Latest news with #LizardPeninsula
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cafe owner 'felt sick' after The Salt Path author 'falsely portrayed her mother as a bully' in best-selling book
A cafe owner has claimed she 'felt sick' after discovering The Salt Path author Raynor Winn had depicted her mother as a bully in the hit memoir. Joanna Cocking, 51, said that while the Porthmellin cafe - run by her mother - was not mentioned by name in the book, there is only one cafe in Mullion Cove. The 2018 memoir, which has been turned into a film, was presented by Winn as a true story about her life, but is under intense scrutiny amid claims of omissions and exaggerations. Upon reading a portrayal of her family business in the book, Ms Cocking told The Observer: 'When I got sent the bit of the book that we were in, I just felt sick. I just wanted to write to the publisher and say: ''You can't write this.''' She added that at first she thought it must be some sort of mistake, but concluded the extract must be about her mother due to no other cafes existing in the area. In her memoir, Winn described how after losing their home, she and her husband 'Moth' - real name Timothy - walked the 630-mile South West Coast Path. En route, the couple stopped off at the cafe on the Lizard peninsula. 'A man in his twenties waited tables, cleared tables, politely dealt with grumpy customers, cut cakes, swept the floor,' Winn wrote. She then described the arrival of the angry owner. 'What the f*** do you think you're doing? There's two tables out there uncleared. What do I pay you for? You're f****** lazy.' According to the memoir, the waiter handed the couple two free paninis before deciding he was quitting. In response to the extract, Ms Cocking said: 'When I read that, I was thinking: ''That can't be us.'' I was absolutely mortified. She never named the cafe but she might as well have because there is only one cafe in this cove.' The cafe owner, who took over from her mother, claimed the fact that there is a cafe in Mullion Cove is the only part of the passage that is accurate. She added that nobody could have swept the floor because there has been carpet for years, and that her mother was a 'typical old Cornish woman' who would never speak like that. Ms Cocking also claimed that while there has been a few male waiting staff working at the cafe over the years, nobody has ever walked out. Additionally, the business has allegedly never sold paninis. Via her lawyers, Winn told The Observer: 'The Salt Path is an honest account of what we lived through on the path, and I stand by it.' Penguin Michael Joseph, the memoir's publisher, called Winn's best-selling book 'unflinchingly honest' - but parts of the tale have been scrutinised after claims of dishonesty emerged. While the author painted herself as a victim dealing with homelessness and the critical health of her husband, she has since accepted she 'made mistakes' after being accused of stealing from her former employer. Previously, a widow who claimed Winn stole thousands of pounds from her family business claimed it destroyed her late husband's confidence in people. Ros Hemmings and her daughter Debbie spoke out about Ms Winn, who worked for their property business in the early 2000s as a bookkeeper. They claim she stole around £64,000 from the family business. An investigation by The Observer in July suggested Winn's story about her life in The Salt Path was misleading. The Observer claimed that Raynor and her husband Moth, real names Sally and Tim Walker, lost their money after failing to pay money they had been accused of stealing from Martin Hemmings, husband of Ros. In a statement following The Observer investigation, Raynor Winn said: 'The dispute with Martin Hemmings, referred to in the Observer by his wife, is not the court case in The Salt Path. 'Nor did it result in us losing our home. Mr Hemmings is not Cooper. Mrs Hemmings is not in the book, nor is she a relative of someone who is. 'I worked for Martin Hemmings in the years before the economic crash of 2008. For me it was a pressured time. 'It was also a time when mistakes were being made in the business. Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry.' The Daily Mail has contacted Winn's representatives for comment on Ms Cocking's claims.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Britain's best walks revealed - is there one near YOU?
Brits love getting out and exploring this green and pleasant land – and now the best walks to take across the nation has been named. There are incredible routes to be found in England, Scotland and Wales – with a popular West Country destination coming out as the overall winner. The research saw consumer group Which? Pick more than 50 walks that could be easily trekked in a day – no more than 13 miles (20km). It then asked its members to rank them on everything from the scenery along the route, the food and drink opportunities along the way, and peace and quiet. There's also an 'ease of walking' category that judges how difficult they are to hike. The Lizard peninsula circuit, in southern Cornwall, is named the best walk in the UK, with a total score of 87 per cent. The seven-mile route usually takes around three hours from the village of Lizard, and is described by Which? as 'the place to head for a blow-away-the-cobwebs walk'. 'Visitors told us they appreciated the dramatic scenery, the abundance of wildflowers and the possibility of spotting a red-legged chough or bobbing seals and basking sharks in the tumbling waves,' it adds. The best walk in Wales, which also scored 87 per cent and is another coastal course, is the Rhossili headland walk. The Gower Peninsula loop, with a difficulty rating of two out of five across its 3.5 miles, takes in a long sweep of Rhossili beach and views of Worm's Head, a tidal island. Which? recommends a meal at the Worm's Head Hotel following the stroll, where you can expect traditional pub food with local highlights, such as Welsh rarebit, cockles and laverbread. The Lake District's Buttermere circuit and the Craster to Dunstanburgh, in Northumberland, came in closely behind, each snatching an 86 per cent score. The former is judged to be one out of five for ease. It's flat and great for families, leading between the shore and the dramatic mountains. As for the Craster to Dunstanburgh route, the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle are in view throughout, and walkers should look out for fulmars and razorbill – and, further out to sea, you might spot a grey seal. It's around 2.6 miles, scoring highly for scenery and wildlife. In Scotland, the best walk is Fife's Crail to Anstruther journey, four miles along and achieving a score of 84 per cent from Which? members. 'The Fife Coastal Path links its fishing villages with their stone harbours, pantile-roof cottages and Dutch-style merchants' houses – all of which remain steadfastly unspoilt,' say the consumer champions. As for an end-of-walk reward, the town is home to the award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar & Restaurant – known for its light and crispy batter. Other notable walks include Bottalack Mine Walk in Cornwall, heading up Dorset's Golden Cap, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk in North Yorkshire, The Needles and Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight, and another North Yorkshire entry with the Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay trail. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: 'The UK has an amazing variety of walks and our list highlights how there is beautiful scenery to enjoy in every corner of the country. 'From historic ruins, beautiful shorelines and seal spotting, our research shows you don't have to be a seasoned hiker and many walks also include cosy cafes and charming local pubs if you do need a rest and some refreshments.' The results were based on almost 3,000 experiences from 1,310 'Which Connect' members, with the talk score combining overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
Times
16-06-2025
- Times
22 of the best campsites in Cornwall
Camping is a time-honoured way of saving money on holiday — but spending a few nights under canvas doesn't have to mean roughing it. There are lots of fantastic campsites to choose from in Cornwall, with styles to suit all tastes. Some are charmingly rustic with nothing much more to offer than the joys of nature, an empty field and a loo block. Others have a full range of family-friendly facilities as well as organised activities and often a restaurant. Plenty stay open all year, too, making a spring or autumn camping trip perfectly possible: April, September or October can be good months if the weather's kind. If you don't fancy bringing your own camping gear, you could rent a bell tent from Ysella or BellaKernow, or upgrade to a camper van courtesy of companies such as Quirky Campers or Camperbug. Here's our pick of the best campsites in Cornwall. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for quirky character This endearing, eccentric campsite out on the wild Lizard Peninsula is an old favourite, popular for its pretty setting, friendly welcome and slightly freewheeling vibe. All the pitches are different, with some out in the fields with open sea views and others sheltered behind dry-stone walls or exotic plants. There are music nights in the summer, and a shop stocked with local goodies. It often gets booked up months in advance, but is open year-round, making this a stalwart for shoulder-season camping. While dogs aren't allowed in the summer holidays, they are welcomed during the rest of the year (but must be kept on a lead while on site). ££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for sailors Not a campsite for seclusion, but if you're a sailor, you'll be in seventh heaven here. It's just outside the yachtie village of Mylor next to the busy boatyard (there's space for you to park your own vessel if you wish). This is one of the best spots in Cornwall for sailing, with organised lessons and boat hire as well as kayak and paddleboard rental, so if you want to get out on the water, you're in luck. The marina also has a café and restaurant so you can dodge the cooking duties. • Read our full guide to Cornwall £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for eco-friendly camping This community venue up in the fields above Porthtowan is a popular hangout for local folk, with regular gigs, workshops and events, and an excellent plant-based café, Canteen. It also has a lovely wild camping field, with lots of space to pitch your own tent as well as six shepherd's huts and six timber''eco-pods'. Everything is run along green lines, with compost loos, solar-powered showers and rainwater harvesting in the garden. The cliff walks are spectacular and there are bikes for hire — although it's worth noting that the long hill down into Porthtowan is brutally steep. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for the Lost Gardens of Heligan There are several big campsites near the Lost Gardens, but If you're looking for something a little more earthy and that looks less like a caravan park, we recommend Higher Kestle Farm. This is a small, low-key campsite tucked among hedges on a working 300-acre farm, accessed by a narrow track off a typically narrow Cornish lane. Open from April until October, it has a separate meadow for tents, with caravans and campers in an adjacent field. You can take a wander through woodland direct to the Lost Gardens of Heligan entrance. Lobbs Farm Shop, also next to the gardens, has produce from Higher Kestle Farm, including grass-fed pork and beef. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for supporting the National Trust This is relaxed countryside camping in Cornwall at its best, without the formalities of check-in desks or allocated pitches. Put your tent where you like on the cosy camping meadow surrounded by mature hedgerows for shade and shelter; one of the National Trust rangers (the Trust owns this farm campsite) will be along to check all is well once they've finished looking after the surrounding coastline around Lansallos for the day. Small motorhomes and caravans no more than 6m long may stay here (the approach lanes are narrow) in addition to camper vans and tents. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for family-friendly facilities This is a full-scale Haven holiday park — so if that doesn't appeal, then look elsewhere — but the setting is impressive: it's above the grand, golden, three-mile sweep of Perranporth, at the beach's quieter northern end, amid a sprawling (and ecologically important) dune system. Most of the site is dedicated to static caravans and chalets, with separate areas for campers and motorhomes, and for pre-pitched glamping options (safari tents, geodomes, yurts). The facilities are extensive: several restaurants, a supermarket, two swimming pools and lots of activities for kids and adults. There are minimum stay periods of three nights and upwards, depending on the accommodation you choose. £ | Best for direct beach access Award-winning Pentewan Sands provides what few Cornish campsites can: the use of a private sandy beach. This lovely site, within five miles of charming Mevagissey, has a large, flat pitching area, and static holiday caravans for rent. There's a holiday-park feel to the site, with a restaurant, a fish-and-chip takeaway and a well-stocked shop and bakery. There are also two indoor pools, tennis courts, bike hire and a water sports centre on the beach, with opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and boat hire. Children will love the adventure playground, also on the beach. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for exploring Bodmin Moor Not everywhere in Cornwall is by the sea: Siblyback Lake has the incredible, wild landscape of Bodmin Moor for a backdrop. The lakeside campsite is wonderful for active families because it's part of an activity centre that offers kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing and angling for all ages. There are activity sessions with water sports instructors and equipment hire for those looking to try something new, or you can use your own kit. The ecampsite and activity centre are run by South West Lakes Trust — which runs four other activity centres with campsites attached across the southwest. • Cornwall v Cotswolds: which is better?• Best affordable hotels in Cornwall £ | ACCESSIBLE | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for coast walks Plan to stay here in spring or summer if you can — the flowers are flawless, including the daffodils that sit atop a fine Cornish wall at the farmhouse entrance. Also flawless are the striking views of the St Agnes Heritage Coast and Wheal Coates, a former mine and Unesco world heritage site. Stay in late summer and the colours of the coast, smothered in heather and wild broom, will drag you from your pitch for a respectably long stomp along the headland footpaths. Prices are reduced for backpackers and there's a minimum seven-night stay during August. ££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for riding the surf The north coast village of Polzeath was once a quiet surfers' hangout, but these days it's gentrified almost beyond recognition. The village has sprawled substantially over the surrounding fields, which makes the presence of a decent campsite rather surprising. Southwinds is up on the grassy hills above the village, with panoramic views of the coast. There are four main fields: Lundy is exclusively for tents, while Trenant, Southwinds and Stepper accommodate motorhomes and camper vans (with the option to pitch tents alongside). It's about a ten-minute walk down to the village. Even closer to the sand, sister site Tristram is exclusively for campers and caravans. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for golf breaks As locations go, Trevornick is right up there for incredible views of the north Cornwall coast and Holywell Bay from many pitches. Although it's a large site covering 200 acres, Trevornick is broken up into fields, each with its own character; many pitches are terraced, some have privacy hedges between. There is a two-night minimum stay and six different pitch types, from basic grass to the extra-large Super Plus option on hardstandings with water and waste connections, electricity hook-up and TV aerial connection. Families will remain entertained for a fortnight without the need to head off-site, with facilities that include an 18-hole golf course. Holywell Bay, though, is only a 15-minute walk away. • Most beautiful places in England £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for rural location There's always a great vibe at Treloan on the Roseland Peninsula, within a short walk of Gerrans Bay and Portscatho. The campsite has incredible ocean views and it's only a two-minute walk from the main fields to a pebbly beach for rockpooling fun. Personal fires in braziers are permitted and there's a weekly, communal campfire with singing and storytelling. There are creative family workshops during the day; children can help the campsite owners feed the sheep and chickens, and collect the eggs. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for clifftop views One of the most spectacular coastal views from any campsite in Cornwall is that from Trewethett Farm, a clifftop site overlooking Bossiney Cove on the north Cornish coast. Motorhomes, camper vans, touring caravans and tents can pitch here, with non-members welcome. The site and amenities are always immaculately clean and tidy. The South West Coast Path runs past the site and the clifftop walks to nearby Boscastle and Tintagel are not to be missed. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for England's most western point You'll be hard pressed to find many campsites further west than this one; it's only three miles from Land's End. Despite the rather misleading name, this large site is actually a couple of miles inland from its eponymous cove: the nearest beach, Gwynver, is a 35-minute walk, while the beach at Sennen is a 35-minute walk from the campsite. There's a relaxed family feel to the site, run by the Camping and Caravanning Club, with non-members welcome. There are sea views from many of the 72 pitches for tents, motorhomes and touring caravans. Attractions such as the Minack Theatre and Geevor Tin Mine Museum are close by. • Best things to do in Cornwall• The UK's best luxury glamping sites ££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for a range of facilities Hendra Holiday Park covers 80 acres with more than 500 touring pitches and a large area of static caravans — although it's anything but impersonal. Hendra has exceptional facilities, including a vast leisure pool complex and activities for both children and adults. However, if you wish to stay away from the bustle, select a pitch in one of the quiet touring paddocks with sweeping south-facing views of hills and valleys; there's a three-night minimum stay. The park prides itself on its green credentials: solar power supplies more than 90 per cent of its electricity requirements, while a fuel-efficient biomass boiler heats the water for the swimming pools. ££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for access to St Ives It's easy to visit ever-popular St Ives when you stay at Polmanter; there's a regular shuttle bus into town or campers can take a short walk through the neighbouring Steeple Woodland Nature Reserve. The touring park has been run by the Osborne family for more than 50 years, and has bagged multiple awards. You'll want to give one of your own to the amazing view over the Atlantic coast — the perfect accompaniment to your morning croissants and coffee. ££ | NO ELECTRICITY | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for proper Cornish pasties At Gear Farm, you can have your pasty and eat it . . . while sat in your camping chair. The campsite is basic — a field off a single-track lane with no electricity and unmarked pitches for tents, camper vans, motorhomes less than 8m long, and touring caravans. There are no electric hook-ups, and the toilets and showers are in purpose-built wooden sheds. About that pasty, though. Gear Farm, on the Lizard, regularly ranks top for making the best pasty in Cornwall. They are made and sold at the farm shop. And, if you wish to run a taste test for comparison, you can buy the very reputable Ann's Pasties only six miles away. Out of respect to Gear Farm, we suggest you eat that one off-site. £££ | NO ELECTRICITY | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for hidden Cornwall High on a hill in a tiny and often overlooked corner of Cornwall is Sea Forts with its collection of luxury bell tents sited within a Napoleonic fort. By camping here you're helping to preserve and bring the historic barracks back to life as part of a restoration programme. Each bell tent has a cosy double bed and, in the larger family-sized ones, single beds for the kids too: the biggest sleep up to four. All come with a picnic table, fire pit, skillet, Dutch oven and grill — and, of course, a candelabra. The top ones also have a private viewing deck. On no-cook days, the Guardhouse offers tasty fare from breakfast to evening tapas. Be sure to take a walk or cycle in the neighbouring Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park. You can also hop on the ferry from either Cawsand or Cremyll to Plymouth, crossing the county boundary to Devon. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for home cooking Treveague already has plenty going for it thanks to its stirring sea views. What stands out is the back-to-basics, no-frills approach to camping and the opportunity to appreciate the views and location without a host of on-site entertainments. There are three gorgeous beaches within a 30-minute walk and the South West Coast Path passes by the campsite. Enjoy freshly prepared food from the on-site takeaway which serves breakfasts at weekends and excellent home-cooked food alongside beers from the nearby St Austell Brewery. The menu includes delicious Indian cuisine and pizzas. £ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for breakfast with a sea view Surfers are likely to be familiar with Watergate Bay. Just two miles north of Newquay, it is one of Cornwall's finest beaches on the north coast, and a go-to for those wishing to ride the waves. On the cliffs above the bay is the View at Watergate Bay. There's no need to explain why the campsite is named so. For a hearty brunch, take a morning stroll down to the Beach Hut,a laid-back restaurant at the Watergate Hotel with giant picture windows at sea level. The menu has local, seasonal produce that's 50 per cent plant-based. If you really can't be fussed to move a muscle from your pitch-with-a-view, there's Sunshine at the View, an on-site café, bar and off-licence. ££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for a Padstow fish supper Dennis Cove Campsite is a few minutes from Padstow town centre and among its many amenities is a shower block that includes a family shower room with oodles of hot water. The 100 pitches for tents, camper vans and small touring caravans are spread out across five fields. Padstow's maritime micro-climate means that frost is rare even in spring and autumn, so you can enjoy a camping holiday in the low season when the town is less busy with day-trippers. With the short walk into town from your pitch, there's no need to fight for a hard-to-find car parking space. £££ | PET-FRIENDLY | Best for peace and quiet This is the place to choose for creature comforts: there's no camping here, just posh lodges. Below the entrance and reception area to the site is a collection of smart-looking static holiday homes within immaculately kept grounds. The shepherds' huts, which sleep four (no dogs allowed here), are on level ground adjacent to a pretty, bubbling stream. Each is screened by fencing so you have total privacy with your own patio and hot-tub. The site is in a coastal valley with woodland opposite and surrounding hills. There's a very pleasant 15-minute woodland walk to the lovely cove-like beach at Mawgan Porth, with its handful of restaurants and shops. • Best beaches in Cornwall• Best places to camp wild (or wild-ish) in the UK Additional reporting by Richard Mellor
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Helen Goh's recipe for coconut, vanilla and almond cake with strawberries
This cake is inspired by the scent of the gorse bushes along the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, where my family and I go walking on summer holidays. The scent can be elusive, but occasionally, on a warm, sunny day, the breeze catches those golden flowers and diffuses their distinct, sweet scent – a mingling of coconut, vanilla and almond. I've added lime to freshen things up, should those flavours prove a little heady or rich. When strawberries aren't in season, chopped pineapple also works beautifully here. Once baked, the cake will keep, wrapped, for up to two days, but don't top it with the coconut icing until just before you want to serve. Prep 10 min Cook 1 hr 15 min Serves 6-8 For the cake200g plain flour 1¾ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) ¼ tsp fine sea salt 50g ground almonds 200g room-temperature unsalted butter180g caster sugar Finely grated zest and juice (30ml) of 1 lime3 large room-temperature eggs100ml coconut cream – I like the Kara one1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp almond extract For the icing100ml coconut cream 100ml double cream 30g icing sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract To finish200g strawberries, washed and halved10g flaked coconut, lightly toasted1 lime Line the base and sides of a round 20cm cake tin with baking paper, and heat the oven to 195C (175C fan)/380F/gas 5½. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl, then stir in the ground almonds. Put the butter, sugar and lime zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high for about two minutes, until light and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating in well after each addition; use a flexible spatula to scrape the base and sides of the bowl, to ensure even mixing. Mix the coconut cream, lime juice and both extracts in a jug. Turn the mixer speed to low, then, working in three batches, add the sifted dry ingredients to the egg and butter mix alternately with the coconut cream, beating for a few seconds between each addition and scraping down the bowl as required. Scrape the batter into the lined tin and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Transfer the cake in its tin to a rack, leave to cool completely, then unmould. When you're almost ready to serve, make the coconut icing. Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on medium-high until the mix thickens to soft waves. Spread the icing on top of the cooled cake, then arrange the strawberries on top. Scatter over the toasted coconut, grate the zest of the lime all over the top, then slice and serve.
Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Times
What you get for £865,000 in Cornwall, Hertfordshire and Malaga
Modern, energy efficient and spacious, Poledan House offers far-reaching countryside and distant sea views. The property uses a reverse-level layout, with a large open-plan kitchen/dining room, guest WC and mezzanine on the first floor. On the ground floor there is a reception room, second kitchen/dining room, five bedrooms and five bathrooms. There are landscaped patio gardens, a detached garage, underfloor heating and solar panels. Located on the Lizard peninsula, the village of Mullion is nearby — perfect for endless hikes, beaches and outdoor activities. EPC B (potential A) — on a scale of A (best) to G (worst)Upside Potential for a two-bedroom annexe on the ground The reverse-level layout might not be for £860,000Contact Manor House is a
