Cornwall’s the perfect spot for a walking holiday – and you can even take the dog
There is so much to see and do in Poldark country
I OBSESS about holidays so much I was once nicknamed Judith Chalmers.But as I packed up for my latest trip there wasn’t the usual high heels, bikinis or piles of chick lit.
Instead, I reluctantly stuffed walking boots and a waterproof coat in the back of our car ready for a week’s break in a Cornish holiday cottage.
I also had to pack up our four-month-old boxer puppy Layla, who had forced this staycation on us along with her puppy pads, chews, food and bed.
Luckily, I had managed to find a dog-friendly holiday home that also looked smart and stylish.After a seven-hour journey from Manchester, we landed at Red River Stables in the tiny hamlet of Reskadinnick in the south west of the county. I wasn’t disappointed.
Three adjoining holiday cottages that each cater for two people and dogs have been created from a former stable block in the huge grounds of a gorgeous farm house.
We were greeted at The Hayloft with a welcome hamper from the owner with prosecco, dog biscuits, local scones and clotted cream.
Our bedroom was on a mezzanine floor with beamed ceilings, beautiful furniture, a free-standing bath at the edge of the bed and a modern bathroom.
Downstairs was a luxurious sofa, TV and a well-stocked kitchen.
Outside, guests and their pets are free to roam the 11 acres of private garden, which has a trout lake, outdoor swimming pool and even a chicken coop from which guests can collect fresh eggs daily.
We were in the heart of Poldark country and next morning headed to one of the filming locations at nearby St Agnes.
It is home to four beaches and after doing some research and checking it was dog-friendly, we headed to Chapel Porth. From Wheal Coates car park we took a stunning walk through yellow gorse, purple heather, passing the ruins of an ancient engine house for a tin mine, and down towards the cove below. Then we saw the sign — “no dogs allowed”.
One thing you need to do when planning trips in Cornwall with a dog is triple check, because a LOT of beaches do not allow dogs between Easter and the end of September except before 7am or after 7pm. Many websites have conflicting advice.
After a walk back up the hill we drove across to Helford Passage near Falmouth, where dogs aren’t allowed either.
Instead, we walked along a tiny road for five minutes and discovered a small shingle beach which was deserted — and Layla-friendly.
As we walked back we stopped at the fantastic Ferry Boat Inn, which overlooked the water. The local Rattler cider, crayfish sandwich and ploughman’s plate with Cornish cheese were all fantastic.Layla was fussed over by staff and given dog biscuits.
She was welcomed pretty much everywhere besides the beaches. And we managed to find a taxi driver called Barry from TK Cabs who was happy to transport us all to the local pub.The Red River Inn in Gwithian serves brilliant fish and chips using sustainable hake fillet, alongside homemade minted mushy peas and tartare sauce.
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There is so much to see and do in the area. We loved grabbing a Cornish pasty from the brilliant Philps bakeries and walking and exploring.Lizard Point with its lighthouse is the most southerly point in Great Britain, with beautiful scenery and walks. Land’s End is the mainland’s most south-westerly point and is a tourist attraction with gift shops and a children’s cinema experience.
If it rains there are still things to do. For the first time since being a child I’d been on a week’s holiday in the UK. And I loved it.It not only made me appreciate how beautiful our southern coasts really are but was more relaxing than a foreign break because we did not have the hassle of flights.
I’m actually looking forward to the next one — and have forgiven Layla.