North Cornwall
Whether you are travelling on a budget or just need somewhere to rest your head for the night, the Atlantic Surf Pods are a cheap and convenient way to visit Cornwall if you don’t fancy camping. Fitted out with everything you may need, including private bathrooms and bbqs, they are also just minutes from the beach!
Feeling rich? You could stay at Paul Ainsworth’s swish-ayy 6 suite Townhouse in Padstow that is set in an 18th century townhouse but definitely doesn’t skimp on the mod-cons, including it’s own private chauffeur driven BMW to roll around town in.
Fancy a more ‘grown-up’ trip away? The Scarlet is an adults only hotel with lots of fancy touches perfect for a romantic getaway, such as clifftop hot tubs that provide stunning views of the sea.
Cornwall has plenty of unique places to stay and if you’re Mr Big Bucks you can even rent out a WHOLE island. Trek across the 90ft suspension bridge and stay at The Island, a private house with 360 degree views from it’s lofty, isolated position.
Remember that story about the sword & stone, well the guy who allegedly pulled it out, King Arthur, was born in Cornwall and you can visit his birthplace – Tintagel Castle. Now just ruins, the castle is set on the cliffs and even if you’re not into the whole King Arthur legend, this place is worth a visit just for the views.
If you wanna get down in the sand, The Watering Hole is sat in the dunes on Perranporth beach. With locals filling out the pub as much as the tourists, you’re sure to meet some interesting characters. Oh and you know what the perfect accompaniment to a pint is…a pasty. ‘Ansome.
For a pub with a view, The Port William on the cliff tops above Trebarwith Strand takes some beating, with gorgeous views out over the coast.
Beer, beer and more beer is the order of the day at the unusually named St Austell Brewery Visitor centre, which offers all-access tours of the site, interactive experiences and of course, a bar fully stocked with a full range of St Austell beers and lagers. Chin chin!
Brewing for just under 20 years and therefore a relative newcomer to the game is Skinners Brewery. Celebrating Cornish produce, the brewery has gone from strength to strength, winning countless awards, including CAMRA’s ‘Best Bitter’ award in 2008. All the more reason to have a drink and celebrate their success!
Get creamed up and dig in to a proper Cornish Cream Tea – before the arguments start it’s jam then cream. With no shortage of great tea rooms, it’s best to get off the beaten track a bit cos for a fiver you could get two freshly baked scones, jam, Cornish Clotted Cream and a pot of local Tregothnan loose leaf tea at The Garden in Newquay.
Crimping since 1930, this bakery still knocks out some of the best pasties and cakes around, so pop in for something tasty and flaky. But with everything being made from hand, you better get down early cos when they’re gone, they’re gone.