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The best-kept secrets in Cornwall
There are few regions of the UK so beloved as Cornwall, with its rugged coastline, golden sands and sunny microclimate. Which means a trip to the southern county – particularly during school holidays – comes with the risk of jam-packed beaches, impossible-to-book houses and restaurants you can’t beg, borrow or steal a table at. This is our list of the spots just slightly off the beaten track, the restaurants, bedrooms, gardens and galleries that remain under-the-radar. Run, don’t walk before others discover them too.
1/14The National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
Lobster is the UK’s most valuable fish and the admission fee at this charming community space supports the species’ marine conservation and research. Most importantly, a trip here is fascinating. Discover that lobsters can live for 100 years, can grow to be a metre long, and taste with the hairs on their legs and feet. Little ones love spotting the baby lobsters and can even adopt one – tracking its journey until it’s released into the wild.
South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL; nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk
2/14Jupiter Gallery, Newlyn
Newlyn, a seaside town and fishing port now has so many galleries these days that it’s an insider’s alternative to St Ives. Newlyn Art and Riverbank arrived first and deserve special mention, but Jupiter, run by Lynne Coakley and Chris Dyer, sits just a little more under the radar. Visit to discover up-and-coming contemporary artists and then pop into Lovett’s for a coffee or glass of wine.
18 Farmers Meadow, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5BP; @jupitergallerynewlyn
3/14The Mussel Shoals, Porthleven
Porthleven is stuffed with good restaurants (avoid the food festival in April if you want to skip the queues). But this low-key seafood joint is one of the coolest with a menu made up of whatever has come in on the boats that day. Perhaps steaming plates of moules frites or warming bowls of chowder; all with harbour views.
The Mussel Shoal, Harbour Head, Porthleven, Helston TR13 9JY; @the_musselshoal
Lucy Laucht4/14Kudhva, Tintagel
Despite being just two miles inland from busy Tintagel and Trebarwith beaches, this cluster of architectural treehouse-like cabins feel like they’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s completely off-grid – showers are heated by solar panels and there’s a communal kitchen for camping-style dinners – but everything is kept completely spotless. And the sunset and starry nights are spectacular.
Sanding Road, Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel, Cornwall PL34 0HH; kudhva.com
5/14Stones Bakery, Penryn
Stones started selling its sourdough at farmers’ markets across Cornwall before opening its own brick-and-mortar bakery in Falmouth. These days the demand is so high (there are queues along the High Street every Saturday) they’ve spread out to Penryn. Those in the know head to the edge of this industrial estate (keep going, past the Dimar garden machinery on your left) for plates of mushrooms on toast and the best pastries around.
The Praze, Penryn TR10 8AA; stonesbakedgoods.com
Karl Davies6/14Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance
The land here used to be owned by the monks of St Michael’s Mount. These days, the sub-tropical gardens have a bonus curation of contemporary sculpture, all to the magnificent backdrop of the mount. Stop by for a lunch of Cornish mussels with ‘nduja and then pick up some rare succulents from the nursery to take home.
Nr Gulval, Penzance TR20 8YL; tremenheere.co.uk
7/14Jam Jar Kitchen, Crantock
This suntrap of a café garden with its grape vines and olive trees is one of the loveliest hangouts in the county. Baking enthusiast Jess is behind the whole thing – serving flat whites and mighty cinnamon buns in the morning through to wood-fired pizzas in the evening. Toppings include Cornish brie, figs, wild mushrooms and chipotle chilli jam. The perfect post-beach pit stop.
Langurroc Rd, Crantock, Newquay TR8 5RB; jamjarkitchen.co.uk
8/14Jelbert's, Newlyn
It’s definitely not a secret but this old-school ice cream shop is low-key the best in Cornwall. It’s famous for selling just one flavour – vanilla, made from scratch daily – and is a Newlyn institution. Add a chocolate flake, or don’t – that’s the only decision hungry visitors need to make.
9 New Rd, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5PZ; @jelbertsicecream
Sam Breeze9/14The Shore, Penzance
The Shore may have had much less hype than lots of the best restaurants in Cornwall, but with only 10 covers booking is essential. The tables were made by a local surfboard shaper and the constantly-evolving Japanese-inspired menu is sourced from farmers and fishermen working close by. Expect as many as eight small dishes including flavours such as monkfish with mandarin leaf and nasturtium dashi or spider crab with fennel herb.
13-14 Alverton St, Penzance TR18 2QP; theshorerestaurant.uk
Danny North10/14Restaurant Mine, Falmouth
Find Mine tucked behind the high street in an old brewing yard. Chef owner Angus Bell used to work under Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche and his plating displays all that finesse with a side of fun. Crab fritters, for example, are served with a bisque mayo and local hake is turned into a wild-garlic kiev. It’s a small neighbourhood favourite, so, book in advance to bag the table by the open kitchen.
The Old Brewery Yard, High St, Falmouth TR11 2BY; restaurantmine.co.uk
Claire Corbett11/14Star and Garter, Falmouth
There are a string of lovely pubs with rooms in Cornwall (see Gurnard's Head, Harbour House and The Old Coastguard for starters) but for some reason the Star and Garter in Falmouth remains a bit of an insider’s secret. The apartments come kitted out with breakfast hampers filled to the brim with local sausages, sourdough and eggs. And the farm-to-table restaurant downstairs is also a winner – from cream teas through to catch of the day. The view of the River Fal across to Flushing is the cherry on top.
52 High St, Falmouth TR11 2AF; starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk
Frankie Thomas12/14Kota Kai, Porthleven
Harbourside hangout Kota was an instant hit in the little fishing village of Porthleven. But the more relaxed little sibling Kota Kai is the one to try for a last-minute table. Chef Jude Kereama’s bold menu is inspired by his Chinese-Malay heritage as well as his time cooking in New Zealand. Porthilly oysters are served with a wasabi tartare and the seafood laksa is bursting with fresh king prawns and baby squid.
Celtic House, The Shipyard, Porthleven, Helston TR13 9JY; kotakai.co.uk
13/14Potager Garden and cafe
There’s a definite Petersham Nursery vibe to this former abandoned plant nursery outside Falmouth. It’s a garden deserving of a slow morning (there are hammocks and deck chairs to lounge in on a summer’s day) followed by lunch in the conservatory café. The kitchen uses the organic produce grown onsite which means beetroot open sandwiches with walnut pesto and whole globe artichokes.
High Cross, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5RF; potagergarden.org
- Ming SONG14/14
Trelissick House and Gardens
It may be a National Trust property but compare the crowds to those at The Lost Gardens of Heligan and you’re onto a winner – even in August it never feels busy. There are panoramic views, the grounds are glorious and there’s also a well-stocked second hand bookshop that’s worth a mosey.
Feock, Truro TR3 6QL; nationaltrust.org.uk
