Enjoy Afternoon tea on St Michaels Mount

Posted by & filed under Food and Drink, On every visitors 'to do' list in West Cornwall, Out and About in West Cornwall.

It wouldn’t have to be a special occasion, but it could be of course, to enjoy afternoon tea on

St Michaels Mount in the newly refurbished Harbour Loft.

One does of course have to sample such niceties before one can recommend to our cottage guests so having received an invitation off I went! The clouds were threatening but glorious sunshine was to follow.

Off to St Michales Mount

Across the ancient causeway…

Dropping in at the Stewards House Gallery and garden on the way.

Stewards House garden St Michaels Mount

And along the pretty harbour, past quaint cottages. still lived in today, to the Harbour Loft for afternoon tea!

The English pea, sea vegetable and horseradish tartlets looked too beautiful to eat …but we did and they were delicious!

and the Walnut, tarragon and dark chocolate financiers were most delicious too…

Chocolate deserts

Most importantly these were all made in the restaurant using produce grown and raised locally, even some ingredients gathered on the shores of the Mount. Food yards not food miles!

Probably best to make a booking before you go St Michaels Mount – it would be so disappointing to arrive and find no spaces!

Visit Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens just outside Penzance. It promises to be a memorable experience!

Posted by & filed under Gardens, On every visitors 'to do' list in West Cornwall, Out and About in West Cornwall.

There are so many exciting and interesting places to visit nearby when you stay at Boscrowan and Tremenheere Sculpture gardens, gallery and kitchen cafe are no exception. It’s just outside Penzance and only a 10 minute drive from here.

The South facing land was acquired in 1997 by Neil Armstrong and now covers 22 acres. The guiding principle has been to evolve a naturalistic Arcadian space which blends elements of the landscape, planting and art to create a place for contemplation and wonder. To be honest – you really have to visit it to understand the above sentence or even better join a guided tour as I did last week! Currently there are 46 artworks at various locations throughout the grounds – thought provokers! Some are enormous! Here are just a few….and a taste of the sub tropical planting…

The gallery pictured above is both a beautiful building outside and in but also showcases changing local art exhibitions.

The James Turrell skyspace is the most amazing structure towards the top of the gardens – a space to view the sky which has been used as a wedding venue too – such is its size. Sorry no photo – I forgot – so awed by it on my recent visit. However I am returning this week for a rare evening opening to view the sky and changes of light at dusk. Do check out the website for details of the event.

The Kitchen cafe is always busy and much loved by locals – that says it all!

Do go and visit – you won’t be disappointed.

A visit to Falmouth

Posted by & filed under Cornish towns, Out and About in West Cornwall.

A visit to Falmouth for a day out from Boscrowan. The lure was the Annual Spring Flower Show in the Princess Pavilion Falmouth

Daffodils, camellias, rhododendrons, cacti and succulents – you name it – it was there and it’s still only March.

The exterior of the Princess Pavilion is also very beautiful, with pretty sub tropical Gyllingdune gardens to walk through if you approach from the beach road. The temperate climate of Falmouth is very obvious with many interesting plants in flower. A pair of shell seats where one can view from above, protected from the wind and rain.

Then a meander along the coast road overlooking the beaches below . There were agaves in full bloom reaching up to the sky.

And other plants that you just wouldn’t see in other parts of the country outdoors in flower in March and swathes of daffodils to remind us it is Springtime.

Plenty more to see too. Pendennis Castle, the docks, interesting shops crammed into quaint little streets steeped in history of smuggling and contraband and plenty of great eateries too. A great day out!