Why not try a visit to a familiar part of Cornwall off season when it’s not quite so busy but still so much fun?

If you’d headed to Padstow in north Cornwall in December 20 years ago, you may have experienced the epitome of a ‘ghost town.’ Fast forward to more recent times, and you’ll find yourself transported to the thriving epicentre of the UK’s food and drink scene.

Full of vibe, visitors and Cornish joy-de-vivre in the summer, this area can be even more attractive in the mid-winter, when the experience is uniquely different.

Padstow, for example, is home to the long term ‘bastions’ of the Cornish restaurant scene: Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth, as well as more recent propositions such as husband and wife team Rick and Katie Toogood behind Prawn on the Lawn.

Just over the water and a short, scenic ferry ride away, Rock-based Sharp’s Brewing Co, makers of the UK’s number one cask ale, Doom Bar, run regular year-round sessions within its Secret Bar as well as beer flights (sharpsbrewery.co.uk). The unique Secret Bar is a tiny ‘speakeasy’ that has, over the years, converted legions of previously non-beer drinkers into fans via a unique beer and food pairing experience.

The brewery celebrates its 30th birthday this year with its first pints brewed by founder Bill Sharp in 1994. Bill’s beers were immediately popular with the locals, but his real success strike came when he created Doom Bar, a ‘new style’ amber ale, named after the notoriously perilous Doom Bar sandbank that sits in the Camel Estuary, between Padstow and Rock.

Another north Cornwall style leader is the St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa – the only coastal Cowshed (stmoritzhotel.co.uk). More than just a hotel, it has elements of a transatlantic beach resort. In the quiet hamlet of Trebetherick, between Rock and Polzeath, it’s the ideal destination for a winter staycation.

St Moritz recently launched its £1.5million upgraded leisure facilities, re-instating the Cornish hotel as the optimum wellness destination in the south west. The result was a complete rework of the hotel’s pool area into a new, slick and modern wellness space.

To make a weekend of it, the St Moritz suites come highly recommended. These ‘rooms’ are more akin to a normal penthouse setting than what most would classify as a suite sizing wise. Your decadent weekend home comes with an extensive private garden, a sumptuous bed, en-suite bathroom, open-plan kitchen, living and dining room – all with a chic, contemporary look, featuring modern furniture and Cowshed Spa goodies.

Recently appointed as the St Moritz chef de cuisine, Jake Grove’s CV demonstrates a range of high-level experience at top end establishments, most recently at Michelin Star-awarded, Outlaws Fish Kitchen in Port Isaac.

Over on the Rock side of the water are other local gastronomical gems.

Not to be missed is celebrity chef Paul Ainsworth’s Mariners pub, number three in Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2024 (paul-ainsworth.co.uk/the-mariners). In this popular local, you’ll find head chef Joe Rozier serving up British classics with creative flair, not to mention a sellout Sunday roast.

Given that Sharp’s Brewing Co and the Ainsworths are neighbours, they have an ongoing collaborative relationship with the bar sporting the full Sharp’s portfolio of cask ales and beers. Be sure to ask if there’s a current Limited Edition on tap as The Mariners is one of the top spots to taste these regular, inspired brews.

Just up the road, you’ll find another renowned executive chef at private dining space, Karrek, snuggled into the St Enodoc Hotel (enodoc-hotel.co.uk). Raised in Cornwall, Guy Owen gained Michelin-starred cooking ‘belts’ at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, at La Trompette and then at two Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park.

Karrek offers a multitude of different culinary experiences, ranging from simple brasserie food to fine dining nine-course menus.

If the captivating region of north Cornwall isn’t already on your winter bucket list, with its cosy charm, exceptional food and drink, independent boutiques, secluded coves and breathtaking scenery, it certainly should be.

How to get there

At the end of the country, Cornwall used to be a difficult place to get to, enduring hours of log-jams on the M5 and A30.  Over the past decade or so Cornwall Airport Newquay has become one of the fastest growing airports in the country, supporting both in and out-bound routes from a range of popular locations.

It’s only natural that North Cornwall attracts the London crowd throughout the year. This is why the Eastern Airways up-to-three-times-daily service between Cornwall and Gatwick Airport is so popular.  A complimentary in-flight service, 10kg hand luggage and 15kg hold baggage as standard is enjoyed by customers on flights, meaning Christmas shopping options are a go! cornwallairportnewquay.com; easternairways.com

Competition time

We’ve teamed up with these special north Cornwall businesses to offer one lucky Coast reader the chance to win an amazing trip.

Your prize

  • Return flights for two from London Gatwick to Cornwall Airport Newquay via Eastern Airways.
  • A two-night bed and breakfast stay for two at St Moritz Hotel and Cowshed Spa in a King Room.
  • A three-course meal for two plus a glass of champagne on arrival at Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners.
  • A Sharp’s Brewing Co’s Secret Bar tasting experience.

How to enter

Please answer this question by October 11, 2024.

What is the Cornish word for Cornwall?

A: Kannow

B: Kennow

C: Kernow

KELSEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Prize is non-refundable and no cash alternative is available. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Entry is free. Open to residents of the UK aged over 18. Prize to be redeemed out of season and school holiday periods, subject to availability and 18+ only. Employees of Kelsey Media and the competition provider and their family members are not eligible to win. Only one entry permitted per household; no bulk entries will be accepted. The first correct entry drawn after the closing date will win. Our winner will be notified within 28 days. If our winner fails to respond after three attempts at contact, a new winner will be drawn. The prize is not transferable. If any prize or product is lost or damaged during the course of delivery to the recipient, Kelsey Media will provide reasonable assistance in seeking to resolve the problem. However, it will not always be possible to obtain replacements for lost or damaged goods and, in that event, no financial compensation would be payable by Kelsey Media or its affiliates. We reserve the right to cancel the competition if circumstances change which are beyond our control. Coast is a Kelsey Media brand. Here at Kelsey Media we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to provide the products and services you have requested from us. We will only contact you with news and special offers via the preferences you have indicated. We will never share your information with any third party without your consent. You can view our full Privacy Policy at kelsey.co.uk/privacy-notice/