C&TH GREAT BRITISH & IRISH HOTELS
THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT PADSTOW, CORNWALL
Padstow is Rick Stein. And if a restaurant can be a hub, then his famous Seafood Restaurant is just that, where red-aproned waiters whisk about in the airy, colourful dining room and a chandelier made of a shoal of bobbing white fish creates an eye-catching start to a memorable meal. Or you can eat more simply at Rick Stein’s Café, St Petroc’s Bistro or Stein’s Fish & Chips, equally fun. As for sleeping, choose from a variety of stylish lodgings, designed by Jill Stein, and set in charming, white-painted village houses. There are lovely rooms above The Seafood Restaurant, while the cheapest are those above the Café and the most expensive in St Edmund’s House, with oak floors, American shutters and views across the Camel Estuary. There are also four sunny rooms in Prospect House, situated behind St Petroc’s, which has a further ten. The one-bedroom cottage in the heart of Padstow, Bryn Cottage, has estuary views, secluded garden and a kitchen. TOP TIP... Spend a day at Rick Stein’s Cookery School for the perfect balance of chef demonstrations and hands-on lessons, as well as plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Doubles from £115 +44 (0)1841 532700; rickstein.com
ST ENODOC ROCK, CORNWALL
Well-heeled British families have flocked to Rock for their bucket-and-spade holidays for generations, but it wasn’t until the emergence, in the late 1990s, of classic seaside hotel St Enodoc, following a total makeover, that they had somewhere to stay that was both stylish and relaxed, as well as just right for all ages. Today, James Nathan is in charge of the food at the brassserie-style restaurant and its Mediterranean feel, clean lines, easygoing comfort and wide terrace for outdoor dining are in perfect harmony with its location. Modern European dishes are fresh, healthy and locally sourced. Upstairs, the bedrooms – many with views across the water – are brightly painted, with original art on the walls. St Enodoc Hotel and Spa makes the ideal seaside base, with surrounding sandy beaches, the ferry to Padstow and St Enodoc golf course on the doorstep. There’s fine walking too: don’t miss hidden St Enodoc Church, resting place of Sir John Betjeman, who loved this area. TOP TIP... The Camel Estuary is perfect for watersports, why not walk down the road to the Camel Ski School for paddleboarding or waterskiing. Doubles from £195 +44 (0)1208 863394; enodoc-hotel.co.uk 22 | COUNTRYANDTOWNHOUSE.CO.UK/GREAT-BRITISH-AND-IRISH-HOTELS | 2016
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