No two words are more evocative of cosy romantic getaway more than ‘Log Cabin’, just the mere mention of those three syllables conjures mental images of snuggled secludeness in front of a roaring log fire, but did you know a cabin of the loggy variety can be the perfect place to explore from… oh you did? Oh, well let me tell you again.
Cornwall, with its rugged coastline, pristine beaches, top notch surf, quaint coastal coves and incredible landscapes has for a long time been a favourite with visitors of all ages and sizes, but the increase in boutique hotels and high-end luxury log cabins and lodges has seen a big increase in couples headed to the South West in search of a peaceful and luxuriant romantic getaway. So whack a bottle of bubbly on ice and let’s work through some of Cornwall’s finest attractions and hidden gems together.
Cornwall coastline
1) The North Cornish Coast – If BIG nature’s your thing then the wilds of North Cornwall are definitely a must see – there are also plenty of amazing hotels and cabin hideaways where you can watch the coastline from the comfort of your hot tub so it serves even the least intrepid of explorers.
If you’re feeling outdoorsy though there’s tonnes to do and see, and a trip to the remarkable ruins on the cliffs at Tintagel are as good a place as any to start. North Cornwall is probably Britain’s most famous surfing hotspot with the beaches at Fistral and Perranporth favourites with surfers and sun-seekers alike. If throwing yourself into the icy Celtic sea isn’t exciting enough for you then North Cornwall’s epic coastline provides miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
2) Cornish Food – Housewives favourite Rik Stein might have put Cornwall on the culinary map with his much vaunted Cornish seafood restaurants which began in Padstow but like a tasty fungal infection have quickly spread to other parts of the county – but Cornwall is now quite rightly considered a destination location for foodies everywhere.
Surrounded by so much sea it’s little wonder that the county’s fayre has become synonymous with first class fish and seafood, but there’s far more to the gastronomic landscape than that, and the county boasts several Michelin stars. Highlights include Nathan Outlaw’s eponymous restaurant in Port Isaac and if you fancy something a little more exotic Kota in Porthleven blends Chinese, Malaysian and Maori influences with the best quality Cornish ingredients.
If all that’s still not enough The Cornish Food Festival takes place yearly in Truro (though following Glastonbury’s lead it’s taking 2018 off!).
3) Culture – Yeah it might be at the foot-end of the country but that doesn’t mean Cornwall isn’t a holiday destination that serves up a healthy dollop of culture alongside its stunning natural beauty. Ever heard of the Tate Gallery? Thought you might, well it has a gallery space in St Ives which amongst other things champions local art of which there has been plenty.
2018 exhibition highlights include a Patrick Heron retrospective and an exhibition of artworks inspired by the writing of Virginia Woolf. The coastal towns and big nature of Cornwall might inspire you to pack the water colours so, if the weather turns, you can paint through the rain streaked windows of you your log cabin retreat.
For sunnier days make sure you check out the world famous Minack Theatre – and amphitheatrical setting cut into the cliffs at Porthcurno overlooking the ocean. Unsurprisingly for a venue that wouldn’t be out of place in Ancient Greece, The Minack’s schedulers like to programme a nice array of classic theatre including plenty of Shakespeare, but if you’re more incline towards opera, then there’s plenty of that too – just make sure you book as it sells out in summer months – unsurprisingly.
4) Cornish Tipple – To my mind there’s no finer way to fortify yourself after a day outside being buffeted by the fresh Cornish wind than relaxing in front of the fire in one of Cornwall’s famous pubs drinking a foaming pint of Cornish ale.
The St Austell Brewery dates back to 1851 and is the county’s largest pub landlord operating 174 pubs in the West Country. Brewery tours and tastings are available for the beer nuts amongst you, or you could find yourself a cosy bolthole and knock back a few jars of Proper Job and nibble on a Cornish pasty. Doom Bar has quietly become the UK’s number one cask beer and is brewed in Rock, so to make it fair I’d suggest sampling a few jars of that too!
Every charming coastal town will have its fair share of pubs and inns to explore at your leisure, but perhaps the county’s most famous is the former smuggler’s hotspot set in desolate Bodmin Moor surroundings, Jamaica Inn. If that name sounds familiar to you it’s because the pub inspired Daphne du Maurier to write a novel of the same name, and the pub today has a small Daphne museum attached. The hotel also provides rooms and cracking grub.