16 Jun 2015
From new openings and refurbs to product launches and new exhibitions, there's lots of new faces and places to go in Cornwall. Here's a pick of some of the most exciting recent developments.
Places to stay
Chapel House, Penzance opened May
From being close to collapse, Chapel House in Penzance has become a gorgeous boutique hotel with six generously-sized double rooms bathed in light and enjoying mesmersing sea views. Equally impressive is the kitchen which serves up breakfast, Sunday brunch and lunch, as well as supper on Friday's and Saturday's. Formerly home to several notable figures - including Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee of HMS Temeraire and the banking and mining dynasty, the Carne family – it has had a colourful past and most recently has been the Penzance Arts Club.
The Harbour Apartments opened May
The Mullion Cove Hotel on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall now has four luxurious apartments superbly situated on the quayside in Mullion Cove – one of Cornwall's oldest and most romantic fishing harbours. The four apartments of varying sizes (sleeping up to 6 people) enjoy the most jaw-dropping views out over the harbour to Mullion Island and beyond.
http://www.mullion-cove.co.uk/harbour-apartments/
Eco Arks at Little White Alice opened May
Little White Alice, a luxurious yet sustainable holiday retreat situated in beautiful countryside near Stithians, has an exciting new edition to its accommodation offering; two new Eco Arks perfect for visitors who want to get a bit closer to nature. The practical yet beautiful Eco Arks have been made to a bespoke design by local sustainable experts and can accommodate up to two adults and two small children for a romantic retreat or a family holiday. Deceptively spacious, the Eco Arks (made out of Cornish Douglas Fir) are designed to be relaxing spaces; filled with natural light they feature an open plan living space with a king-size bed, a bunk bed and a small sofa bed, a large dining table, a carefully kitted-out kitchen, a shower room and a wood-burning stove.
http://www.littlewhitealice.co.uk
Places to eat
Rick Stein Fistral opened April
Renowned chef Rick Stein has opened a restaurant overlooking the legenday Fistral Beach, famous for being one of the best surf beaches in Europe. It's a casual, laid-back, self-service affair where you'll find Rick's famous fish & chips on the menu. Cod, haddock and lemon sole feature, as well as fish chilli burgers and Rick's famous homemade tartare sauce, aioli and authentic curry sauce. There's also a range of curries and dishes inspired by Rick's travels in India and the Far East.
www.rickstein.com
Porthminster Kitchen opened April
With a simpler menu than its big sister, The Porthminster Café, but with the same exceptional standards, the Porthminster Kitchen opened in April with incredible views over St Ives harbour and a menu to reflect the coastal location. Michael Smith, executive chef of both restaurants, describes it as a casual dining environment where people can enjoy inventive but affordable food.
http://www.porthminster.kitchen
Ben Tunnicliffe, Sennen opened March
Ben Tunnicliffe, one of Cornwall's top chefs has taken over the former Beach Restaurant at Sennen to create a family friendly, informal beach side eatery. Quality, local produce and seafood in a fun, relaxed and friendly environment is the order of the day here and with the waves rolling in on the golden sand beneath the restaurant it's definitely a winning combination. Ben also owns The Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn, one of the best places to enjoy fresh Cornish seafood.
Gilmore's Golf opened May
Serving the freshest Mexican and South Californian delights, Gilmore's is one of Newquay's latest eateries. Super stylish but with a laid back and welcoming vibe, the restaurant boasts its own 18 hole mini golf course. Breakfast delights include burritos, Mexican eggs and fruit bowls served with Origins coffee and perfect enjoyed outside on the terrace in the morning sunshine. Lunch and dinner menu focuses on tacos, burritos, nachos, daily specials and cocktails , all using the freshest local ingredients.
http://www.gilmoresnewquay.co.uk
Places to go and experiences
Retallack Beach Wake Park opened May
As well getting to grips with surfing on the FloRider surf simulator or heading out in a kayak, thrill seekers to Retallack Resort and Spa between Newquay and Padstow, can now try their hand at wake boarding at the brand new Retallack Beach. The Wake Park features a 2.0 wake cable system; great for beginners and seasoned pros alike with a variety of obstacles! There's also a small paddling lagoon at Retallack Beach, a sandy beach to build the ultimate sand castle, an incredible water Trampoline and a Fish Bar headed up by MasterChef winner, James Nathan.
http://www.retallackresort.co.uk/wake-park.php#
New play areas at the Eden Project opened June
There is more energy-busting fun at the Eden Project with several new play areas newly opened.
Playful steps have been built leading up to the Visitor Centre. Visitors can scramble their way up and down to meet their friends and family using the steps as a playful way of getting in and out of Eden.
The barefoot trail goes through the beautiful Outdoor Gardens from the Core education centre and around the front of the Mediterranean Biome. Visitors can take their shoes and socks off and walk through a range of different textures, some soft and some squidgy, and get in touch with the great outdoors.
Along with the soft play area in the Core building, the Nest climbing frame and hopscotch outside, the Playful Steps and Barefoot Walkway are fun additions to an already playful site.
The Family Postcard
Capturing relaxed shots of happy holidays, The Family Postcard is a new professional photography service taking travel snap shots to the next level for Cornwall holidaymakers. The Family Postcard, created by Cornwall based photographer Adj Brown offers stylish documentary images of families, couples and friends at their most relaxed and captures memories of Cornwall holiday experiences, whether it's family time at the beach, visiting landmarks, a woodland walk in the rain, barbeque with friends or simply relaxing in a holiday home!
Prices start at £250.
Poldark exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum opens June
This summer (18 June – 4 September 2015) the Royal Cornwall Museum (RCM) presents a series of Poldark related exhibits exploring the rich and varied nature of Poldark's 18thcentury Cornwall.
The RCM holds many of Winston Graham's original notebooks, showing his novels written in long hand, as well as the typewriter on which he wrote to his many fans. Highlights of the exhibition include:
· The original manuscript of 'Bella Poldark' – the twelth and final novel in the Poldark series which was written in 2002.
· Winston Graham's first acceptance letter for a published work
· The detailed Poldark family tree with Winston Graham's handwritten research notes
The RCM also runs the Winston Graham Literary Prize with a prize fund donated by the author in his will. The prize is worth £3000 and is awarded for excellence, originality and accessibility in the writing of historical fiction. This year's deadline for entries is 31st July, 2015.
Andrew Graham, Winston Graham's son, an Executor of his father's literary estate and a consultant on the Poldark TV series, has been working with RCM to curate the exhibition.
New riding trail to historic Jamaica Inn opened June
Hallagenna Riding, specialists in trail riding for the experienced rider from their base near St Breward on Bodmin Moor, have recently joined forces with Jamaica Inn to introduce an unforgettable riding experience. Setting out from their unique moorland stables, Hallagenna's expert riding guides take fellow riders on an exhilarating trail across open moorland, reaching Jamaica Inn in time for lunch.
The new Jamaica Inn trail is part of a recently developed programme of guided trails to some of the quieter and remote parts of Bodmin Moor. Each trail has been designed to showcase the Moor's iconic, windswept scenery at its finest and to offer riders a truly memorable and unique riding experience.
