Cornwall Weekend Journals: Summer 

With school holiday season underway Cornwall suddenly is inundated with families and children. We used to go to Cornwall regularly as kids - making the annual pilgrimage in the car and staying in a little B&B by the sea. In the last few years the self-catering options have multiplied, which makes holidaying in a big group here easier (and more fun) than ever. If you are visiting from afar, I recommend checking out the houses from Latitude50 and Atlanta Trevone Bay who offer unparalleled luxury in some of Cornwall’s most lovely coastal destinations. 

Watergate Bay in North Cornwall ticks every box for a luxurious family getaway - brilliantly inventive facilities for kids and very welcoming adult options too. The accommodation is placed on one of the area’s most spectacular beaches with over two miles of golden sand. It is a great place to learn to surf and great sealife is often spotted here. The décor is fresh and modern which feels fitting for a coastal hotel. The newer Beach Lofts are an extra special option with floor-to-ceiling windows, private access to the beach from the lobby, and surf-in, surf-out access. 

Fowey Hall Hotel is part of the Luxury Family Hotels group and has recently had a big renovation, with a brilliant Kids Club and lots of thoughtful family activities, it’s a great place to stay. My boys loved the rent-a-book library and the marshmallow toasting on the bonfire. 

When it comes to feasting on the beach nobody does it better than Simon Stallard’s Hidden Hut. Perched on the Roseland Peninsula (on a National Trust path), this unassuming wooden shed is a café by day with hearty soups and comforting pasties. It’s the perfect sustenance at the end of a beach walk. Those in the know book one of Simon’s feast nights which take place sporadically throughout the year on the same plot of land. They sell out fast for good reason – the lobster BBQ’s and giant seafood paellas are spectacular and delicious.  

Origin Coffee, Porthleven are one of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories of Cornwall. They now have a number of cafes across the country but I am particularly fond of the original seaside shop and cafe in Porthleven, located on the harbour’s edge. It’s a lovely calm spot to enjoy a perfectly poured flat white and if you are staying at self-catered accommodation you can buy the freshly roasted beans to take away with you (ask them to grind them for you). 

The Minack Theatre is one of a kind, an enchanting al fresco theatre carved into the cliffs of Porthcurno. The theatre was imagined by the visionary Rowena Cade, who started to work on this huge project in 1931. The first production was a version of The Tempest in 1932 and now every summer the theatre comes alive with music and theatrical productions. There is something very special about seeing a show here, sometimes you can even spot dolphins jumping in the distance. While you are here I recommend visiting Porthcurno Beach which boasts some of the most beautiful pale turquoise water in Cornwall. 

Jubilee Pool is a magnificent art deco lido on the Penzance shore. It was recently restored to its former 1930s glory and is one of the only remaining saltwater tidal pools left in Europe. If you are staying nearby it’s a lovely (and very aesthetic) place to start your day with a swim in the summer, and in cooler weather the geothermal pool is very popular. 

After a swim we like to head to Jelbert’s for their famous vanilla ice-cream topped with clotted cream and a flake.  

Find more suggestions for exploring the best of Cornwall in Milly’s Weekend Journals Cornwall book, available here.