The Cornwall Blog

Welcome to 2026, and to a cold but beautiful January! On the last day of 2025 I took my mum to Par Sands to soak in the sun and really just be thankful for the year. Par is actually one the beaches I head to most and its becoming a favourite. It’s not the kind of beach where you sit and sunbathe all day or even really gaze at the view but it's definitely a great beach for a refreshing walk on a bright sunny day. As you drive you have an option of car parks (all free as we are out of season at the mo), I tend to pick the middle so I can say hello to the geese and ducks at the lake the other side of the road. Then you get to walk through the sand dunes which is a great approach. You can hear the sea but not see it yet, making the reveal all the more special.  Or perhaps park right at the end, if its a cold day or I have been out doing errands in St Austell and just want to gaze at the sea for a bit, or sit on a bench, I head there. Wind down the windows and get a full dose of vitamin...

It really is a sight to behold, and a throwback to a wonderful summer, the Cotehele flower garland . With everything feeling a little glooming at times, shorter evenings, endless rain and the wind feeling rather relentless, this Tudor National Trust house brings a colourful array of sunshine through their annual garland of dried flowers. It's a tradition that goes back to 1956, this year managed for the first time by head gardener Kay Lyle and her wonderful team. Being such a bumper year for flowers, the team believe they have used 38,000 of them to make the garland which hangs in the Tudor hall .  It is simply stunning, 18 metres long and taking a whole year from seed to create and about 10 days to assemble. Although the house is wrapped up for the winter (when most of the repair and conservation work is done) the estate is still beautiful to explore. Especially when the grass is crispy underfoot and the afternoon sun is at its most golden at the quay below.  Perched high ove...

I do always seem to find myself in Mevagissey in the Winter, but I love it though. So quiet and peaceful with just the most wonderful light. It's just down the road from another favourite place, Pentewan beach and near the famous Lost Garden's of Heligan. This was an impromptu trip with lovely friends, a chance to bring comfort and beauty into a tough time. The sea didn't disappoint.  I always leave wanting to linger longer, to explore more. This time we took in a few shops, filled with enticing treasures (gloves in every colour!) and delicious fish and chips. We went to Ben's Plaice, nice vibe and I happily found it gluten free.  Really it's just the chance to dip your toe into the atmosphere. Fishermen getting on with their work, boats bobbing safe within the harbour walls and seagulls sitting in puddles. People-watching and of course greeting every dog that joyfully comes our way. It's a calmness that can only really come from this time of year.  Mevagissey ...

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.  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!  2) The Peterville Inn, St Agnes   On the pricer end but a very popular choice in the coastal village of St Agnes. The produce is local, seasonal and the puddings are crowd pleasers too.  3) The Summerhouse, Pe...

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...