There are few places in the UK quite as enticing as Cornwall. Forcing you into a more laid-back way of life through friendly, relaxed hospitality, casual dining, and the opportunity to explore some stunning surroundings, the tranquil setting of this mostly coastal county offers so much for those in need of a chilled holiday.
Before the lockdown started, I was lucky enough to escape to this picturesque county to steal away for a few days and appreciate the beauty of the natural surroundings that Newquay has to offer. A frequent visitor of this large seaside town, I will happily spend hours discussing the beauty of this place, the quality of the food being served and the fantastic selection of hotels that grace the shores.
One such place is Lewinnick Lodge, sitting on Pentire headland, a short trip from the town centre (by car, a longer walk) and seemingly just perched on the edge of the world.
Hotel
With utterly blissful views to Fistral beach and with enchanting panoramic vistas of the blue waters surrounding, you could be mistaken for thinking you’ve found your way onto a cruise ship when you set foot outside on the terrace. Hundreds of shades of blue glisten in the sunshine, creating a rather mesmerising, and instantly calming, sight.
Upon arrival I was impressed at how busy the restaurant and bar area were and was told this was fairly typical for a Sunday afternoon – it was roast day after all! The large, open plan space accommodated a bar in the middle of the room, with tables along full-length windows to take in those enchanting vistas. Food, throughout the day, can be enjoyed in the restaurant area or the more casual bar area, which holds a pool table and shows sports on a large TV.
Room
After a friendly and swift check in, I made my way downstairs to my room and practically ran to the window to take in the scene; the water seemed so close as the hotel appears to be built into the cliff-side. With the windows open to allow the sounds of the waves to drift in, I couldn’t think of a more blissful place to be in that moment and waking up to the water gently splashing against the rocks and the all-blue view was a tonic.
Lewinnick Lodge holds 17 boutique rooms, all boasting the sought-after sea views, and all stylishly designed and laid out to make the most of the location, with a selection of accessible rooms too. My room was open plan with a large bed near to a big window and an open partition with the bathroom on the other side to allow for natural light to spread throughout, and for guests to enjoy the view at every opportunity.
The décor was modern with a comfy country charm to it – not a nautical ornament or wall-hanging in sight – clearly the location speaks for itself and need no further assertions. Pale duck egg tones adorned the walls, while royal blue and rusty coloured furnishings covered the bed and armchairs. A radio and binoculars sat on the windowsill and there was a hospitality tray and homemade biscuits to nibble on.
The bathroom was large with a double sink feature stretching the back wall and the tub skilfully placed to be able to take a bath with a sea view. A slate floor and shower added a touch of class, but I would have liked a screen for the shower, though tucked away, it was a little too open for my liking.
The lodge clearly is doing the best it can for a more sustainable environment and I was pleased to note that plastic water bottles in the room were swapped for a glass bottle, packaging for toiletries was recyclable or in refillable pots, and there was a note for guests offering a discount if they made the choice to reduce daily linen and towel changes.
Food
Popping to the bar for an afternoon tipple assured me that, though this place is not in a central location to the town, it certainly attracts visitors anyway. Throughout my stay I spotted walkers stopping by for a morning coffee, midweek evening meals being enjoyed and, of course, locals gathering for that popular Sunday roast. A local informed me that Lewinnick Lodge has a good reputation for food, and I can see why with the lodge’s head chef, Anthony Theobald, promising “stylish, flavoursome food that celebrates everything Mother Nature has to offer”.
Every meal I was served, I devoured with satisfaction, even deciding to forego an evening meal elsewhere on my two-day sojourn in order to taste the home-cooked cuisine once again.
Breakfasts are an event with the restaurant deciding to forego the typical hotel buffet and instead provide plates all served from the kitchen. Choose a range of dishes including American style pancakes with a selection of toppings, Mexican eggs, Eggs Royale, a breakfast bap, a ‘Proper’ Cornish breakfast, with smoothies, juices hot drinks and morning tipples up for grabs too.
You can order more than one, but, be warned, these are not the faint-hearted! Something I learned after ordering the continental plate and veggie breakfast. Totally delicious, consisting of cinnamon and raisin toast, Cornish Yarg (one of my favourite cheeses), jam, fruit and a yoghurt pot, and mushroom, spinach, hummus, tomato, beans eggs and sourdough, respectively. The two plate certainly set me up for the day ahead.
There are a selection of nibbles, small plates, large plates, veggie and vegan offerings to choose from when dining here. As mentioned, I consumed two dinners here and I would have to say one of the standout dishes, as chosen by my dining partner and I had to be the pulled Moroccan lamb with harissa crème fraiche, flat bread, pomegranate and mint salad to start.
Main dishes that proved popular were, no surprises at the coast, the fish and chips; beer battered hake, which was elevated with triple cooked chips and minted pea puree, and a pork dish. Confit pork belly was served with fondant potato, squash puree, smoked bacon cabbage and a caramelised apple, sage and walnut crumble. This was a delightful dish with a great variety of tastes and textures to truly delight, and a neighbouring table were raving about this dish too.
Expect a selection of tasty desserts to choose from too including a vegan sticky toffee pudding, hazelnut and muscovado tart, affogato and Cornish cream tea, to name a few, and I would certainly recommend their espresso Martinis!
Do
If you can, you must get out for a coastal walk. Cornwall boasts some of the very best coastlines in the country, made all the more scenic with an array of greenery on the hilltops, beautiful blues of the water and the skies, dramatic oceanic waves which have, over time, created craggy rocks, all of which make for a rather beautiful scene.
I was truly blessed with amazing weather during my stay here so headed out for a walk around Pentire headland, gazing at Crantock beach, heading back around to Fistral to the beach bar for a coffee; a very enjoyable place to sit and take in the surroundings. The town centre is about a 35 minute walk via Fistral and there are plenty of shops, eateries, bars and beaches to take in while wandering.
In a nutshell
A stay at Lewinnick Lodge is one for those who love the surrounding area but prefer a quiet trip to Newquay. It’s a very relaxing place to be, near the water, and if you don’t come away relaxed and refreshed after the excellent food, mesmerising views and typical Cornish hospitality then I guess you’ll just have to go back for a little longer next time! This would make the ideal post-lockdown staycation for anyone looking for relaxation and good food.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £126.
Address: Pentire Headland, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1QD
Phone: 01637 878 117
Email: reception@lewinnicklodge.co.uk
Website: lewinnicklodge.co.uk
See snippets of my travels on Instagram @tashheard_food_travel and Twitter @tashheardtravel
Image credit at very top of article: Paul Terry.
