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Seaglass, dolphins and rockpooling

Dancing tractors, sea shanties and festival life

Pasties, scones and Stargazy Pies

Your Bucket (and spade) list this summer in Cornwall

Spending the summer in Cornwall is a splendid idea. Enjoy all the benefits of the amazing weather and never have to leave our shores or hunt for your passport. Sounds amazing. For inspirations of all that’s happening this summer, read on…

Seaglass, dolphins and rockpooling

Cornwall has the most amazing beaches in the United Kingdom (if we say so ourselves) and the summer is the most idyllic time to enjoy such treasures. From June to August the beaches can be extremely popular, but we suggest a few local favourites that you’ll return to time and time again. Just don’t tell anyone else…

Portreath Beach is a secluded and tranquil beach and just perfect for seaglass hunting and beachcombing this summer. The beach is only 30 minutes away and well worth the trip out to escape the crowds.

Port Isaac harbour and beach is only an hour away by car and is a gorgeous village with picture perfect harbour and small beach. It’s a great location if you want to catch a glimpse of dolphins during the summer as the waters begin to warm up.

Only nine miles from Newquay you’ll find Perranporth Beach – the legendary landing spot of St.Piran. An expansive beach with dozens of rockpools for the kids to explore and a watering hole for mum and dad too. Although a popular destination in the summer it’s one that should definitely be added to your bucket list.

Other notable mentions are: Kynance Cove (in the south), Polzeath Beach (two miles from Padstow) and Harlyn Bay (30 minutes to the north)

Dancing tractors, Sea Shanties and Festival life

Summer time is busy time in Cornwall, with so many events and festivals, there’s always something inspirational and exciting to take in. Here’s a few of our favourites…

The Royal Cornwall Show
6-8 June 2024, Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge

More of a joyous celebration than a homage to farming culture, The Royal Cornwall Show is a buzz with livestock, authentic Cornish crafts, live music and dancing tractors! You truly know the summer has arrived when the Royal Cornwall Show takes place. Approximately 30 minutes from the Lodge.
Visit website here to find out more

Boardmasters Festival
7-11 August 2024, Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay comes alive with a true festival vibe each year with the arrival of Boardmasters – a five day event of the best music, surf and beach life, all set against a spectacular beach backdrop. This year’s headliners are Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy. No need for you to pitch a tent for this extravaganza, the Lodge is twenty minutes away by car. Miss this one at your peril, music lovers. (image credit: Will Bailey, Boardmasters)
Buy tickets here

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Week
14-16 June 2024, various venues in Falmouth

An hour from the Lodge, the glorious harbour town of Falmouth plays host to europe’s largest free nautical festival. Experience over 70 acts in a boisterous weekend of live music and general nautical frivolity. (image credit: Falmouth Sea Shanty Week)
Find out more here

Mevagissey Feast Week
22-29 June 2024, Mevagissey town centre

The nautical frivolity continues at Mevagissey (only 45 minutes from the Lodge). During this week you’ll experience boat races, food stalls, live music, fireworks and the usual merriment that a Cornish summer can bring.

Find out more here

The Eden Sessions
Throughout the summer

Hosted by the incredible Eden Project, The Eden sessions throughout the summer feature world-class acts we all know and love.

JLS – 13th June / Fatboy Slim – 15th June / Paolo Nutini – 19th June / Suede & The Manic Street Preachers – 29th June

Check the website for listings. The Lodge is only 45 minutes away, our sister site The Plume of Feathers is even closer.

Pasties, scones and Stargazy Pies

Cornwall is renowned for its amazing ingredients, so many that it can be bewildering to the food lover. Here’s a top three of must-tries when you visit this summer.

The Cornish Pasty

So much has been said about the humble pasty, needless to say there’s no pasty like ours. With its origins in the Cornish tin mines, lunch was made for the miners so they could enjoy a hearty meal even with dirty hands leaving the crust to discard. Nowadays the fillings are vast and their appeal is far wider than the hard-working tin miners of old.

If we had to recommend the finest artisan of the pasty (apart from our chef Nick Lawrie) we’d wholeheartedly recommend Pengenna Pasties in Tintagel – family run business since 1985. While you’re there you may be tempted to burn off the calories with a walk to Tintagel Castle.

The Cream Tea – Jam first, then cream

There has been much debate whether the jam goes first or the cream (This all depends on whether you’re from Devon or Cornwall) but officially for the record in Cornwall it should be jam first then the cream. After that you’re flying when you wash it down with a piping hot cup of tea served from a china pot. The Lodge is listed in the illustrious Cream Tea Guide so if you ask us head to the bar and order yours with a fabulous view on the side.

The Stargazy Pie

Perhaps the strangest of all traditional Cornish dishes, the Stargazy Pie made with pilchards, eggs and potato. Originating in Mousehole, it was created to celebrate Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Referenced in a book called ‘Yuck, disgusting things people eat’ by one author for the New York Daily News, we reckon he doesn’t know a good pie when he sees one. We recommend visiting the Old Ship in Mousehole on Tom Bawcock’s Eve to sample it this oddity at its finest.

Wherever your heart takes you, we recommend you make your base at Lewinnick Lodge. Breathtaking views and boutique rooms.