It is always nice to get away and have a little break.
Due to money me and the boyfriend were unable to go on holiday abroad this year, so after a great trip away last year to Looe in Cornwall we decided to make our way back to the Cornish coast. This time we chose Perranporth on the north coast and about a four hour drive from Petersfield.
We spent a couple of nights at the Seiners hotel right on the beach, it was heavenly and very much needed.
On the first day we were surprised that people were so far away from the sea, but we later found out the tide was out and it came right up to the hotel by the evening.
Perranporth is very small but has a few pubs, fish and chip places and restaurants. There are many caravan parks nearby so a lot of the shops are catering for those on a tighter budget and self catering.
On our first day we had a drink in The Watering Hole a pub on the beach with seats outside, not very often you get to enjoy cider on the beach in the sun. It was really busy inside as they had various screens with Olympic events on, it felt more like a sports bar but the staff dealt with the crowds well.
That night we had dinner at Waterfront Restaurant, a coral coloured building just a short walk from the beach. I had pollock with prawns in a mustard sauce and my boyfriend had squid and a ginger, chilli and lime local beer which he wouldn't stop talking about, Atlantic brewers I think.
There was also a free salad bar. It was well priced and the food was delicious, really busy and they had a sweet trolley which was nice. Really good food.
We also went out for coffee at The Cove, which had appetising cakes and night drinks a the Tye pub and Green Parrot (Wetherspoons).
On our last night we had dinner in our hotel's bar.
We stayed at Seiners and it was well worth the money, prices vary from £50-£85 and was perfect. Breakfast had a cold buffet of cereal, and hot food including full English, mackerel and scrambled eggs and pancakes with bacon and maple syrup which I had both mornings and loved. The first time it was a proper pancake and the second was the more American type, I really preferred the first day. The boyfriend had the belly busting full English.
We also had a Cornish pasty (of course) from BerryMans bakery, a steak one which was good but not as good as the one I had in Looe.
So as I said on the second night we had dinner in the bar. We had asparagus with lemon butter and a starter of Doombar (ale) cheese and toast which was delicious, not sure where the Doombar came into it but the cheese was delicious, really creamy. For our main we both had fish and chips and it wasn't too greasy just yummy.
We also took a walk along the coastal path and got break taking views of the beach, well worth it if you pack your boots (or in our case trainers).
The whole holiday was fantastic and a thoroughly needed break, we even got sunburnt! Not sure how though.
For more on Perranporth visit the tourist website: http://www.perranporthinfo.co.uk/
And our hotel: http://www.seiners.co.uk/
Any other year you think a trip away to Cornwall at the end of August would be sunny and hot, loads of surfers, and loads of people on the beach. You would think wouldn't you? But we live in England so it was wet and damp, warm though.
Getting over the weather fact though it was a very nice break away in a very nice part of the country.
We were away for two nights and stayed at The Old Bridge House, which was lovely. Really nice atmosphere and Colin and Liz who owned it were lovely very helpful recommending some local places to eat. Which were highly recommended and the ones we went to were spot on. The breakfast was delicious, it was Cornish breakfast, which has everything a English breakfast but with hogs pudding. Sausage meat with herbs and garlic it was delicious. The room was spacious and we had a really good view over the harbour. There was also a honesty bar, where you put the drinks to your room number and paid when you left, great selection and they didn't have prices that ripped you off.
Looe is full of cobbled streets, lined with mostly independent shops, and little snug pubs. As the weather was not great we got to experience a lot of the of the pubs and cafes.
I threw myself into local produce, especially the fish. Whilst there I tried Orchard cider, it was a flat cider, really nice though I had never tried flat cider but I was surprised at the taste and that it didn't make me feel bloated.
I had a Cornish crab sandwich, really delish and it was only £4 but filled to the brim. Also of course a proper Cornish pasty, real meat and real veg and proper pastry. You cannot get a proper pasty anywhere else but Cornwall, that's a fact.... well that's what I think.
The beach was lovely and sandy, but as it was cold empty. I sat on the beach in my coat and wellies while my boyfriend took a dip in the freezing cold sea, turning his legs blue. I had to admire his courage though.
Our first meal was in the Old Sally, a little pub, with a low ceiling, oak beams and tables a little close together. Comfy and homely, also cheap for drinks, but I had a lamb hotpot, while my boyfriend had a steak and ale pie. The lamb was tender, with veg cooked to perfection, potatoes and melted cheese, it was mouthwatering just thinking of it makes me feel hungry. Fantastic value for money and a great atmosphere.
On our last night we went, on recommendation from B&B owner, we went to fish restaurant Mawgans. There was a menu of different items but also a specials board of fish caught the night before. I opted for John Dory in asparagus and white wine sauce, I had never had John Dory before so thought I would give it a go. When they brought the dish out the veg was separate and I did have a mild panic it was just the fish. But the fish was succulent and tender and just melt in the mouth, you could tell the fish was cooked by someone who knows how to cook fish and you could tell it was fresh. We have a bottle of wine and as a treat shared a pud called chocolate indulgence, it was very indulgent. The bill was probably a little more than we would usually pay but well worth it as the fish was the best I have ever had.
Another tip if you don't want to walk over the bridge from West to East Looe, you can get a boat for 40p. Very quick and easy. Also parking there is a car park where you can park all day for £4 bargain!
Even thought the weather was not great the mini break was. The B&B felt like a home from home, the food was the best I have ever had. So for those not able to go abroad then I recommend Looe. So for time away got to Looe.
Useful websites:
http://www.mawgans.co.uk/
http://www.theoldbridgehousehotel.co.uk/
http://www.looe.org/
The Hotel (cream building)
The beach
Looe
