Seize The Summer’s Last Rays: Ditch the Office For Cornwall

Sun, sea and celebrities.  I’m not talking about California but Cornwall, a tiny corner of Britain to which holiday makers flock from all around the UK each year.  In my opinion there is nowhere more quintessentially British to take a weekend break.  There are sandy beaches which stretch as far as the eye can see, countless outdoor pursuits to enjoy such as sailing, surfing and cycling and delicious seafood caught by local fishermen around every corner.  Brad Pitt, David Cameron and Princes William and Harry have all enjoyed holidays in Cornwall and best of all, it is only four hours from London Paddington by train.  I’d like to share with you some of my favourite things to do in Britain’s most South Westerley county. 

The North coast of Cornwall is great for surfing and beaches. The main towns are Padstow, Wadebridge, Newquay and St Ives and on the South coast you have the Port towns of Penzance, Falmouth, Truro, Fowey and Looe which are great for sailing.  All are accessible by train, however if you hire a car you can have more freedom to explore the coastal towns and villages. 

Accommodation in Cornwall suits all budgets.  For those wanting to enjoy a touch of luxury, try The Tresanton Hotel in St Mawes (www.tresanton.com), The St Moritz Hotel in Rock (www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk) or the St Michael’s Hotel in Falmouth (www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk).  All have spectacular views out to sea and cosy rooms where one can relax and sit by the fire with a good book.  On a budget? Pitch a tent outside Polzeath (www.polzeathcamping.co.uk) or in Newquay (www.trevornick.co.uk). If you visit Cornwall in a group, then the best option would be to rent a cottage (www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk) or stay in one of the many Bed and Breakfasts. 

In Cornwall, you’re never more than 30 minutes drive from the coast so make sure you order seafood during your stay as it is often freshly caught and locally sourced.  The most famous seafood restaurant in Cornwall is Rick Stein’s ‘The Seafood Restaurant’ in Padstow (www.rickstein.com) which serves up local delicacies such as scallops, lobster and mussels.  Rick Stein also has a seafood cookery school for those looking to learn some new skills in the kitchen.  For a cheaper option, Cornwall is the best place in Britain to enjoy the famous British dish ‘fish and chips’!  Eat yours on the harbour wall and watch the boats come and go.  Harbour Lights in Falmouth (www.harbourlights.co.uk) is award winning but you’ll find ‘chippys’ across Cornwall.  Another ‘must have’ is the traditional Cornish pasty.  In the 18^th century tin mining was the main industry in Cornwall so workers carried pasties filled with meat and vegetables down into the mine – nowadays they simply make a delicious snack.

Besides eating local Cornish food, my favourite thing to do is to hire a surfboard and hit the waves.  As a child, I took lessons on Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall but Newquay is popular for surfing too and lessons happen throughout the year for all levels (www.surfsupsurfschool.com).  Near to Polzeath is the ancient St Enodoc Church – a beautiful little church which was buried by sand for hundreds of years.  In good weather, why not take a walk from Polzeath beach around the coast to St Enodoc Church and then over the hill from there to the village of Rock – the most exclusive place to holiday in Cornwall.  Explore the high end clothes and gift shops or enjoy a round of golf on the St Enodoc golf course and don’t miss a pint of locally brewed ‘Doom Bar’ beer or a Cornish cream tea- scones, jam and tea. 

Another great activity is cycling. Take an afternoon to hire a bike from Wadebridge just down the road (www.bridgebikehire.co.uk) and cycle along the beautiful camel estuary to Padstow.  When you reach Padstow, stop for lunch and have a wander around the shops before returning to Wadebridge.

Also well worth a visit is The Eden Project, based near St Austell, it is one of Cornwall’s most famous visitor attractions and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The main attractions are the vast biomes filled with plants from around the world, many of which are rare and tropical.  Throughout the summer, Cornwall also plays host to many music concerts and art events.  Another popular attraction is the Tate Gallery at St Ives which exhibits work by modern British artists and is linked with the Tate in London.  For some wildlife, why not head to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary (www.sealsanctuary.co.uk) in Gweek which provides a home for injured seals and for a magical experience, watch a play at the open-air Minack Theatre (www.minack.com) built into the rocks – Shakespeare has never been so dramatic. 

For those wanting to get away from the bright lights of the city, there’s no better place to go without leaving British shores. Cornwall has its own language, food and local delicacies, the people are friendly and welcoming and the pace of life is slower.  I’ve been holidaying in Cornwall my whole life and it never disappoints.  Take my advice and go and discover for yourself what all the fuss is about, oh and like everywhere in Britain, don’t forget to pack a raincoat!

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