Cornwall Living Best Of 2025

The Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea

Issue 169 | Best of 2025 | £3.95

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By The Sea

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When the Sea Whispers,

luxury awaits

BOOK YOUR COASTA L ESCA P E stmichaelsresort.com 01326 312707

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The Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea

Welcome A

From the Editor to the best of Cornwall Living 2025!

s another year draws to a close, it feels only right to pause and celebrate the extraordinary businesses that make Cornwall such a vibrant place to live, work and explore. Over the past 12 months, Cornwall Living has had the privilege of stepping inside studios, kitchens, workshops and coastal hideaways, meeting the passionate people who pour heart and soul into what they do. From bold new ventures to much-loved local names, each business has played a part in shaping a year filled with creativity, resilience and unmistakable Cornish spirit. There have been stories that inspired us, craftsmanship that stopped us in our tracks and ideas that reminded us just how special this corner of the world truly is. Here’s to a remarkable year and to many more stories still to be told in 2026!

Happy reading...

Hannah ON THE COVER

PROUD TO BE PART OF

For all editorial, production, marketing, design or distribution enquiries call 01326 574842 or email production@enginehousemedia.co.uk Editor Hannah Tapping – 01326 574842 hannah.tapping@levenmediagroup.co.uk

Celebrating the best of Cornwall Living 2025! Join as as we look back over an exciting year and explore some exceptional winter stays in the Duchy from page 7.

18 49

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Credit Control Tracy Dart – 01326 574842 tracy.dart@levenmediagroup.co.uk

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Accounts Manager Charlotte Forster – 01326 574842 charlotte.forster@levenmediagroup.co.uk Head of Client Management Des Glover – 07535 585613 / 01326 369429 des.glover@enginehousemedia.co.uk Client Manager Shannon Witter – 01326 369429 shannon.witter@enginehousemedia.co.uk

REGULARS

FEATURES

4 Got to experience...

18 Ethical lifestyle

CEO & Founder Ben Pratchett – 01326 574842 ben.pratchett@enginehousemedia.co.uk

28 Creative and retail resilience

23 Coastal recharge

Chairman & Founder Andy Forster – 01326 574842 andy.forster@enginehousemedia.co.uk

34 Between worlds and walls

44 Art in focus

Cornwall Living is published by: ENGINE HOUSE MEDIA LTD Holbrook, The Moors, Porthleven, Cornwall TR13 9JX

40 The lure of luxury

49 Creative living in Cornwall

46 On Display

51 Summer ready

www.enginehousemedia.co.uk www.levenmediagroup.co.uk Engine House Media Ltd is a multi-platform media business with a passion for everything Cornish. Visit www.enginehousemedia.co.uk to find out more. Our mission is to create READ-WATCH-EXPERIENCE media opportunities marrying together consumers with the fabulous businesses across Cornwall. Our publishing and marketing teams are specialists in creating print and on-line communications, devised to achieve a range of marketing objectives. With over 20 years of marketing, brand management and magazine experience we develop effective communications that deliver your message in a credible and creative way. We operate across all media channels, including: print, online and video.

The Cowshed Spa at St Moritz Hotel Jo Downs Handmade Glass

Discover Tate St Ives

Elegant ocean-side stays Showcasing artists and galleries

Uneeka celebrates 20 years in business Unwind at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa We visit Colour & Space Grey Lurcher; a joyful emporia

All your watersports needs under one roof

ISSN 2049-8462

© All rights reserved. Material may not be re-produced without the permission of Engine House Media Ltd. While Cornwall Living will take every care to help readers with reports on properties and features, neither Engine House Media Ltd nor its contributors can accept any liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from editorial features, editorial or advertising featured in these pages. Engine House Media Ltd strongly advise viewing any property prior to purchasing or considerations over any financial decisions. Engine House Media reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. Engine House Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of supplied materials. The opinions expressed or advice given in the publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Engine House Media Ltd. It is suggested that further advice is taken over any actions resulting from reading any part of this magazine.

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er ALL YOU NEED IS THE SEA

BOOK FOR £100

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LIFESTYLE

Got to

Experience A COWSHED DINE AND UNWIND PACKAGE AT ST MORITZ HOTEL Indulge in a Cowshed Dine and Unwind package at St Moritz Hotel for the ultimate relaxation experience. Start by enjoying a delicious two-course dinner at the hotel’s Shorecrest Restaurant, where you'll savour exquisite dishes crafted from the freshest ingredients. Afterward, take advantage of the wonderful, welcoming space that is the Cowshed Spa to rejuvenate your body and mind. This perfect blend of culinary delight and serene wellness makes for an unforgettable retreat.

ST MORITZ HOTEL AND COWSHED SPA www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk St Moritz Hotel – 01208 862242 Cowshed Spa – 01208 869800 spa@stmoritzhotel.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE

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Get Out & Enjoy the Outdoors with the SUPER73 E-Bike from MAD Water Sports!

New In...EOVOLT

Folding Electric Cycles!

Now’s the time to join the electric revolution! Born from a desire to inspire and create adventure, SUPER73 was founded in 2016 and has led the charge in pioneering a new approach to help redefine the electric e-bike industry. With a passionate customer base, including A-list celebrities and professional athletes, SUPER73 is taking the UK and Cornwall by storm! Stocked by MAD Water Sports in Wadebridge, these bikes are the talk of the town and are revolutionising travel on two wheels!

What's more they can be customised with many accessories, such as rear racks and surfboard holders.

The SUPER73 is available to buy from £1799 – why not drop by and try one for yourself at MAD Water Sports?

MAD Water Sports is also the AUTHORISED SERVICE CENTRE for SUPER73 in the South West!

Contact us to drop your bike in for service or repair:

MAD WATER SPORTS LTD

15 DUNVETH BUSINESS PARK, WEST HILL, WADEBRIDGE PL27 7FE

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COVER FEATURE

intering in WCORNWALL

An invitation to experience the county from some of its top hotels.

Words by JAMIE CROCKER

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ABOVE é & RIGHT St Michaels Resort offers restoration and indulgence in equal measure

EXPERIENCE DISCOVER MORE...

Directly opposite St Michaels Resort lies Gyllyngvase Beach, a family-friendly Blue Flag stretch of sand, with Castle Beach and Swanpool Beach just a short stroll away along the coast path.

At Karma St. Martin’s, guests can step straight onto Lowertown Beach, or take a short boat or kayak trip to discover the white sands of Great Bay and the untouched shores of neighbouring Teän.

The Nare Hotel sits above Carne Beach on the Roseland Heritage Coast, with direct access from its gardens to the wide, sandy shoreline of Gerrans Bay. Guests at the Bodmin Jail Hotel will find The Camel Trail close at hand, an 18-mile, traffic-free walking and cycling route along a former railway. For something shorter, a circular walk from Dunmere to Bodmin Jail passes through bluebell woods, while Bodmin Moor and nearby estates like Lanhydrock offer wilder adventures.

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inter transforms Cornwall into something entirely different from the bustling summer destination most visitors know. The coast becomes dramatically wild, unleashing spectacular displays of foam and spray, while inland paths and clifftop walks shed their summer crowds and invite you to experience the landscape in its raw, untamed state. This is Cornwall for those who seek atmosphere, rewarding travellers drawn to its elemental beauty.

The county’s hotels embrace this seasonal shift, offering hospitality that matches winter’s more contemplative pace, a welcome contrast to the frenetic pace of summer. This year, some of Cornwall’s premier destinations invite you to discover the season through experiences only they can provide.

St Michaels Resort in Falmouth invites you to frame winter as a time for renewal. The resort has shaped its offering around wellness, ensuring that guests feel both looked after and revitalised. The spa’s outdoor hydrotherapy pool remains inviting even in the colder months, steam rising into the air as you soak.

Inside, the treatments are extensive, many inspired by Cornwall’s natural resources, whilst the Health Club offers the reassurance of keeping fitness routines alive while away.

Rooms are bright and designed for comfort, many with sea views, while the restaurant delivers dishes that balance refinement with the freshness of Cornish produce. St Michaels suggests that winter can be just as restorative as summer, with health and indulgence both being important.

Karma St. Martin’s bids you step further still, across the water to the Isles of Scilly.

Reaching the hotel feels like a deliberate escape, and once there, guests find themselves closer to nature than perhaps anywhere else in Cornwall. In winter, the beaches are windswept and atmospheric, the skies shifting constantly above the Atlantic horizon. Inside, warmth and comfort contrast with winter’s display outside. Fires burn, food is served with a focus on the catch landed nearby, and bedrooms frame views that change with the weather. Karma St. Martin’s offers the chance to withdraw from the everyday while still being looked after in style, an invitation to rediscover the simple pleasure of being close to sea and sky.

www.karmaresortdestinations.com/ karma-st-martins

ê BELOW Karma St. Martin’s is an island escape for all seasons

www.stmichaelsresort.com

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COVER FEATURE

ABOVE é A warm welcome, amazing views and delicious food awaits at The Nare

BELOW ê & RIGHT Bodmin Jail Hotel, where history meets luxury at every turn

The Nare extends an invitation to embrace tradition on the Roseland Peninsula. This is a hotel that has built its reputation on service, and in winter, that quality feels all the more evident. Guests arriving after a long walk along the cliffs are met with attentive staff, open fires and a choice of lounges designed for lingering. Dining here is formal without a whiff of pomp, with menus that reflect both local produce and a kitchen confident in its craft. Bedrooms are spacious and many look out over Gerrans Bay, offering vistas that seem made for winter light. At The Nare, the invitation is to slow down, to appreciate standards of service that remain constant regardless of the season, and to enjoy a style of hospitality that is rare.

The Greenbank and The Alverton, both part of the Cornwall Hotel Collection, extend their invitation from Falmouth and Truro, respectively. The Greenbank sits directly on the water, inviting guests to enjoy harbour views as lights reflect across the estuary in the early evenings. Its restaurant and bar have a lively, welcoming atmosphere, while rooms echo the building’s maritime heritage with comfort and character. The Alverton, in contrast, invites you to stay in a former convent, where architecture provides both gravitas and elegance. Set in its own grounds just above Truro, it offers a blend of city access and heritage comfort. Between them, these two hotels invite guests to see how Cornwall’s urban and harbour life thrives in winter, each with its own specific appeal but a shared focus on hospitality.

é ABOVE Experience city chic at The Alverton

www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk www.thealverton.co.uk

www.narehotel.co.uk Bodmin Jail Hotel offers something altogether different, as it summons those to experience history reimagined. The building, once a prison, has been transformed into a striking example of heritage adapted for modern use. Stone walls and original features provide drama, while interiors are designed with comfort firmly in mind. Bedrooms feel luxurious, bathrooms are well-appointed, and the restaurant delivers ambitious dining that surprises first-time visitors. Winter is a season that suits the building, enhancing its atmosphere, yet guests are met with warmth and a sense of being cocooned from the outside world. The idea here is to combine curiosity with comfort, staying somewhere that tells a story while also offering everything expected of a modern hotel.

www.bodminjailhotel.com

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A Cornish Retreat for Every Kind of Escape

Escape to Old Lanwarnick - 45 acres of peace, adventure and dog-friendly fun.

Choose from off-grid glamping, cosy cottages or a 17th-century farmhouse. With a dog agility course, EV chargers, gym, private woods and animals to meet and greet, it’s the ideal getaway for couples, families and groups up to 37.

info@oldlanwarnick.co.uk | 0790 999 4331 |

oldlanwarnickcottages

www.oldlanwarnick.co.uk

beth Richardson Paintings and Drawings

Cornwall based artist, Beth Richardson, reflects on spaces in her often large scale paintings. Exploring vessels and voids, she invites viewers to sink, float, and dive into unknown and ambiguous worlds somewhere between the real and the imagined.

Shop a beautiful collection of Greeting Cards, Giclee Prints, and Original Artworks online:

www.bethrichardsonart.co.uk

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Celebrate a truly Cornish Christmas with the South Crofty Collection – handcrafted jewellery and gifts made from pure Cornish tin from the South Crofty mine.

Their annual Christmas decoration is a festive favourite, perfect for adding sparkle to your tree or gifting to someone special.

Available online or in the Wadebridge shop open Tues–Thurs 10am – 3pm.

Unit 29 Clear Space • West Hill • Wadebridge • PL27 7FE 07555 150 796 • www.croftytin.co.uk

FA L M O U T H :

2 0 H I G H S T R E E T FA L M O U T H , T R 11 2 A B

TRURO:

8 PYDAR MEWS, TRURO, TR1 2UX

O P E N I N G H O U R S T U E S D A Y T O S AT U R D A Y 10.30AM TO 4.00PM

Discover thoughtful, sustainable gifts that celebrate craftsmanship and creativity this festive season!

Truro | Falmouth | uneeka.com @uneeka.life | 01872 888533

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COVER FEATURE

ABOVE é Wave wtching at The Bay is the order of the day

The Bay Hotel at Coverack extends a warm welcome to stay right above the curve of sand and harbour on the Lizard’s eastern shore. Every bedroom looks over the beach, so the tide becomes part of the day from the moment you wake, with a Cornish breakfast included for residents. After a coastal walk on the South West Coast Path, step inside to the Hevva Restaurant for seafood landed close by, or choose the all-day bar menu; when the weather plays ball, there’s a terrace and gardens with long views across the bay. Winter here means wave-watching, beachcombing and a friendly team ready with good plates and a warm welcome, all just a few steps from the shoreline.

www.thebayhotel.co.uk

BELOW ê Penventon Park Hotel offers a warm embrace in winter months

The Penventon Park Hotel encourages you to step into Georgian architecture and interiors designed with flair. The hotel has a sense of occasion, from its dining room to its spa and pool, and the invitation it offers in winter is one of indulgence. The menu is broad and ambitious, the surroundings rich in colour and detail, and the atmosphere designed to make guests feel they are being treated to something beyond the everyday.

Winter suits The Penventon, heightening the appeal of its theatrical interiors and making time spent indoors feel part of the attraction.

Finally, St Moritz Hotel, near Rock, extends an invitation to those who favour contemporary design. Its white walls and clean lines reflect a modern sensibility, while its Cowshed Spa adds an extra dimension to relaxation. Rooms are filled with light, and views stretch out across the Camel Estuary and beyond. The restaurant champions local produce while presenting it in a modern style, complementing the hotel’s overall feel. The invitation here is to experience Cornwall’s north coast through a lens of modern comfort, where design and setting combine to create a break that feels fresh and stylish.

www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk Each of these hotels has its own unique appeal, distinct yet aligned by a common thread: the desire to make Cornwall in winter an experience to remember. Whether through wellness, tradition, history, family-friendly comfort, or modern design, the message is the same.

Come and enjoy Cornwall in the winter months.

www.penventon.co.uk

DON’T MISS OUT! Simply scan the code below on your smart device to subsribe to our Cornwall Living email newsletters. The Ultimate Lifestyle by the Sea has never been closer to hand...

é ABOVE A stay at St Moritz invites a connection to the coast that is reflected across the hotel

EXPERIENCE DISCOVER MORE...

In Falmouth, The Greenbank Hotel enjoys access to Gyllyngvase, Castle, and Swanpool beaches via a scenic coast path. Woodland and waterside walks at Trelissick Gardens and trails to Flushing are nearby, while from The Alverton in Truro, guests can explore Tehidy Woods, the Roseland Peninsula, or the historic Bissoe Trail.

Coverack’s sheltered cove lies just steps from The Bay Hotel, perfect for swimming, rockpooling, and joining the South West Coast Path. Walks to Porthoustock, Kennack Sands and Cadgwith offer dramatic views and varying levels of challenge.

Close to Penventon Park Hotel, woodland trails wind through Tehidy Woods, while the South West Coast Path and Redruth town walks provide further variety.

The St Moritz Hotel offers direct access to the coast path and nearby beaches such as Trebetherick and Polzeath, famed for its surf. Rock Beach, with its slipways, is also within easy reach.

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FOODIE

Martyn Odell AKA Lagom Chef

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Words by Martyn Odell

An introduction to our newest foodie columnist, Martyn Odell, AKA Lagom Chef.

S

omehow, I have managed to build a huge following showing people how to cook in a slightly unhinged, chaotic and fun way, all while giving a solution to food waste by following my ethos of eat the food you buy! One of my favourite quotes, attributed to Albert Einstein, says that “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” but what does this have to do with food or Cornwall?

Let me fill you in…

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FOODIE

I have been working in some form of foodie capacity for over 20 years, I wouldn't say I have done it all but I have given it a good shot. I started where every humble chef starts – as a pot wash – then slowly worked my way around local restaurants and catering companies in Essex before realising that I needed to know a bit more about cooking, so took a four-week cooking course in Ashburton, one step closer to Cornwall!”

I then spent the next six years working in restaurants in London, Andrew Edmunds to start with, then moved on to a horrendous restaurant that doesn’t deserve word count, where I saw the dark side of the industry. It was at this point I was burnt out with cooking and pursued a career in photography so went to uni to study. The course was pretty low-lift and I found myself heading back to the kitchen to fill the void of chaos! I worked full time at a cookery school while at uni and filled any spare time I had doing contract catering, seeing inside some of the biggest and best hotels London had to offer, if only for a day plating pesto and mozzarella stacks!

It was at this point things got a little weird… my love of fitness and food collided and I started working with Joe Wicks, doing recipe development and combining my love of food and fitness. It turns out there is only so much chat of midget trees and Lucy Bee a man can handle, so I left to live with my now wife in Switzerland. My time there was spent running in the mountains, building up my consultancy business and trying to discover what I really wanted to do. Speaking with a friend who worked in a mountain resort, he said his business was struggling due to climate change and the seasons being unpredictable. I got on my toboggan and went straight home and googled “food climate change” and the top hit was food waste. Food what?! This was my calling… solve food waste and become a hero!

Remember the quote? “Insanity is etc…”

The more I read about food waste, the more my jaw dropped to the floor! Looking at the data, the numbers hadn't changed in years and the biggest piece of the food waste pie was household food waste – a whopping 70% of all food waste comes from UK homes! Looking back over my time in the industry, the stats blew my mind, as I can recall countless times of being at events where food was just scraped into a bin afterwards. I remember one time a whole 90kg tuna was butchered for a demo – amazing skill and fascinating

to watch – but the shocking part was that the tuna couldn't be sold, so it went in the bin. I think my team ended up living off sashimi and tuna steaks for about a month!

It’s shocking, though, that it’s not hospitality, nor manufacturing, but us silly people at home who are wasting the most food. So, this has been me for the last five years, taking all of my skills and teaching people how to cook and reconnect with food in a non-pretentious, fun and chaotic fashion. The solution to food waste isn't complicated: you just need to eat the food you buy.

It’s so simple! As my channels have grown and I have got busier with life, I really believe that this is the answer – no big scary climate words, just eating food.

This wild journey over the last few years has allowed me to travel and meet some amazing people who are doing great things with food, and this is what I want to shine a light on. I will be writing a regular feature piece looking at some of Cornwall’s hidden foodie gems that you may or may not have heard of. I’ll be taking you behind the scenes to see what makes these foodie places great, spotlighting the independent suppliers these places use and showing you how many magical spots there are on your doorstep.

The smaller establishments that grow from word of mouth, set up food stalls at local markets and suppliers that battle the elements will be front and centre. You can Google where to get a Michelin-star set menu, but you can’t Google what it takes to keep the lights on for the companies and suppliers that are the backbone of communities. Hospitality is hard, like really hard, and when you make a big chunk of your money from seasonal trade, these local places are the heartbeat of towns and need protecting.

Why me? Good question! My dream since meeting my wife has been to call Cornwall home and bring something to the area we moved to. So, hopefully one day when I am a struggling hospitality start-up someone will write a piece about me!

Buckle in and enjoy the ride.

I'm a chef, here's how to make your family meals waste free

LAGOM CHEF LagomChef The Lagom Chef lagomchef www.lagomchef.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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FRESH START.

Flawless Finish.

Start the new year with a space that feels calm, considered and completely yours.

Crafted to fit your home and last a lifetime – and now available in our January Sale.

To request your free brochure scan here

Call us on 01637 808 397

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11:16 24/11/2025 17:12

HOME

WELCOME

nature IN

Transform your home with V4 Wood Flooring® from South West Carpets.

W

hen it comes to creating an inviting living space, flooring plays a pivotal role.

Not only does it set the tone for the entire room, but it also contributes to the overall aesthetic and ambiance of your home. Enter the world of V4 Wood Flooring®, an engineered wood flooring option that seamlessly blends the beauty of nature with the comfort of your living space.

So, why should you choose an engineered wooden floor for your home? The benefits are plentiful. Aside from giving a sense of spaciousness to a room, it is remarkably easy to clean and, when well-maintained, can stand the rigours of modern life, becoming a timeless investment for your home.

South West Carpets can supply and fit the entire V4 Wood Flooring® range, which promises to infuse warmth and beauty into every corner of your home. Engineered wood combines the natural allure of wood with enhanced durability, making it a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice.

Beyond aesthetics and quality, V4 Wood Flooring® is also highly sustainable. As a leading brand of hardwood flooring in the UK, they source their hardwood from

well-managed and sustainable forests, minimising environmental impact. Ordering your V4 Wood Flooring® is a seamless experience, with UK stocks available for quick delivery. Moreover, South West Carpets understands the importance of seeing and feeling the quality of products before making a decision which is why they have installed a brand-new V4 Wood Flooring® stand in their Newquay showroom.

South West Carpets covers the whole of Cornwall and offers a free measure and quotation service. Their team of flooring specialists is dedicated to assisting you at every step of the way, from initial visit to the final installation. Additionally, they offer an array of flooring accessories to ensure that, no matter your choice, your flooring always looks its best. So, why settle for ordinary flooring when you can embrace nature inside your home and embark on a journey to transform your living space into a haven of beauty and warmth?

ABOVE Upgrade your home with the versatility of an engineered wood floor

SOUTH WEST CARPETS Treloggan Industrial Estate, Newquay TR7 2SX 01637 872023 www.southwestcarpets.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE

hical EtLIFESTYLE This spring, Uneeka celebrates a remarkable 20 years in business.

T

he anniversary celebrates two decades of creativity, ethical trading and strong community ties for this independent Cornish retailer known for its curated homeware, furniture and lifestyle accessories.

Founded in 2004 by friends Jodi Skelton and John Tornabene, Uneeka’s journey began after a life-changing trip to Nepal. Inspired by their travels and driven by a passion for fair trade, the pair opened their first store in Truro’s Lemon Street Market in 2005. Their vision: to bring ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind goods to a wider audience.

What started as a modest unit has since grown into a trio of thoughtfully designed retail spaces. Today, Uneeka operates a vibrant lifestyle store on Boscawen Street (complete with a café and yoga studio), a home store on City Road showcasing furniture and decor, and a light-filled shop in Falmouth’s Market Street.

All locations stay true to the welcoming and

ethical ethos that has defined the brand from day one.

At its core, Uneeka’s philosophy is all about a lifestyle made fair. Its collections are ethically sourced, thoughtfully designed and expertly crafted, combining global artistry with local values. The name itself, a fusion of “unique” and “eureka”, reflects the spirit of discovery that runs through every product on its shelves.

Since 2009, Jodi has steered the business solo, forging lasting partnerships with familyrun suppliers and social cooperatives around the world, while also working with local and UK-based makers. “From the very beginning, provenance and support for small traders have been fundamental to Uneeka,” he says. “It’s something we’ve never compromised on.”

This care extends to the team as well. Many staff members have been with Uneeka for over a decade, forming a close-knit working culture.

“Uneeka has been a massive part of my life for

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LIFESTYLE

the last 14 years,” says Operations Manager Jess Prisk. “There’s nowhere else I’d want to work. I love the focus on fair trade, the creative freedom, and the values that make it feel like more than just a job.”

To mark the milestone, Uneeka has turned to storytelling and creativity. A special anniversary video has been produced with a local videographer, offering an intimate look at the people and passion behind the business.

The film captures reflections from Jodi and the team, celebrating both the journey and the values that have shaped Uneeka.

In another commemorative gesture, artist and Café Assistant Manager Jessie Klaiber of Klaiber Studios created a limited-edition watercolour illustration, celebrating the brand’s essence – community, creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship. “I aimed to capture Uneeka’s heart through visual storytelling – from its commitment to fair trade to the vibrant people who make it special,” says Jessie. The artwork features on a collection of eco-friendly tote bags and notebooks produced in collaboration with Coffee Notes, using recycled coffee cups.

Uneeka’s evolution has always been rooted in innovation and family. Jodi’s sister Louise was the first to join the team, bringing her eye for styling and product curation to the homeware department. In 2017, Jodi’s wife Carrina Skelton

officially became Director, contributing her management and communications expertise to support Uneeka’s continued growth.

Together, the family-led team has expanded the business with new services such as interior styling, a ‘designer for a day’ offering, handson workshops, and community events at Café Uneeka. Later this year, Uneeka will also launch a new website, making its thoughtfully curated collections and design services even more accessible.

Reflecting on the brand’s journey, Jodi says: “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. There have been challenges, of course, but also so many wins. We’ve always evolved with our customers’ needs, and it’s all thanks to our brilliant team and our loyal community.”

Carrina adds, “We’ll continue to inspire conscious living with ethically sourced, highquality products and a personal, considered approach. For us, it’s about helping people make meaningful choices.”

From a small market stall to a leading name in ethical retail, Uneeka’s 20-year journey is a testament to the power of purpose-driven business. As Cornwall’s independent retail scene continues to flourish, Uneeka remains a shining example of creativity, integrity and community at its best.

UNEEKA 01872 888530 uneeka.home showroom: City Road, Truro TR1 2JL uneeka.life and cafe.uneeka: 5 Boscawen Street, Truro TR1 2EL uneeka.life : 25 Market Street, Falmouth TR11 3AS @uneeka.life hello@uneeka.com www.uneeka.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE

s another AYEAR CLOSES… The Grey Lurcher brings fresh and festive delights to the season.

H

aving established itself as one of Falmouth’s most distinctive retail destinations, this celebration of the eclectic marries the practical with the quirky in the most delightful way. Another year passes, and its two establishments continue to charm customers with their ever-changing selection of affordable yet distinctive products that defy easy categorisation.

Walking through either the original Falmouth location on the High Street or the newer Truro outpost in Pydar Mews, shoppers discover a mix of items that speak to both the pragmatic homemaker and the aesthetically adventurous.

Original cards sidle up to French fragrances, while high-quality soaps share space with carefully chosen homewares and kitchenware.

Each item appears handpicked for those who appreciate the understated elegance of everyday objects lifted above the mundane.

This year brings particularly exciting additions to the collection. New terracotta kitchenware offers warmth and authenticity to modern cooking spaces, while stonewashed linens provide that coveted lived-in luxury.

The illustrated tea towels deserve a mention, each one a small work of art that transforms the humble kitchen textile into something worth displaying.

Winter remains the shop’s favourite season, and for good reason. Cosy throws and luxury cushions transform any space into a refuge from Cornwall's dramatic weather. The Christmas selection is especially colourful this year featuring

recycled paper garlands that bring another dimension to traditional seasonal decorations.

Simple garlands and wreaths offer alternatives to the traditional seasonal displays found elsewhere, whilst the carefully chosen decorations embrace a soft, muted palette of greys and blues rather than the predictable reds and golds.

And the candles! The candles deserve particular attention – selected not merely for their aesthetic appeal but for their ability to create atmosphere without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Both shops maintain a relaxed alternative to the usual opening hours, welcoming visitors from eleven o’clock Monday through Saturday in Falmouth, while the Truro shop operates Wednesday to Saturday. This schedule reflects an understanding that good shopping requires time and consideration rather than frantic rushing.

The Grey Lurcher succeeds because it recognises that the best retail experiences satisfy curiosity and need, offering customers the satisfaction of finding something unexpected that will add a certain piquancy to any home.

THE GREY LURCHER 20 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AB 8 Pydar Mews, Truro TR1 2UX 01326 618240 thegreylurcher@gmail.com www.greylurcherfalmouth.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

20 | CORNWALL-LIVING.CO.UK

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BOOK FOR £100

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23/10/2025 27/10/2025 13:33 14:27

STAY

Coastal

RECHARGE Unwind with a Signature Spa Break at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa.

I

f you’re craving rest, relaxation and a little coastal indulgence, a Signature Spa Break at the adults-only Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa in Newquay is your opportunity to step away from the everyday.

Choose a one-, two-, or three-night Signature Spa Break, where every moment is designed to leave you feeling refreshed and restored.

This is not your average spa getaway; it’s a full reset and a chance to unwind in style.

Step into Fistral Spa and let the day slip away. Take a dip in the pool, warm up in the hot tub, or let the sauna and steam rooms loosen the last traces of tension. A Signature Spa Break includes a 60-minute treatment, allowing you to choose what your body and mind need most: a massage to ease tight shoulders, a soothing facial, or a calming ritual. Extend your pampering with 10% off additional spa treatments (pre-booking recommended). Afterwards, wrap up in your robe and rest in the quiet relaxation room, letting the benefits linger a little longer.

A GAIA Mini Essentials Travel Set is included, along with 10% off GAIA Skincare

during your stay, perfect for continuing that spa glow at home.

And if movement helps you unwind, the state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes are yours to enjoy with complimentary access.

Outside the spa, the location on the iconic Fistral Beach shapes each part of your stay.

Mornings begin with a leisurely breakfast in the Dune Restaurant, watching waves roll towards the shore. Evenings might mean sipping a cocktail in Bay Bar with the Atlantic stretching ahead or curling up in your cosy room with the soundtrack of the sea.

A Signature Spa Break at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa is an invitation to recharge and enjoy time by the coast.

FISTRAL BEACH HOTEL AND SPA Fistral Beach, Newquay TR7 1PT 01637 852221 www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk reservations@fistralbeachhotel.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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Escape the Ordinary PENVENTON PARK HOTEL A Warm 4* Welcome Awaits You In Cornwall

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STAY

ornish CCOMFORT Stay in award-winning cottages that offer charm and dog-friendly facilities.

T

ucked away within the folds of 34 acres of rolling Cornish countryside, Old Lanwarnick offers an inviting mix of comfort and space for holidays that you can relax into from the moment you arrive. Six thoughtfully converted cottages sleep from two to eight guests, each combining modern convenience with characterful features, while three new glamping pods will add a fresh option for shorter stays when they open in spring 2026. Facilities are generous without being fussy, ranging from EV chargers and a well-equipped gym to bubbling hot tubs and woodland walks that meander through the grounds.

Old Lanwarnick has earned a reputation as one of Cornwall’s most welcoming dogfriendly destinations. Two secure fields give dogs the freedom to run, a heated wash station means muddy paws never become a chore, and an on-site agility course keeps energetic companions entertained. Secure gardens add peace of mind, while walks from the door offer countryside adventures before the day has even begun.

Families, meanwhile, find plenty to occupy younger guests. Alpacas, pygmy goats, chickens and ducks are waiting to be fed and fussed over, with the chance for children to help out becoming a highlight of many stays.

Adults are equally well provided for, whether

it’s easing into a hot tub after a coastal walk, booking a treatment, or simply enjoying a firelit evening with friends.

The standards speak for themselves.

Old Lanwarnick holds a VisitEngland Five Star Gold Award and a Green Tourism Silver Award, with Spice Barn recognised in September 2025 with a VisitEngland ROSE Award for excellence. Yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and welcoming, focused on making holidays memorable for the right reasons.

Just ten minutes from the nearest beach and a short drive from the harbour towns of Looe, Polperro and Fowey, the location combines countryside calm with easy access to Cornwall’s best-known attractions, including the Eden Project. Whether for a family break, a gathering of friends, or a much-needed escape with four-legged companions, Old Lanwarnick delivers a holiday setting that balances ease, comfort and character in equal measure.

OLD LANWARNICK Duloe, Liskeard PL14 QF 07909 994331 info@oldlanwarnick.co.uk www.oldlanwarnick.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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Beat the blues and book now Escape to Alicante, Faro or Málaga cornwallairportnewquay.com/sunshine

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LIFESTYLE

Fifty years OF FUN

This year sees Wooda Farm celebrating five decades of generating good times for all the family.

F

rom luxury holiday homes to modern lodges and spacious touring pitches, Wooda offers accommodation to suit every style of stay. Families will love the friendly farm animals, outdoor play areas, woodland trails and a wide range of activities including tennis, pitch-and-putt, badminton and tractor rides.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, guests can expect extra touches to make their stay even more special, including exclusive events, family activities and commemorative keepsakes throughout the 2025 season.

The on-site bar, The Yard, is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure, serving up local flavours in a laid-back setting. For something special, The Loft cocktail bar offers a stylish spot for a sundowner with countryside views. There’s also a well-stocked farm shop on site for daily essentials and tasty Cornish treats.

Just a stone’s throw from the beaches and surf of Bude, and with easy access to the South West Coast Path, Wooda is an ideal base for exploring the best of North Cornwall.

Whether you’re cycling, surfing, hiking, or simply enjoying time together, you’ll find space to unwind and reconnect.

With five decades of happy holidaymakers and generations of returning families, Wooda Farm Holiday Park remains a much-loved destination for all ages. Come and be part of the celebration in 2025 — the perfect time to discover (or rediscover) this coastal gem.

WOODA FARM Bude EX23 9HJ 01288 352069 stay@wooda.co.uk www.wooda.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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COVER FEATURE

reative and C RETAIL RESILIENCE

D

Sometimes the hardest choices forge the most hoped-for results.

Words by JAMIE CROCKER

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COVER FEATURE

ABOVE é Vibrant Reef Art Frame

BELOW ê Dartmouth Gallery

I

n Robert Frost’s words, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I… took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” For fused glass artist Jo Downs, both her artistic journey and the direction of her business have been shaped by such moments.

Earlier this year, Jo stepped away from the daily demands of running one of the UK’s most successful glass studios and retreated to the hills of rural Spain. It was there, far from the pull of deadlines and commercial pressures, that she re-discovered a rare state of uninterrupted creative flow. For weeks, she immersed herself in the raw, experimental spirit that first drew her to glass more than three decades ago.

The work that arose from this solitude was unlike anything she had created before.

Some pieces sold before they could even be photographed, demonstrating their energy and originality. This became the foundation of her latest Signature Collection, which marks a leap in complexity. Drawing directly onto glass with a needle-tipped pen filled with specially mixed enamels, Jo forms lines that blur and bleed during firing, much like watercolour pigments seeping into paper. This organic unpredictability reflects the Cornish coastline, one of her lasting inspirations, with its constant interplay of solidity and erosion.

These are not works that can be rushed.

Each piece takes days, with multiple processes layered together, elements fired separately and then assembled into richly textured compositions. Some surfaces are smooth and sinuous, others jagged, their edges a reminder of the sharpness that has left Jo’s hands permanently scarred. She jokes that her expertise could be measured in cuts rather than hours, but the truth is she has long surpassed the 10,000-hour threshold for mastery.

Yet artistry alone does not sustain a business.

Last year, rising rents, soaring energy costs and the wider economic climate left Jo facing a stark choice: expand or contract. In business terms, this is often the point where owners either consolidate to protect cash flow or take the calculated risk of widening their reach.

For many, contraction is the safer option – reducing overheads, streamlining operations and weathering the storm until conditions improve. However, contraction can also lead to a loss of visibility, a shrinking customer base, and a gradual erosion of brand presence.

The numbers told their own story; the model that had served her for years was no longer sustainable without change.

Against cautious advice, she chose to take a risk and grow. Expansion, when executed strategically, can open new revenue streams, spread risk across multiple locations and reinforce brand recognition. Opening new galleries in Truro and Dartmouth was as much a survival strategy as it was an act of optimism.

é ABOVE Signature detail

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ABOVE é Jo at work

The Truro space, taken on for an initial threemonth trial, exceeded expectations and became permanent. Dartmouth, suggested years earlier by her father, who knew of the town’s appreciation for fine craft, proved equally successful, demonstrating that growth, though risky, can be the more resilient path.

Expansion, however, meant confronting her role in the company. The creative passion that launched her career often conflicted with the demands of management. The solution lay in stepping back from some of the day-to-day running of the business, allowing her to focus on the work only she could do – creating. This shift has been transformative, restoring the balance between artist and business owner.

Her approach to teaching mirrors her own path. In her master classes, she encourages experimentation over rigid technique, inviting students to embrace uncertainty and discover possibilities through play. When she began, glass fusing was sparsely documented, so she learned through trial and error. That process of discovery, of finding the medium’s limits by pushing past them, remains at the heart of her work.

The Spanish retreat was a natural extension of this philosophy. Working in a modest mountain village with a small kiln, she had the time and headspace to follow ideas to their conclusion without external pressure.

The resulting pieces are like three-dimensional sketches, layered with colour and texture, and they disappear from galleries as quickly as they arrive.

Public exposure has only fuelled this momentum. When BBC Spotlight filmed a segment on the challenges facing creative businesses, Jo’s work featured prominently.

Within hours of broadcast, several pieces had sold. More recently, her stand at the Royal Cornwall Show drew visitors who recognised her from television, underlining how excellence in craft can cut through the noise.

The decision to expand beyond Cornwall was also strategic. While her home in Cornwall remains her creative anchor, new audiences were essential for growth. Dartmouth’s thriving artistic community and visitor profile were a natural fit. Further afield, her Sunningdale gallery, which also hosts special workshops, has introduced her work to yet another appreciative market.

The techniques refined in Spain are now evolving further in Cornwall’s larger kilns, allowing for bigger, more ambitious pieces. The combination of small-scale experimentation and large-scale production capability represents the maturation of her practice, a balance between intimate creativity and bold output.

é ABOVE Signature detail

ê BELOW Truro Gallery

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ABOVE é Jo at work

Despite technological progress, her relationship with the material remains physical. The heat of the kiln alters the raw substances, but each piece still bears subtle marks of the hands that crafted it. In a world of mass-produced objects, that human touch is what endows her work with its enduring value.

Looking ahead, Jo plans to maintain the rhythm that now works so well: periods of creative retreat, followed by the unveiling of new work through her galleries. Her master classes will continue, passing on the lessons of decades spent at the glass face to those eager to learn. Above all, she is determined that growth will never come at the expense of creativity.

Her journey, from bedroom studio to multisite operation, shows that even in challenging times, creative businesses can flourish when they stay true to the reason they began.

Adaptation is essential, but the vision that drives the work must remain constant.

Jo Downs has galleries in the following places: Launceston, St Ives, Padstow, Fowey, Tintagel, Sunningdale, Truro and Dartmouth.

é ABOVE Dartmouth Gallery

JO DOWNS HANDMADE GLASS 01566 779779 sales@jodowns.com www. jodowns.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE

Got to

Experience DOGGY DELIGHTS AT THE PENVENTON At Penventon Park Hotel, dogs are more than welcome – they’re part of the family.

Situated in the heart of Cornwall, this top-rated dog-friendly destination offers the perfect base for adventure. Picture yourself exploring stunning beaches and scenic walks, then returning to your room where your dog’s welcome basket awaits, filled with all the essentials. Pamper them with tasty meals from the Pooch Plates menu, designed to keep them healthy and energised, enjoyed in doggy-dining areas. With a central location, cosy rooms, staff who adore dogs, and extra touches like blankets and treat jars, every moment with your dog will be unforgettable at Penventon.

PENVENTON PARK HOTEL 01209 203000 enquiries@penventon.com www.penventon.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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COVER FEATURE

s d l r o w n e we WALLS BetAND A radical surrealist’s vision and an historic studio’s rebirth in St Ives.

Words by JAMIE CROCKER

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COVER FEATURE

é ABOVE &

BELOW Ithell Colquhoun Between Worlds at Tate St Ives 2025.

Installation View © Tate Photography (Lucy Green)

PREVIOUS ç Ithell Colquhoun Between Worlds at Tate St Ives 2025.

Installation View © Tate Photography (Lucy Green)

T

ate St Ives sits on the threshold of past and future, the weight of art history pressing against its white-walled galleries even as it gestures towards new horizons. Two major developments in 2025 reinforce this duality: a landmark exhibition on Ithell Colquhoun, the most esoteric of British surrealists, and the long-awaited restoration of the Palais de Danse, once the creative crucible of Barbara Hepworth. These twin stories are not mere coincidences but signals of a deeper resonance – a reminder that St Ives has always been a place where art, landscape and the intangible currents of the mystical and the modern converge.

For much of her life, Ithell Colquhoun stood at the fringes of British surrealism, a sorceress among painters, a painter among occultists. The upcoming exhibition, the largest ever staged of her work, pulls her from the margins and places her at the centre, unveiling a body of art that pulses with the strangeness of dream logic and the ancient symbols of forgotten rites.

With over 200 works on display, the exhibition is a passage through Colquhoun’s shifting identities: student of the Slade, surrealist provocateur, practitioner of automatic techniques, and ultimately, a seeker whose paintings became spellbooks of colour and form. Early pieces such as Judith Showing the Head of Holofernes (1929) reveal her fascination with the subversion of myth, reworking biblical narratives through

an occultist lens. Nearby, her designs for The Bird of Hermes hint at a mind already alive to the coded languages of alchemy and transformation.

The centrepiece of the exhibition, however, lies in the works of the late 1930s and 1940s, when Colquhoun fully embraced Surrealism’s methods and possibilities. Scylla (méditerranée) (1938), a painting in which the female body dissolves into rock and water, exemplifies the double-image technique that so fascinated her. Elsewhere, Bonsoir (1939), an unmade surrealist film, is presented through an intricate storyboard, its sequences revealing an eye attuned to cinema’s capacity for dreamlike juxtaposition.

Yet Colquhoun was never content to remain within Surrealism’s confines. In the 1940s, she encountered the automatic techniques of Gordon Onslow Ford and Roberto Matta, leading to an artistic shift that embraced chance, fluidity and an unmediated connection to subconscious forces. The exhibition presents key works from this period, including Gorgon (1946) and Attributes of the Moon (1947), their swirling forms generated through decalcomania, a process in which paint is pressed between two surfaces to create spontaneous, otherworldly shapes. These are accompanied by their original transfer papers – relics of a process that sought to strip the artist’s hand from the act of creation.

é ABOVE Tate St Ives © Luke Hayes

EXPERIENCE DISCOVER MORE...

Ithell Colquhoun: Between Worlds 1st Feb – 5th May 2025 Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach TR26 1TG Open daily 10.00 – 17.20 Tickets available at tate.org. uk and 020 7887 8888 Free for Members. Join at tate.org.uk/members Everyone aged 16-25 can visit all Tate exhibitions for £5 by joining Tate Collective.

Cornwall residents can get unlimited year-round entry to Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. The annual pass costs just £10.

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ABOVE é Ithell Colquhoun Between Worlds at Tate St Ives 2025.

Installation View © Tate Photography (Lucy Green)

BELOW ê Ithell Colquhoun, Dervish, circa 1952, Tate; Presented by the National Trust 2016 © Tate

By the late 1940s, Colquhoun’s practice had fused entirely with her esoteric pursuits.

She immersed herself in alchemy, Kabbalah and Druidic traditions, seeking to encode her understanding of the universe into intricate compositions. Her Diagrams of Love series (1940–42) merges male and female forms in a kabbalistic union, while later works evoke landscapes as portals – thin places where the physical world brushes against the unseen.

Cornwall, with its standing stones and granite outcrops, became Colquhoun’s final sanctuary. She settled in Lamorna, a place whose prehistoric echoes found their way into her canvases. The exhibition’s final rooms bring together her visionary depictions of sacred sites, including Dance of the Nine Opals (1942), a work that transforms a stone circle into a whirling mandala of energy. The closing section presents her late experiments with enamel and her selfdesigned ‘Taro’ deck, distillations of a life spent navigating the spaces between art and magic.

As Colquhoun’s visions take shape within Tate St Ives, another kind of transformation is taking place just beyond its walls. The Palais de Danse, a landmark St Ives building closed to the public for 65 years, is set to be reborn. Thanks to a £2.8 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Palais will reopen as a cultural hub, reconnecting St Ives to a chapter of its artistic past that has remained hidden for decades.

Built in 1911 as St Ives’s first cinema, the Palais de Danse evolved into a dance hall before, in 1961, it became the second studio of Barbara Hepworth. It was here, amid its high ceilings and wooden floors, that she sculpted Single Form (1961–64), a monumental work commissioned for the United Nations. The Palais was more than just a workspace; it was a site of ambition, a space where Hepworth wrestled with the monumental, both in material and in vision.

The restoration project will return the building to public life, preserving its historic features while reimagining its purpose. The lower workshop, still marked by the grid Hepworth used to map out Single Form, will be restored as an immersive experience, allowing visitors to step into the sculptor’s world. Upstairs, the 24-metre dance hall will once again welcome movement – this time in the form of performances, screenings and community gatherings. Even the yard, long sealed off, will open to the public, offering a space for workshops and hands-on creativity.

Anne Barlow, Director of Tate St Ives, sees the project as both a tribute and a revival: “This brings us closer to realising our vision for the Palais as a living heritage site, one that honours Hepworth’s legacy while engaging directly with the people of St Ives.”

é ABOVE Proposed design of the window display and main entrance to the Palais de Danse. © Adam Khan Architects

ê BELOW

Visitors exploring the lower workshop, artifacts and process model of Four-Square (Walk Through) sculpture in the Palais de Danse. © Adam Khan Architects

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COVER FEATURE

Read, Watch, EXPERIENCE

It’s never been easier for those who love Cornwall to read, watch and experience for themselves the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea. From regular email updates and online blogs, to Cornish video content and incredible monthly competitions giving you the chance to win your own little piece of Cornwall, even if you can’t lay your hands on a copy of our monthly issues, our multi-media approach means you can access the best of Cornwall Living anywhere, at any time.

The significance of the Palais extends beyond its walls. It speaks to the broader story of St Ives, where art and life practice their dance together.

Hepworth, like Colquhoun, was drawn to Cornwall’s elemental power, to the way light and land conspire to shape artistic imagination. That their legacies should intertwine once more in 2025 – Colquhoun’s retrospective unfolding as Hepworth’s studio reopens – feels not just fitting, but inevitable.

Tate St Ives has long been a guardian of artistic currents, attuned to the echoes of its surroundings. The Colquhoun exhibition and the Palais restoration are not simply acts of preservation or celebration; they are statements of intent. They affirm that art in St Ives is not a relic of the past, but a force that continues to shape and be shaped by this place.

Colquhoun saw Cornwall as a landscape alive with hidden energies. Hepworth saw it as a place where form could be honed and clarified.

Between them, they encapsulate the two great impulses of St Ives art: the mystical and the material, the vision and the craft. As 2025 unfolds, their legacies will stand side by side once more, inviting us to step into their worlds and, perhaps, to see anew.

é ABOVE Aerial view, Tate St Ives © Kirstin Prisk

READ Whether you want the best Cornish content delivered directly to your door, or to be among the first to receive the most exclusive discounts and special readers’ offers from our regular email newsletters, head to our website and pick the subscription that works for you... www.cornwall-living.co.uk/subscribe/

WATCH Bringing the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea to your screen wherever you area, be sure to check out Cornwall Living TV! www.cornwall-living-tv.co.uk

ê BELOW Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden © Bowness. Photo © Kirstin Prisk

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LIFESTYLE

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Campers can easilycan carry them on them the back of their homes withwith specially designed bike bike racksracks (available in single or double), providing homes specially designed (available in single or double), convenient travel options once They even have the power to tow providing convenient travelpitched optionsup. once pitched up. They even have thea small trailer or dog carrier. power to tow a small trailer or dog carrier.

Now starting at justat£1,799 with savings of up of to up £1,000, there there is no better time to buy.

Now starting just £1,799 with savings to £1,000, is no better The MAD Water Sports deliver your bikewill fully assembled, withfully any extras or time to buy.

TheTeam MADwill Water Sports Team deliver your bike modifications installed, battery charged andcations ready to go! Visitbattery MAD Water Sports assembled, with any extras or modifi installed, charged andand take one for a testand ridetake today! ready to go! Visit MAD Water Sports one for a test ride today!

Whether you bought your Super73 from MAD not, or they are theare Authorised Whether you bought your Super73 fromWater MADSports Water or Sports not, they Service Centre for the South West, expertly repairing and modifying bikes from all over the the Authorised Service Centre for the South West, expertly repairing and region. Call to from discuss or book direct onlineyour via their modifying bikes allyour over needs the region.

Call to discuss needswebsite. or book direct online via their website.

MAD WATER SPORTS

15 Dunveth Business Park, Wadebridge MAD WATER SPORTS PL27 7FE 01208 814222 15 Dunveth Business Park, Wadebridge PL27 7FE enquiries@madwatersports.co.uk 01208 814222 www.madwatersports.co.uk enquiries@madwatersports.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk www.madwatersports.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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COVER FEATURE

f o e r u l e ThLUXURY Cornwall has long held a magnetic pull for those seeking more than just a holiday.

Words by JAMIE CROCKER

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COVER FEATURE

ABOVE é Mediterranean vibe at St Moritz

ç PREVIOUS Tranquility at The Greenbank

BELOW ê Interiors exude effortless charm at St Moritz

C

ornwall’s circuitous coastline, golden beaches washed by clear waters and patchwork of hedged fields, create a landscape where time seems to shift down a gear and life takes on a more natural and relaxed rhythm.

Aligned to its natural beauty, the county is also home to exceptional hotels that pay homage to luxury and acknowledge a connection to Cornwall’s unique history and surroundings. These are places where refined comfort is framed by the raw energy of the elements, offering guests a chance to unwind in style while immersing themselves in the Celtic spirit of this ancient land.

From clifftop retreats with panoramic sea views to historic edifices brimming with character, Cornwall’s finest hotels cater to those who appreciate both elegance and authenticity. Whether it’s a contemporary spa sanctuary, a grand Victorian landmark, or a design-led boutique escape, each hotel offers something unique – an experience that is unlikely to be found in other parts of the kingdom.

For those in search of a destination where exceptional hospitality meets wild nature, Cornwall’s best hotels provide the perfect setting.

Showpiece by the coast Approaching the St Moritz Hotel through Trebetherick’s winding lanes makes its reveal

all the more special. The white art decoinspired building stands elevated above Greenaway Beach, with views stretching to Stepper Point. The welcome is warm, the scent of ylang-ylang and rose drifting through the vaulted atrium, setting a tone of relaxed luxury.

Guests move with ease – families in wellies heading to Rock, spa-goers wrapped in robes, locals checking into the gym. The hotel offers a mix of accommodation, from traditional rooms to coastal villas and interconnected room pods, perfect for families seeking a home-away-from-home.

Ground-floor suites are an oasis of calm, their minimalist elegance punctuated by turquoise accents, mid-century modern furnishings and sun-drenched private terraces.

The newly developed spa boasts the UK’s only Cowshed Spa outside Soho House, with a swim-out hydro pool, saunas and a crystal steam room. Dining at the Shorecrest restaurant celebrates Cornwall’s hyper-local larder, with exceptional dishes by Chef Jake Grove. After a night’s rest, a bracing sea dip on Greenaway Beach, pockets filled with sea glass and cowrie shells, make for the perfect farewell. www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk

Curated in Cornwall The Cornwall Hotel Collection curates dream escapes with a touch of luxury. Cornwall’s sweeping countryside, wild moors and sandy shores have long drawn visitors seeking adventure and tranquillity. Its rich history and vibrant communities continue to make it a beloved holiday destination.

With three iconic hotels, the Collection preserves the unique stories of each. The Alverton, located in Truro’s heart, was once home to the Tweedy family before becoming a convent in 1883. Its chapel, now The Great Hall, adds to the grandeur of this Grade IIlisted retreat. Ivy-clad and dignified, it offers

é ABOVE A feast for the senses at St Moritz

EXPERIENCE DISCOVER MORE...

For current offers at St Moritz visit: www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk/ offers-retreats-at-st-moritzhotel-cornwall/?_offer_ filter=spring-breaks For current offers at the Cornwall Hotel Collection visit: www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk/ special-offers/ www.thealverton.co.uk/ category/special-offers/ www.falmouthhotel.co.uk/ special-offers/ For what’s on at the Penventon visit: www.penventon.co.uk/eventvenue-in-cornwall/whats-on/ For current offers at St Michaels Resort visit: www.stmichaelsresort.com/ offers-and-breaks For current offers at Polurrian on the Lizard visit: www.polurrianhotel.com/ offers-breaks

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COVER FEATURE

TOP é The Greenbank ABOVE é Time for afternoon tea at The Falmouth

BELOW ê Fine dining at the Penventon

elegant rooms, exquisite dining and a haven for weddings and events.

On Falmouth’s riverfront, The Greenbank dates back to 1640 and has welcomed guests like Florence Nightingale and Kenneth Grahame, who found inspiration here for The Wind in the Willows. Stunning river views, fine dining and stylish suites make it an unforgettable retreat.

Completing the trio, The Falmouth, a Victorian landmark since 1865, overlooks the ocean. Now entering a new era, it promises refined hospitality with sea-view rooms, spa facilities and a fresh culinary offering. Book direct for the best rates on a Cornish escape. www.thealverton.co.uk www.greenbank-hotel.co.uk www.falmouthhotel.co.uk

Embrace a little grandeur Like a fine wine, The Penventon Park Hotel has matured over time. Originally purchased in 1969 by David and Paola, alongside David’s brother George and his wife Joan, it has grown into a charismatic retreat infused with art and European charm. David, an established artist, adorned the hotel with intricate paintings, while Paola’s love of Venice influenced its opulent décor.

The hotel offers a range of rooms, from classic doubles to superior family rooms, all rich in character.

Wanderlust rooms feature vintage artefacts, while Artist’s Palette rooms embrace vibrant colours. Georgian Glamour rooms exude elegance, and Botanical rooms bring nature indoors. For a truly special stay, feature rooms include hand-carved four-poster beds, while the Penventon Suite offers a roll-top bath and monsoon shower.

Blending Georgian splendour with modern comfort, the hotel provides fine dining, a leisure club and indulgent spa treatments.

Seasonal packages, including a magical

Christmas stay, enhance its appeal. Families, business travellers, and even dogs receive a warm welcome, with thoughtful extras ensuring a personal touch. As one guest put it, “We feel like we’ve been wrapped in cashmere and spoon-fed warm brandy!” www.penventon.co.uk

ABOVE é Fine dining at The Greenbank

Swathe yourself in luxurious coastal care St Michaels Resort in Falmouth offers a sanctuary of coastal luxury, where comfort and wellbeing meet. Overlooking the bay and just a short stroll from Gyllyngvase Beach, the resort provides elegant accommodation designed for relaxation and renewal.

At the heart of this retreat are the Spa Garden Lodges – private, beach-chic sanctuaries set below the main hotel. Designed with soothing neutral tones, soft textures and minimalist style, each lodge invites guests to unwind.

A spacious open-plan layout features a king bed dressed in Egyptian cotton, a plush sofa bed and a stocked minibar with local treats.

Thoughtful details, such as interconnecting gates for families or groups, enhance the experience.

Each lodge boasts a private terrace with an outdoor copper bathtub and an al fresco shower, perfect for post-swim refreshment.

Guests enjoy unlimited access to the

BELOW ê The Penventon – artfully crafted

☞

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COVER FEATURE

Read, Watch, EXPERIENCE

It’s never been easier for those who love Cornwall to read, watch and experience for themselves the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea. From regular email updates and online blogs, to Cornish video content and incredible monthly competitions giving you the chance to win your own little piece of Cornwall, even if you can’t lay your hands on a copy of our monthly issues, our multi-media approach means you can access the best of Cornwall Living anywhere, at any time.

Hydrothermal Experience, which includes the southwest’s largest hydrothermal pool, a barrel sauna with ocean views and a blissful hot tub.

Complimentary e-bike and paddleboard hire add to the sense of freedom.

With first-class facilities and an ethos of relaxation, St Michaels Resort offers the ultimate coastal retreat, where every stay is an invitation to recharge and reconnect. www.stmichaelsresort.com

A world away Perched above the craggy Cornish coastline, Polurrian on the Lizard offers a coastal retreat where contemporary comfort meets the wild beauty of the Atlantic. With sweeping sea views and direct access to hidden coves, the hotel provides an escape that feels both restorative and effortlessly indulgent.

Accommodation at Polurrian blends modern design with a relaxed, beachside appeal. Rooms are airy and inviting, with plush beds, soft linens and large windows that frame expansive ocean views. Families and couples alike will find a sense of space and calm, whether in sea-view rooms or the private, self-catering villas situated within the grounds.

Guests can unwind in the heated outdoor pool or stroll down to the secluded beach below.

The hotel’s spa offers holistic treatments designed to soothe and restore, while the Vista Lounge is the perfect spot for sunset drinks.

Dining at Polurrian is an experience in itself, with a menu championing fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Whether you seek adventure along the coastal path or quiet moments by the fire, Polurrian on the Lizard is a place to recharge, reconnect, and embrace the rhythm of the sea. www.polurrianhotel.com

READ é ABOVE

Relax and renew at St Michaels

Whether you want the best Cornish content delivered directly to your door, or to be among the first to receive the most exclusive discounts and special readers’ offers from our regular email newsletters, head to our website and pick the subscription that works for you... www.cornwall-living.co.uk/subscribe/

ê BELOW Experience relaxing and wild Cornwall at Polurrian on the Lizard

WATCH Bringing the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea to your screen wherever you area, be sure to check out Cornwall Living TV! www.cornwall-living-tv.co.uk

WIN! As always, there's plenty up for grabs over on the Cornwall Living website competitions page, and there are always more being added.

To see what you could win, pay a visit to: www.cornwall-living.co.uk/competitions

SHORT ON TIME? No problem! Simply scan the code below on your smart device and access all of the above within just a couple of clicks. The Ultimate Lifestyle by the Sea has never been closer to hand...

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ART

Art in focus COLOUR & SPACE After 2024’s successful exhibition, Joy Clifton is back with three stunning new paintings. These original works are one of a kind and capture the view from above Chapel Rock at different times of the day: morning, midday and sundown. Golden Hour at Chapel Rock captures that special moment before the sun sets and the beach is bathed in a golden glow. The painting features the beach at low tide with families out enjoying the last of the sunshine. The sea is still buzzing with surfers, and you can even spot some swimmers enjoying the sea pool! Available to buy online or from Colour & Space in Perranporth.

COLOUR & SPACE 1 The Gounce, Perranporth, Cornwall, TR6 0JW www.colourandspace.co.uk | 01872 575689 |

colour_and_space

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ART

in focus t r A DAVID STAMP

Inspiration from the beauty of the sea and the Cornish coastline is clearly evident in the artworks of David Stamp. Having spent most of his working life on, in or under the sea, he has a great respect and understanding of the ocean, its behaviours and movements and through his life experience, he produces layered and textured oil paintings that would adorn any home. David exhibited his paintings as part of a group exhibition at The Old Lifeboat Station, Porthleven earlier this year. Exhibition dates for 2026 can be found on his website.

DAVID STAMP davidstampartist | www.davidstamp.co.uk

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On Display

ART

Showcasing local artists and art galleries.

1

ALCHEMY TILES Stunning House Signs by Alchemy Tiles

Bespoke and authentically Cornish handmade house signs exquisitely hand carved and inlaid by multi-award-winning Mel Chambers of Alchemy Tiles. Using ancient 13th-century inlay techniques each piece is individually hand-carved (not painted) with beautiful images, house names and numbers in any shape, size and colour and made to fit the space perfectly. Commissions welcome.

THE STUDIO, GOLDMARTIN GARAGE, SAMPYS HILL, MAWNAN SMITH, FALMOUTH TR11 5EW 07768 193848 | info@melchambers.com www.alchemytiles.com

2

4 1

MARTIN JOHN FOWLER First Light Porthleven by Martin John Fowler

6

Martin John Fowler’s paintings bear the weight of shifting tides – both literal and figurative. Brought up in the mining towns of South Yorkshire, he honed his craft at Doncaster and Sheffield Colleges of Art before setting out to chart Britain’s evolving landscapes.

From the Scottish isles to Cornwall’s hidden coves, his work captures the uneasy dialogue between industry and wilderness. His acrylics, applied with hands and sticks, are raw, immediate and deeply felt. His paintings, drawings and prints are held in many private collections but can be viewed at the Custom House Gallery, in Porthleven.

2 5

www.martinjohnfowler.com

3

WAVE 7 GALLERY Constantine by Lucy Davies

Home to a collection of contemporary art and crafts, Wave 7 Gallery hosts a stunning array of work by some incredible artists. Perfect for anybody who appreciates art across a variety of mediums, the collections at Wave 7 are constantly evolving, featuring artists from a multitude of disciplines. In addition, Wave 7 offers a range of art workshops and has also started running pottery painting classes. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

17 POLMORLA WALK, WADEBRIDGE PL27 7NS 01208 880605 | www.wave7gallery.com

4

SUSAN FOWLER FINE ART Cornwall Dream by Susan Fowler

Susan Fowler is one of the country’s leading pressed flora, textile, and mixed media artists, with exhibitions held in London, Cornwall and St Ives Society of Artists exhibitions. Inspired by Cornwall’s landscape of ever-changing hues, shapes, panoramic skies and seawater currents, look out for her new artwork ‘Dolce far niente – The art of being still’ being revealed at her solo exhibition at Tregenna Castle, St Ives, September 2025.

07799160638 | info@susanfowler.co.uk Susanfowlerart www.susanfowlergallery.com

5

3 THE SOUTH CROFTY COLLECTION Floral Cornish Tin Pendants by Sadie Reeve

These floral designs evoke the feeling of a Cornish spring. The jewellery is made from pure Cornish tin from the South Crofty mine in the workshop based in Wadebridge. Each piece is crafted by hand, making every pendant totally unique and a little wearable piece of Cornwall.

The shop in Wadebridge is open from 10am – 3pm Tuesday – Thursday, or by appointment.

OFFICE 29, CLEAR SPACE, WADEBRIDGE, PL27 7FE contact@southcroftycollection.co.uk www.croftytin.co.uk

6

DIANE GRIFFITHS Last Train Home by Diane Griffiths

Diane Griffiths, a Newquay artist and winner of ‘The People’s Choice Award’ 2024 in The British Art Prize, is currently expanding her ‘The Colour of Night’ collection.

This painting captures that relief when the last train of the night pulls into the station, a welcome sight offering a safe journey home – the promise of arrival, rest and belonging is a step closer. diane@handonart.com www.handonart.com

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ART

Carving with INTENT Hand-carved tiles that elevate spaces inside and out.

A

t the heart of Alchemy Tiles is Mel Chambers, a maker whose dedication to an ancient craft has set her apart from the world of homogenised interiors. Specialising in encaustic tiles, Mel revives a technique that dates back to the 13th century, where designs are carved and inlaid rather than painted. This method, rarely practised today, ensures each piece is both durable and imbued with character.

While encaustic tiles are often associated with restoration work, Mel has extended their relevance, applying the technique to contemporary spaces where longevity and individuality matter.

Operating as a sole trader under Alchemy Tiles, Mel brings every project to life herself.

From design to installation, her process is hands-on, ensuring consistency and an attention to detail that clients value. The tiles are not standardised; each is crafted to fit the intended space precisely, creating installations that feel integral to their surroundings rather than imposed upon them. This personal approach has led to recognition, with Alchemy Tiles winning “Best Handcrafted Tile Company” at the SME Southern Enterprise Awards five times and securing another nomination for 2025.

Collaboration plays a central role in Mel’s work. She approaches every commission as a dialogue, encouraging clients to contribute their ideas and emotions to the design process.

This results in tiles that not only decorate, they tell stories, carrying a resonance that mass-produced alternatives cannot replicate.

Whether enhancing a courtyard, a bathroom, or a feature wall, the installations hold a sense of permanence, their beauty enduring much like the medieval examples that continue to inspire her.

Mel’s passion lies in transformation: taking a blank wall or floor and reimagining it through the lens of craftsmanship. The outcome is as much about the process as the finished surface, each project bearing the marks of collaboration, skill and care. For those seeking more than decoration, Alchemy Tiles offers an encounter with a craft that still has the power to surprise and delight.

ALCHEMY TILES Sampys Hill, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth TR11 5RW info@melchambers.com 07768 193848 www.alchemytiles.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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- PORTHLEVEN AN INDEPENDENT ART GALLERY ON THE HARBOURSIDE IN PORTHLEVEN, SHOWCASING A BROAD SELECTION OF THE VERY BEST ORIGINAL ART. COMMERCIAL ROAD, PORTHLEVEN, TR13 9JD | 01326 569365 WWW.CORNWALL-ART.CO.UK @CUSTOMSHOUSEGALLERY |

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LIFESTYLE

Creative living

IN CORNWALL One of Falmouth and Truro’s most joyful emporia brings colour, charm and character home.

T

he Grey Lurcher arrived in Truro like the second verse of a beguiling poem – familiar, yet full of originality and recognisably an extension of the initial idea. Twelve months in, the younger sibling to the Falmouth precursor is thriving, smaller in footprint but just as devoted to the joyful eclectic mix of desirable objects imbued with chromatic flair.

Inside, every shelf feels like a versified recital that speaks of quality and affordability. Retro homewares flirt with French beach baskets, soft toys reside beside linens, while enamel mugs jostle with Mediterranean-inspired products. There’s a tangible sense of curation – not in the sterile, sparse sense of the word, but in the instinctive way that speaks of care and connection.

Colour isn’t something that just happens to occur here, it’s thoroughly thought through.

From 1950s hues on ornaments and glassware to unframed prints, this is a shop that exalts the everyday. Even the chalk paint – Annie Sloan’s full range, stocked in both locations – is a rallying cry for reinvention. The team behind the counter know it inside out, not through sales patter but through their own brushstrokes. Whether you’re refreshing a

kitchen or rescuing a table from the tip, you’ll find good advice and great materials such as waxes, stencils and more besides.

New additions are made with care. This summer sees a playful expansion into gifts for children – glow-soft night lights, traditional games and cute cuddly creatures begging to be named. Meanwhile, paper goods remain a highlight, from tongue-in-cheek greetings cards to East End paper garlands suitable to bring joy to any home.

It is not minimal, not muted and not made to be forgotten. The Grey Lurcher is a reminder that the objects we live with can lift the day – if they’re chosen with an eye for the refreshing, the useful, the unexpected. In Falmouth and now in Truro, that’s exactly what you’ll find: practical pleasures with personality, colour you can carry home and shelves you want to spend an hour sifting through.

THE GREY LURCHER 20 High Street, Falmouth TR11 2AB 8 Pydar Mews, Truro TR1 2UX 01326 618240 thegreylurcher@gmail.com www.greylurcher.com Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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ar th ye 27 ew ber ine l n em nl na ec o io d s & at ts rie ns ar le se e st gal l sa in beautiful fused glass interior pieces, handmade at our cornwall studio. bespoke design service available. truro | st ives | fowey | padstow | tintagel | launceston | dartmouth | sunningdale

www.jodowns.com

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LIFESTYLE

ummer SREADY

ABOVE LEFT Eovolt

Cornwall’s most inventive water sports outfit gears up for a busy season.

T

here’s a kind of kinetic power to MAD Water Sports. Based in Wadebridge and run with enthusiasm, it’s the sort of place where conversation fluidly veers from fin configurations to cold water therapy, electric bikes to being stoked.

Already a hub for paddleboards, wetsuits and surf hardware, the store now crackles with a fresh lineup and new ideas, fusing local knowledge with a global perspective on performance.

The latest arrivals add extra wattage. The new Eovolt electric bikes slot effortlessly into the rhythm of an adventure lifestyle.

Complementing the Super73 adventure bikes already sold by MAD, but with a more urban perspective, they're compact, nimble and built to stow away in a camper van, boot of an SUV or estate car. These aren’t just efficient modes of transport; they’re a prompt to wander, to roam wider, quicker and with less resistance.

For those who favour icy precision over lukewarm improvisation, MAD’s new instore range of YETI drinkware and coolers is equally welcome. Engineered with the kind of obsessive rigour usually reserved for deep space exploration, these hardy companions are built to endure Cornish summers with their rogue wave squalls and beach-based picnics alike.

é ABOVE Super73

In the boardroom – of the wave-riding variety – things are also gathering pace. There’s a fresh quiver of Firewire and Thunderbolt surfboards and custom shapes from Channel Islands now in store and online. From the curious curvature of the GROOVE board to the smooth versatility of the TJ Pro Mid, each one evokes a language of movement and possibility, waiting to be translated on water.

Even the wetsuits are evolving. The new Mystic Evolve natural foam suit, now available both online and in-store, blends environmental conscience with technical prowess. This is gear for the committed – engineered with purpose, not pomp.

MAD Water Sports isn’t merely keeping up with the season; it’s, as always, aligning itself to the rhythm of adventure. And what’s more, it’s also committed to sourcing and supplying products from companies that actively reduce plastic in their packaging and prioritise durability and longevity, so you can be sure that your purchase is having the least environmental impact, whilst reducing carbon emissions.

INSET YETI ê BELOW Mystic Evolve wetsuit

MAD WATER SPORTS 15 Dunveth Business Park, Wadebridge PL27 7FE 01208 814222 www.madwatersports.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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STAY

erience ExpELEVATED LIVING

This premium Cornish retreat provides a mix of peace and sophistication.

P

erched high above the craggy cliffs of Bossiney and Benoath, with panoramic views over the untamed beauty of the North Cornish coast, Ocean Cove Coastal Retreat is a private holiday home destination for year-round escapes. Just a short walk from Bossiney Cove, the estate places you moments from a picturesque tidal beach which is a favourite among surfers, walkers and swimmers alike.

Ocean Cove offers a rare opportunity to own a slice of coastal tranquillity, blending natural beauty, luxury amenities and a community feel.

Ocean Cove is open 12 months of the year, meaning owners can enjoy their lodge with friends and family throughout the seasons.

Whether it’s long summer days on the

surrounding beaches or crisp winter walks along windswept headlands, the estate offers a bolt-hole for relaxation and exploration.

Set within a secure, gated development, Ocean Cove features 79 luxury holiday lodges, each carefully designed to maximise comfort and embrace the natural surroundings.

With prices starting from just £76,000, the estate offers excellent value and a fully managed, stress-free ownership experience, with no stamp duty and a simple turnkey purchase process.

Every detail at Ocean Cove is designed with a holiday lifestyle in mind. Owners have access to a beautifully maintained indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a well-equipped gym, all open seven days a week. There’s also a welcoming owners'

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STAY

lounge, perfect for catching up with fellow owners or enjoying a quiet coffee with a view of the terrace.

Ocean Cove is managed by a friendly and dedicated team who are always on hand to ensure every visit is stress-free. From pitch maintenance to helpful advice on local spots to explore, they offer plenty of guidance for the added enjoyment of lodge owners One of Ocean Cove’s greatest assets is its location. Just a few minutes’ walk from Tintagel village, the local area offers a range of pubs, eateries, bakeries and convenience stores. Your new holiday home is also a short drive from Tintagel Castle, the legendary home of King Arthur.

The North Cornwall coastal path passes right by the entrance, opening the door to world-class walking trails and wonderful sea views.

A bus stop in nearby Bossiney connects you to the rest of Cornwall, with routes up to Bude or down to Wadebridge: ideal for those wishing to explore the region without the car.

Owning a lodge at Ocean Cove is about making a lifestyle choice that gives you all the benefits of home but with the benefits of living next to the sea and all that brings.

It’s about knowing you always have a place to unwind, reconnect and explore. It’s the joy of sharing spontaneous weekends away with friends, or giving your family the gift of

countless carefree holidays. With pitch fees covering everything from local authority rates and water to grass cutting, refuse collection and street lighting, there are no hidden costs – just peace of mind.

And for those interested in seeing what Ocean Cove life is really like before leaping, a stay at the privately managed Bossiney Cabin, available for short-term rental, offers the perfect taster.

With its stunning clifftop location, excellent facilities, strong community atmosphere and year-round access, Ocean Cove is one of Cornwall’s best-kept secrets for those looking to make holiday freedom a permanent fixture in their lives. To discover which lodges are available or book your stay in the Bossiney Cabin, contact the team today.

OCEAN COVE Bossiney, Tintagel PL34 0AZ 01840 770325 sales@ocean-cove.co.uk www.ocean-cove.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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COVER FEATURE

the OnWATER

Finding fun in the sun this summer with inclusive watersport adventures across the Duchy.

Words by HANNAH TAPPING

Sailing on the Helford with CST

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COVER FEATURE

Trevassack Lake

T BELOW ê Getting to grips with sailing

here’s something special about the Cornish waterline in summer, whether that be coastal or lakeside. On calm days the water can look almost oily it’s so smooth and as you glide over it on a paddleboard the crystal-clear ocean falls away like a painting below you, fronds of seaweed gently swaying in the current. When the wind blows, the surface of the sea comes alive with white horses bouncing across Cornwall’s bays.

Hoisting a sail and scudding across the sea brings sheer delight on such days.

I was lucky enough to have grown up by the sea; it was both my playground and

sportsground. When my own children were old enough to enjoy the water, they began their ocean adventures with Children’s Sailing Trust (CST). The Helford, with its ancient oaks dipping their limbs into the river and herons lifting lazily from the banks, was where they learnt to rig, tack and jibe! Over the years, CST (www. childrenssailingtrust.org.uk) has evolved into so much more than simply a sailing school. It has become a sanctuary of sorts, where children of all backgrounds and abilities can take the helm, often for the first time.

Founded in 1997 by the late John Green MBE, who wanted every child to experience the freedom of sailing on the Helford River, CST has always believed that access to the water should be a right, not a privilege. Nearly three decades on, the charity has grown into a dynamic and multifaceted operation. At its helm today is a passionate team of educators, instructors and changemakers, led by CEO Jakie Jewell, who understand that when a child steps aboard a boat, something shifts – confidence rises, curiosity blooms and independence takes root.

é ABOVE Enjoying the thrill of being out on the water

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ABOVE é Making friends and memories

BELOW ê Navigating the lake

Seeing the possibilities that a still-water lake could bring alongside their Helford base, CST bought an ex-quarry and transformed it into the spring-fed, freshwater centre of watersports excellence it is today. Trevassack opened to the public in October 2021 and is unique in its fully accessible design. With level paths, hoists and adaptive equipment, the site was created with inclusion at its core.

CST Experiences, the charity’s social enterprise arm, offers tailored sessions for children and adults with disabilities, complex needs, or simply those who’ve never had the chance to try watersports before. The profits from these sessions are reinvested into CST’s charitable work, funding schools’ sailing and lakeside learning sessions.

The secret lake at Trevassack has been kept as natural as possible, and its fully accessible design means everyone is welcome.

Owned by the CST, activities are run by CST Experiences and include sailing, paddle sports, wild swimming, events and venue hire for birthdays, group meet-ups and even accessible

weddings with well-being classes such as yoga and pilates held in the lakeside function room.

There’s even a dog-friendly lakeside café for refuelling after being out on the water. Just a stone’s throw from the water, Trevassack Holidays is CST’s exclusive collection of six accessible holiday properties, all with hot tubs set on their deck.

The site is Gold award-winning for Accessibility and Inclusivity, being entirely wheelchair and SEND-friendly, including the water. For children who might struggle in a traditional classroom, a sailing boat becomes a very different kind of learning space. The water has an extraordinary levelling effect; CST is not just about building skills, but also building lives.

é ABOVE Building in confidence

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Read, Watch, EXPERIENCE

It’s never been easier for those who love Cornwall to read, watch and experience for themselves the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea. From regular email updates and online blogs, to Cornish video content and incredible monthly competitions giving you the chance to win your own little piece of Cornwall, even if you can’t lay your hands on a copy of our monthly issues, our multi-media approach means you can access the best of Cornwall Living anywhere, at any time.

Moving from coast to country, South West Lakes Trust (www.swlakestrust.org.uk) oversees 40 inland waters across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and Dorset, providing unrivalled access to watersports, angling, walking and cycling. These are places you can be active or play and explore all day long.

Stithians Lake is one of their crown jewels.

It’s the largest inland water in west Cornwall, and offers something for everyone, whether that’s casting a line, walking its footpaths, discovering the wildlife or getting out on the water. With a café and camping, the lake is both a hub of activity and a peaceful escape.

Watersports on offer include winging and efoiling, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking. You can launch your own equipment or take advantage of on-site equipment hire and instructor-led sessions. Stithians also runs a full summer holiday activity programme which includes RYA courses.

There’s a thread that runs through both CST and South West Lakes Trust – a belief that the water doesn’t just belong to Cornwall, but that Cornwall belongs to the water and that means everyone should be welcomed in. As we move through an era of increasing digital fatigue and screen-based living, the role of these charities is more vital than ever. They offer not just an escape, but a reconnection to nature, to others and to self. So, whether it’s the salty tang of the sea or the bracing splash from a lake, Cornwall’s waters are calling.

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READ Whether you want the best Cornish content delivered directly to your door, or to be among the first to receive the most exclusive discounts and special readers’ offers from our regular email newsletters, head to our website and pick the subscription that works for you... www.cornwall-living.co.uk/subscribe/

WATCH é ABOVE

Enjoying the water in a safe, natural environment

Bringing the Ultimate Lifestyle By The Sea to your screen wherever you area, be sure to check out Cornwall Living TV! www.cornwall-living-tv.co.uk

WIN! As always, there's plenty up for grabs over on the Cornwall Living website competitions page, and there are always more being added.

To see what you could win, pay a visit to: www.cornwall-living.co.uk/competitions ê BELOW Winging your way around the lake

SHORT ON TIME? No problem! Simply scan the code below on your smart device and access all of the above within just a couple of clicks. The Ultimate Lifestyle by the Sea has never been closer to hand...

17/12/2025 13:06

CHARITY ADVERTISEMENT

s e v r e s e d d il h c y r e v E READ

SECURITY

Shelter fights for housing rights as child homelessness hits a record.

W WRITE YOUR WILL FOR FREE You can get a simple will written for free. Visit shelter. org.uk/legacy; Search ‘Shelter will’ or Scan the QR code.

To find out more, contact the Gifts in Wills Team on 0344 5151617 or legacies@shelter. org.uk – they’ll be happy to help.

While there is no obligation to remember Shelter in your will, they would be very grateful for any gift you choose to make.

Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless People Limited: Registered charity in England and Wales (263710) and in Scotland (SC002327)

hile their classmates are enjoying their summer holidays, for some children, the return to school can’t come soon enough, as they face a long, difficult summer stuck in damaging and insecure temporary accommodation.

Government statutory homelessness figures, released on 22nd July 2025, revealed 169,050 children are now homeless in temporary accommodation in England – this is a 12% increase in a year, the highest number since records began in 2004. This is the devastating result of a severe shortage of genuinely affordable social rent homes and inadequate levels of housing benefit that continue to trap families in homelessness.

Billy was only seven when his dad, Shandor, had an accident at work, and everything changed. The injuries left Shandor with a disability and on sick leave, but he eventually lost his job entirely.

Unable to afford the rent, Shandor was placed in temporary accommodation just a day before he was forced to leave his previous home. “I couldn’t see beyond

the end of the day”, says Shandor. “I had visions of having to sleep in the car. I really was at a low ebb. It was awful.”

With guidance from Shelter, he managed to find a social home – a comfortable, secure place for him and Billy to live. This meant everything to Shandor, who recalls the joy and relief. “Security, comfort, stability.

Knowing where we’re going to be, all the possibilities… it really was spectacular.”

By leaving a gift in your will to Shelter, you can make sure they will be there for years to come – standing shoulder to shoulder with people as they fight for their housing rights.

Shelter won't give up. Not until everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

And future generations don't ever have to worry about becoming homeless.

You can make real change happen.

SHELTER 0344 515 1617 legacies@shelter.org.uk www.shelter.org.uk/legacy Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk

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SPEND SUNDAY your way

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