You don’t go to The Scarlet for a simple get-away; you go to The Scarlet to completely switch off, to re-energise and find yourself again.

Don’t get me wrong, the food is amazing (most of it locally-sourced), the beds ultra-comfortable and the staff incredibly friendly, everything you’d hope for in a luxury hotel, but for me the highlight was the peace and solitude. With incredible views overlooking the beach at Mawgan Porth, plenty of carefully designed quiet nooks, a superb spa and ‘grown-ups only’ policy, it’s a place you can truly forget about the outside world.

Everything just flows. It was fully booked when we stayed but you’d never have guessed. Everyone seems to glide through the public spaces in harmony. Not once did we have to share the amazing indoor pool (which overlooks the beach) or the steam room, and in the relaxation room there are quiet corners for everyone; just close your eyes and you are instantly transported to a world where food shopping and laundry do not exist!

If you can’t escape for the night, then it’s worth noting that the hotel and spa is open to non-residents, and they do great out of season lunch and spa deals for people living in Cornwall. Mawgan Porth is one of my favourite Cornish beaches, but in the summer months it gets busy, so I’m looking forward to escaping the crowds and heading up to the peace and quiet of The Scarlet for a pot of local Tregothnan tea overlooking the sea.

Images courtesy of The Scarlet Hotel

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The Park is an eco-holiday village set back from the stunning beach at Mawgan Porth. I’ve never been lucky enough to stay there myself, but it’s definitely on my wish-list! In the meantime, I satisfy myself with frequent visits to their amazing café which is also open to non-residents.

From the café you can peek into the tranquil indoor pool and spa area which, for just £5, you can make use of. Myself and my little boy have been known to while away a whole winter’s morning in the water while his dad is surfing, meeting up for a coffee and some breakfast afterwards.

I just love the café’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and hanker after the furniture – an eclectic mix of rustic farmhouse kitchen meets mid-century design. The menu is homely but interesting, with fresh and seemingly healthy dishes – although don’t worry there are plenty of freshly-baked breads, cakes, pies, quiches and puddings to tempt you – and a good selection of quick, light bites such a soup or mackerel pate and more substantial lamb burgers and macaroni cheese.

The café is really family-friendly with a kids’ menu and toy-box to keep them entertained. If we have the dog with us we sit in the conservatory area or on a nice day, take advantage of the outside decking area and settle into one of the comfy wicker pod chairs.

The beach at Mawgan Porth is spectacular; it’s probably one of my favourites. If feeling energetic enough, we walk the coastal path to Bedruthan Steps or we sometimes head inland via the footpath at the back of The Park to visit the charming little village of St. Mawgan.

Images courtesy of The Park

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I’ve found it! My perfect winter pub; a wonderful, cosy place for settling in and whiling away a Sunday, reading the papers, slowly finishing a bottle of red and tucking into a delicious lunch. I basically want to move in!

The Ship Inn is nestled on the shore of the beautiful Yealm Estuary in Noss Mayo. Family friendly, there is a great circular walk from the car park out to the coastal path and back which takes about an hour and a half – the perfect amount of time to work up a thirst. Whether it’s a winter warmer next to the fire or a summer Pimms on the terrace overlooking the estuary, I promise you you’ll find it hard to leave.

Images courtesy of stu_wp on Flickr

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I love a good picnic, so on a recent visit to Falmouth I was instantly drawn to Picnic Cornwall. I initially nipped in to grab a coffee, of which they serve the very best locally roasted Origin coffee, but was soon salivating over their sandwiches and pastries.

Don’t expect your run of the mill egg mayo types. No, we’re talking oak smoked paprika salami and Cornish yarg, free range sausage and red onion marmalade as well as Cornish cheddar sourdough toasties – seriously delicious stuff!

They also operate as a deli so you can buy your bread, hams, cheeses and pates separately along with bottles of elderflower and other treats to fill your picnic basket with. Everything they sell is sourced in Cornwall, much of it from small, independent suppliers, so the quality is fantastic.

For an extra special treat of a picnic, you can even order through their website for collection or local delivery. How lovely is that!

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Hours, sometimes whole days, have been lost buried deep in any one of Lostwithiel’s enchanting establishments. Known as the antique capital of Cornwall, there is a shop covering just about every era and style – from large pieces of reclaimed furniture to retro kitchenalia, vintage pottery, original paintings and prints, antique jewellery and much, much more.

My favourite, Nanadobbie, stands out from the others for its focus on mid-century design. Leather swivel armchairs, melamine tables, Scandinavian sideboards and coffee tables, German pottery, coloured glassware, and early design Habitat lighting – it’s a Mad Men fans dream come true.

Jeffery’s hold an auction every Wednesday, with viewing on a Tuesday. Pick your day and it’s a great opportunity to beat the dealers to it and grab your very own original piece to love.

Amongst the vintage delights, Lostwithiel also hosts a clothes boutique, a hardware shop selling eco goods and foods, a beautiful children’s clothes shop and plenty of tearooms and eateries. The deli on the high street does a great Origin coffee, The Globe Inn does delicious pub grub, but if it’s a sunny day, I love tucking into a pasty on a bench next to the river. It’s all I need to keep me going until my next find!

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My favourite walk isn’t particularly long, just a mile there and back along a little used country lane, but it’s the peaceful destination that makes it so rewarding.

To get to the the start I take the Botus Fleming road and park up once I reach the lane signposted to Moditonham Quay. The short stroll along the lane takes about fifteen minutes before you take a dirt track downhill and finally emerge onto the quay.

I’m not entirely sure of its history but the river is a tributary of the River Tamar. It’s the most secluded, tranquil spot I know; somewhere all the hustle and bustle of the world stops. Take a seat on the wooden bench and listen…to the sound of nothing! You might hear or be lucky enough to see a fish jumping, but otherwise it’s just the sound of silence, and it’s wonderful.

Take a flask of coffee or pack a picnic, or if you want to make more of your day, head back to the car and walk another five minutes up the road to the Rising Sun Public House. Whether it’s a drink in the sunny beer garden or next to the log fire, I promise your day will be complete.

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I’d love to tell Prince Charles how much I love his nursery. It lies nestled in the valley at Lostwithiel and was frequented by my parents some 35 years ago but is almost unrecognisable after recently being refurbished with a wonderful café and shop.

Starting in the café, the food is simple, fresh, tasty and reasonably priced; seasonal light bites and sandwiches are served alongside cream teas, cakes and ice creams. I actually dream about their smooth and creamy Origin coffees, even better when sat outside taking in the view of Restormel Castle.

On to the shop and I defy you not to leave without a purchase. Beautiful pots, blankets, bags, children’s toys grown-ups would want, lotions, potions and cards line the shelves. The gardening tools are so attractive they even appeal to my less than green fingers! And after a wander around the nursery with its wonderfully varied and locally cultivated plants, I feel more inspired than ever to take up a trowel.

Photo courtesy of Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

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Plymouth’s Royal William Yard is a Grade I-listed 19th century naval provisions depot, now home to a variety of bars and cafes, including Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen. Tucked away in the Stonehouse area of the city, it’s definitely worth a special visit. The impressive buildings remind you of Plymouth’s significant naval history and the views over the Tamar to ‘God’s country’ (Cornwall) are fantastic.

I could sit and watch the river traffic all day from morning coffee to evening apperetif. River Cottage is an obvious draw with Hugh failing to disappoint with interesting and seasonal, good value food.

Just next door, The Royal William Bakery is a favourite of mine. I like the informal self-service arrangement with as much fresh bread and jam as you can eat for just £2.50. Lunch is always a delight with a veggie option and cakes bigger than I have ever seen! They work an honesty policy and you simply pay for what you’ve eaten as you leave.

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Cardinham Woods is one of our favourite places for a good dose of fresh air. There are four walks of varying length and gradient to choose from, including a family-friendly, one and a half mile, pushchair accessible, tree-lined route that follows the river. I love seeing how the woods change with the seasons, but autumn has to be my favourite when the leaves turn and the sun is low in the sky. The light is amazing.

One thing that doesn’t change thankfully is the wonderful Woods Café, serving delicious, homemade light bites made from local ingredients all year round. Their cream teas are well worth a special mention, as is their roaring log fire for those crisp autumn mornings. There’s also a lovely outside area, where you can warm yourself in the late sunshine while the kids occupy themselves in the play area.

Image courtesy of The Magic of Cornwall

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The south west coastal path stretches 630 miles from Poole in Dorset all the way round Lands End to Minehead in Somerset, however, the three mile stretch from Looe in south east Cornwall to tiny Talland Bay is one of my favourites.

You start at Hannafore Point in East Looe and head west, leaving Looe Island behind you. From here, the undulating cliff path takes you past hidden coves which, on a warm day, tempt you to take a detour to cool down in the inviting water. Either that, or you’ll find yourself venturing up steep, narrow steps from whose summits you are rewarded with magnificent views across the bay towards Fowey and back towards Rame Head. After a demanding three miles you’ll come to the beautiful little cove of Talland which appears around the final bend.

There are two cafes; the first one is perched on the hillside, and the second is round the corner with a prime location overlooking the beach. Both do cream teas, coffee, ice cream, sandwiches and more, and the second one rents kayaks. If you can find the energy to walk uphill to the Talland Bay Hotel, you can enjoy a civilised sit down lunch or cream tea on the manicured lawn overlooking the Bay. Otherwise, pack a picnic, find a corner of sand, and lie back and watch the world go by until your batteries are recharged and ready for the walk back.

Photo courtesy of Vanessa (EY) on Flickr

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Despite knowing that it existed for some time, I only really recently discovered Plymouth Arts Centre hidden in the cobbled streets of Plymouth’s Barbican area. This little gem is an arts exhibition centre, with a small cinema and café bar. The cinema is intimate and extremely comfortable, showing both mainstream films and arty or foreign titles. There is a stylish, well stocked bar in which you can grab a pre-film drink and if you don’t manage to finish it, or one is not enough, then you can take drinks in with you! They also serve popcorn and local ice cream as well as mini chocolate eggs and savoury snacks served in either an espresso or full size coffee cup.

If you’re looking to make a night of it, grab the meal deal which at £12 for a meal and the cinema ticket is just incredible. Eating upstairs in the light, airy restaurant, you can choose one of three yummy dishes, or minus £6.50 from any other dish on the menu (most range about £6-8, with a burger the most expensive at £12). Artisan breads are served on the house as an appetiser, but try the juiciest giant green olives too. While not an expert, to me the wine list was good and I can certainly recommend the Malbec I chose. With the additional sweet potato wedges, I had barely enough room for my chocolate eggs, but it was worth every delicious mouthful.

Check out the website for details of the film showings and other events, and if you don’t fancy a film, it’s the perfect meeting place for a coffee, snack or evening drink.

Photo courtesy of Bush Philosopher on Flickr

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Enjoying tasty food and wine in the company of my oldest and dearest friends is one of my favourite things to do, and I recently discovered a great new place to do just that – The Halsetown Inn in the lovely little village of Halsetown just outside of St Ives.

The pub has joined forces with Pieminister and the menu is made up of a selection of their tasty pies with cool names such as Moo Pie and Chicken of Aragon Pie. Made with free-range ingredients, each yummy pie is served with a choice of mash or chips, minted mushy peas and gravy. I can personally recommend the veggie friendly Heidi Pie with chips, followed by a nutty chocolate brownie and washed down with a delicious bottle of Malbec.

Recently renovated and beautifully refurbished, there’s an outside seating area for warmer weather and a cosy looking wood burner which makes you yearn for winter days. Better still, during August you can camp in the field behind the pub which used to be the village football pitch. Facilities are very primitive – pretty fairy lights illuminate an outhouse with a toilet and a sink – however, the total silence in the peaceful village and a hearty meal mean you are sure to sleep soundly without fear of waking up in the middle of the village Sunday league!

Photo courtesy of Amy Caldwell

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