The Cornwall Blog

It really is a sight to behold, and a colourful reminder of a wonderful summer: the Cotehele flower garland . When everything feels a little gloomy, with shorter evenings, endless rain and a rather relentless wind, this Tudor National Trust house brings a glorious burst of sunshine into winter with its annual display of dried flowers. A record-breaking garland The tradition dates back to 1956. In 2025, the garden team at Cotehele grew, picked, stripped, dried and prepared a record-breaking 38,000 flowers on the estate. The finished garland stretched 60 feet, or around 18 metres, through the Great Hall. Every flower was prepared by hand. The whole process took almost a year, from sowing the first seeds to hanging the finished garland, with assembly taking around 10 days. It is simply stunning. Exploring Cotehele in winter While parts of the house close over winter so essential conservation work can take place, the estate is still beaut...

I always seem to find myself in Mevagissey in winter, and I never mind. At this time of year, it is quiet and peaceful, with the most wonderful light falling across the harbour. It is just along the coast from another favourite place, Pentewan , and close to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. This was an impromptu visit with lovely friends, a chance to find a little comfort and beauty during a difficult time. The sea did not disappoint. A quiet wander around the harbour I always leave wanting to linger longer and explore a little more. This time, we browsed a few shops filled with enticing treasures, including gloves in every colour, before stopping for fish and chips at Ben’s Plaice . It had a lovely atmosphere, and I was very happy to find gluten-free options on the menu. Really, the pleasure is simply dipping a toe into Mevagissey’s atmosphere. Fishermen get on with their work, boats bob safely within the harbour walls and seagulls sit quite contentedly in puddles. T...

Well October is here and I am definitely feeling all the Autumn feels. Golden leafy walks, stunning sunsets and the nip in the air which has me reaching for my favourite jumpers. Today though, I have Yorkshires on my mind, that and glazed carrots, cauliflower cheese and the British staple that is a Sunday roast. So where is best to head in Cornwall for such a treat? These are a few places where I would book to secure a seasonal feast this weekend. Last checked July 2026: We’ve checked that the venues and links in this article are still current. Sunday menus and serving times can change, so booking ahead is always recommended. 1) St Kew Inn, Bodmin A roast here is truly something to write home about. Nestled in a little Cornish village, St Kew is a firm favourite with visiting foodies and locals alike. You can taste the quality of the ingredients, and the vegetarian option is tempting even for a carnivore like me. Award winning too! ...

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 Domesday 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 more than 90 metres in total. The area is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, partly due to the stunning wildflowers ...

Last checked July 2026. Opening times and menus can change, so it is worth checking with each café before travelling. This is a tricky one: how do you compile a café list in the foodie haven that is Cornwall? There are so many I haven’t tried yet, and plenty more I can’t wait to sample. This is far from an exhaustive list, but here are seven suggestions for your next caffeine fix. 1. The Harbour Light, Boscastle The Harbour Light opened in 2025, but Proper Vintage, who run this walker-friendly stop, are old hands at bringing the delicious. Doug and Hannah have spent years converting vintage vehicles into places to sell their cakes and ice cream, including the beautifully restored Beryl at Bossiney Cove. Their fully fledged café in Boscastle is definitely worth a visit. 2. The Peacock Café at Pencarrow House and Gardens The Peacock Café has such a perfect setting. Pencarrow is a lovely day out, with guided...

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...