I had a few days offline in January to focus on clients projects and meetings (with a tiny break in the mix!) and thought I’d share the best gems I found in Cornwall this winter.
I was so grateful to be able to visit St Ives in lovely Cornwall, near to lots of businesses I’ve worked with, and with some stunning coastal walks & lots of food! I’m all about supporting independents so thought it was only fitting to share my favourite spots and hidden gems so you can find them for yourself, if you’re planning to visit!
For my work, I travel worldwide, and in Devon & Cornwall, so this break away was a mix of work and time off – the balance of both is something I love, and am so lucky to get with my job of photographing incredible businesses across the world. So sit back, grab a cuppa and have a nosey at what I got up to!
Heading from Devon to Cornwall was a short journey – it only takes 1-1.5 hours and I’m so used to going back and forth on the A30 for shoots by now! Pass the nearly there trees (if you know, you know) and you’ll be greeted with stunning Cornish beaches and a first stop of Newquay!
Newquay is bustling with gorgeous beaches, moorish cafes and restaurants, and don’t forget those dreamy surf spots! A few favourite places of mine in Newquay are Box and Barber for your brunch needs, Seaspray for stunning beach views with fab coffee and Headland Hotel for the ultimate spot for a spa afternoon or cream tea (perfect for a rainy day!)
A couple more hidden gems to try are Milk Cafe (they do amazing wellness lattes!), Fore Street Cafe for a delicious lunch (they’re great for GF and vegan) or The Bottle – a wine, cocktail and tapas bar with all the cheese and meat you could wish for! Can you tell I’m a big foodie?!
Head down the North Cornish coast by amount 30 minutes (stop at Perranporth or St Agnes on your way if you fancy a meander and more beautiful beaches) and you’ll reach the stunning St Ives! I headed for my January stay here with Cottage Boutique – would you just look at this lovely stay (pictured above!) They have some beautiful holiday lets on offer, and this one was right in the centre of St Ives – just a 5-10 minute walk to the beach!
Now, if you’re looking for recommendations on your trip to St Ives, Cornwall, then you’re in the right place! For all things food I recommend:
Porthmeor Cafe – the very best tapas and views of Porthmeor beach (it’s on the beach!)
Silco – a gorgeous foodie spot on the harbour front with incredible dishes and awesome cocktails!
Yellow Canary Cafe – it’s always tricky to get a seat in here but oh so worth it! They serve amazing Origin coffee and delicious cakes!
Yallah Coffee – a very hidden coffee shop on the main front with incredible coffee and even better views.
Harbour View House – these guys close for some of the winter but I still wanted to shout about all they do! It’s a lovely little spot overlooking the whole of St Ives and they do amazing music and cocktail nights during the year.
I spent one of my days off walking the South West coast path from St Ives to Lelant just in time for a lunch pit stop at The Old Forge. This route takes you through Carbis Bay estate by foot – another amazing beach to explore and they have a deli on site overlooking the beach with coffee and cake on the way! Keep walking and you’ll hit Lelant beach which also joins with Hayle. This is such a lovely walk (about 4.5 miles) with gentle hills and incredible views of St Ives Bay.
Followed with an out of this world lunch and tipple at The Old Forge. This gem of a spot is super popular by locals and was ram packed when I visited, but managed to squeeze a table. They also stock independent local produce – from Joshs Chocolate to Blendsmiths and more!
Well, I could go on and on but you’d be here all day! This part of Cornwall is truly gorgeous and I love finding and supporting the independent businesses that fill Newquay and St Ives! For more gems and local recommendations, take a pee at my ‘Local Gems’ Highlight on Instagram.
