The Cornwall Blog

Summer is in full swing and the weather is cooperating, hooray! Cornwall really does look its finest when the sun smiles down on us.  There are of course some really great places to stay when coming to Cornwall from quaint cottages and hotels to rustic fields where you can pitch your tent, but I think with so much on offer it can be nice to have the freedom to roam around.  I thought I would highlight today the wonderful 'Pip', a vintage T2 VW van, lovingly restored and available for holiday hiring. Wild and Free Cornish Campers really know how to make a memorable holiday, I mean there is just something about sea, sun, waves and camper vans! This year saw the return of the much loved Run to the Sun Festival in Newquay which featured a plethora of camper vans all in one place. The love for these classics is still very much alive. With our Pip you can find those retro vibes a plenty, (but with a few mod cons) creating a truly memorable experience, the perfect travelling holida...

Ok this might not be the most seasonal of blog posts, but just in case the dreary cold has got you hoping for sunny times, here is a really wonderful way to see Cornwall. Picture this; the allure of the open road, the vintage camper, breath-taking beaches and quality family time - sounds rather perfect to me! Wild and Free Cornish Campers are a little company based in Wadebridge, North Cornwall, who offer the chance to do just that, borrow Pip the beautifully restored T2 WW camper and take off! This stunning retro classic is not just for surfers. 'Pip' is a 1974 VW Westfalia and sleeps 4, the company provide pretty much everything you might need (even a bluetooth radio and sat nav!) for a lovely, movable, holiday in Cornwall.    I do love these camper vans, a friend had one when I was at art college in Plymouth and we would all pile in for an adventure. Pip has been thoughtfully and beautifully restored and the family-run company seem to have thought of everything, you can te...

I thought this month I might focus in on one the areas of Cornwall I love. If you are  coming down here on holiday then I think people tend to head to the coast, and with good   reason, our coastline is world-class. However, I think if you head a little in land you can   get the best of both worlds. Take Camelford for example, it's ancient market town with a   real community feel. From here you are on the doorstep of the brooding Bodmin moor and  within easy reach of some of Cornwall's best beaches.  Ideal for walkers, you can ramble a plenty along the river Camel. The name having nothing to do with those desert-dwellers, 'Camelford' is believed to be derived from ‘cam’ meaning ‘crooked stream’ in Celtic, and ‘alan’ meaning ‘beautiful’ with ‘ford’. It lives up to its name, the river is beautiful cutting through the valley providing calming places to while away the day. Many believe that Camelford might be connected to legend's ...

Why do I love the north coast of Cornwall? Could it be that it is the best of both worlds. Its a stunningly varied coast with the buzz of surfer's beaches and quiet coves as well as that much sort after rural idyll. Take Chapel Amble for example, a tiny village nestled in from the sea where you can find hidden gems like Rooke Cottages, ancient Duchy farm buildings converted into luxury self-catering cottages. A perfectly peaceful situation with rolling green hills and the odd baa from the sheep. Just down the road you have some of our best beaches - Daymer Bay, Polzeath, and the likes of foodie havens such as Padstow, Rock and 'film stars' like Port Isaac. What more could you ask! Rooke Cottages is a perfect example of the kind of accommodation on offer in this corner of Cornwall. Cottages just made for two right up to The Courtyard which sleeps eight. With a children's play area, owl cam to watch the barn owls from the comfort of your cottage, option of a pri...

Travelling to the Lizard is like experiencing the old Cornwall, you feel your troubles melt away and the beauty of this coast really hits you. A favourite beach of mine, and many others, is Kynance Cove. There's stacks of stones and silky sand, with a hidden beach revealed at low tide -  and a tasty cafe all making this a must visit. The walk down from the carpark (National Trust) allows you to really appreciate the ancient coastline. Such a dramatic vista, it is stunning whatever the season. Of course this stretch of Cornwall is more than just one beach. Hidden coves frequented by smugglers and pirates are a plenty, and quaint fishing villages too. Coverack is just such a place, so steeped in history. If you are looking for perfectly restored Cornish cottages to while away some vacation time then Lizard Holiday Cottages are a real gem. In Coverack they have four self-catering cottages all with sea views and right in the heart of the village. It's just what you...

If you mention places in Cornwall Padstow definitely comes to mind. This little harbour town attracts many visitors every year and has no shortage of things to do. Helping to put Padstow on the map is of course Rick Stein and his culinary prowess. Turn pretty much any corner and you will find a Stein's patisserie, seafood restaurant, fish and chips or cooking school! Definitely worth sampling on your Cornish holiday. The harbour is the place to be, watch the wildlife across the estuary as the fishing boats bob up and down. With a real variety of independent and high street shops, cosy pubs and delicious restaurants, Padstow doesn't disappoint. If you are needing a place to stay and are looking for a bed and breakfast full of character and style, look no further than Armsyde Bed and Breakfast. This handsome home is just a stone's throw from the harbour and is finished to a high standard. The 18th century former sea merchant's house has been converted into ...

There is so much to see and do in Cornwall this time of year! Many people see Cornwall purely as a Summer holiday destination, but the magic of a Winter in Cornwall is the moments of beauty that you can have all to yourself. The light is just so spectacular - unwind with a stroll through the Wind and the Willow woods in Lerryn, or perhaps explore Bodmin Moor, or have a wind swept beach all to yourself. The peace and stillness is just so beautiful, however, if you prefer a little more bustle every little town is alight with Christmas markets and entertainment at the moment. With late night shopping, mulled wine and mince pies galore communities come alive this merry season. If you are not lucky enough to call this little piece of England your home, there are some beautiful places to stay. Imagine a country cottage with a farmhouse kitchen, chunky stone walls and cosy log fire! If you want fashionable North coast of Cornwall and 5* luxury you can do no better than Rooke Cottages. ...

Cornwall is such a diverse county from the wild North Coast to the hidden coves of the South. Today I want to draw your attention to the very centre, Lanivet. This little village has a great community with a pub, local store, fish and chips (essential!), a church and school and is very close to the legendary Bodmin Moor. Nestled in this Cornish village is Lanneves Cottage Holidays, a lovely self-catering holiday home where the owners have really thought of everything. The cottage is two hundred years old and boasts light and airy rooms with a double and twin bedroom. From homemade jam to welcome you on your stay and the chickens and help-yourself veg patch, it really is a home from home. Lanneves is a family friendly high quality cottage holiday with those modern comforts that make a holiday special. You can also follow the blog on their website for happenings in a Cornish home. Happy holiday makers say "Everything about the cottage was above expectations" and "...

The North Coast of Cornwall has so much to offer, and a real variety of accommodation too. When I think about holidays I think home from home, I want luxury but also privacy. A really lovely cluster of holiday cottages in the little village of Chaple Amble provides just that, Rooke Cottages. Nestled in the rolling hills of Duchy farmland these beautifully renovated cottages provide an ideal base to explore North Cornwall. Within easy reach are the popular destinations of Padstow, Port Isaac, and Wadebridge. You can cycle the camel trail, surf at Polzeath beach or sit with a glass of something cold in a lovely harbour side restaurant in Padstow.  The farm has seven cottages all with private gardens and one beautifully furnished apartment in Wadebridge. The farm cottages have wood burning stoves for cosying-up after a healthy dose of fresh air. They even provide a room to dry wetsuits and parking for your boat (or car)! Little ones are well catered for with a playground an...

North Cornwall has a great variety of accommodation types which mean that it meets the needs of visitors from all over the world and country. A burgeoning form is the boutique bed and breakfast, offering luxuriously appointed rooms in spectacular locations. The region around Padstow lends itself very well to this form of tourism, especially along the banks of the Camel Estuary. The many inlets and coves are full of beautiful scenery and mystery. Heading towards the estuary from St. Issey, halfway between Padstow and Wadebridge, the road ames many turns through the tightly packed hills and little woods. In this farmland you will come across the recently restored Tredore House, a farmhouse bed and breakfast dating back past the middle ages, with a striking Victorian wing. All of their guest rooms have been refurbished to a high standard giving a modern and contemporary feel. Their breakfast room is spacious and well furnished, a great place to eat the delicious food served. ...

Originally published in 2010, when Brookfields Bed and Breakfast was under its previous ownership. The accommodation has since changed hands. When you are in need of a peaceful haven and a tranquil escape, the countryside of North Cornwall is hard to beat. Brookfields Bed and Breakfast was set in a quiet rural location within easy reach of Port Isaac, Padstow, Wadebridge and Rock. The house stood within generous grounds and lawns, with wide countryside views for guests to enjoy. Grass paddocks, geese and ducks around the pond helped make Brookfields feel a world away from hectic everyday life. At the time this article was written, the rooms were fresh, bright and comfortably furnished. The breakfast room made the most of the surrounding views, giving guests a peaceful base with good access to some of North Cornwall’s best-known towns and villages. It was one of those hidden places that offered the best of both worlds: rural seclusion and easy access to t...