Karen's Guidebook
Food scene
Under new ownership this year, I’ve not yet tried it though, open for breakfast and lunch, no booking required.
Turn right out of the drive, and then left on the finer which leads down to the Cove, less than 5 mins walk.
18 locals recommend
Cove Cafe
80 Riviere TowansUnder new ownership this year, I’ve not yet tried it though, open for breakfast and lunch, no booking required.
Turn right out of the drive, and then left on the finer which leads down to the Cove, less than 5 mins walk.
Very popular, definitely worth a visit if you go over to the south coast, extremely picturesque.
162 locals recommend
Pandora Inn
Restronguet HillVery popular, definitely worth a visit if you go over to the south coast, extremely picturesque.
Beautiful location at the Lizard, good food, the brownie dessert is the best I’ve ever had! Combine with a visit to Kynance Cove. The picture is taken from our table in the garden.
6 locals recommend
Housel Bay Hotel and Restaurant
Housel Bay RoadBeautiful location at the Lizard, good food, the brownie dessert is the best I’ve ever had! Combine with a visit to Kynance Cove. The picture is taken from our table in the garden.
Godolphin Arms
West EndGood place to have lunch if you go to St Michael’s Mount
Hungry Horsebox Co.
This is good!
A traditional pub and food, very popular. Although it is within walking distance, (you will pass it on your way in) there are no pavements, but there is plenty of parking at the back of the pub. You could always walk back through Mexico Lane and across the Towans.
13 locals recommend
The Bucket of Blood
14 Churchtown RdA traditional pub and food, very popular. Although it is within walking distance, (you will pass it on your way in) there are no pavements, but there is plenty of parking at the back of the pub. You could always walk back through Mexico Lane and across the Towans.
The road from St Ives over to Zennor Is a scenic drive, the pub is worth stopping at for lunch.
Go into the church to see carving of the mermaid on the pew and read about the legend of this mermaid.
Maybe treat yourself to a Moo Maid Ice Cream.
67 locals recommend
The Tinner's Arms
The road from St Ives over to Zennor Is a scenic drive, the pub is worth stopping at for lunch.
Go into the church to see carving of the mermaid on the pew and read about the legend of this mermaid.
Maybe treat yourself to a Moo Maid Ice Cream.
Nothing fancy, but good burgers and fab views, only minutes from the house.
Turn left out of drive, walk 2 mins and you can’t miss it.
The Bluff
Nothing fancy, but good burgers and fab views, only minutes from the house.
Turn left out of drive, walk 2 mins and you can’t miss it.
Really like the deck for lunch. Take the ferry across to St Mawes.
43 locals recommend
Hotel Tresanton
27 Lower Castle RdReally like the deck for lunch. Take the ferry across to St Mawes.
Sandbar
Under new management and called The Welloe this year
This is a personal favourite. Proper traditional vanilla ice cream. I always have a tub with clotted cream and a flake. When we were kids we would see who could make their tub last the longest - the best!
Newlyn is not far from St Michael’s Mount and on the way to Porthcurno. There are also some good fish shops here for freshly caught fish.
35 locals recommend
Jelbert's
9 New RdThis is a personal favourite. Proper traditional vanilla ice cream. I always have a tub with clotted cream and a flake. When we were kids we would see who could make their tub last the longest - the best!
Newlyn is not far from St Michael’s Mount and on the way to Porthcurno. There are also some good fish shops here for freshly caught fish.
Very good homemade ice cream, with loads of flavours - very popular, they have 2 shops in Hayle, one Foundry end and one in Copperhouse end.
35 locals recommend
Mr B's
10 Fore StVery good homemade ice cream, with loads of flavours - very popular, they have 2 shops in Hayle, one Foundry end and one in Copperhouse end.
A proper pasty, we always have the mince with flaky pastry, but they do lots of different styles.
66 locals recommend
Philps Bakery
1 E QuayA proper pasty, we always have the mince with flaky pastry, but they do lots of different styles.
The Rockpool
1 Godrevy TowansRight by G.A.S surf school, and has parking.
Gylly Beach Cafe
Cliff RoadGood menu and very nice wine list, recommend no 7 on the list The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, perfect with fish.
Good place to go if you are visiting Truro
www.heroninnmalpas.co.uk
38 locals recommend
Heron Inn
Trenhaile TerraceGood menu and very nice wine list, recommend no 7 on the list The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, perfect with fish.
Good place to go if you are visiting Truro
www.heroninnmalpas.co.uk
Sightseeing/Activities
Iconic! The most amazing location, worth trying to book a performance, take cushions from the basket in the conservatory. Layer up and enjoy. The sell pasties there.
545 locals recommend
The Minack Theatre
Iconic! The most amazing location, worth trying to book a performance, take cushions from the basket in the conservatory. Layer up and enjoy. The sell pasties there.
There is a boat, so the tides won’t stop you getting there or back. There is a causeway to walk across at low tide. You can eat on the Mount or try the Godolphin for lunch.
690 locals recommend
Saint Michael's Mount
There is a boat, so the tides won’t stop you getting there or back. There is a causeway to walk across at low tide. You can eat on the Mount or try the Godolphin for lunch.
There is a really good walk here if you turn left on the coast path you will go past the Engine Houses, Poldark Country! Walk to Chapel Porth and have a Hedgehog Ice cream.
Park at Reppers Coombe car park. TR5 0RS
132 locals recommend
St Agnes
There is a really good walk here if you turn left on the coast path you will go past the Engine Houses, Poldark Country! Walk to Chapel Porth and have a Hedgehog Ice cream.
Park at Reppers Coombe car park. TR5 0RS
Eden Project
Just one of those places you
must see.
It is in Hayle and definitely worth a visit if you have kids.
https://paradisepark.org.uk
134 locals recommend
Paradise Park
16 Trelissick RdIt is in Hayle and definitely worth a visit if you have kids.
https://paradisepark.org.uk
This is an interesting place to visit and is right next to the very lovely Porthcurno beach, with Minack Theatre just up the hill.
72 locals recommend
PK Porthcurno
This is an interesting place to visit and is right next to the very lovely Porthcurno beach, with Minack Theatre just up the hill.
Flambards Theme Park
Clodgey LaneGo on the train, it’s a beautiful trip along the coast and saves the hassle of trying to park in high season!
Lots of places to eat and explore.
610 locals recommend
St Ives
Go on the train, it’s a beautiful trip along the coast and saves the hassle of trying to park in high season!
Lots of places to eat and explore.
Good for woodland walks, cafe and parking. Home to the Rogue Theatre which is always good.
Check if they are playing, you will love it!
110 locals recommend
Tehidy Woods
Good for woodland walks, cafe and parking. Home to the Rogue Theatre which is always good.
Check if they are playing, you will love it!
Cornwall Gold
New Portreath RoadDairyland Farm World
Nice place for younger children
If you want a circular walk on the south coast the views are beautiful looking out over the river, it is quite steep on places, but you can choose how much you want to do.
Combine with a visit to the Pandora for a drink and something to eat (16 mins by car). Or go over to St Mawes, (Hotel Tresanton), it is also very picturesque (34 mins by car), this is right beside the ferry crossing which is very picturesque.
220 locals recommend
National Trust - Trelissick Garden
If you want a circular walk on the south coast the views are beautiful looking out over the river, it is quite steep on places, but you can choose how much you want to do.
Combine with a visit to the Pandora for a drink and something to eat (16 mins by car). Or go over to St Mawes, (Hotel Tresanton), it is also very picturesque (34 mins by car), this is right beside the ferry crossing which is very picturesque.
Beautiful part of the Lizard Peninsula, combine with lunch, drinks or afternoon tea at the Housel Bay Hotel
223 locals recommend
Kynance Cove
Beautiful part of the Lizard Peninsula, combine with lunch, drinks or afternoon tea at the Housel Bay Hotel
Local food and wine shops
Scarlet Wines
Griggs HillShould be able to a find a bottle or 2 here!
Good farm shop, with local produce, bread, meat, fish and deli counter. Only a few miles up the road, we shop there often.
They also have a restaurant there and you can pick your own fruit.
https://www.trevaskisfarm.co.uk/
105 locals recommend
Trevaskis Farm
Gwinear RoadGood farm shop, with local produce, bread, meat, fish and deli counter. Only a few miles up the road, we shop there often.
They also have a restaurant there and you can pick your own fruit.
https://www.trevaskisfarm.co.uk/
Has a nice food hall and you go past it on the roundabout into Hayle, so very convenient.
22 locals recommend
Marks & Spencer Hayle
Marsh LaneHas a nice food hall and you go past it on the roundabout into Hayle, so very convenient.
Beaches and Watersports
Other beaches to to go visit and places to hire kit and get instruction for watersports
This is just a few minutes walk from the house, and they are great with kids.
7 locals recommend
Shore Surf School
Loggans RoadThis is just a few minutes walk from the house, and they are great with kids.
Hayle Watersports (Lizard Adventure)
North Quayhttps://www.lizardadventure.co.uk/
Can hire wetsuits and boards. Really good surf and paddle board school.
33 locals recommend
Gwithian Academy of Surfing
1 Godrevy TowansCan hire wetsuits and boards. Really good surf and paddle board school.
If a sea mist comes in then it is often fine on the opposite coast.
Praa Sands is a large beach with lifeguards. Be aware that it does have dog restrictions in summer.
The Sandbar restaurant is dog friendly and has an open deck area and the food is quite good, The ice cream is local and really good. It is right on the beach and coast path.
Praa Sands, Cornwall. TR20 9TQ
https://sandbarpraasands.co.uk/
48 locals recommend
Praa Sands Beach
South West Coast PathIf a sea mist comes in then it is often fine on the opposite coast.
Praa Sands is a large beach with lifeguards. Be aware that it does have dog restrictions in summer.
The Sandbar restaurant is dog friendly and has an open deck area and the food is quite good, The ice cream is local and really good. It is right on the beach and coast path.
Praa Sands, Cornwall. TR20 9TQ
https://sandbarpraasands.co.uk/
Stithians Lake Watersports Centre
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Beaches - Dogs and Beach Safety
Beach Safety - please always use a lifeguarded section of the beach. There are summertime restrictions for dogs on many beaches, you can take your dog on the beach past the Cove to the right of the house. There is a good beach guide for info on beaches https://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/ covers best beaches, beach safety and dogs allowed. Many beaches start lifeguard cover from early May but stop lifeguard cover at the end of September, this page gives the dates for cover for all beaches and times covered. https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/beaches-in-cornwall/beach-safety
Getting around
Walking the Cliff Paths
Always keep your dog on a lead when you walking near the cliffs, they have been know to chase the seagulls and go over the edge.
Getting around
If you get in difficulty on the coast
If you are in any danger or difficulty on the coast, either in the sea or the coast path/cliffs, call the Coastguard. Ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard.