Our Cornish holiday 2019

Maximise your next mini-break to Cornwall by using our itinerary to help you make the best of your time in the South West!

We loved our jam (and cream) packed 5 days down south and settled in Wadebridge, a quaint riverside town on the Camel Trail. It’s home to the famous agricultural jamboree, The Royal Cornwall Show, and the high street is well stocked with butchers, bakeries, a fudge pantry, toy shop, antique shops, bike hire companies, a cinema, restaurants/takeaways/pubs, a wine shop and independent shops.

Here’s our itinerary to inspire you on your next visit to Cornwall.

Day 1: Padstow, paddling and Paul Ainsworth

We arrived in Wadebridge, unpacked and headed for lunch at Strong Adolfo’s (a 5 min drive from Wadebridge).

Strong Adolfo’s is an award-winning café serving beautifully presented food, veggie and vegan options, exciting daily specials, healthy food, cakes with flower petals on, dog friendly.

During the afternoon we headed to Padstow where spent the rest of the day enjoying the view from St Saviours Point and wading through the sea. When you reach St Saviours Point, keep on following the path and you’ll eventually reach a sandy beach.

After working up a huge appetite we were ready for a satisfying meal and chose Rojano’s on the Square, run by celebrity chef Paul Ainsworth. This meal was our favourite of the trip!

Activity summary:

• Strong Adolfo’s
• Cliff walk to St Saviours Point
• Visited The National Lobster Hatchery
• Shopped for treats at Rick Stein’s Deli
• Rojano’s on the Square

Day 2: Water and Wine

We took a guided kayaking trip along the River Fowey with Encounter Cornwall. A 3-hour trip (with 30-min pub stop) costs £30 per person. If you kayak towards Fowey you’ll see the world famous recording studio, Sawmills, which is only accessible by boat, see where ‘China Clay’ is loaded into boats and catch a glimpse of Dawn French’s Cornish retreat.    

Camel Valley Vineyard

Camel Valley is a family run vineyard in Bodmin. It was established in 1989 and their wonderful wine has won countless accolades. You can take a tour or sample the wines while you take in the pretty view of the vines from the terrace, just as we did.

The Pickwick Inn and Oliver’s Restaurant

Back to Wadebridge for dinner at The Pickwick Inn. County Winner in the National Pub and Bar Awards 2019. The Inn looks like an old sea dog’s hideaway from the days of pirates and the restaurant has fantastic views.

Activity summary:

• Kayaking along the River Fowey with Encounter Cornwall
• Camel Valley Vineyard
• The Pickwick Inn and Oliver’s Restaurant

Day 3: History, The Hidden Hut and Housetrap

Pendennis Castle

We travelled to Falmouth to visit landmark hilltop fort, Pendennis Castle. It’s not actually a castle, but an artillery fort constructed for Henry VIII in 1540s. The site also played an important part in World War I and II. It’s a fascinating visit and we do recommend staying for the daily firing of a historic gun, the tour of the Half-Moon Battery observation point and Victorian artillery store, where shells were kept during both World Wars.

The Hidden Hut

The Hidden Hut is a gem of a beachside eatery. It’s accessible only via foot (although parking isn’t too far away). You’ll find a couple of ramshackle sheds on a small cliff above Porthcurnick Beach. Expect to be served wonderful takeout pots of chunky soups, tagines, noodles, pasties, cakes and ice cream. Our foodie followers would love this place! They’ve released their own cook book titled ‘The Hidden Hut’ and they often hold special banquet evenings throughout summer. Makes us wanna move to the seaside!

Housetrap Escape Rooms

‘You’ve landed in the town of Tumbleweed, you have 90 minutes to escape with as many loot bags of you can find, by solving the puzzles before the Sheriff returns to town.’ It’s not about how fast you can escape, but how thoroughly you complete all the puzzles to find the cash. Great fun, 5 rooms in 1, epic attention to detail with the Wild West theme. One of the best rooms we’ve done!

Activity summary:

• Pendennis Castle (English Heritage)
• The Hidden Hut
• Housetrap Escape Rooms

Day 4: ‘Nice Baps’, Boscastle and Britain’s third ‘happiest view’

‘Nice Baps’

Nothing more than a shed in layby serving breakfast baps… or is it? With currently 262 reviews on Trip Adviser and 95% of them 5-stars, we HAD to check this place out… great café food is only the half of it – the owners, Kevin and Laura, do some wonderful work to support the homeless in their area. Over the last few years they’ve saved up the tips and purchased glamping pods which are made available to those in need of shelter.

They’ve survived complaints over the café name, threats of a takeover from Costa (who most recently offered them £500k, which they turned down), personal challenges in their own lives and they’ve amassed an army of loyal, supportive customers. Look out of the graffiti on the café the walls from Gordon Ramsey, Paul Ainsworth, Nathan Outlaw and many other famous visitors.

Boscastle

A gorgeous Cornish village with stunning coastal walks, dramatic cliffs, craft shops, museum and cafes. Fully recovered from the devastating flood in 2004.

St Nectan’s Glen

An area of ancient woodland near Tintagel with a magical waterfall hidden away at the end of a forested walk. Bring wellies or accept you’ll have to get wet feet! Named Britain’s third ‘happiest view’ in a poll by Best Western Great Britain. A long walk for Children or those unsteady on their feet. Loved by dogs and worth the epic trek when you see this…

Tintagel Castle

The remains of the castle are closed until Summer 2019, but there’s still lots to see. You’ll become immersed in history, myths and the legends of pirates while taking in the stunning scenery on Cornwall’s rugged north coast.

Activity summary

• Nice Baps
• Boscastle – National Trust
• St Nectan’s Glen
• Tintagel Castle – English Heritage

Day 5: Tidal Island, Tap Room and Truro

St Michael’s Mount

“From ancient cobbles to castle walls, through time and tide, St Michael’s Mount is beckoning”.

St Michael’s Mount becomes an island at high tide and can only be accessed on foot or by boat, depending on the time of day. Tread the medieval cobbles up to the castle and explore the tropical garden. It really is a trip you’ll never forget!

Skinner’s Brewery

Skinner’s is a legend in these parts! You might be familiar with Betty Stogs (which CAMRA voted Britain’s best bitter) or Cornish Knocker. The team at Skinner’s brew with a pioneering spirit and use traditional methods. They are family run and still small batch. Tour includes unlimited beer and an optional home-cooked pasty on request! The tour starts with a very entertaining video! We recommend tasting their flavoured ciders. They were a-mazing!

Truro

Wednesday was market day in Truro and we just caught the end of it after the brewery tour. We picked up a tub of Cornish Salt, which originates from the Lizard region, and continued to walk through the town to the Cinema. After watching John Wick 3, we came out of the screen and a cat slinked in and snuggled on a stool in the foyer.

Hubbox – Beer, BBQ and Burgers

For dinner we booked Hubbox in Truro and ordered their dirty fries and a chicken burger. Hubbox is a thriving business in the South West and they’re expanding rapidly.

Kerry did have to send her burger back as the bun was far too burnt (you can just make it out in the photo below), but they replaced the meal and gave us a 10% discount. It didn’t beat the chicken burgers from The Bottle of Sauce or Original Patty Men though.

Activity summary

• St Michael’s Mount (National Trust)
• Skinner’s Brewery
• Hubbox

So that brings our Cornish adventure to a close. Thanks for reading!

Contact us at email@cotswoldfoodblog.com if you want to ask us anything about our travels!