Summer in Cornwall

Cornish Cream Tea

Story/Tip

Quote:

World over, the English are famed for their undying love affair with tea. In the southern counties, most notably Devon and Cornwall, this has been extended from a mere beverage into a treat – the cream tea - that probably contains more calories than the average lunch. Still, when in Rome…Obviously, no cream tea is complete without tea. My preference is for a nice cup of Earl Grey but, really, I’m not fussy so long as it’s served from a proper china teapot into a proper china teacup. I swear it really does affect the flavour. Loose tealeaves are best, although not essential.Now for the ‘cream’ element. This consists of a fresh baked, warm scone, which is split in two and t...Read More

Cheer!
Flag

Fish 'n' chips: the beginner's guide

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:

One of the must-do things for any visitor to Cornwall (and, indeed, Britain in general) is to eat fish ‘n’ chips. Until recently it was considered a national dish, and rightly so, for, done well, there is nothing that quite matches it. However, for the uninitiated, there are a few ‘rules’ to follow to ensure you get the best of the experience. So, in no particular order:1. Eat them outside. Ideally, on a bench overlooking the sea or the harbour. Bonus points are awarded if you can watch the fishermen bringing in the ingredients or if a seagull pilfers one of your chips.2. Salt and vinegar, and lots of them, are a must. Let’s face it, this is a meal your arteries ar...Read More

One of the must-do things for any visitor to Cornwall (and, indeed, Britain in general) is to eat fish ‘n’ chips. Until recently it was considered a national dish, and rightly so, for, done well, there is nothing that quite matches it. However, for the uninitiated, there are a few ‘rules’ to follow to ensure you get the best of the experience. So, in no particular order:

1. Eat them outside. Ideally, on a bench overlooking the sea or the harbour. Bonus points are awarded if you can watch the fishermen bringing in the ingredients or if a seagull pilfers one of your chips.

2. Salt and vinegar, and lots of them, are a must. Let’s face it, this is a meal your arteries are not going to thank you for, so there’s little point in worrying about your sodium levels. If your conscience really bites, you can always offset the damage with a nice brisk walk along the beach afterwards.

3. Plates and cutlery are an absolute no-no. Fish ‘n’ chips are at their very best when eaten out of a tightly wrapped newspaper parcel. Some places now offer a cardboard box which is less cumbersome but not quite as authentic, somehow. Obviously, you should eat the whole lot with your fingers and then surreptitiously wipe them on the back of your trousers (or a loved one’s jacket) but, if you feel you must show some decorum, then one of those little two pronged wooden forks is acceptable.

4. Always visit a ‘proper’ chip shop. These may also sell things like battered sausages and pasties, but they should NEVER offer other cuisines, like Chinese or Indian food. No, their focus should be solely on the crunchiest chips and the crispiest batter.

5. Check out the queue. If it’s stretching out the door and the fryers are constantly in action, then that’s a good sign. Sneak a peek at the contents of what other people have bought. The batter should be a deep, golden brown with a bubbled surface. The chips should be chunky and look like they’ve been cut by hand. If the batter looks anaemic or the chips look like French fries, then run a mile.

6. The absolute best fish ‘n’ chips will have been cooked in beef dripping. Again, your arteries may quiver at the thought but your taste buds will be in paroxysms of ecstasy, so it’s worth asking about this.

7. Never share. If you let one person beg a chip, pretty soon your entire stash will be gone. Chips are addictive and it’s a slippery slope from ‘being generous’ to ‘grieving over a vanished fish supper’. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

Jubilee Queen/Padstow Boat Trips

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cruising for a disappointment"

Padstow Estuary Photo - Jubilee Queen/Padstow Boat Trips, Padstow, England

Quote:

During a recent trip to Cornwall we made quite a few trips to Padstow and noticed that boat trips on the ‘Jubilee Queen’ were heavily advertised, alongside stunning photos of wildlife and scenery that were supposedly taken whilst onboard. Even though my boyfriend and I usually prefer to steer clear of overly ‘touristy’ things, it was a glorious day and the thought of an hour or so sailing around the estuary was very appealing.To be honest, the first warning bells should have sounded when we realised the price: £12 per person. Still, buoyed up by holiday spirit we shelled out; entirely forgetting that for that kind of money I’d normally demand that at the end of the hour I either a) owned...Read More

During a recent trip to Cornwall we made quite a few trips to Padstow and noticed that boat trips on the ‘Jubilee Queen’ were heavily advertised, alongside stunning photos of wildlife and scenery that were supposedly taken whilst onboard. Even though my boyfriend and I usually prefer to steer clear of overly ‘touristy’ things, it was a glorious day and the thought of an hour or so sailing around the estuary was very appealing.

To be honest, the first warning bells should have sounded when we realised the price: £12 per person. Still, buoyed up by holiday spirit we shelled out; entirely forgetting that for that kind of money I’d normally demand that at the end of the hour I either a) owned the boat or b) had been awarded my captain’s licence. There is no need to pre-book as the sailing times are advertised on boards around the harbour and so you simply turn up, queue and pay once onboard. It’s worth noting that the boat will sail from the harbour at high tide, but at low tide you will need to walk to the north quay. It’s not far, but it is over a hill with quite a few steps at each end so it feels like a little bit of a hike on a very hot day and is unsuitable for wheelchair users. We saw a few people with pushchairs but it looked like a herculean task. The north quay itself is just a sandbank onto which the boat shoves itself and passengers clamber up a wheeled metal gangplank and then climb over a step onto the boat. Again, it’s not difficult but it’s not for the infirm either.

We were there quite early, we boarded and waited for more passengers to join. When we were getting on the two male deck hands were quite friendly and helpful. However, as we were sat at the front of the boat we could clearly hear their conversations, which were a bit distasteful. They discussed the attractiveness of a female passenger on the ferry beside us and shouted quite lewd remarks about her to the staff on the ferry. Then, just before we were due to leave, an older lady with 3 little Shih-Tzu dogs asked if she could join the trip. The deck hands went on to discuss her in an appallingly rude manner; making personal remarks about her hygiene and body odour. When she came aboard they made no attempt to treat the dogs kindly and simply threw them on the deck by the collar. I’m not sure what their issue with this lady was; we had a brief chat with her and she was personable and chatty.

The trip itself was pleasant enough but not really worth the price tag. Our route went out to a place called Puffin Island and back with the skipper, Brian, pointing out wildlife and places of interest along the way. Unfortunately, he was hard to hear at times and the commentary was rather factual and a bit on the dry side. There were also long periods of silence with nothing to see apart from the occasional seagull. That said, we did see a few sunbathing seals that I never would have spotted without Brian’s help and he was able to identify all the seabirds we saw, so it wasn’t totally without merit. Overall, though, the trip was disappointing. I had hoped to see a few dolphins or perhaps even a basking shark but they all seemed to have gone into hiding. By this stage the weather had changed drastically and fog rolled in, obscuring most of the headland and making the air seem quite cold and clammy. Ultimately, meteorological conditions and furtive fauna cannot be considered the fault of the tour company but they could have made up for it by making the history of the caves and mines sound a bit more exciting. The tour lasted just over an hour and disembarked in the same place (with the lady and her dogs being treated just as rudely all over again). I didn’t feel so ripped off that I was moved to demand a portion of my money back, but nor would I ever consider taking this trip again and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.
Read Less

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on August 22, 2012

Jubilee Queen/Padstow Boat Trips
Harbourside
Padstow, England
07811113380

Cheer!
Flag

Gorran Haven Fishing Village

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "A pretty but crowded haven"

Gorran Haven Photo - Gorran Haven Fishing Village, Mevagissey, Cornwall

Quote:

Rather tragically, when my partner and I are planning a holiday, the first thing we consider is not our happiness, but our dog’s. He comes everywhere with us and, in fairness, his demands are modest: he likes fresh air and a decent beach. On one of our days out we wanted to find somewhere that would be suitable for him to have a bit of a paddle and play fetch, so off to Gorran Haven we went.*Getting There*We approached along the coast road (B3723) and through the charming little town of Mevagissey. This route affords glorious views over the sea but it is not one for particularly cautious or nervous drivers: the roads through the town are extremely narrow and pedestrians have a dev...Read More

Rather tragically, when my partner and I are planning a holiday, the first thing we consider is not our happiness, but our dog’s. He comes everywhere with us and, in fairness, his demands are modest: he likes fresh air and a decent beach. On one of our days out we wanted to find somewhere that would be suitable for him to have a bit of a paddle and play fetch, so off to Gorran Haven we went.

*Getting There*
We approached along the coast road (B3723) and through the charming little town of Mevagissey. This route affords glorious views over the sea but it is not one for particularly cautious or nervous drivers: the roads through the town are extremely narrow and pedestrians have a devil-may-care approach to their own safety. As it continues towards Gorran Haven the road is steep and single lane in places. Still, we found that Cornish drivers are extremely courteous and we managed the journey in our large 4x4 with no problems.

*Parking*
There is a large, staffed car park around a five minute walk from the beach. We were there at the height of summer on a baking hot day and still easily found a space. I can’t remember exactly how much we paid but it was less than £5 (summer 2012). I believe weekly parking tickets can be bought for less than £10 which may be a more sensible option for those holidaying in the area.

*Amenities*
There are public toilets at the beach and a wealth of little cafes and restaurants in which to eat. Quite a few of these have outdoor seating so you can enjoy the sun as you eat your fish ‘n’ chips. We sat outside the Cakebreads Café and had pastie and chips (Neelix the dog pinched some chips and the friendly staff brought him a dog bowl of water, which was slurpily appreciated). There are a few little shops selling beach essentials like buckets and spades, swimming costumes, cricket sets and, of course, ice cream cones. None of these establishments is more than a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach.

*The Beach*
We didn’t spend long on the beach – perhaps half an hour at most – because it was just too crowded for my taste. It isn’t large and, although there is another beach right beside it behind some rocks, both were absolutely packed with families and holidaymakers. That’s not to say I didn’t like the place - it is incredibly picturesque and everyone there was friendly and polite - it’s just that I prefer a little bit more seclusion. For families with small children this place would be ideal as everything is contained in quite a small area so there’s little chance of anyone running off without parents noticing. Access is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies and we saw a lot of parents with prams. The sea and sand were clean and looked pretty good for sandcastle and dam building. We saw a lot of people swimming and body boarding and the water seemed quite warm when we paddled in it. Dogs are allowed on the beach but you must clean up after them and keep them on a lead.

*Overall*
This is a fantastic beach for families but perhaps not one for those looking for some quiet sun-worshipping time. Still, I think it’s worth a visit if only for the delightful location, the views out to sea and the friendly atmosphere.

Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 23, 2012

Gorran Haven Fishing Village
Eastern Point Of Roseland Peninsula
Cornwall, England

Cheer!
Flag

St Petroc's Bistro

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "A Food Hero"

Quote:

His recent philandering aside, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Rick Stein. He seems to be much more of a cook than a chef and doesn’t seem determined to take over the world through the medium of advertising and being irritating (Jamie Oliver) or aggression and having a big scone for a chin (Gordon effing Ramsay). No, Mr Stein seems to like to produce yummy food with local ingredients, whilst aided by a small dog. So do I, although my small dog is very much in the land of the living; I suspect Chalky has long since passed over to doggie heaven. So, when we went on holiday to north Cornwall, I knew I wanted to visit at least one of his Padstow eateries. The natural choice would have been T...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 18, 2012

St Petroc's Bistro
4 New Street
Padstow, England
(01841) 532-700

Cheer!
Flag

IgoUgo

Cornwall Journals

Upload Photos