The Cornwall Blog

Readymoney Cove is one of my closest beaches and one of those places that feels instantly familiar. Tucked just outside Fowey, it has a sheltered sweep of sand, clear water, a tiny beach shop and a curious turreted shelter that gives the whole cove a slightly Famous Five character. On a sunny day it is a lovely family spot, with rocks to explore and boats slipping past the mouth of the river. When the weather is less obliging, there is still shelter, a hot drink and a very pleasant view of the sea. Readymoney in winter and summer Until recently, most of my visits had been on winter days. We would buy hot chocolate, settle beneath the covered terrace and watch braver people than us charge into the cold water. My first proper summer visit was more spontaneous. I had an hour spare, the sun was warm and my mum was keen, so we headed towards Fowey in search of ice cream with a view. The closest car park sits above the cove, so the journey ...

Summer in Cornwall seems made for outdoor events, especially when the setting is as lovely as Pencarrow House and Gardens. Tucked between Bodmin and Wadebridge, the historic estate hosts a changing programme of live music, theatre, fairs and family activities throughout the year. The calendar changes from season to season, but the setting is always part of the experience. Performances take place against the backdrop of the house and gardens, with plenty of space to settle in and enjoy an evening outdoors. Outdoor entertainment at Pencarrow Previous summer programmes have included tribute concerts, outdoor theatre and musical performances. The Live Queen Experience and The Upbeat Beatles brought familiar songs to the gardens, while productions such as Beauty and the Beast made the most of the atmospheric surroundings. That mixture is one of the things I like about Pencarrow. One visit might involve live music and a picnic, while another...

View from our apartment towards Flushing After a lovely long weekend in Falmouth with my mum, I wanted to share a few photographs and thoughts. Returning to somewhere you once lived is strange. There is a sense that part of it will always be yours, alongside the reminder that time moves on and other people add their own stories. I was an art student here about 18 years ago, so coming back as a proper grown-up felt both familiar and new. Returning to Falmouth Although I have made plenty of day trips over the years and visited friends, a full weekend gave me more time to soak up the atmosphere. Falmouth felt a little cooler and noticeably more food-focused than I remembered. Its creativity and independence were still proudly on display, but now there seemed to be restaurants and small food businesses everywhere. We happened to arrive during the Falmouth Food Festival, which probably shaped that impression. We tried homemade ice cream, gluten-free crêpes, Italian pa...

What we refer to as 'clay country' in Cornwall is the rugged landscapes that sits above St Austell. A landscape that has been mined and carved since the early 18th century. The richness of this landscape was discovered by William Cookworthy, and the fine white china clay is still mined today. There's a hotchpotch of villages with tight-nit communities where rugged hills provide far-reaching views and dug out valleys provide pools of turquoise waters.  After a stunning drive through these villages on a sunny day I wanted to delve a little deeper into the history, and what you can do here. When we first moved to Cornwall over 20 years ago, my dad joked that the little clay mound seen from many vantage point was my mum's 'mountain'. She had always wanted to live near mountains, and it seemed finally she would be! This relatively little mound is part of the legacy of an industrial past, but it's the glistening water-filled pits that really catch the eye on a sun...

Cornwall is a county famed for its coasts, on its highest points you can see the waters stretch from both north and south, as far as the eye can see. But I thought this month I would consider a different kind of water, as well as the salty waves that crash our shores, Cornwall is also home to some beautiful lakes. Still, serene but if you want it, fabulous active fun. One I often frequent, mainly because of the very tasty cafe on site, is Siblyback lake on Bodmin Moor. As you drive down the little road to enter this tranquil spot you are treated with a great view of the lake, actually a man-made reservoir. The sun hits the waters and shines silver bright, often in the fields surrounding you can find those fabulous hairy cows I am so fond of.  Truth be told this is a popular spot, at least at the entrance, so you are sure to find plenty of families making the most of the fresh air, play park and those afore mentioned fabulous cafe treats.  Olive & Co have a refreshing menu...

We are of slowly emerging out of winter, March is here, but for this month's blog post I wanted to revisit a special weekend last November at Marazion. It has to be one of the most magical places in Cornwall, an adorable village with a famous view that is ever changing as well as being ancient and immovable. A dear friend took me off to the lovely Godolphin Hotel for a weekend treat, and it really was perfect. The beauty of the colder months in Cornwall is the quietness, and it was just that, still, poignant and memorable. As you arrive in this little village, all attention centres on the island castle across the bay, and rightly so. The hotel itself is little but stylish, has a laid back charm and a playful feel. The kindest of people, they upgraded our room to one with a balcony and that fabulous view. The restaurant area was the perfect place to have a pre dinner cocktail and watch the sun sink into the horizon. I chatted with a chilled dad, who had snuck away while his kids we...

Ready to get your creative juices flowing? I have listed some great events and exhibitions happening across the county, February is a fab month for art.  If you fancy getting involved in the creative process, there can be no greater location than The Godolphin Hotel with that stunning view of St Michael's Mount. Saturday the 3rd of February they invite you to sip a cuppa whilst you paint , social, relaxed and in lovely surroundings.  Down St Ives way Leach Pottery have some great workshops on over the holidays (12th - 14th Feb), free for kids in Cornwall. Definitely worth looking into, for the budding potters in your family.  The wonderful Tolmen Centre at Constantine is always worth a visit (theatre, music, art and a cafe!) until the 18th of February they are exhibiting the artworks of Sophie Velzian , such moody and atmospheric pieces, painted at her Helford River studio.  The Earth Photo exhibit is coming to The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a touring exhibit of phot...