Looking for gorgeous coastal spots to visit and activities to try out this month? Here’s our recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and things to buy, by yours truly…
LOFTY EXPECTATIONS MET WITH FIVE STAR SERVICE
If you’re wondering where to stay if you’re after an iconic setting… name me a hotel more iconic than The Watergate Bay in Cornwall. Go on, I’ll wait….writes ANDY COOPER. It would be hard to name somewhere with a better locale than this iconic building perched on the cliff overlooking a beautiful stretch of north Cornwall beach.
But of course what makes The Watergate Bay SO special is that it matches that location with the complete hotel package for guests, making it totally in sync with its surroundings. Young or old, couple or family, adventurer or idler…you’ll find a welcome for you here.
When I worked in Cornwall years ago I had been a regular at the Watergate and had always marvelled how year after year it rolled out a further innovation or development to keep its legions of returning guests satisfied.
Now, returning after a few years, I was intrigued to see if that remained the case. In reality, I needn’t have spent more than a moment thinking about this. Of course, the Watergate is still where to stay for a coastal wonder.
That familiarity with excellence and endeavour was confirmed immediately on arrival when we checked into one of the luxurious beach lofts which have their own personal parking space and entrance a few yards from the main hotel.
Just wow. The view alone took the breath away and complemented as it was with luxe interiors, plenty of space and first-class facilities – including your own concierge – it was all we could do not to sit in the window seats all weekend and gaze at the activity on the busy beach below. It’s truly where to stay if you’re after luxury living!
But the hotel team had plans for us and very happy we were too with a visit to the spa first on the agenda, where our chilled out levels reached a new peak with a relaxing and rejuvenating massage. A dip in the pool and then a long linger sitting in the outdoor hot tub high above the beach completed a sense of utter bliss.
Dinner was in the newly-launched restaurant Zacry’s on the sea wall, where seasonally shifting three-course menus showcase the best of Cornwall’s fields, market gardens, waters, woods, hedgerows and skies.
From grilled Newlyn hake with Camel Valley Brut sauce; to locally grown lion’s mane and shitake tare mushrooms, potato mousseline and Dorset truffle; to Cornish black pork and morcilla with preserved gooseberry and crab apple relish, eating at Zacry’s was to be able to experience hero local ingredients prepared with flair.
In the morning, tearing ourselves away from ‘that’ view in our beach loft to pop over to the main hotel for breakfast, how heartening it was to see families catered for with enthusiasm in a busy, bright and bubbly restaurant.
That’s the true delight of the Watergate – a place where every guest is made to feel special. It remains an icon of five star hospitality.
A WHEELY GOOD OPPORTUNITY…
Looking for where to stay in luxury on the Scottish coast? One of Ayrshire’s leading hotels has launched a new cycling breaks and cycle hire service on the west coast of Scotland.
The Gailes Hotel & Spa near Irvine has gained a reputation as the region’s award-winning luxury spa and wellness destination, offering spa and leisure breaks to visitors from around the UK and beyond.
The Gailes has now introduced a cycle hire service with a choice of recommended routes to help visitors get active and explore the Ayrshire coast and countryside.
As part of The National Cycle Network, a selection of routes ranging from two to 22 miles allow visitors of all ages and abilities to explore Ayrshire for between three and 12 hours with the new cycle hire service now available.
Outdoor enthusiasts can now saddle up with hybrid bikes for casual rides or exploring the nearby cycle routes. Electric bikes also allow visitors to take their two-wheel adventure to the next level with effortless pedalling. Cycle safety helmets are also included with the bike hire at The Gailes.
DELICIOUSNESS AND DELIGHT AT DARTS
Darts Farm is something of a legendary spot in Devon and the wider south west, writes ANDY COOPER. Known for its amazing farm shop, allied with a championing of local suppliers, it’s always been known as a benchmark for quality.
It’s where to stay if you’re after that five-star feel, that can only have been enhanced by the recent launch of its restaurant, The Farm Table, which hasn’t taken long to garner an AA Rosette. And having visited myself it’s not hard to see why.
Located in a lovely spot at the end of the creek in the beautiful waterside town of Topsham, The Farm Table was opened with the aim of creating a restaurant which would celebrate the simplicity of beautiful ingredients grown, reared, caught and crafted on its doorstep.
Produce that cannot be sourced from the farm is provided by a vibrant community of like-minded artisan producers, farmers and fisherman who share the Dart family’s passion for flavour.
The menu includes Darts Farm’s iconic Ruby Red beef, dayboat fish and seasonal vegetables, all cooked over charcoal and accompanied by a huge selection of wines, beers, ciders and spirits from the cellar.
We enjoyed amazing dishes such as pea risotto with ricotta and fresh chilli, grilled whole Brixham turbot with dressed salad, fries and a white sauce made using wine from Pebblebed, Darts’ very own vineyard. And when it comes to desserts, full marks to the rhubarb steamed sponge with the obligatory clotted cream. Fantastic.
A word here too for the surroundings – The Farm Table is housed in a wonderfully atmospheric space which only lends a further element of specialness to a top notch dining out experience.
dartsfarm.co.uk/eat-drink/the-farm-table
Coast confidential: the latest coastal staycation spots
SEAFOOD SPECIAL LANDING IN SALCOMBE
Exciting news from the fresh seafood experts at Rockfish…the restaurant group championing the best in fresh, sustainable seafood, has started work on its long-awaited waterfront site in Salcombe, with an opening planned in time for the summer season.
Situated in the heart of the town’s maritime quarter, the building will undergo a major refurbishment and will pay homage to Salcombe’s maritime heritage. The restaurant will have spectacular views, a waterside terrace and an open-plan feel, complete with log burners for the colder days of autumn and winter.
Guests will be able to experience all the Rockfish favourite dishes, including fresh daily landings from Brixham and their own boat Rockfisher, as well as Salcombe landed crab and lobster.
The development will also house the first Salcombe Brewery bar serving the full range of their finest beers, including an exclusive beer that will be brewed on site.
Rockfish founder and CEO Mitch Tonks says: “The Island Street site in Salcombe is really special and I’m really looking forward to Rockfish being part of the local community and complementary to the other great restaurants and bars in the town.
“I’m hoping we can bring life into the town in winter and be a destination for visitors wanting to enjoy our seafood from the south west, which I have always said is some of the best in the world.
“We have worked with Salcombe Brewery for a number of years; we share the same ethos and I love their beers so to have a bar next door is really going to add some magic.”
IN THE MARKET FOR FISH LOVERS
After a recent renovation, The Fish Market restaurant in Looe has reopened its doors. The quayside restaurant, owned by chef Fred Alsop, is renowned for its premium menu of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood and its extensive wine list.
The restaurant has extended its covers and expanded its outside eating space to expand its offer. The redesign of the 20-seat space, led mainly by Fred himself, features coastal-inspired decor with shades of blue, grey, and white. An open kitchen and hand-built bar highlight the freshness of the seafood, and customers can see their dishes as Fred prepares them.
After three years of successful business, Fred and The Fish Market continue to flourish, and he is soon to be working alongside local chef and Great British Menu winner Ben Palmer as they reunite in their involvement with the ever-growing Looe Food Festival in September.
Ben, who owns the Looe-based Sardine Factory restaurant, says: “I’ve known Fred for several years now, and I’m in love with his culinary style and what he does. It’s unfussy and straight to the point! His attitude to our industry is to be admired. He has no time for nonsense. It’s just pure brilliant cooking and big on flavour. We all need a bit of Fred in our lives.”
THREE TO TRY…
Here’s three lovely products Coast loves this month for life on the beach:
DINING IN STYLE…
If you’re planning some outdoor dining on a trip to the coast then DukesHill offers a fabulous range of artisan hampers and picnic boxes which would make for a great day at the beach. The Classic Picnic Selection is called classic for a reason, containing ten items which provide everything you could ever want in a picnic including a delicious family pork pie, sliced oak-smoked salmon and sweet and tangy proper piccalilli. dukeshill.co.uk
SUNSHINE IN THE BAG
This Brakeburn sunshine beach bag is ideal for laid back summer living. A woven jute shoulder bag with a fun, textured embroidered design, it is perfect for beach trips, swimming or packing everything in when you are off on a lazy coastal walk. brakeburn.com
TOP TAILORING
Step out in style at the beach party with these tailored linen trousers designed by No Emotions, an independent British clothing label which designs classic styles with a modern twist working with luxurious fabrics that give a flattering yet functional look. These elevated pure linen trousers offer a seamless transition from desk to dinner and are available in white and black. noemotions.co.uk
