more on our website cornishseasalt.co.uk or always find out what’s on the menu on our Instagram.

Recipes and links

What to do when you see a seal pup in Cornwall

Seal

Cornwall is teeming with grey seals, but in winter you might come across seal pups stranded on the coastline in difficulty.

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

On your rambles along the South West Coast Path, it’s always a delight to spot the whiskered nose of a grey seal break the surface. You might even be lucky enough to have a close encounter with one of these majestic mammals when you’re swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking or surfing. Or spot one in the wake of a fishing boat chugging into a harbour with fresh catch.

Seals are one of the most frequently sighted marine mammals in Cornwall. However, as winter approaches, large numbers of seal pups are found stranded on Cornwall’s beaches or hauled out on rocks, due to malnourishment, injury, or being washed up in stormy conditions. And while it might be your natural instinct to herd them back into the sea in the hope of re-uniting them with their families, many of them need care and attention before being able to survive back in the wild Atlantic Ocean.

For over 60 years the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek has been a rescue facility for seal pups and injured seals. Much more than a visitor attraction where you’re guaranteed a close encounter with seals, here you can witness them dipping and diving their way to recovery, learn all about the species, and see lots of different marine wildlife including sea lions, otters, penguins, crabs and starfish. As well as seeing the seals in all stages of recovery, you can watch a practical demonstration about handling and rescuing seal pups – which is a starting point if you do come across one stranded on your beach wanderings.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary rescues more than 75 pups in need every winter. Adopting decades of experience, a team of experts administer care, lifesaving medication and even vital surgery, to enable the seals to recover and be released back into the wild when they are ready to fend for themselves once again. The sanctuary also provides a permanent home to any seals with ongoing medical issues that prevent them surviving in the ocean.

A day out at the Seal Sanctuary is an eye opening, entertaining and educational day out for the whole family. Here you trace the steps of seals in recovery – from the most recently rescued pups undergoing care in the seal hospital, to those in their final stages of rehabilitation in the convalescence pool. You can also come nose-to-nose with seals, sea lions and penguins in the underwater viewing areas.

Discover our Porthleven holiday properties. Just 20 minutes away from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

While you can support the charity by visiting the sanctuary and donating to support the seal pups, you can also help by taking the right steps if you do come across a stranded seal pup on the beach. Firstly, do not approach the seal – and make sure you keep dogs and children away from it. Seals are wild animals and will defend themselves aggressively if they feel threatened, so keep your distance and observe the seal pup to assess whether it is in need. Seals regularly haul out on our coasts – it is part of their normal behaviour and therefore finding a seal on the beach does not mean there is necessarily a problem.

Discover five places to spot wildlife along the Cornish coast, where nature thrives amidst stunning landscapes and coastal beauty.

Signs that a seal needs assistance include:

Abandonment or separation
If you see a seal with a white, long-haired coat in the autumn/winter, then it is probably still suckling from its mother. Check the sea regularly for any sign of an adult seal.

Malnourishment
Signs of malnutrition include visible ribs, hips and neck and baggy, wrinkled skin.

Bad health
Signs of ill health can include coughing and sneezing, noisy and rapid breathing, or thick mucus coming from the nose, wounds or swellings.

Injury or entanglement
Seals often get tangled in fishing gear and other debris. While heavy commercial gear is obvious, monofilament nets and line are hard to see when they are caught around the neck, flippers and body.

If you do find a seal pup in distress or need, these tips from the Seal Sanctuary and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue will ensure you do all you can to facilitate its safe and effective recovery:

Keep your distance
Take a good look to ascertain if the pup is alone, unwell, malnourished or injured.

Don’t touch the pup
It is a wild animal with sharp teeth. A mother may reject her pup if it smells of people, so keep downwind and (if possible) out of sight.

Don’t chase the seal back in the sea
A white-coated pup spends most time out of water. All seals haul out onto land to rest, digest and socialise all year round.

Do something about it
Phone the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for expert advice on 01326 221 361, or British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765 546, giving an accurate location.

More information
Seal Sactuary

Put Seal Pups First
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is part of the SEALIFE Trust charity and couldn’t do their vital work without the support of the public.

Each seal pup costs, on average, £2000 to rehabilitate, not including special cases. Due to difficulties faced following the Covid-19 pandemic, the sanctuary has launched a Put Pups First campaign to supporting the seal pups through a difficult situation, provide advice and information to the public, and help the Cornish Seal Sanctuary continue their work.

Donate here.

Bringing our favourite Whistlefish artwork to life

Have you been to any of these Cornwall locations?

Chances are, you’ve stepped into one of our Beach Retreats and spotted a beautiful piece of artwork from Whistlefish. Whistlefish supports artists locally and nationally, handpicking a selection of their favourites in traditional, contemporary and modern artistic styles.

Below we will be sharing some of our favourite pieces, pairing them with our must do activities in the locations painted. If you like any of the artwork shown, click the photo to each print and head over to their online shop or visit one of their galleries across Cornwall and Devon.

How many of these locations have you explored?

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

Camel Estuary

We just love walking the coast path that follows the Camel Estuary. Start off in Rock (home to two of our luxury Beach Retreats) and walk around to Daymer Bay and onto Polzeath. For a truly unique experience, like no other, jump on the ferry that pulls into Rock Road, and sail over to the opposite side to the estuary to the picture perfect Padstow Harbour. Here you’ll find a wonderful collections of shops, galleries (including our go to Whistlefish store) restaurants and bars. Tuck into some fish and chips on the harbour wall, but be sure to watch out for those pesky seagulls.

Search all Beach Retreats near the Camel Estuary.

Camel Estuary – Whistlefish

 

Porthcurno

If we could show you what paradise looks like in Cornwall, this would be it. Porthcurno is located in west Cornwall, close to Land’s End and is an artists dream to paint. It’s azure blue waters, wild flowered clifftops and rock formations attract visitors all year round. Walk the clifftops over to Pedn Vounder and Treen, if you’re lucky you may even spot the wild ponies that roam here.

The famous Minack Theatre is located opposite the beach, perfectly carved into the cliffs. Take a seat in the cliff-side amphitheatre to watch one of their plays, a unique experience you’ll never forget.

Search all Beach Retreats near Porthcurno.

Cornwall Path – Rick Smith

Want to explore more of Cornwall? Have a look at our Sennen holiday properties.

Mother Ivey’s Bay

Soft powder sands, turquoise waters and the most stunning surroundings. Mother Ivey’s Bay is a quiet beach all year round, tucked away behind Trevose Head near Padstow, with the headland to the north and cliffs to the rear providing this beautiful beach with plenty of shelter from the wind. Parking is a mile away at Harlyn Bay, making this a little more difficult to get to, but if you have time, the coastal walk is breathtaking and having a beach to yourselves is certainly a reward for the walk.

Grab a photo of the lifeboat station that is located here.

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Mother Ivey’s Bay – Whistlefish

 

Fistral beach

You should have all heard of the world famous Fistral beach in Newquay. Described as Cornwall’s surfing capital and home to some of the most popular surfing competitions in the world. Ramble along the coast path to neighbouring Little Fistral and home to where Newquay Activity Centre offer a fantastic selection of activities.

For some fun that involves the whole family, we recommend the Family Fistral Rangers, a unique exploration of Newquay’s incredible coastline, pitched to suit all ages. They combine the skills of surfing, bodyboarding, eco coasteering, rock pooling and beach safety on the stunning shores surrounding the Fistral coastline, to create a family adventure like no other. The coastal weather and sea state dictate the activities but our instructors are fully qualified in delivering super-fun sessions with embedded ocean safety, heritage and wildlife lessons.

Find out more on what Newquay Activity Centre have to offer.

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Fistral Beach – Whistlefish

 

Marazion

Oh sweet Marazion, home to the majestic St Michael’s Mount, our favourite National Trust attraction. Take the journey over to the unique tidal island and breathe in the sea air. Scented with springtime blossom or summer herbs, view the collection that includes puya, aloe, and agave rearing out of the bedrock, with succulents forming hot spots of suprise throughout the garden.

The castle itself has shades of the past in every room and new discoveries waiting around every corner, dig deep into the Mount’s history, experience a different kind of family home or simply let your imagination run wild.

Book tickets online ahead of your visit.

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St Michael’s Mount – Simon Harmer

 

Watergate Bay

With two miles of golden, wave-lashed sands flanked by cliffs flecked with sea pinks and gorse, it’s little wonder that surfers, dog walkers and beach lovers flock here for the fusion of wild scenery, rolling waves and beachside restaurants.

A true haven on the edge of the UK’s surfing capital, Watergate Bay was once a hot spot for dedicated surfers awaiting the Atlantic swells. But in recent years it’s stepped up to cater for the well-heeled wannabe surf gang, who can hit the waves and return to the creature comforts of swanky beachside accommodation, and dine in some of the region’s foodie hotspots.

Here our go to activity is to dine at Emily Scott Food, watch the waves roll in and grab an after dinner cocktail at the iconic Beach Hut.

View our Watergate Bay Beach Retreats.

Watergate Bay – Whistlefish

 

Wheal Coates Mine

For a real Cornish experience we highly recommend a visit to Wheal Coates Mine in St Agnes. Located on Cornwall’s rugged north coast, this is the most photographed former tin mine in Cornwall. Park at Chapel Porth Beach car park and step onto the coast path following the ebb & flow of the ocean. If you have time, pack up a picnic and perch in front of the mine with a traditional Cornish pasty or a cream tea (jam first of course).

Love ice cream? The beach below is famous for its ‘Hedgehog ice cream’. Enjoy a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, with a large dollop of clotted cream rolled in caramelised hazelnuts or fudge. Sounds delicious right?

View our St Agnes Beach Retreats.

A Sunny Day at Wheal Coates – Georgie Harrison

Capture Cornwall’s beauty with our guide to the most Instagrammable locations!

View the full collection of Beach Retreats in Cornwall.

To see more artwork from Whistlefish visit their online shop. 

Spring Gardens in Cornwall

Cornwall is home to an abundance of garden wonderlands thriving with sub-tropical species – and spring is a great season to explore them. Picnic in carpets of bluebells, tunnel through bamboo jungles, and play hide and seek in magical woodlands. These are our top six spring gardens in Cornwall.

Want to stay in a luxury holiday house with a view of the sea? Check out our cottages with sea views.

Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith

This sub-tropical garden tumbling down to the banks of the Helford River is one of our favourite destinations for a family day out – and dogs can come, too. Wend your way through magnolias and rhododendrons bursting into bloom, tunnel through bamboo jungles and giant gunnera, and emerge on a divine sandy beach where you can order a mug of tea from the Boathouse Café and skim pebbles to your heart’s content.

More info: Open daily from 10:00. Dogs welcome.
trebahgarden.co.uk

Trelissick, Feock

Whether it’s still cool and blustery, or a blue-sky day with wall-to-wall sunshine, Trelissick’s stunning 300-acre estate is the perfect place for a springtime excursion. Wander through woodland along the banks of the River Fal, climb magnificent beech trees and explore the gardens, then take afternoon tea in the cobbled courtyard, where you can nose around the gallery and second-hand bookshop. Ramp up the adventure by arriving by ferry from Falmouth or Truro, or why not hop aboard the King Harry Ferry and head on to explore the verdant Roseland Peninsula?

More info: Open daily from. Dogs welcome on the woodland trails, but not in the gardens.
nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion

Once home of a legendary giant, part of a pilgrimage route and an all-round enchanting spot to castaway to a fairy-tale castle, St Michael’s Mount is also home to stunning terraced gardens, where exotic plants cling to steep granite cliffs. Stand high in the castle turrets and look down upon stonework and lawns bursting with colour, or follow the trails through flower-lined paths beaten by the salty breeze. More info: The gardens are open from April to September; there are I Spy cards for children, and tours are available.

stmichaelsmount.co.uk

Fancy staying in Marazion, discover our Marazion holiday properties.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell

As we step into springtime, these ancient woodlands, water meadows and productive gardens burst into colour and scent. Daffodils and snowdrops line the paths, beneath tree ferns, banana palms and gigantic rhubarb plants. This historic sleeping beauty was re-awakened from the brambles in 1990 and is now Europe’s largest garden restoration project, with family-friendly trails, farm animals, adventure play areas and secret hides where you can spy on the wildlife.

More info: Open daily, except Christmas day.
heligan.com

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, nr Penzance

Squirrelled away in a lush landscape close to Mounts Bay, art and nature merge seamlessly at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Climb trees, wander through woodland, and nature’s wonderland through a series of art installations including a camera obscura and a series of contemporary sculptures including a Minotaur and a brick throne overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Amongst a series of exhibitions and creative workshops held in the grounds and gallery, this spring you can catch Cousin Jack’s Theatre Company’s performance of Percy Pengelly and the Wibble Wobble. What with a kitchen serving scrumptious seasonal delights, a gift shop and nursery, it makes a great day out for the whole family.

More info: Open daily from February.
tremenheere.co.uk

Lanhydrock, nr Bodmin

One of the most magical times of year to visit Lanhydrock is during spring, when the woodlands of this sprawling country estate are carpeted with bluebells. Explore a labyrinth of footpaths winding through 900-acres of countryside, along the banks of burbling stream and into landscaped gardens where the rhododendrons and magnolias are coming into flower. Step into history in the Victorian manor house, take part in a range of family activities and freewheel along the bike trails – from easy-going family routes to demanding woodland tracks.

Lanhydrock gardens, nr Bodmin

More info: Open daily – see website for times and details.
nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock

 

Discover easter adventures in Cornwall with our guide to seven must-do activities, promising fun-filled experiences for the whole family.

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