Cornish Food Trail
Cornwall's food and drink is becoming as famous as its breathtaking coast and countryside. Sara Paston-Williams, food historian, has revelled in all it has to offer for more than 30 years. Here are some of her favourite food places for you to enjoy, from beach cafes to delicatessens.
Fine Fettle Foods
What is a Cornish breakfast without hog's pudden? My favourite is Larkhill from this specialist butcher/deli in Truro, which recently moved from Lemon Street Market. All the meat comes either from owner Charles Gould's farm or other Cornish farms that follow the same ethos of high animal welfare and caring for the landscape and wildlife.
3 River Street, Truro 01872 320222 or Larkhill Farm, St Austell 01726 72520
Duke Street Sandwich Deli
If a good sandwich turns you on, visit this smart Truro take-away where Cath and Lloyd Fricker provide the very best Cornish produce for you to invent your own. There is also great homemade soup, fresh salads and juices, delicious cakes and coffee too. Opens at 8am for breakfast and you can eat in, outside or take away.
10 Duke Street, Truro 01872 320025
On The Table
Local organic farmers have had the brilliant idea of opening an organic farm shop at Goonhaven Garden Centre on the A3075 Newquay road near Truro, selling their home-produced meat and vegetables, including sausages made by Jo's own fair hands, plus lots of other high quality Cornish goodies. Her wholemeal rolls are fantastic too.
Goonhaven Garden Centre, Newquay Road, Goonhavern, Truro 01872 571400
Godrevy Cafe
A fabulously located cafe set behind the dunes on this beautiful National Trust beach, with wonderful views across the bay towards St Ives. Start with homemade cakes and coffee for elevenses, take a brisk walk on the beach, then back for a daily special and a glass of wine. The Mexican Beef Wrap is really tasty. It's also a very special place in the evening out of season. Eat in or take away.
2 Godrevy Towans, Gwithian, Hayle 01736 757999
The Gurnard's Head
An ideal pitstop on the coastal footpath near Zennor where you can have simple well-cooked food, local beer, good wine and, at the end of the evening, comfortable beds and soft linen. Based on a successful hotel/pub in Brecon, mid-Wales, Eatdrinksleep took over this well-known pub earlier in the year. Things look very promising so far, but I hope chef Matt Williamson continues to make The Gurnard's famous fish soup.
Treen, Zennor, St Ives 01736 796928
W Harvey and Sons
Cornwall's largest shellfish processor and wholesaler, based in Newlyn, has an excellent reputation for quality. Crabs, lobsters and crawfish are caught either by it's own boats or by small boats working from West Country coves, then cooked on site and hand-picked. Try spider crabmeat for a change - it is so sweet, you won't be disappointed.
W Harvey and Sons Shellfish Shop, The Coombe, Newlyn 01736 362983 www.crabmeat.co.uk
Heather Lane Nursery
If you want to get hold of an unusual herb or salad leaf that Cornwall's renowned chefs might use, this is the place to go. Run by Kevin Mackness, the nursery is a Community Horticultural Project and is fascinating to wander around. The produce is good quality and grown with the minimum amount of pesticides and what's more, you are sure of a warm welcome.
Back Lane, Cannonstown, Hayle 01736 740198
Horse and Jockey Bakery
When visiting the Cornish fishing village of Porthleven, don't miss this quaint wooden shop - the smell of warm pasties will entice you in. All the pies and pasties are made in their main bakery in Helston, but cooked on the premises. The bread and cakes arrive already baked and the friendly staff will make up rolls or sandwiches for your journey home.
1 Commercial Road, Porthleven, Helston 01326 562324
Rosuick Organic Farm
For a family day out this organic mixed farm on the edge of the nature reserve of Goonhilly Downs has everything, including camel trekking - yes I did say camel! The farm shop sells home-produced meats and poultry and dry-cured bacon, there is naturally dyed wool from their own flock and produce from other local farms (The Lizard honey is wonderful).
St Martin, Helston 01326 231119 or 231302 for opening times. www.cornishcamels.co.uk
Camel Valley Vineyards Ltd
Remember when English wine was a joke? Well not any more. Bob Lindo has been creating award winning wines for over a decade at his vineyard near Bodmin. You can walk or cycle the Camel Trail then visit the vineyard to enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace in the autumn sun or take a personally guided tour, plus tasting, with the great man himself. Don't forget some of his excellent fizz for Christmas.
Nanstallon, Bodmin 01288 77959 www.camelvalley.com
Treleavens Luxury Cornish Ice Cream
A Cornish holiday wouldn't be complete without a visit to a traditional ice cream parlour. Husband and wife owned Treleaven's has three - in Looe, Polperro and Tintagel - selling a range of nearly 50 luxury handmade ice creams and sorbets. Their Apple and Blackberry Crumble ice cream is divine, but if your taste is more savoury, how about Cornish Blue Cheese and Pear, then there's always their award-winning Vodka Pink Grapefruit sorbet for a smart dinner party.
Looe, Polperro and Tintagel 01503 220969
Pengelly's Fishmongers
For the freshest fish from small day boats working out of Looe visit Angie or Jackie Pengelly who now run the family business. The sisters sell only the best quality and in the Looe shop during the summer you can also buy delicious fishy sandwiches and rolls. Out of season, take your own bread/rolls and choose your filling.
The Quay, East Looe 01503 262246 or 2, The Arcade, Fore Street, Liskeard 01579 340717
The View
On a glorious autumn or winter's day this must be one of the loveliest places to eat. Built into the hillside above the cliffs with a magnificent view over Whitsand Bay in South East Cornwall this favourite café/restaurant buzzes with locals. Walkers wander in from the coastal path for a coffee and homemade cake or stop for a bowl of mussels. The food is terrific and the surroundings light and airy, with the sun pouring through the large windows. It's a pretty special place when the wind and rain are lashing the glass too! View is also open for dinner.
Whitsand Bay, Kingsand 01752 822345 www.theviewrestaurant.co.uk
Troff Bistro
At the Sterts Centre near Liskeard, this is a really fun eating place where you can have an excellent pre-performance supper/lunch/snack, or whatever, al fresco if the weather is good. Sarah Hall, the chef, uses local ingredients imaginatively and all the food is homemade, what's more there is always something tasty for vegetarians and vegans.
Sterts Centre, Upton Cross, Liskeard 01579 362382 www.sterts.co.uk
For information and bookings for the café call Sarah Hall on 07973 336406 www.troff.co.uk
Rectory Farm Tearooms
Experience the ultimate Cornish cream tea in the olde worlde surroundings of this 13th century farmhouse with beams, flagstone floors and open fireplaces - bliss on an autumn afternoon after a walk to Hawker's Hut on the cliffs at Morwenstow. You can have a proper cup of leaf tea from a choice of 20 different locally-blended varieties, the cakes are pretty special too.
Morwenstow, Bude 01288 331251