The Cornwall Blog

It's been a busy summer! With my sister's wedding and plenty of guests (living in Cornwall you are guaranteed a constant flow of house guests). It's been lovely but I am looking forward to quieter times and that balm to the soul - a golden September. Hope so! Looking back though I wanted to share a favourite place we love to visit in all seasons, Golitha Falls . It's actually where our little Lostwithiel river runs through, the River Fowey, but nearer to its source, on Bodmin Moor. This is the ancient woodland of Draynes Wood, mentioned in the Dooms Day book. The river cascades over giant rocks, best to visit after heavy rains because then you see these falls in all their beauty.  This year was rather dry but the river was still a beautiful walk. You follow its path as momentum builds, the drop is over 90 meters in total. The area is a National Nature Reserve and a site of Special Scientific Interest, partly due to the stunning wild flowers found here, the 50 species of...

This is tricky, how do you compile a cafe list in the foodie haven that is Cornwall! There are so many I haven't tried yet, and many I can't wait to sample. So this is far from an exhaustive list, but here are some suggestions for your next caffeine fix... The Harbour Light in Boscastle A relatively new venture, opened this year, but Proper Vintage who run this walkers refresh are old hats at bringing the delicious. Doug and Hannah have been converting vintage vehicles to sell their tasty cakes and ice cream from for a good few years. Check out the beautifully restored Beryl ice cream van at Bosiney Cove. 2025 found them opening a fully-fledged cafe in the beautiful village of Boscastle. Definitely worth a visit.  The Peacock Cafe at Pencarrow House and Gardens Such a perfect setting, the gorgeous historic home of the Molesworth St-Aubyns is just a fab day out, with guided house tour and acres of ancient woodland for dogs to roam and tidy Italian gardens to explore. The cafe, n...

We are having a lovely summer so far in Cornwall, and with 422 miles of coast to explore beaches are firmly on my mind! This month I thought I would pick out some of the best... Best for dogs In Cornwall a lot of the beaches have a ban in effect for dogs in the summer months, but they are still a few you can exercise your canine friend.  Harlan Bay near Padstow, Watergate Bay at Newquay and Mexico Towans to name a few. Best for little ones If we are talking amenities, easy access and safe waters then we love Gyllygvase in Falmouth. With the cafe on the beach, toilets and close parking, it's a no brainer.  East Looe beach is another great option. Safe swimming, that cool Banjo Pier and golden sand to build castles with, perfect.  We also like Bude's Summerleaze beach with its sea pool offering a little protection from the tides. Very close to the town centre too, and you could always rent a beach hut!  Best for surf I mean after all, that is what our beaches are prett...

For this month's blog story I wanted to share some of the great places in Cornwall where you can go to interact with animals. From sanctuaries and farms to wildlife parks, all with education and conservation at their heart. These are just a few of the places we love to visit in Cornwall...  Paradise Park Located in Hayle in West Cornwall, Paradise Park is a firm family favourite. It is great for kids with a little train, soft play and a lovely array of colourful birds and small animals to see. A family fun day out.   Newquay Zoo This little zoo has a passion for conservation and you can really see they love their animals. Lions, zebras, sloths, penguins and red pandas are just a few of the animals you can visit.  Cornish Seal Sanctuary A firm favourite, the seals are such characters! Best for a dry day as most the pens are outside, and it's more than just seals - beavers, sea lions and some farm animals too. You can actually bring dogs on a lead which can be handy, it's a...

This is why I love living in Cornwall, a routine appointment can turn into a beautiful adventure! I had to take my mum to the hospital for a check up, as it was so early in the morning and already a bit of a trek for us to get there, we thought let's make a day of it. Mum wanted peace and tranquility so the Helford river came to mind.  It really is that perfect escape, a little bubble of old-world beauty that I just love to explore. I did my studies in Falmouth at the art college and had popped across the water to explore this area a little then, but it had been a while. This corner of Cornwall boasts the beautiful Trebah and Glendurgan gardens, stunningly cultivated landscapes both with little beaches. Glendurgan has a wiggly maze as well that is as captivating to adults as it is to children. After following the winding roads we decided to stop off at Helford Passage. My thinking was to find a way mum could enjoy our surroundings that didn't involve too much walking. There a...

For this month’s story I wanted to highlight a lovely local business that’s at the heart of their community. A popular pass time in Cornwall is cycling, although our county isn’t particularly flat, we have some wonderful bike trails. Running all around Cornwall you can explore these scenic routes and immerse yourself in the history with the freedom of a bike, and one such place you can hire them is in the beautiful village of Pentewan on the south coast. Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire is run by Rachel and Andy and their friendly approach and invaluable advice has made this cycle hire a real draw for experienced riders or complete novices.  Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire is ideally located because whatever your skill or fitness there is something for you. You can just keep to the flat, tree-lined trails that follow the waters edge and take a gentle ride around the village. Perhaps have a swim at the sheltered family-friendly beach, or watch the wildlife in the harbour (ice cream in hand of...