Category: Uncategorized

Kate to Coast: Wild Swimming Adventures in Cornwall

Surrounded by the ocean on all sides but one, our county is one of fishing, secluded coves and pumping surf. With endless spots along Cornwall’s coastline begging for a bracing dip, it’s no surprise that wild swimming in Cornwall is a popular pastime for locals and visitors. 

In recent years, the UK has seen a boom in wild swimming activity, with first timers heading towards lakes, rivers and oceans. But we caught up with someone who has been in and out of the sea for as long as she can remember. Kate Passmore (@katetocoast) is a wild swimming enthusiast, embedded in the open water swimming community. We touched base with Kate to get her knowledge, insights and experiences of Wild Swimming in Cornwall, and to find out what keeps Kate going back to the ocean for more…

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An Interview With…Keely Stocker, Marketing Brand and Communications Director at FatFace

Back in 1988, FatFace founders Tim and Jules were enjoying life on the slopes. Just two friends, one camper van and an endless spirit of adventure. For over 30 years they’ve carried the belief that life is for living and more fun with those we love. And the clothes we wear are part of the journey. Now a household name, FatFace has been carefully crafting clothing to live life in, to embark on everyday adventures that make you smile.

We catch-up with Keely Stocker, Marketing Brand and Communications Director at FatFace to hear more about the brand’s very first family friendly festival, Rock Up and Sea, taking place in Newquay, Cornwall this summer.

Can you give us the low down on what to expect from the Rock Up and Sea festival?
We’ve nicknamed Rock Up and Sea ‘The Ultimate Beach Festival’, as it’s set to be a day brimming with non-stop entertainment – the schedule is jam-packed with incredible music, amazing activities, and inspiring guest speakers. We’re wowed by what we’ve got planned – as well as the breath-taking location of Lusty Glaze Beach, an idyllic private cove that’s the picture-perfect setting for our first-ever festival.

As an international brand, why did Cornwall feel like the perfect home for the first family friendly FatFace festival?
FatFace is never far from the sea – it’s where we find our escape and the inspiration behind many of our collections, like our ongoing partnership with the Marine Conservation Society. Our Fistral Beach store is a 15-minute stroll from Lusty Glaze Beach, and we felt the location was ideal for those attending from the surrounding community and further afield – it’s the perfect backdrop to a day of family fun, and we can’t wait to be there!

How has the natural environment and Cornish way of life inspired the festival programme?
In every way! From the themes of our workshops and expert speakers, to smaller details like the locally sourced dishes on our menu – we’ve considered sustainability, education, and the breath-taking location across our schedule. From surf lessons and foraging with Cornish Wild Foods, to incredible sculptures inspired by marine life and eco values, we’ve ensured our festival is a celebration of the landscape around us.

What are you most looking forward to experiencing at Rock Up and Sea?
The energy of the crowd and meeting everyone who’s purchased a ticket – we’re over the moon with the feedback and excitement the festival has received so far! I can’t wait to attend the incredible talks – Dame Kelly Holmes is sure to be a highlight – and watch The Feeling with the sand between my toes. It’s going to be an unforgettable day.

We have a shared ethos when it comes to playing our part in protecting the planet. Can you tell us more about your sustainability journey?
We recently announced that we’re officially a Certified B Corporation. As a B Corp, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. We’re so proud to be counted among businesses that are leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. From our responsible sourcing practices, climate conscious initiatives and inspiring charity partnerships to the wonderful people who are driving change across our business and in our local communities, gaining B Corp™ certification is a celebration of all that we stand for.

What are your favourite festival ready top picks from the new summer collection?
If you’re heading to a festival, it’s always wise to prepare for all weathers – our Tasha Denim Jacket or khaki Field Jacket are great throw-on pieces, and perfect when the day turns to night (or when there’s a bit of a breeze!). Just add the Devin Embroidered Dress or the Corey Stencil Floral Midi Dress and team with sandals, wellies, or flip flops! Our latest collection has everything from breezy linen and sun-ready shorts to versatile jumpsuits and dresses that are a must for festival season!

And don’t forget to enter our competition (by May 29th!) with FatFace for your chance to win 4 tickets to Rock Up and Sea festival, a £250 FatFace e-voucher plus a luxurious stay over the festival weekend at Gannel Blue.

An Interview With: Tor Amran, Director of the Cornish Food Box

Our friends at Cornish Food Box sell and deliver food to feel good about; from grass-fed, free range meat and poultry, sustainably caught fish and seafood, to veg grown just down the road from their HQ in Cornwall. We offer a choice of six welcome gift options to welcome our guests to Cornwall, one option being a handy voucher for Cornish Food Box. This means you can avoid the supermarket queues, choose exactly the produce you want, and have it delivered to your holiday door upon arrival.

We caught up with Tor, director and co-founder of Cornish Food Box, to find out how supporting their business has a positive, knock on effect for the Cornish community and environment.

Tell us a bit about what you do, and what led to the creation of Cornish Food Box?

Cornish Food Box was started by my sister, Lucy and I back in 2010. We grew up on our family dairy farm near Porthleven and wanted to start a business that celebrated the rural economy and Cornwall’s community, culture and collaborative nature. It’s lucky that we are surrounded by some of the best food in the world – we want to showcase that to locals and visitors. Now we deliver all over the UK five days a week and are incredibly proud of our relationships with more than 250 local farmers, fishermen, bakers and independent family run food businesses.

What would you say are the benefits of buying produce locally?

Where do you start? The food is fresher because it has travelled far less distance to you. You are often choosing to eat seasonally when it comes to vegetables which expands your knowledge of what is available when… Seasonal food always tastes better! You are buying into the community who produced the food and shortening the supply chain. You are supporting the people who are the guardians of our landscape and biodiversity. When choosing to spend your money with smaller producers you are making a powerful statement about how you think food should be grown, reared, caught or made.

Our six-option welcome gift scheme helps our guests to have a more sustainable, environmentally friendly holiday. How does choosing the Cornish Food Box voucher play into this?

Cornish Gems are really leading the way with this Welcome Voucher Scheme. Not only does it massively reduce food waste but it gives guests the choice to order exactly what they want to receive when they arrive. The Voucher Scheme connects guests with local producers here in Cornwall and makes it really easy and convenient for them to do all or part of their grocery shop from producers across the county. This means more money is spent locally supporting the agricultural industry, jobs and the economy throughout the year. 

You are deeply rooted in the Cornish community, how does ordering through Cornish Food Box help to support the local economy?

We work with more than 250 Cornish farmers, fishermen, butchers, bakers and small independent food businesses. Each order placed with us means more money is spent locally which in turn supports producers who work extremely hard, year round, to produce food in the ‘right’ way! There are no fake farms when you shop with Cornish Food Box. We pay a fair price for all the produce we purchase, and have extremely long term partnerships with the people we work with. We deliver throughout the year which allows producers to plan for 12 months of the year and not just through certain times of the year. Cornish Food Box celebrates our farming and fishing culture by making it really easy for people to buy the very best food Cornwall has to offer.

5. Cornish Food Box delivers the most delicious, fresh, seasonal food – what are the benefits of eating in tune with the seasons?

If you have ever tried a Cornish strawberry in the summer, a sweet Cornish early potato in the Spring or amazingly fresh fish and seafood from the small day boats at Newlyn Harbour you’ll know what the benefits of eating seasonally are. Seasonal eating means you take advantage of food when it’s at it’s very best and is in tune with the environment around you. Try a supermarket strawberry in December and then a Cornish one in July…I mean they just aren’t even the same thing!!

You can find out more about the fantastic work that the Cornish Food Box do here. To view our welcome gift scheme and learn how you can experience the delights of local produce whilst on holiday in Cornwall, please click here.

How To Have A More Sustainable Holiday

The search for a more sustainable holiday has certainly gained momentum, with many of our guests seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, and tread a little lighter on the destinations they love to visit. Whilst travel will always have some impact on the planet, how can we minimise the damage and still explore?  

As we evolve alongside our B-Corp journey, we wanted to share our top ways to have a more sustainable holiday in Cornwall. From considering how you get here, to leaving your favourite place better than you found it, let this be your go-to guide for travelling more mindfully, without compromising on your fulfilling, indulgent, and memory-packed staycation. 

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Glowing Up in Cornwall

More sleep, more time outdoors, more laughter, more movement … sometimes a healthy holiday is just the tonic. In this blog, we share our guide to ‘glowing up’ beside the sea; from the best wild swimming spots in Cornwall, to our very favourite locally made skin-loving treatments.

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Owner Stories: Meadow’s Nest, Callestick

Meadow’s Nest, our wonderful new Gem close to the north Cornish coast, is a real escape from the everyday. We spoke to Kate, the owner of Meadow’s Nest, who told us all about the process of discovering her perfect Cornish location that balances coast and countryside, and transforming the family workshop into a restorative bolthole for two. We discussed environmentally conscious design choices, interior style and the adventures that Kate and her family enjoy straight from their doorstep.

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World Book Day 2023: Storybook Locations In Cornwall

You and your little ones might be familiar with some of the famous storybooks based in Cornwall. And this World Book Day, we invite you to step into the settings of these coastal tales, to be spellbound by beauty, adventure and just a little bit of magic. Inspired by works such as The Mousehole Cat and Mermaid of Zennor, we’ve mapped out some fun days out in Cornwall, packed full with activities for children and families to enjoy.

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Corners of Cornwall: A Winter Break in Cornwall

Crackling log fires, dreamy sunsets, bracing walks and footprint free beaches make Cornwall the perfect cosy winter destination. Jen, from Corners of Cornwall, shares her favourite Cornish places and top tips of what not to miss.

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Cornish Gardens to Visit in 2023

Alongside our wild, untamed landscapes, Cornwall is home to some of the most beautifully and thoughtfully crafted gardens in the UK. From perfectly manicured grounds steeped in romantic history, to innovative micro-climates with the most peculiar of plant species, in this blog we reveal our favourite Gardens in Cornwall to visit in 2023.

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West Cornwall’s Most Instagramable locations

From wind thrashed beaches in the depths of winter, to iconic cave formations in lagoon-esque waters, Cornwall is home to some seriously Instagramable spots. Whether you seek the sublime and dramatic, or the pretty and peaceful, if you love to fill your Insta-squares with the mother nature’s beauty spots, then read on and discover west Cornwall’s most Instagramable locations …

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2023: A Unique Christmas in Cornwall

Christmas in Cornwall sees coastal towns awash with artisan food markets, characterful pubs drawing in passersby with roaring fires, and colourful festive lights reflecting off the harbours. There’s something so special about spending Christmas beside the seaside, and we just had to put our finger on what makes Christmas in Cornwall so unique. So from harbour swims to festive feasts, read on and be inspired to spend Christmas 2023 in Cornwall …

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Winter in Cornwall: A Sense of Escapism

Sometimes, we need a break from being constantly connected, to take a breath and find solace in the wilds of the landscape. With winter in Cornwall approaching, we’ve been exploring the idea of escapism in the county; from stepping back into the past through Cornwall’s rich heritage, to finding freedom on coastal trails, we round up some very Cornish ways to embrace new environments this winter.

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A Foodies Cornwall

In Cornwall, it’s more than just dining; it’s huddling around a fire pit as the jacket potatoes crisp, or tucking into the finest seafood dishes, high above the bay. If you are a foodie at heart then the culinary landscape of Cornwall is the place to be. Our rich agricultural industry and fishing heritage has proudly kept the county on the foodie map, but more recently, unique pop-ups, creative street food offerings, foraging masterclasses and innovative distilleries sit alongside the more traditional dining experiences.

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Gems of the Dragon: The House of The Dragon Filming Locations in Cornwall

From the remote hilltop villages of Portugal, to the dramatic glaciers of Iceland, the producers of Game of Thrones scoured the globe to find the perfect settings for George R R Martin’s Seven Kingdoms. With sublime scenery and enchanting buildings pivotal in depicting the realm, it’s no coincidence that the dramatic landscapes of Cornwall appear in the much anticipated prequel, The House of The Dragon. So join us as we follow in the footsteps of the Targeryans and Velaryons, rounding up the impressive filming locations dotted around Cornwall’s coastline.