5 ways to enjoy the English Riviera

Cornwall, a county of diverse and captivating beauty, attracts a multitude of tourists each year. From the wilds of Bodmin Moor to the dramatic ocean waves crashing upon the rocks of the Lizard; from the bright lights and vibrant nightlife of Newquay to the relaxing seaside retreat of Porthleven, Cornwall can deliver enjoyment to any visitor. So if you’ve based yourself in one of our stunning holiday cottages in Porthleven, what are some of the best ways you can enjoy this fine county? Here we explore a few.

1) Start with a local meal

Porthleven is small in size, but still has plenty of local treats to offer its holiday-goers. Its harbour has well over 200 years of history, and each day welcomes back the town’s fleet of fishing boats teeming with freshly caught fish and other seafood. This catch is also well distributed among the town’s eateries, such as the Harbour Inn, which is open all year and a great place to enjoy local produce. Nearby Helston also offers a wonderful choice of bakeries where one can purchase a world-famous Cornish pasty.

2) Enjoy some local art and culture

Cornwall is well known for its lush and beauteous gardens, like those at Carminowe Valley Garden. The area is covered by native oak woodland, with the gardens overlooking Carminowe Valley. Seasonal flowers like tulips and roses offer great contrast throughout the year, and after viewing the gardens you can relax and enjoy homemade teas.

If you’re more interested in local arts and crafts, then a trip to the Wood and Stone Studio is in order. The artist, Samvado, makes all manner of sculptures from metal, stone and wood, some of which are functional and others strictly decorative. There are choices to suit many budgets, and would serve as a fantastic memento of your trip to Cornwall.

3) Explore its rich heritage

There is certainly no shortage of historical sites in Cornwall, and the area around Porthleven is no exception. The Lizard Lighthouse and Heritage Center is a history buff’s dream day out. The lighthouse itself has been in use for over 260 years, and offers a fun day for the whole family listening to stories from the lighthouse keeper, tracking ships, sounding the foghorn, learning about semaphore flags and much more.

4) Relax at the beach

Cornwall contains over 420 miles of coastline, with conditions for watersports such as surfing being among the best in Europe. Wherever you’re staying in Cornwall, you’re sure to have a great selection of beaches, and nowhere more so than from Porthleven. The Lizard is home to Coverack Beach (sand and pebble), Kynance Cove (white sand), Porthoustock Beach (coarse darksand) and many others. It should be noted however that these beaches have varying restrictions on pets, so please be sure to check how welcome your “little friends” will be.

5) Stay in your Niche Retreat and simply enjoy the view

Finally, for those days you don’t feel like venturing out, you can just kick back and relax in your beautiful Niche Retreat. Cook a meal and have some wine on the patio to the backdrop of the stunning coastline of Cornwall. It’s really as easy as that.