Ok, so we've been away A LOT this side of summer and it's not even end of July yet! Still, we had a pixie pasty on the way so had to make the most of still being a 4 👫🐶🐶 before the new addition made holidays a little more challenging!
We've done a little of everything... hotels, holiday rentals, pub b&bs, huts, lodges and boltholes! So have a scroll and hopefully there's something for you 👀
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SHEPHERD'S REST WITH UNIQUE HIDEAWAYS
📍Lerryn, Lostwithiel
Having never stayed in a shepherd's hut before, we are now officially sold on the concept! Especially one surrounded by open fields and cascading ponds, a BBQ hut for proper alfresco dining and the cutest country-chic decor you could ask for.
I genuinely can't believe how well I slept (especially for a 9 month pregnant person 😂), must be something about those luxury pillows (I actually found the label and ordered myself some!!), that country air and gentle birdsong that surrounds you in this little slice of heaven ✨
We booked 'Shepherd's Rest' through Unique Hideaways, who offer a wonderful array of luxury glamping holidays across the UK. If you’re looking for a special kind of staycation, hidden away from hectic normal life, take a look at the incredible huts 🏡 , yurts ⛺️ , wagons 🐴 and barges ⛴️ (yes - barges!!) that @uniquehideaways has to offer 🙏
Local places worth visiting:
TALLAND BAY HOTEL
📍Talland, Looe
This hotel is hidden down a peaceful country lane, with one of the best uninterrupted bay views around. Super dog friendly (honestly it's the most easy place we've ever stayed with the dogs), 2 beaches within a 5 minute walk, unique and quirky interior design plus an outstanding menu and quality of service to boot.
If food is your thing, check out the 9-course tasting menu with paired wines to really make the most of your stay! The outside dining area on a sunny evening is 👌
Local places worth visiting:
BLANKEDNICK BOLTHOLES
📍Ponsanooth, Truro
Family-run Blankednick Boltholes, is a collection of 3 little lodges located just outside of leafy Ponsanooth. Offering a range of sizes - couples getaway to family + dogs staycation - Lou and Ben have created a hidden haven with a super tranquil and relaxed feel, plus an authentic wood-fired hot tub if that's your jam!
We stayed in 'The Lodge' with a double bedroom, ensuite bathroom plus kitchenette and lounge plus a freshly made lemon cake awaiting out arrival! Evenings were spent rocking on an armchair on the terrace, wrapped in my @atlanticblankets and mug of tea in hand while mornings were spent messing around in the tub with a fresh pot of coffee! Bliss 🙏
Local places worth visiting:
🛳 Falmouth town (for an Indidog breakfast!)
TOLCARNE BEACH VILLAGE
📍Tolcarne Beach, Newquay
Honestly, we never knew this place existed and I have no idea how we missed it considering just how incredible our whole stay was 😅 Admittedly, Newquay has its fair share of beaches and it's not hard to lose track of which one's which. But I'll happily say Tolcarne is firmly my favourite.
Tolcarne Beach Village host rooms, suites, beach cabins, beach houses and beach apartments - all less than 30 seconds from the beach (some are actually ON the beach, you can't go anywhere without the sand hitting your toes first 🙌).
We stayed in a Superior Sea View Colonial room and yes the view really was that amazing, in fact the photos almost don't do it justice!
Grab a cocktail at sunset or book a table for their outrageous Sunday Seafood BBQ and feel transformed to somewhere a whole lot more exotic than your typical UK staycation. Dog-friendly, family-friendly and sea-lover friendly, this place is seriously something special.
I'm not even going to recommend other places to visit as we didn't venture anywhere else, we just didn't want to leave!
HAVEN RETREAT WITH BEACH RETREATS
OCL reel
📍Gorran Haven, Roseland Peninsula
Stepping into this one-of-a-kind holiday home is a feeling I'd like to bottle up and experience over and over. Beachy decor, beautiful bedrooms, sliding doors in the open plan living area which make you genuinely question whether your inside or out - can I live there please?!
The dogs certainly seemed to agree too!
We booked 'Haven Retreat' through Beach Retreats, who offer self-catering holidays across Cornwall. Think romantic cottages, dog-friendly cottages, sea-view cottages, large home cottages and don't forget those last minute cottages too! Either way expect a summer holiday like no other.
Ours was one wholesome weekend spent meandering down the pretty streets of Gorran Haven, sea-swimming with the dogs at lunchtime, eating too many pasties and enjoying a glass of bubbly or 3 in the hot tub. One of our best stays so far ✨
Local areas worth visiting:
PENMARLAM LODGE RETREAT WITH LOVAT PARKS
OCL reel
📍Bodinnick, Fowey
Ok, so having never experienced anything like it when growing up, I was admittedly a little apprehensive about a holiday park staycation. However, Penmarlam was no holiday park that I could imagine. Calm, quiet, peaceful and beautifully kept - we LOVED it. So much so we've started making enquiries for a big family visit next summer...!
Penmarlam Lodge Retreat is one of Lovat Parks' newest locations, situated on the Fowey river. Our luxury lodge home had everything we needed to never leave! With multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, living space inside and a hugely generous outside terrace (including hot tub too!) it was a super tranquil space to spend a few days.
We could walk through the fields (dogs LOVED the long grass meadows) and hop on the ferry to Fowey - no car needed 🙏 or jump in the car and whizz over to the other ferry, as a perfect opportunity to check out Polruan too. Cafés, restaurants, coastal walks and swim spots galore - all within 7 minutes from our little home. That May weekend was pretty damn special 🥰
Local areas to visit:
⚓️ Polruan, Fowey and Readymoney Cove
CHAPEL HOUSE
📍Penzance
Penzance seems to be coming into its own over the last few years... With cool cafes and bakeries, the famed Jubilee art-deco lido and a short promenade stroll to nearby Newlyn it has a lot of appeal. So we were pretty chuffed to stay right in the centre, dog friendly room with roll top bath overlooking the sea, harbour views one side and cathedral views the other, Chapel House is utter PERFECTION.
A stunning and boutique hotel, hidden within a characterful Georgian property, and yet somehow still with its own front and back garden (hot tub and sauna tucked in their too!) calling it a hotel almost doesn't seem quite right! A home-from-home suits it better, especially when taking a homemade breakfast cooked on the hob right in front of you, in mind 💚
Local places to visit:
🐟 Tolcarne Inn (FANTASTIC fish menu!) in Newlyn
💦 Jubilee Pool, a sea-water lido and Geothermal pool
STAR & GARTER
📍Falmouth
Without doubt, my favourite place in Falmouth. I'm talking food and place to stay. We've been way too often over the last few years and yes we're probably far too stuck in our ways, but there's a reason we just won't ever stop visiting Star & Garter.
A cosy bar-restaurant downstairs (the menu is one of the best 🙌) but a serious surprise awaits upstairs... With only 3 rooms, it may be petite set up but the rooms themselves are nothing short of impressive. With a breakfast bar perfectly positioned to enjoy coffee overlooking the whole harbour in The Crow's Nest and a whole living area ready to have you set up for sunrise skies in The Penthouse, it's got to be one of the best spots in town 😍
Local places to visit:
🥤 Dough An Dowr morning coffee on Gylly Beach