Travel – Lisa Eats Cornwall, England

I love escaping to Cornwall. With some of the best beaches in the UK and its fast developing foodie scene, there’s no surprise tourists flood the Cornish seaside towns in the summertime to enjoy the sea, sunshine and seafood.

Over the past few years Cornwall has broken away from its typical traditions of cream tea, pasties and saffron buns to become one of the UK’s most popular foodie destinations. Celebrity chefs have recently flocked to the west including Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc and of course the man who is perhaps the catalyst of the food renaissance in Cornwall – Rick Stein. But it’s not just the celebrities who have made a mark on the area, it’s the local artisan producers – the farm shops,  micro breweries and wineries who provide an abundance of local produce which have allowed the area to flourish.

Last week I managed to escape the big smoke for some much needed sunshine, boating and of course eating.

We stayed at Trethem Mill, an award-winning touring park on the Roseland Peninsula. Its picturesque location in the Cornish countryside is a perfect base for exploring the local area and its pristine beaches, bustling fishing villages and plethora of restaurants. All facilities are of an exceptional standard and being a family run business you are always guaranteed a warm welcome.

On the first day we ventured down to St Mawes, an idyllic harbourside fishing village at the end of the Roseland Peninsula. St Mawes is home to a number of bustling waterfront restaurants and cafes, a castle and some of the most exclusive waterfront properties in the area.

The gastro enthusiast will be in heaven with some of the food options here including the Idle Rocks, Hotel Tresanton  and the Rising Sun.

And who could forget my favourite – Fudge and More on the waterside on Kings Road which stocks a delicious range of homemade Cornish fudge and icecream. The salted caramel and eton mess flavours come highly recommended.

If you are looking for a coffee, Cafe Chandlers is a perfect spot to sip your cappuccino alfresco style and watch the world go by….

After lunch, we decided to take Zodie (the speedboat)  out for a spin to see what hidden coastal treasures we could find.

We discovered some great beaches along the coast including Porthcurnick, one of the most popular spots for swimming in the area.

The water was ice-cold, but that didn’t stop us.. it all started with a water fight..

And then we were in!

We even spotted a seal out at sea. After killing the engine he was even friendly enough to come say hello. Isn’t he cute?!

If you prefer your feet firmer on the ground, the coastal path towards Pendower Beach is a beautiful route for spectacular coastal views and a chance to explore the local flora and fauna.

The next day we explored Mevagissey, one of my favourite fishing villages in the UK. With its bustling seafaring community, the distinct smell of fresh fish and its winding alleyways there is something magical about this place.

We started with the house made foccacia loaf, served warm with olive oil, balsamic and garlic butter. The chicken saltimbocca with west country chicken breast, parma ham and mozzarella. Roasted Cornish pork belly slow cooked with fennel & coriander seeds, served with a Parsley, Mint, Basil, Anchovy, Chilli & Caper Salsa, vegetables and mash.
 The desserts were delicious – amaretto creme brulee followed by a bitter chocolate mousse.  

There’s so much more to explore in Cornwall, I have only just scratched the surface. Next time I will make time for Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow and the Harbour Brewing Company.  But I returned to London with a full belly, a healthy glow and the first signs of summer tan lines.

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