Our guide to Cornwall in Summer - Part 1

I wouldn’t dare call myself a local, however after living in Cornwall for ten years, I have a little list of Cornish gems that I would like to share with you. Sometimes visitors to our beautiful county have an underwhelming experience due to the lack of parking, queues, prices and general infrastructure. These little suggestions might help you to avoid the tourist hotspots and have a really wonderful time. (You’ll be happy to know that that the Chivvy Roundabout (A30) has not been completed so you might want to save your best snacks/ podcast / episodes of Paw Patrol until this stage of the journey).

Surf and Seals

You can always find space on the long stretch of beach ‘Gwithian’ near Hayle. This is usually a great spot for surfing and there is nearly always a horsebox on the beach serving lovely coffee and bread and butter pudding. If you walk further up towards the lighthouse past Godrevy, there is a perfect look out point over Mutton Cove which is home to a huge colony of grey seals. Make sure you plan your visit for high tide and you may be treated to a lovely display of seals and pups lolloping and rolling in and out of the surf.

It is easy to see why this wild and dramatic landscape inspired some of Virginia Woolf’s most famous novels. There are some hairy cliff drops but for the most part this is a great place for families and dogs. Lots of parking options at Gwithian and a National Trust carpark at Godrevy, which also has an excellent cafe serving big sandwiches and chips.

Miracle Theatre

Cornwall is home to some very talented artists, none more so than the actors in the Miracle Theatre Group. These highly trained performers usually spend the summer touring the west country and have performances at some of the most beautiful locations in Cornwall including the glorious Minnack Theatre as well as Enys House, Trebah Gardens and many more gorgeous spots. Their current production ‘Love Riot’ is a Bridgerton-esque parody. Miracle Theatre is consistently high quality and always good fun.

Legendary Coves

The magical village of Zennor is perched on the cliffs at Penwith. A great place for a wild and woolly walk along the coast, finishing up at the Tinners Arms for some classic pub food. The legend of the Mermaid of Zennor is a wonderful eerie tale and you can visit the Mermaid's chair in the ancient church of St. Senera.

St. Agnes and Chapel Porth are home to the legend of the Bolster the Giant. There is a beautiful circular walk (6 miles) between the two beaches with a pit stop for crab sandwiches at Chapel Porth. On busy days there is overflow parking in the field above this beach.

Train to Porthminster Beach

Driving into St Ives is traumatic in the low season and homicidal during the summer. Ditch the car at St Erth Train Station and get the branch line into St Ives. The train journey is spectacular as it follows the coast and delivers you directly to Porthminster Beach. Either hang out at this expansive family beach or go straight towards Porthmeor and BYPASS the main strip.

Head in the direction of The Tate St Ives and wind your way along the narrow streets popping into pottery shops and studios along the way. The Tate St Ives is an impressive building, don’t forget to look for Patrick Gale’s glorious stain glass window in the foyer before checking out the small and well curated collection. The gallery-averse can hang out in the cafe on the top floor which has the most beautiful views across the bay.

Poppy and Honesty Studio, Falmouth

Please make an appointment and visit our Sail Loft Studio in Falmouth. Check out our beautiful textiles which are all handmade here in Cornwall. We’d love to welcome you and chat over a cup of tea so please get in touch (I may even be able to muster up a scone).

Summer in Cornwall Part 2 will be coming soon. Please remember if you are visiting Cornwall to support local businesses as much as you can, it makes all the difference.

Sophie xxx

Tablecloth and Napkins in Gelato Linen.

The books I have most enjoyed in 2023

I have read some wonderful books this year. I have put a small selection below that might catch your interest. Snuggling up with a book in is one of my favourite winter pursuits. There are some more gritty reads that I have found brilliant, but I am not sure that January is the right time of year to be broken by a novel !

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is one of my absolute favourite authors and this book did not disappoint. I would love to visit her bookshop in Nashville one day. Anyway this is a story within a story. Lara, her husband and daughters are living through the Covid lockdown on the family cherry farm. After much persuasion, Lara (Mother) narrates the story of her past life as an actress and relationship with a famous actor. Lara has no regrets about her past but simply enjoys telling her story to her enthusiastic daughters. This is a lovely book.

Hello Beautiful Ann Napolitano

This is a gorgeous big hearted story about sisters who essentially rescue a broken man. William has a horrible childhood which inevitably ends in a breakdown. Despite the fact that he ends up marrying two sisters within the novel, this is a story of love, loss and the warm embrace of a family.

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

This is a spicy book about complicated relationships and friendships set in Dublin. It’s a funny novel that brilliantly dissects the messiness of young adulthood and finding out who you are and who are your real friends.

The Twat Files by Dawn French

For anyone wanting a good laugh this January, this is the book for you ! Dawn French tells us about her most embarrassing moments to date and they are utterly hilarious. Perfect for French and Saunders fans and a little reminder not to take life too seriously.

Please share the books that you enjoyed in 2023 below.

Wishing you health, joy and peace in 2024

Sophie xxx

Just a reminder that longer lighter days are coming. We’re on the flip side of the Autumn Equinox ! Hooray.

Handmade bedding in ‘Penzance Linen.’ Available in sizes from Cot Bed to Super King :

Duvet Cover ; Ruffle PIllowcase :Lumbar Cushion : Ruffle Sheet : and Fitted Sheet.

Taking a walk on the wild side with House of Hackney

We are so excited to be working with House of Hackney who are launching part two of The Market Garden: their marketplace bringing together a collective of craftspeople inspired by a joint muse; Mother Nature. 

From handcrafted ceramics and original artworks to decor accessories and textiles, House of Hackney carefully curated The Market Garden to bring the beauty of Nature into your home.

I first visited the House of Hackney Flagship store ‘St Michaels’ back in February 2023 and although I was not greeted by a tiger or cobra, I was absolutely blown away by their incredible use of colour and pattern. I think I might of counted at least 5 paint colours and 8 patterns blending together perfectly in one of their exquisite rooms. Needless to say we were thrilled to be invited to join The Market Garden.

Our first project in May, was to work on a stunning tablecloth, handmade from House of Hackney’s ‘Floribunda’ fabric. Our head seamstress Kate literally squealed when she clapped her eyes on the pattern which is brimming with meadow flowers.

POPPY AND HONESTY Floribunda Magna Table Cloth

This season, House of Hackney enters the dark side of the Garden; the Gothic Garden. Featuring a carefully curated collection of artworks and homewares. We were delighted to be asked to contribute some beautiful linen bedding to the collection. The classic green and white stripe duvet and pillowcases contrasts beautifully with the patchwork throws and bespoke made headboards crafted in Devon.

Photo Credit Rosie Woolman

Photo Credit Rosie Woolman

We are so grateful to House of Hackney B Corp for generously extending their platform to make opportunites to craftspeople like Poppy and Honesty and hope that you enjoy looking at their stunning curation in The Market Garden.

Sophie x