Planning the perfect staycation in Cornwall

Ever planned a staycation in Cornwall? So once again, the Met office are forecasting an unusually warm spring.

Of course, The Sun have reported this as ‘a three month heatwave’ — with 26°C predicted next month’.

Never let it be said that they don’t like to make a juicy headline out of the British weather.

But whilst the Met are (understandably) a little bit more cautious — simply stating ‘well above average’ temperatures — it did strike me that the ‘staycation’ is definitely a good option when the weather is set to be glorious on home turf.

The Staycation

The term ‘staycation’ was first coined in 2003 article by American journalist Terry Massey; in the US paper The Sun News. Since then it’s grown in popularity and these days a staycation is a familiar word in the UK.

People have been holidaying at home for centuries but when the package holiday became popular in the 50s, seaside towns fell out of favour and Brits started travelling abroad for their summer holidays.

These days though, it’s all changed again! With the uncertainly of Brexit (and higher temperatures on the horizon) staying on home soil has never seemed more appealing!

This year — although we’ve got a big, overseas trip planned — we’ve also been looking at holidaying closer to home for long school break.

We’ve been thinking we might head down to Cornwall again, as we’ve spent so many lovely holidays down there.

There are endless beautiful places to visit; the question is: do we head to the beach? Or inland, to the countryside?

Skip to my Looe

The last time we went down to Cornwall was in 2017, and we stayed near St Austell. It was a great base for days out and whilst we were down there we visited the small fishing town of Looe.

It was a really soggy day — far too wet to be outdoors — but instead of admitting defeat and letting the weather dictate our plans, we went to a pottery café and painted plates.

By the time we’d finished the rain had cleared up, and we headed to the beach for a wander.

We skimmed stones at the jetty, ate salty chips from a packet and generally had the loveliest time.

My little man-cubs ran about, barefoot, on an all but empty beach and their daddy and I held hands and talked about what a lovely day it had been.

So lovely.

And so memorable.

I loved Looe. The tiny winding lanes, quirky shops and little eateries. It was exactly the kind of place I have in my mind’s eye, when I think of Cornwall. We vowed to go back there, so I’ve been scouring a fab website called Cornish Horizons, that have a massive selection of holiday cottages all over Cornwall.

I’ve been having a browse and have found some brilliant options but this one — without question — is my favourite.

Broadening my Cornish Horizons

Less than 4 miles from Looe, Pendriffey Cottage is situated in the village of Pelynt.

It sounds ideal for us — the village has two well-stocked village stores and a characterful, traditional village pub. But it’s the cottage that’s stolen my heart.

Pendriffey has 5 bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 people, and looks to be the perfect match for a couple of families who want a piece of the Cornish good-life.

I daresay there are other places down in Cornwall that are just as lovely as Looe.

We loved our time at St Mawes too, so I’m pretty sure that Cornish Horizons will have loads more amazing properties, in dozens of towns and villages, that we’ve never explored before.

I’ve always heard that Padstow is nice; and they’ve lots of lovely properties there. But also St Ives, where the light it supposed to be the most beautiful you’ll ever see.

One thing’s for sure, if you’re after a holiday cottage in Cornwall, you’ll be totally spoilt for choice.