Last week we spoke about how minimoons can be a great in between break while you save up for the big honeymoon. One of our favourite places that are absolutely perfect for minimoons is Cornwall.
Why Cornwall?
A true love affair
It’s really hard not to fall in love with Cornwall. For may it holds the happy memories of a childhood seaside holiday. For others, it’s the youthful memories of a teenage summer. For everyone, it’s a love affair with the land that lasts a lifetime.
Location
Located in the far west of Great Britain Cornwall is almost completely surrounded by the sea. The extravagant coastline wraps around Cornwall for almost 300 miles! Cornwall is also the location of mainland Great Britain's most southerly headland, The Lizard, and one of the UK’s most westerly points, Land's End. A few miles offshore further west is an archipelago of tiny islands which together make up the Isles of Scilly.
The beautiful outdoors
There are many things Cornwall is loved for; including the dramatic coastline with its charming fishing harbours; the breathtaking beaches and the bewitching surf that provide an organic playground for many watersports; and of course the traditional Cornish pasty and scrumptious cream teas.
Places To Stay
There are plenty of hotels and campsites across Cornwall, but we feel like there’s nothing better than self-catering cottages for a newlyweds paradise. Unique Home Stays offers fantastic properties that are well and truly unique, giving you a minimoon to remember.
Moontide, Whitsands Bay
Featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, Moontide is a truly luxurious self-catering beach hut nestled into the cliffside at Whitsand Bay. Perfect for lazy mornings under the covers gazing out to sea, long days on the beach enjoying the Cornwall sunshine and relaxed al fresco suppers by the warm, glowing chiminea beneath a sky of twinkling stars.
Firefly, Mawgan Porth
Firefly has a perfect earthy, back-to-nature appeal. Embracing rustic charm and boasting a natural swimming pond, this luxury self-catering woodcutter’s cottage just outside of the beautiful Mawgan Porth offers an incredibly unique ‘into the wild’ experience, perfect for a romantic minimoon. You could even bring your four-legged friend along. This property’s real luxury asset is the organic, natural beauty of the simple life.
Daydreamer, Freathy
If you’ve ever dreamt of your own private cliff top retreat including a bubbly hot tub and never-ending views out across deep blue waters, Daydreamer is the perfect place to stay. Blissfully set on Freathy Cliff in 'Cornwall's forgotten corner', this luxury self-catering beach hut is the definition of seaside chic.
Places To See
Tintagel
Living on the peak of the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel has exquisite sea views. The spectacular place, steeped in myths and mystery, has inspired artists and writers throughout history who have associated it with the legend of King Arthur. Immerse yourself in the myth by taking a wander down the steep cliff side to the castle ruins, King Arthur’s home. If the tide is out, you can also walk down onto the pretty cove and into Merlin’s Cave.
Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is a 2-mile beach set in a deep valley between Newquay and Padstow. The beach is a leading venue for beach sports, watersports and events and is a surfing hotspot. There are lessons and technical equipment hire on the beach at the Extreme Academy, open all year round, with fully trained and expert tuition. While you’re there, pop into Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall for a meal, or The Beach Hut for one of their Extreme Hot Chocolates! If you fancy a trip to a spa, look no further than the Watergate Bay Hotel for a day of relaxation.
Padstow
Padstow is a delightful working fishing port surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches situated at the head of the Camel River. People watching the everyday flow of harbour life is a perfect way to spend a sunny day. This destination is perfect for foodies with popular eateries such as Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant and is the start and end point for the Camel Cycle Trail. The town itself boasts great home run shops where you can find the most unusual possessions.
St Ives
Named one of the 10 best European beach destinations compiled by TripAdvisor, St Ives is a surprisingly subtropical oasis where the beaches are beautifully golden, the vegetation is lush and the light piercingly bright. With a buzz of people gathering from all over the world, the town offers a day like no other in the U.K. Seen as an artist’s haven, the town has been attracting artists for decades who come to capture its undeniable natural beauty. Starting with J M W Turner and the marine artist Henry Moore who first came to St Ives in the mid-1800s, the town has become a magnet for some of the world’s greatest painters, sculptors and ceramists.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan were unveiled in 1992. Under decades of overgrowth, the Lost Gardens were restored on a tiny budget and since has been hailed by The Times as “…the garden restoration of the century”. Today, the mysterious gardens and estate offer over 200 acres for exploration. The Giant’s Head, Mud Maid and Grey Lady all wait to be discovered along the Woodland Walk to delightful bird song. After a long walk, The licensed Heligan Tearoom provides a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for a Cornish cream tea and delicious home-cooked lunches, made from fresh seasonal produce straight out of the gardens and estate. The on-site bakery also supplies fresh bread, scones and cakes daily. If you’re thinking of visiting Cornwall on your minimoon let us know your plans on Facebook or Twitter. Even better, send us your holiday snaps!