Head to this region in southwestern England for incredibly pretty seaside towns comprised of dark sand beaches, imposing red rock cliffs and pretty pastel cottages. An idyllic seaside vacation spot, Cornwall buzzes with an abundance of food, fun and activities.
Where to Stay:
We stayed at The Hotel (from £105), a charming, recently refurbished Victorian manor house, nestled into Watergate Bay on the North Cornish coast. Light and airy rooms with a breezy, beach-chic vibe were hard to wrest ourselves from, but wrest we did, drawn by the hotel’s private beach. Getting out of bed was easier knowing we were heading straight for the swells via the Extreme Academy (also at Watergate Bay) for surf lessons and board rentals.
Where to Eat:
Abandon your preconceptions about British food — gourmet delights no longer mean battered, fried fish served up in yesterday’s newsprint. In Padstow, a former sleepy fishing village turned culinary hotspot, we indulged at celebrity chef Rick Stein’s, The Seafood Restaurant, for the catch of the day set out over a gorgeous three-course lunch (£29.95).
The highlight was feasting at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, for an Italian-inspired tasting menu (£58) overlooking the sea. We plunged into crispy zucchini fritters filled with chili, mint and ricotta, followed by creamy seafood risotto, panzanella salad and john dory fillets fresh from the sea. We managed to find room afterwards to indulge in local cheeses —including a runny ragstone and pungent blue stichleton (an English unpasteurized blue) accompanied by freshly baked date and walnut bread.
What to Do:
Adventurous gals can brave the waves surfing, wave-skiing or getting that calorie burn with invigorating hikes along the rugged coast. We hiked atop the cliffs from Watergate Bay into Porth and were rewarded with breathtaking views and afternoon tea (£5.95) at Porth Veor Manor.
Newquay (pronounced new-key), the undisputed surfing capital of the UK, boasts seven glorious beaches rimmed with towering cliffs and hidden coves just ripe for exploring. Fistral Beach is where the main action is at and the International Surf Centre offers board rentals, lessons and a shopping mall.
If a foodie tour is more your style, be sure to attend the Padstow Seafood School for upmarket cooking classes. After class, make a point to explore the posh shops and galleries in this traditional town or sit with a pint (and perhaps some fish and chips) along the pier to watch the fishing boats come in.
Travel Tip: Many coastal towns operate scenic pleasure cruises. Just be on the lookout for information on notice boards at the pier or harbour.