The Cornwall Blog

A recent trip to Marsh Villa Gardens in Par made me think I should highlight the beauties of this part of Cornwall. Although right on my doorstep, I hadn't properly visited Marsh Villa gardens until the recent Bank Holiday. It worked out really well, its such a peaceful garden owned by a lovely family. They took over the three acre plot in the Eighties and have transformed the over grown valley into a tranquil paradise. I went with my dad and we meandered around the paths before the sun got too hot. This was the creek mentioned by Daphne du Maurier in 'House on the Strand'. You can help yourself to home made cake for a couple of pounds but we went just further along the road to the popular Yummy Scrummy Bakery. They do marvellous pancakes and as the name suggests, yummy cakes. I often meet friends here for breakfast but today it was a smoothie and cake. Par has a wide and windswept beach that I think is often over looked. Granted, at one end you have ...

A much loved business in the heart of Cornwall, Stable Art, are on the move. Currently residing in Bodmin town, the bespoke picture framers are renovating a derelict chapel just on the outskirts. Speak to artists up and down this county and they all talk highly of Stable Art. They have a 1,000 strong beautiful selection of off the peg frames and can frame your slightly weird sized or wonky art pieces too. The art supplies collection keeps on growing, everything you didn't know you needed. The new premises will include an exhibition space and house art and craft workshops. Such a peaceful location and one I am sure their many customers will be happy to visit.

Today is a particularly stunning Spring day in Cornwall. Birds are singing, the sun is shining and the air is perfectly crisp. If I wasn't sitting here typing away I think I would like to be on my bike heading down the Pentewan Cycle Trail. We have a few of these in Cornwall and it really is a great way to see the countryside and coast. The Pentewan Cycle Trail takes in the wonderfully varied south Cornwall with shorter flat routes through the valley to more challenging routes to some of Cornwall's most famous sites. Pentewan village is lovely with a beach, pub, cafe. Its quiet and charming and there you will find Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire. They offer bikes to rent for or for sale at reasonable rates for adults and children, with hybrids and accessories available. One of the most popular routes on from Pentewan is to the fishing village of Mevagissey. Quintessential Cornwall with fish and chips and olde worlde pubs! Watch the fishing boats bob around in the harbo...

Most of what catches my eye as I peruse the internet involves interiors. There is something about creating a home that I find inspiring. In Cornwall many of our beautiful houses boast more than just great interiors - stunning views. The standard seaside cliché is not the only option when it comes to the interior. The bones of a house may be on old fisherman's cottage, or perhaps a ramshackle barn, a 1930s Deco dream by the sea or an uncompromising modern minimal box - but as you step inside a different narrative can be revealed. I always value interiors with integrity, especially when every detail has been thought through. From the light switch you turn off at night to the plug socket you use to charge your phone. A great local business with world wide reach is Bromleighs . They design and produce fixtures and fittings for heritage renovations as well as prestigious new builds. Hand-finishing a wide range of sockets, switches and lighting. Be that in stunning...

Something a little different! If you haven't visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan then you really should. It is a beautiful garden, well its different gardens really - all mesmerising in there way. The Victorian garden full of borders and interesting plants snugly walled gives way to woodland walks with an emerging giant from the ground. Then you wind your way through the orchard towards a tropical paradise that snakes over the water. So many different hauticultral personalities, there is something for everyone. This December, Heligan can be seen in an entirely different light. Internationally renewed light artist Ulf Pedersen will be transforming the gardens by night with his characteristically colourful displays. Ulf said he wanted to:    “ …transform the act of looking into a physical experience - where audiences frequently find themselves immersed in a sensational play of light and colour as the space metamorphoses into something unique and magical.”  ...

Beer is big business, the popularity of local varieties and interesting brews has meant massive increase of choice for the consumer. This November the popular St Austell Brewery hosts their Celtic Beer Festival deep in its ancient cellars. With almost 200 ales, stouts and lagers to try and many award winning beers, its a key event for those who love the craft.  Best of all 100% of the profits go to the St Austell Brewery Charitable Fund, helping causes across the South West (raising £186,000.00 to date). You'll find the familiar Tribute, Proper Job and Korev as well as some new and limited addition beers to tempt. Entry is £10 which gets you your commemorative glass and some starter tokens and a brochure. The 19th festival will run on the 25th of November with 4 bars and music from great bands both day and night. Find out more at the St Austell Brewery website.

As autumn is making its presence know, Whitewater Gallery presents the 'Copper and Bronze' exhibition. This contemporary gallery can be found both in Polzeath and Port Isaac, on the rugged North Cornish coast. For their latest exhibition you can find exquisite copper plate etching and bronze sculpture by three of Cornwall's leading artists; Sally Spens, Sarah Seddon and Chris Buck. Printmaker Sally Spens studied Fine Art and Textiles at Goldsmiths College, and her hand printed fabric designs are included in the Victoria & Albert Museum's prestigious 20th Century Design Collection. Her delicate hand-printed etchings, are inspired by the patterns and forms of nature and have a rhythmic quality. She shows her designer's eye for line and composition. Sarah Seddon studied Fine Art at University College, Falmouth. Her work is highly figurative, etchings and aquatints of people, places, and found objects. She reflects the depth of detail possible in hand ma...