Planning a break to Cornwall but don’t fancy the mass tourism, hectic pace and traffic jams of Newquay and St Ives?
Want to rediscover the Cornwall your parents raved about? Then look no further than the Roseland Peninsula; it’s like someone turned back the clock fifty years and revealed Cornwall’s natural charm and beauty!
Portscatho
Portscatho may be just across the water from Falmouth, but it is a world away in terms of ambience and character. You almost expect to see Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy, crabbing on the pontoon, climbing trees and grazing knees. There is a timeless, romantic charm about this corner of Cornwall; white washed cottages perch on hillsides, sailboat rigging tinkles musically in the breeze and families everywhere enjoying time together, making memories that will last a lifetime.
St Mawes
St Mawes is the new foodie capital of Cornwall. It’s a popular, bustling harbour village that attracts people for its fabulous waterside views, stunning restaurants and vibrant community. St Mawes has in recent years become one of the most desirable holiday locations in Cornwall, and attracts everyone from couples, to families to movie stars. This village is bursting at the seams with fresh fish, local produce and top-notch eateries, so there is much to explore here.
A Local’s Guide to the best places to eat on the Roseland
The Cornish Italian
Meet Ugo… the talented chef and dynamic personality behind The Cornish Italian. It all started a few years back with Ugo’s award winning family recipe for Tiramisu, then due to the state of the world in 2020, the business adapted to deliver the finest homemade pasta to people’s doors. Now Ugo has his first physical restaurant on the Roseland, specialising in homemade pasta and tiramisu, made fresh every day. This is authentic, home cooked Italian food at its finest, made with the best local Cornish ingredients.
Visit https://cornishitalian.com/ for more information.
The Hidden Hut
For a quintessentially Cornish foodie experience, visit The Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick Beach. The rustic cafe enjoys a picture postcard setting, just perfect for a day spent at the beach or exploring the coastal trails around Portscatho. The Hidden Hut specialises in fresh produce such as hearty soups and homemade cakes – everything is designed to be enjoyed on the sand. You may have seen pictures of their impressive beach feasts, with a long table stretching across the sand – this is not an everyday occurrence, but plan ahead and you might just get to experience it.
Visit https://hiddenhut.co.uk/ for more information.
📸 Country Living Magazine
The Vine by Knightor
Nestled in the Knightor vineyard, The Vine offers superb Cornish food and drink, with stunning views over the Roseland towards Portscatho. There is lots of space for kids and dogs, lovely walks around the site, and a barn in case the weather is a bit iffy. Snacks are served at lunch time and burgers for dinner. Wine tastings are held on Thursdays and Fridays, and on Saturday’s you can tuck into a bottomless bbq. Sounds like a challenge!
Visit https://www.knightor.com/the-vine-by-knightor.html for more information.
Driftwood
Paul Green leads the fabulous kitchen team at Driftwood, a restaurant with a firm commitment and passion for fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Although the quality is sky high, dining at Driftwood is friendly and relaxed. When the weather suits, you can enjoy the outstanding view from the decking overlooking Gerrans Bay. Driftwood is open for lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
Visit https://www.driftwoodhotel.co.uk/restaurant-in-cornwall for more information.
Tresanton Restaurant
Cornwall is perfect for long walks with a four legged friend in tow, and the roaring log fire in the ‘Dog’s Bar’ is the perfect place to rest your weary legs after a good stomp. It’s a super dog friendly venue with amazing seafood, hearty main courses and tempting desserts. Tresanton is known for hosting glorious summer barbecues, so if you’re in St Mawes during the warmer months be sure to check them out.
Visit https://thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-tresanton/food-and-drink/reservations/ for more information.
St Mawes Hotel
The St Mawes Hotel prides itself on its fabulous Bar & Restaurant, which are both wonderful places to relax and enjoy top quality dishes and the best locally sourced Cornish ingredients.
The St Mawes Hotel offers a “from the heart, from the hearth” philosophy where provenance is of the utmost importance. Everything is traceable, and the St Mawes Hotel deals directly with the growers, farmers, and fishermen that supply them.
St Mawes Hotel is dog friendly everywhere apart from its Upper Deck Restaurant, and four legged friends will be welcomed with a treat.
Visit https://www.stmaweshotel.com/eat-drink/ for more information.
The Idle Rocks
The Idle Rocks is one of the most prestigious restaurants in St Mawes, and an idyllic spot for al fresco dining on the waterfront terrace. The atmosphere is fantastic, the menu is imaginative, the cocktails are sensational – what more can you ask for?
Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and even a seven course tasting menu, The Idle Rocks brings finesse to the seaside – and is the perfect spot to watch the sun set over Falmouth Bay.
Visit https://idlerocks.com/restaurant/ for more information.
Here are the best beaches and picnic spots on the Roseland
St Just-in-Roseland Creek
If you seek a picnic spot with a splash of magic, look no further than St Just-in-Roseland Creek. With its atmospheric church and exotically planted surrounds, this makes a fascinating and peaceful place to while away a few hours. Look out for egrets and herons around the water’s edge!
Carne Beach
With a National Trust car park right next to the sand and public toilets on hand, Carne Beach ticks all the boxes for practicalities. Just a few steps from the car and you’ll be on the glorious white sand, and feel transported a million miles away from real life. This beautiful sandy spot is popular with land lovers and water lovers alike, so whether you’re spreading a blanket for the day, or taking out a paddle board, you’ll have a cracking day at Carne Beach.
📸 Proper Cornwall
Towan Beach
Another beach that benefits from National Trust parking, toilets and a cafe, Towan is a beautiful sandy beach that will be a delightful spot to spread out your blanket and flop. Close enough to make a circular stomp around St Anthony’s headland from here, you have the option to walk the glorious loop and soak up the views if you so wish.
Summers Beach
St Mawes isn’t a beach destination, as most of the activity focuses around the bustling harbour walls. However, there is a small and well maintained beach to enjoy if you fancy feeling the sand between your toes. Introducing Summers Beach, just a short distance from the centre of the village, and a very convenient and civilised place to enjoy your spread.
St Anthony’s Head
Situated at the southernmost tip of the Roseland Peninsula is St Anthony’s Head, a former gun battery overlooking Pendennis Castle, the River Fal estuary and Carrick Roads, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Watch everything from small dinghies to tankers and cruise ships sail by on this mighty waterway, and soak up the history of Falmouth’s strategic importance over the centuries. Whilst you’re up here you have lovely walks in either direction along the coast path, so explore and have fun!
📸 Explore Cornwall
Porthluney Beach
Fancy finding a picnic spot with a fairytale castle as your backdrop, and the open ocean as your view? The Caerhays estate and the wonderful Porthluney Beach make a dreamlike setting for an idyllic picnic, and you’ll be perfectly positioned for a coastal walk, swim or exploration of the gardens too.
Explore the Roseland! Here are the most fun activities to enjoy near St Mawes and Portscatho
Philleigh Way
Philleigh Way is a contemporary cookery school, owned and run by Rupert Cooper. Set in an idyllic spot near the romantic creeks of the River Fal and the wide open Atlantic ocean, Philleigh Way is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Philleigh Way has access to the bounty of Cornwall’s fresh, seasonal ingredients, and much of what is consumed at the school is foraged or line-caught nearby.
Philleigh Way runs a range of cookery classes, pop up supper clubs and events, and also non-cookery courses such as floristry, foraging, yoga and photography.
Visit https://www.philleighway.co.uk/ for more information.
Walk the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast path (SWCP) is one of the most spectacular long distance walks in the world, and luckily for you, runs the entire length of the Roseland Peninsula. Anywhere you walk along the coast here will be breathtaking, you simply cannot put a foot wrong. Whether you choose to do a circular walk around St Anthony’s Head, the scenic stretch around Gorran Haven, or the serene section along from Porthscatho, you will be blown away. Don’t hesitate – just get out there and explore!
Visit https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ for more information and route planning.
📸 BBC
Go Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing or Powerboating
The best way to experience the beauty of the Roseland Peninsula is on the water. If you fancy trying your hand at watersports you’re in luck and the Roseland provides some of the best waters for sailing and paddling in the country.
Visit https://www.paddleandsail.com/ for more information
St Just-in-Roseland Church
We’ve already mentioned St Just-in-Roseland in our picnic section, but so special is the magic of this place, it is well worthy of a second mention. The church here is small and perfectly formed, with the ancient well of St Just in the graveyard. Exotic plants fill the garden making the church seem otherworldly, and the view out over the creek is serene. This is unlike any other church we know and well worth a visit during your time on the Roseland.
Lamorran House Gardens
If you are interested in exotic plants and specialist gardens then be sure to check out Lamorran House Gardens in St Mawes, it is one of the finest gardens in Cornwall. Owned and built by Robert and Maria-Antonietta Dudley Cooke, Lamorran offers an intimate experience, with breathtaking sea views and plenty of magical spots to pause and soak in the glory of the planting.
Visit https://lamorrangardens.co.uk/index.html to find out more.
Trewince Spa
Trewince offers an indoor 13m heated pool, spa pool & sauna, plus gym with cardio room & free weights studio.
Karen at The Green Room offers a range of treatments including Mini Facial treatment with hand or foot massage, Weleda Signature Holistic Facial and Wellbeing treatment and the Ultimate Wellbeing package.
Visit https://www.trewince.com/leisure-facilities/the-green-room/ for more information
Caerhays Estate and Garden
Just a 20 minute drive from Parc an Bounder and Percuil View lies the magnificent Caerhays Castle and Estate. One of the finest spring gardens in the county and one of the Great Gardens of Cornwall, Caerhays is well worth a visit. Situated overlooking Porthluney beach, Caerhays looks like a scene from a film – go and experience it for yourself.
Visit https://visit.caerhays.co.uk/ for more information.
Caerhays Holidays offers accommodation in between Portscatho and St Mawes
Parc-An-Bounder: Family holiday cottage in Cornwall.
Sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 dogs welcome
Beautiful barn conversion located on the Roseland Peninsula close to St Mawes and Portscatho, with characterful exposed beams and modern finishes.
This stunning spacious conversion located on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula and with easy access to the King Harry Ferry offers an ideal family holiday retreat. Can be rented in conjunction with Percuil View, which lies adjacent, to sleep 10. Close to the popular seaside towns of St Mawes and Portscatho with all their amenities.
Visit https://www.caerhaysholidays.co.uk/home/parc-an-bounder/ for more information and to check availability.
Percuil View: Family holiday cottage in Cornwall.
Sleeps 2, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 dogs welcome
Holiday home sleeping 4 near Portscatho, Cornwall. Percuil View is a newly refurbished barn conversion with stunning far reaching views of the Roseland Peninsula and beyond. Presented to an extremely high standard with open plan living, this property is perfectly located to explore all that the Roseland and South Cornwall has to offer. Can be rented in conjunction with Parc an Bounder which lies adjacent to this barn to sleep 10.
Visit https://www.caerhaysholidays.co.uk/home/percuil-view/ for more information and to check availability.
