On the Cornish Seaside…
We couldn’t pick a better weekend for an escape to the Cornish coast given how hectic work has been the last few weeks.
For those who need a lesson in geography, Cornwall is the region in the southwestern tip of England where it juts out to the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike England’s South coast, Cornwall has some of England’s most dramatic coastline and gorgeous sandy beaches of all of U.K. Seriously, if you didn’t know better, you’d think you’re somewhere in the Mediterranean with its sunny sub-tropical climate and crystal clear bluish – sea green waters. Just look at it…Cornwall is absolutely stunning.
We had two objectives during our weekend in Cornwall – relaxation and enjoying some Cornish delicacies, among them Cornish pie, clotted cream, fresh seafood, and Cornish cider. Ummm…
There are many coastal towns to stay at whilst in Cornwall. We chose to stay in St. Ives, a quaint artsy-bohemian town just south of Newquay, the U.K.’s surf capital and a popular destination for stag and hen dos (read: bachelor and bachelorette parties). St. Ives is also home of the Tate St. Ives, a beautiful museum overlooking the Porthmoer Beach, as well as numerous art galleries.
We didn’t do much other than eating, taking in the view along St. Ives’ many coastal walks, and lounging on golden sandy beaches whilst people watching, and of course, putting the Nikon to work. Below are some shots around St. Ives.
The walk from St. Ives Harbour to Porthwidden Beach to Porthmeor Beach via the island is just beautiful — rugged rocky coastline and wide sandy beaches. Porthwidden Beach is perfect for families as it is protected from the wind and less choppy, but if you’re looking for some waves, head to Portwidden or Portminster Beach, both fabulous beaches with beach bars, cafes, and restaurants.
The next day, after spending several hours lounging on Portminster, we set on a 4 mile hike to Lelant via Carbis Bay. This walk along the Southwest Coastal Path is probably one of the most exhilarating hikes we’ve been on in a long time. We loved the sight of palm trees, lush greenery, and colourful gardens. Definitely worth it!
While it was a short trip to the Cornish coast, it was a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of London, and I trust this will be the first of many trips to Cornwall in the future. It is England’s hidden gem and I highly recommend it!
