The Cornwall Blog

Is there anything better? Local produce, scrummy food and fab locations. We all love a farm shop. Today I wanted to share five of my favourites from across the county, all well worth a visit. 1) Tre, Pol & Pen Edging our way towards the border, near Launceston, we have Tre, Pol & Pen . The food is delicious, the restaurant is spacious and they host great events. It is a real hub for the local community. 2) Boscastle Farm Shop Another popular choice is Boscastle Farm Shop . Set amid stunning scenery, the food is honest, local and has travelled very few miles. 3) Colwith Farm This one is just down the road from me, and it is lovely to see how the business has grown. A family-run potato farm, Colwith has expanded from a simple honesty box into a lovely little farm shop, with some great gifts, alongside a distillery offering tours and tastings. The café has beautiful countryside views and serves very tas...

The unbelievable joy of seeing spring blooms after a rather grey winter is almost indescribable! Here in Cornwall, we have always been a little bit smug that spring seems to arrive first. Our budding gardens are a triumph, so this month I thought I would share six of my favourites for a full array of colourful blooms. 1. Caerhays Castle Gardens I mean, it’s a castle, so it’s exciting already. Caerhays Castle Gardens is a spring favourite, with more than 140 acres of woodland garden and an enviable position by the sea. Its impressive magnolia collection includes around 90 species and more than 500 hybrids! You’ll find it near St Austell, and it is a real treasure at this time of year. 2. Trelissick Perched above the Fal estuary, Trelissick is a riot of colour come spring. Magnolias, daffodils and rhododendrons all proudly put on their fine displays, with some beautiful maritime views thrown in too. 3. Trebah Garden Trebah Garden i...

I am almost too scared to say it, but the sun is actually out, and it’s half term. Of course, it might be short-lived. We’ve had rain and wind and mizzle and fog galore of late. In little Cardinham, it’s rained every day since the start of the year! But come rain or shine, there is always something to enjoy in Cornwall this half term. Here are just five... Screech Owl Sanctuary Opens Just for this half term week, the sanctuary welcomes visitors to see these majestic birds in flight. And it’s not just birds. They are passionate about other wildlife too, and their resident fox is a beauty. It’s a lovely day out, just outside Indian Queens. The Tide Climbing Centre If the rain does persist, this is a great option. Near Wadebridge and Padstow, the centre has more than 100 bouldering problems to try, suitable for beginners and experienced climbers. Eden Project: Hangloose I’ve mentioned Eden a few times on here, but never t...

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 up the sun and really just be thankful for the year. Par is actually one of the beaches I head to most, and it’s 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 in, you have a choice of car parks. I tend to pick the middle one so I can say hello to the geese and ducks at the lake on 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 it’s a cold day, or I have been out doing errands in St Austell and just want to gaze at the sea for a bit, I head to the far end. I can sit on a bench, or stay in the car, wind down the ...

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! ...