The weather in the South West this week continues to be glorious and with temperatures reaching 21 C, it’s felt positively Mediterranean. To accompany the wonderful weather we have three new beautiful Cornish cottages to consider, for your all important self-catering holiday break to the Sun and the Surf. The Glebe Barn is a contemporary conversion of a 400 year old farm building, set in the rural idyll of Colan, but only six miles from the surf at Porth and Newquay. A little further afield and in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the  stunning Lizard peninsula, is Miranda Cottage. Luxury is at the heart of Miranda and with no expense spared, its a gorgeous home to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding countryside, or fantastic beaches at Kynance Cove. As yet another alternative, Pennti, offers a completely rural option set in the heart of Cornwall but only five miles from the bustling City of Truro. Visit art galleries, unique shops and creative restaurants to your hearts content, then immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of this unique barn conversion and see how much of the wildlife you can name.

With a whole range of events, farmers markets with Cornish produce, beautiful beaches, art and history to explore, you can be assured the whole family will enjoy coming to stay and play.

The New Yard restaurant is based within the beautiful Trelowarren estate on the Lizard peninsula near to Helston. The executive Chef works hard to produce an interesting menu using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Game, eggs and herbs from the Estate are used along with scallops from the Helford river, vegetables from Cusgarne and cheeses from Menallack Farm. The restaurant also has a growing reputation for offering a very fine wine list to accompany their meals.

New Yard Restaurant

Trelowarren,

Mawgan,

Helston,
Cornwall

TR12 6AF

Restaurant reservations:  01326 221595

The Halzephron Inn is a 500 year old classic Cornish Pub, full of atmosphere and character. It sits on the Lizard peninsular just above Gunwalloe and Church Cove, with outstanding views to the sea. There is lots of room, both inside and outside, to either sit and enjoy the views, or linger near the fire on colder days. The menu is full of locally sourced items and changes seasonally and with specials. So if you fancy some of the award winning meats from Mr Retallack of St Keverne, or Matthew Stevens nationally recognised fish and shellfish from St Ives, this is the Pub for you. Home made puddings and desserts are accompanied by Roskilly’s or Callestick Farm, cream and ice-creams, so it just get better.

Enjoy the beer and the meals, and then walk with renewed energy along the South West Coastal Path.

Halzephron Inn
Gunwalloe
Helston
TR12 7QB

Phone: (01326) 240406

The Lemon Tree Cafe in Truro, is as fresh and zingy as the fruit in the title. With an interesting menu of fresh local Cornish foods, produced with great flair and attention to detail, you will not be disappointed by a visit here. There are daily specials to choose from as well as a lovely selection of freshly baked cakes. Coffees are expertly made using “Origin” products, the local ethically based Coffee Roasting company. Children are also catered for, so the whole family can enjoy delicious food, served in a very pretty, warm and friendly environment.

The Lemon Tree Cafe

5 Old Bridge St

Truro
TR1 2AQ

Tel: 01872 261005

info@lemontreebistro.com

Monday-Saturday 8.30am-5pm
Sunday 10.30am-3pm

March so far, here in the South West, has been lovely, with warm and sunny days and longer evenings to enjoy. Now is the time that we all start to look forward, plan outings and events, to help us take full advantage of the growing days. In April, nature burts into life and surely there’s nothing to compete with a fantastic Cornish hedgerow strewn with bluebells, pink campion, cow parsley, stitchwort, sorrel, buttercup and hawthorn. Its simply breath-taking.

If you enjoy walking in stunning rural or coastal scenery then why not consider Boscastle Walking Week. This may be just the event you need to enjoy the great outdoors or even begin to dream about writing your own novel or poetry, just like Thomas Hardy, whose stay here provoked some stunning verse. Close by Tintagel, also features as number 1 in the South West Coast Paths circular walks for families. Choosing to holiday in a charming Cornish coastal cottage, such as Trevalley , will allow easy access to both these villages, and even better has a special offer for the walking week.

If all this inspires you to dust off the walking boots, grab a map and start to plan, we will look forward to seeing you soon!

Yup its official – Woolacombe is one of the top 5 beach destinations in the UK! Our golden coastline has been rated third in the TripAdvisor Travellors’ Choice Beach Destinations awards. This magical town has moved up from seventh place last year and is now above other hotspots including St Ives and Weymouth.

Well we’ve all always known that it was special but now it appears the world realises it too. You can’t beat that wonderful beach, the gorgeous sea, the friendly village – and some of the best holiday accommodation in the country. Come on – come back to Wooley and we can celebrate together!

You may have noticed in the press and on TV that this week has been English Tourism week but you may not have known that HRH Prince Charles agreed to assume patronage. Now we didn’t actually have a royal visit here in our part of the West Country, but we certainly did our bit to promote our fabulous holidays in North Devon, Exmoor and Cornwall.

Tourism in England benefits everyone and this special week has given us the opportunity to put ourselves centre stage and kick start the year by celebrating everything that’s great about an English holiday.

Our visitors have enjoyed walks around the stunning Biosphere Reserve, we have welcomed local dignitaries and business to join us for some typical English Fayre in our offices in Braunton, and we have interestingly re-created a beach scene in the centre of the historic town of Barnstaple to promote our company and the variety of quality accommodation we have to offer in North Devo, Exmoor and Cornwall. We are very proud of what we do and it’s great to have the opportunity to shout about it!

As Cornwall is almost surrounded by the sea, you are probably never more than 40 minutes maximum, by car from the coast, either North or South. So staying here in a lovely self-catering holiday home gives boundless opportunities for seaside fun. The stunning  Cornish coastline measures some 296 miles and is fabulous to walk, as an adventure in itself. However most of us choose a part of the coast to visit and then make straight for the beach. Some of my happiest memories are of hours spent rock-pooling, as a child myself, and then with my own children. Nothing more is needed than a fishing net, a bucket, and some enthusiasm to try and find the perfect places for Starfish, Guppies, Anemones and Crabs. Its amazing how many hours can playfully pass, and how quickly the bucket fills with wonderful finds. Holywell Bay is a great base for such family, beach-side fun. If you choose to stay at our lovely Cornish cottage, Moonstones, you can just walk straight from the garden onto the dunes and meander down to the rock pools.

If you wish for your holiday to be surrounded by myth and legend, as well as shore side adventures, then consider Trevalley. Not only is this charming family cottage  a short walk from majestic Trebarwith Strand, it is only two miles from Tintagel, where mystery and modern living combine.

So buckets at the ready and off we go !

Zapcats race through the Surf.

Don’t worry if like me, you thought that this was some sort of kids TV programme, or shape shifting toy. All will be revealed. Just make your way down to Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, on Saturday 21st  and Sunday 22nd April and you will be amazed by the high speed antics on display, right in front of you. These may not all be from human competitors either, as last year a pod of Dolphins joined in and stole the show, thrilling all watching.  Basically some 20 or so, high powered Catamaran boats race each other at speeds of up to 50 mph, turning on the spot and in the surf waves. Its an exciting and exhilarating spectator sport, with 21st April seeing Fistral Beach, host the UK tour.

With lovely beach-side bars and cafes, such as the  Lewinnick Lodge, you could even watch the manoeuvring whilst sitting beside a log fire, sipping something tasty. Another, even better option, would be to combine the event with a stay in a gorgeous Cornish cottage.

Our four, self-catering holiday homes at Colan Barton have some availability for this weekend and even better news is that you might be able to grab a special offer, on the date you need. With immensely flexible accommodation, you could add Little Barton to the main farmhouse and enjoy the swimming pool too. If you have a four legged friend to bring on holiday, then Gwel an Lagen and Bos Lowen are just for you. So head to the West this April, its going to be epic!