Cornwall & London in Spring

Padstow is a charming Cornish fishing town where the shimmering harbour reflects bobbing boats and cheerful pastel cottages, setting a postcard-perfect scene. In the crisp morning air, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at a harbourside café — traditional bubble and squeak bursting with flavour, and for Mark, a rich duck egg Benedict that melted perfectly into its toasted base. To finish, a scoop of indulgent rum and raisin Cornish ice cream captured the essence of seaside indulgence. Padstow’s reputation as a culinary haven is no surprise, with celebrity chef Rick Stein’s influence woven throughout the town — from his renowned seafood restaurant to casual eateries, his presence adds a touch of gourmet prestige to this idyllic coastal retreat.

We passed by Guildford, where Mark recollected that sister Lisa lived for a period.

Further along on our Coastal adventure we stopped to admire the amazing beaches. Just for the record: not a stony one in sight! Pristine beaches with golden sand and truly spectacular turquoise water. Sun ☀️ shining like the perfect day was made just for us. One such beach was Watergate Bay, nestled between dramatic cliff setting on either side. People surfing 🏄 and swimming on this Bank Holiday long weekend in the UK. Almost tempted to jump in but continued to St Ives, our next overnight destination; staying in The Old Vicarage
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I was genuinely disappointed with St Ives, though I suspect the timing played a big part — the bank holiday weekend brought extreme crowds that made the narrow streets feel more stressful than charming. Already feeling tired and grumpy from poor sleep, I found it hard to enjoy the town’s usual appeal. To top it off, dinner was a letdown: I ordered what was advertised as king prawns, but they arrived more like shrimp — and still cost the equivalent of $50 AUD. The only real highlight was the view from the Beach Restaurant, which was undeniably beautiful, even if the food didn’t live up to it.

Returning to The Old Vicarage turned the day around — it felt like a true sanctuary after the chaos. The opulent setting, relaxed guest lounge, and charming honesty bar offered the perfect way to unwind and reclaim a bit of calm and comfort. ✊🏻🙏👍🏻✅👏🇬🇧Читать далее