Based in the South of England, Cornwall is a common favourite among many brits. If you are planning a Cornish holiday this year and want to include a little luxury, then here are some top tips to make your next trip extra indulgent.
Eat at a celebrity restaurant
Cornwall is host to a selection of popular restaurants owned by celebrity chefs Rick Stein, Jamie Oliver, and Paul Ainsworth. Offering fine dining in a variety of stunning settings around the Cornish coastline you are unlikely to leave disappointed whichever you choose.
If you are after a seafood experience, then Rick Stein’s restaurant set in the harbour town of Padstow offers a range of delicious fish dishes made from locally caught produce. If Italian inspired dishes are more your style, then Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fifteen’ in Watergate Bay uses seasonal ingredients to create delightful yet reasonably priced menus. The restaurant supports unemployed adults to get into the catering industry and has taken on over 100 apprentices since its opening in 2006. Finally, Paul Ainsworth’s ‘No 6’ in Padstow offers up a delectable À la Carte menu using locally sourced produce.
If that isn’t enough to tickle your taste-buds then there are still more Michelin Star options. Cornwall has many establishments ready to give you a luxury dining experience.
Stay on the ‘Cornish Riviera’
The south coast, labelled the Cornish Riviera, is full of picturesque beaches, quaint fishing towns and harbours, and sensational coastal paths stretching out along the cliff edges.
Upgrade from camping and holiday parks by hiring your own private retreat. Portscatho Holidays offers an array of cosy cottages settled in The Roseland Peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty. St Mawes Castle, Trellisick Garden and St Anthony’s lighthouse (a feature in Jim Henson’s ‘Fraggle Rock,’ if you crave a little showbiz!) are all within close proximity, and there is an array out outdoor activities to be embraced during your stay.
Visit a Cornish Castle
Where better to feel like a VIP than in a Castle! Tintagel Castle is believed to have legendary connections to King Arthur and the round table. The awe-inspiring remains of this 13th-century historical site is set on the cliff tops with the strong sea breeze and ocean stretched out before you, and is sure to be a humbling experience.
Other castle sites to visit in Cornwall are:
- Restormel Castle
- Pendennis Castle
- St Mawes Castle
- St Michael’s Mount
- Launceston Castle
- St Catherine’s Castle
- Cromwell’s Castle
Don’t forget the little things
Indulge in a traditional cream tea with lashings of homemade jams and locally produced clotted cream, or sink your teeth into an authentic Cornish pasty. Sample some of the locally distilled luxury Gins, such as Tarquins, Salcombe and Trevethan or even book a distillery tour.
Dip your toes in the beautiful seas and stroll along the vast beaches, simply enjoying the beauty. Pick up some locally made Cornish crafts or jewellery so you can take a little piece of Cornwall away with you. It is the little extra touches that can add a little something special and really be the icing on the cake (or the cream on the scone) for your luxury Cornish adventure.