My Cornwall - a local's perspective
Evening canoe trip on Devoran creek at high tide
My Cornwall
It’s been the most incredible summer, I cannot remember a time when we had endlessly long hot sunny days, one after the other. Its concerning but it is also beautiful, a strange space to exist in.
I wanted to share some of my favourite spots with you, not all of them beaches as when the summer comes and our beautiful county fills up with visitors, I look for the quieter places and the cool spaces where I can walk Walter and enjoy the peace and calm that a forested valley or a creekside brings.
Pine trees at Trelissick Estate.
Trelissick Estate and Cowlands Creek
One of my very favourite places which I have talked about before is Trelissick National Trust estate and the places around. Walking in Coombe provides stunning bird life and winding paths through ancient oak woodland and farm land and has a couple of hidden cafes. Secret Garden is creekside on the creek path and Purdy’s sits in the garden of a beautiful old farm house and Lower Lanner Farm, Kea.
Falmouth and Flushing.
Falmouth is a short ferry ride from Flushing and has a wonderful eclectic mix of shops, cafés and bars as well as great museums and beaches. The National Maritime Museum caters for all ages and has a lovely café with views across the harbour and Falmouth Art Gallery houses the Tuke collection. Beside the Wave gallery has a collection of my work on display all year round and Morgan’s is a beautiful gallery space with an ever-changing collection of work.
If you want to eat in Falmouth, Penny Come Quick on the Moor is about the best place for dinner. The food is thoughtful and interesting and my go to spot for a meal out. The Star and Garter does great food and rooms with sea views and Pizza Pls in Penryn does the best pizza around. Stones bakery is great for a fresh donut and coffee!
If you want somewhere away from the bustle, the Pandora Inn is an old thatched Creekside pub which offers a beautiful location for a pint and maybe some supper. If you want to eat, get there early!!
The pontoon at high tide at the Pandora Inn near Mylor
For local beaches, Flushing beach is my regular haunt and I know a few quiet places to swim or just sit on the rocks and watch the boats coming and going from Falmouth. We saw the Falmouth working boats parade sail last week during Falmouth week which was a wonderful site to see. Castle beach in Falmouth tends to be a bit more serene than Gyllygvase (Gylly beach to the locals) and has a very good little beach hut café. (Below left to right: Castle Beach, Flushing Beach, Trebah Gardens)
We have a little Air Bnb cabin in our garden which we rent out from spring through to autumn and you can explore some of these places from here. You can also book in with me to do a one-to-one jewellery workshop during your stay if that takes your fancy!
Ensuite Air Bnb cabin in my garden
My Cornwall - a local further a-field!
Last week we took ourselves off for a little holiday down in West Penwith and had a fab couple of nights at Chapel House BnB, seriously good breakfast and comfortable rooms filled with gorgeous furniture and art. (Below left to right: View across Penzance roof tops, Lamorna Cove and James Turrel’s Skyspace at Tremenheere Gardens.)
Mackerel Sky in Newlyn provided us with a delicious feast for dinner one night and the Art Gallery in Newlyn is a wonderful space with a great shady café courtyard. We also ventured down to the sea for a swim and found Lamorna to be a great spot with a few spaces in the car park – quite rare on that coastline in August!! The walk to Tater Dhu lighthouse is a feast for the eyes with beautiful wildflowers, rocky outcrops covered in lichens and views of the sea and the brilliant blue waters. If you fancy a walk/swim, park near Sennen and walk to Nanjizal beach, a quiet cove on the coast path which benefits from not having a car park!! We stopped in St Just to meet a friend and had lunch at the Dog and Rabbit, tucked away near the Jackson Foundation, and serving tasty treats and lunches. Leave room for Moomaid Ice-cream from the ice-cream parlour round the corner though! (Below left: Nanjizal beach, right: St Michael’s Mount)
Tremenheere Gardens.
Tremenheere Gardens is close to Penzance with a plethora of contemporary sculpture and the sublime Sky Space, Tewlwolow Kernow by James Turrell is perched at the top of the hill with a fab view out to St Michael’s Mount. It also has a Tremenheere kitchen where you can get a delicious meal from an ever-changing menu. The nursery and gift shop showcase a wonderful array of unusual plants and locally made craft.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens near Penzance
Constantine woods
And last but not least, very much off the beaten track and full of magic and atmosphere are Constantine Woods where the trees are a deep green and the stream bubbles and gurgles its way down through the boulder strew valley. It’s full of bluebells in spring and Slice is just at the top near the quarry for a cracking plate of food and a good coffee.