The Ultimate Romantic Retreats in West Cornwall

Sometimes there is nowhere better than the coast and beaches of Cornwall to get you in the romantic spirit. Forget luxury weekends away and cheap city breaks, real romance is all about getting out into the great outdoors and spending quality time with your better half. Here are some of the most romantic retreats in Cornwall to think about this summer.

Penhale Campsite, Fowey

Although Penhale is a large campsite which accommodates a wide range of solutions from small tents to motorhomes, there’s always a good chance you’ll be able to find a secluded spot at the bottom of the field for the two of you. The view is fantastic, and Fowey itself is full of wonderful restaurants, pubs and nearby beaches and walks to explore.

Arndale Cottage - Mousehole

Arndale Cottage in Mousehole is about as cosy as you’re likely to get when it comes to fisherman’s cottages. Nestled in a beautiful spot amongst the village, Mousehole is a great place to get away from it all. The cottage is fantastically equipped too, and provides real luxury with a subtle and easy-going approach!

St Michael’s Hotel - Falmouth

This might not be as cosy, down to earth or rustic as a campsite or a small cottage, but it certainly is located in a fantastic area and provides fantastic facilities for couples. Enjoy the bar and Flying Fish Restaurant, as well as the Spa and the choice of a wide range of excellent and superbly equipped rooms.

St. Ives Escape Podz

On top of a hill near St. Ives is the stunning Escape Podz, a wonderful dome-structured accommodation which provides a cutting-edge yet cosy retreat with a decking area and amazing views across the sea. It’s a beautiful location and a truly unique piece of architecture - and is something that is very likely to inspire.

West Place House - St. Ives

West Place House is contemporary in feel and makes use of the abundance of natural light which St. Ives is so famous for. The clean lines and minimalist approach features a number of unique styles, and what’s more there is a stairway leading to an electric glass roof hatch and a rooftop terrace. With a perfect sea view, there can’t be many better places to enjoy time with your partner.

Of course, Cornwall as a place lends itself to escaping with your partner and getting away, whether it be for a weekend or a fortnight’s break. There’s an abundance of romantic retreats in the South West, however if any of the above take your fancy click on any of the links above to be taken to the website, or alternatively contact Cornish Secrets and let us do all the hard work for you!

T: 01736 798745

W: http://www.cornishsecrets.co.uk

Parking in St. Ives - Tips On Arriving to Cornwall By Car

During the busy summer season in Cornwall, the amount of cars sometimes seems to outweigh people. In small, crowded, cobbled back-streets - the mix of drivers and pedestrians can be at worst deadly and at best infuriating. Here at Cornish Secrets we’ve put together a selection of tips to avoid getting into tricky spots when parking your car in St. Ives - a notorious trouble spot for parking and cars in general.

Do Your Research

Car Parks in Cornish towns, especially places as popular as St. Ives, get very busy indeed. Before you plan a visit, it’ll pay to do your research to enable you to be able to drive straight to a car park. Cars meandering around town without knowing where they’re going can cause problems - so consider doing your homework and find out which car parks you’re likely to find a space in.  

Take Notice of Local Signs

If the signs are telling you a road narrows, they’re probably not lying. Sometimes, it’s best to take notice of signs before you get to the end of the road, and turning around or parking there might be pretty tricky.

Buses and Other Traffic

When buses meet cars in St. Ives it causes one of the perennial traffic problems in the town. Buses at the station need plenty of space to turn around, so bear that in mind when parking nearby. Also, parking on street corners, pavements and in narrow spaces can also cause difficulties if large vehicles are trying to get past. If a bus is stuck, bear in mind that everything behind it is too!

Why Not Walk?

There are so many fantastic walking routes around St. Ives, and many of them pass by or at least very close to useful, and often very quiet, car parks. The coast road out to Zennor and St. Just has many parking points, as does towards Carbis Bay, Lelant and Hayle. All offer stunning coastal walks which are much more therapeutic than battling through traffic in town.

Public Transport?

Okay, so not an answer to all problems, but if you are only a visitor to St. Ives and not staying in a cottage or property, considering taking the beautiful St. Ives branch line from St. Erth. One of the most beautiful train journey’s at the country, and the additional bonus is that you’ve been able to leave the car behind. There are many bus routes that lead into St. Ives, too.

These are only a few suggestions - if you are planning a stay in St. Ives or the surrounding area it would be very wise to check the parking and transport arrangements with your accommodation provider.

If you would like more general information about parking in St. Ives, the council website is a good place to go, or contact Cornish Secrets - we would be very happy to help.

The History of St Ives and the Downalong Area

The Downalong area of St. Ives - best described at the oldest and arguably most picturesque area of the town, has kept holidaymakers and visitors coming back time and time again to explore the maze of tiny streets and sample the wealth of local history. Rising to worldwide prominence through the artist movement in the mid 20th century, the area has always been the subject of fascinating activities. In this blog post we will explore just a few and provide an insight into the history of the area.

The history of St. Ives, and indeed the Downalong area of the town, traces its roots back to the middle ages. Establishing itself as the main fishing and trading port in the area, the town grew from the harbour into nearby cottages and small streets where fishermen lived.The labyrinth of small, narrow and often crowded lanes gave the town its character as it developed - with small cottages situated amongst shopkeepers and traders - grocers, butchers, bakers and market sellers would all vie for space. Much the same applies today; the tourist trade bringing a new life and a different atmosphere to this part of time.

There was a time when St. Ives boasted a large fleet of fishing vessels, with mackerels and pilchards, as well as the shipping of mineral ore, the main economy of the area. The workers would inhabit the Downalong area of the town, often with many people crammed into small spaces and tiny cottages which have since been developed or extended. It was initially a prosperous industry, with thousands of people in employment before the fishing market started to change and dwindle in the mid 20th century.

By then however there was a new focus to this part of town. Gaining attention from a small group of forward thinking artists, St. Ives became a summer haven for many well known painters and sculptors of the day - from Barbara Hepworth to Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and Peter Lanyon. Their work put West Cornwall on the map to a new breed of artists and visitors to the area - and with their work being displayed internationally this gave the opportunity for St. Ives to also develop a new kind of tourist. As the tourist trade developed, helped in part by the art, the Downalong area changed yet again from a hive of artistic activity to the beautiful and classic holiday accommodation we now know today.

The transition of this part of town over the years has retained many of the features that original inhabitants of the area could recognise. Tastefully decorated cottages and apartments attract people from all over the world to sample the atmosphere of St. Ives - with an ever increasing range of attractions, restaurants, cafés and shops to accompany the stunning local beaches.

To learn more, why not book one of our luxury cornish cottage holidays to St. Ives and see this part of town for yourself. Contact Cornish Secrets today on 01736 798745