Latest news with #CornwallGuide
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Cornwall chocolate box village named among England's best
Mousehole, which is known for its "picturesque" harbour and narrow streets, was highlighted as one of the best in England. It was among a selection of spots curated by Independent Cottages, which was aiming to find the most beautiful villages in the country. They compared many places against a list of criteria to come to their conclusions, which were: The number of historic buildings, showing the architectural heritage that gives each village its character The oldest recorded existence of the village, demonstrating its depth of history Whether each village is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), recognising its natural surroundings and protection status How many people search for the village online, indicating public interest and recognition How many TikTok posts feature each village, showing how visually appealing they are Introducing the list, they wrote: "There are lots of things that make England special: castles, stately homes and national parks. But what makes it especially charming is the hundreds of little chocolate box villages scattered across the countryside. "Thatched cottages lining cobblestone streets, church bells marking the time and quaint pubs with roaring fires welcoming locals and travellers alike, just as they have for centuries." The full list of England's best chocolate box villages can be found on the Independent Cottages website here. What makes Mousehole one of England's top 'chocolate box' villages? In terms of how it stacked up against other chocolate box villages, Mousehole is said to have dated back to 1286 and has 124 listed buildings. The village is also located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has had 1,305 TikTok posts made about it. Located fairly close to Penzance, Mousehole is a historic fishing village which has retained its "original character, charm and beauty". Visit Cornwall adds: "Its picturesque harbour is surrounded by narrow streets and lichen covered houses, which huddle together creating a stunning location." You can easily lose yourself for a couple of hours navigating these little lanes, discovering cafes, restaurants, galleries and more. The tourism website says: "With the tide out the harbour becomes a safe sandy beach, popular with families, whilst the sea wall is a great place to promenade and take in the views across to St Michael's Mount." If you're a keen swimmer, then Mousehole Rock Pool, which is a natural tidal pool, would be the ideal spot for you. Meanwhile, Cornwall Guide praised the village for its cottages "built from finely grained Lamorna granite". Recommended reading: It adds: "The area is protected from the force of the sea by two sturdy breakwaters. "Dylan Thomas described the village as the loveliest in England, but there are many Cornishman who would dispute that this part of the world can be classed as England!" Have you explored Mousehole? Let us know what you think of this chocolate box village in the comments below.
The Herald Scotland
20-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Portloe in Cornwall named among UK's prettiest mini-breaks
Portloe was featured in the list from The Times, which was looking at the villages with special appeal for a short stay. The publication shared: "Whether your ideal village is veering towards a hamlet or one with a rom-com-worthy collection of trendy shops, we've got you covered in this list of the UK's 25 prettiest — all with a gorgeous place to stay." The full list of the UK's 25 prettiest mini-breaks can be found on The Times website here. Why is Portloe among the UK's prettiest spots for a mini-break? The beauty of Portloe is definitely a factor that has helped its inclusion on the list, with its landscape and cove being some of the highlights. The Times wrote: "With a handful of whitewashed cottages wedged above a small cove, this tiny village on the Roseland peninsula has plenty of superb optics. "It was once a thriving harbour, and a few boats still drop off crabs and lobsters while foot traffic comes from walkers on the South West Coast Path, which travels through the village. "The Lugger hotel has been part of the Portloe landscape since the 18th century, when it allowed villagers to absorb smuggled goods, especially French brandy. "These days, with 22 rooms and three cottages, it delivers a beautifully curated Cornwall land and seascape." Portloe is considered to be one of the county's prettiest villages, according to the Cornwall Guide, with it being described as "the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula". It adds: "Its steep-sided valleys has meant that it has managed to escape development over the years and many buildings differ little from when they were built." Recommended reading: Portloe dazzled the poet John Betjemen when he visited, as he declared it "one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages". As mentioned previously, The Lugger hotel is a well-known aspect of the village alongside The Ship Inn pub just up the road. St Austell Brewery announced earlier this year that they were going to sell the pub, leading local residents to launch a campaign to try and buy it.
