Par is the gritty, industrial heart of St Austell Bay that has transformed into a strategic hub for visitors. It is famous for its stark white “Cornish Alps” (china clay tips) that dominate the skyline and its vast, dune-backed beach that welcomes dogs all year round.
Par is one of the most practical and strategic bases in Cornwall. With a mainline train station, a huge dog-friendly beach, and the Eden Project practically in its backyard, it offers incredible convenience. Accommodation here leans towards high-quality holiday parks and historic inns in the neighbouring village of Tywardreath.
Par is often overlooked as purely industrial, but look past the china clay docks and you will find a thriving local food community. From the famous food hall at the market to iconic pizza restaurants housed in old lifeboat stations just around the headland, the area offers some surprising culinary gems.
Mevagissey is a labyrinth of narrow streets and ancient buildings that tumble down to a twin harbour. It feels like a place that time forgot, where fishing boats still dictate the rhythm of the day and the history of smuggling is etched into the very stones of the quay.
Staying in Mevagissey is an immersion in Cornish village life. Because the village is built into a steep valley, many properties offer stunning views looking down over the harbour lights. It is a romantic, bustling base, perfect for those who want to leave the car behind and explore the coast path. From Art Deco hotels […]
Mevagissey is a working fishing village first and a tourist destination second. This means the food scene is authentic, unpretentious, and dominated by whatever the boats have landed that morning. From tiny Portuguese bistros hidden in the backstreets to bustling harbour-front pubs where you can watch the tides turn, eating here is a serious business.
Looe is the quintessential Cornish holiday town. It manages to balance being a busy working fishing port with being a classic family resort. The river cuts the town in two, creating a dynamic landscape where you can watch trawlers unload their catch on one side and build sandcastles on the other.
Looe is a town of two halves, separated by a river and connected by a Victorian bridge. East Looe is the bustling hub with the beach and narrow streets, while West Looe is quieter, offering incredible views looking back across the harbour. Accommodation here ranges from grand hotels on the headland to fishermen’s cottages tucked into the hillside.
Looe is, first and foremost, a working fishing port. The town is famous for its day boats, which land some of the highest quality fish in the UK. As a result, the dining scene here is dominated by seafood that was likely swimming in the bay just hours before it hit your plate.
Fowey is a town defined by the river. It is a haven for sailors, a muse for authors like Daphne du Maurier, and a maze of narrow medieval streets that tumble down to the water. Life here moves at the pace of the tides, with days spent pottering on boats or walking the steep cliffs that guard the estuary entrance.