Latest news with #Porthilly
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Why you don't have to sacrifice luxury when you choose an SUV
When it comes to family SUVs, it's sometimes hard to discern upfront if off-roading credentials will meet reality, but the BMW X7 meets every expectation. Built with the same attention to engineering precision as its performance-focused siblings, the X7 blends comfort, versatility and genuine off-road capability into one luxuriously appointed package. Chef Paul Ainsworth knows the value of this duality. Running a spread of successful businesses across Cornwall, he juggles the demands of his high-level hospitality venues with a lifestyle that pulls him away from paved roads almost daily. If he's not heading down muddy lanes to suppliers, he's loading the car up with all the kit required for a family day at the beach. 'Quite often my job takes me to places where I'm meeting farmers, fishermen and suppliers,' Ainsworth explains. 'You could be going down to a farm, onto a beach or into woodland – it's really important to have a vehicle that's just as good off-road as it is on the tarmac.' One of those locations is the Porthilly oyster farm. 'We're often pulling onto the beach, following the old tractor tracks,' he recalls. 'There are big rocks and silt if the tide has just gone out. But with the BMW X7, I've never once thought, 'We're going to get stuck here.' It just goes straight over it.' The X7 M60i xDrive is equipped with BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive system, but for those wanting a bit of extra off-road confidence, the optional xOffroad Package adds four specific driving modes: xSnow, xSand, xGravel, and xRocks. Each of them optimises traction, torque and stability based on the terrain. Ground clearance can also be increased, thanks to the height-adjustable air suspension, which is controlled via a physical button, rather than buried in menu screens. 'That's what I love,' Ainsworth says. 'You just press the button and lift it up – it's so simple.' The suspension system also includes Executive Drive Pro with active-roll stabilisation. This means the drive will still feel seriously smooth and safe even if the ground is uneven. Plus, the Integral Active Steering makes low-speed manoeuvring on tight trails a doddle. But the X7's off-road strengths aren't only about helping Ainsworth while he works. They're just as essential for his personal pursuits too. 'For me, going down onto the beach is really important,' he says. 'It's my happy place. When I first moved to Cornwall, I loved the landscape, but now, with my daughters, it's everything. That connection to the coast, the outdoors – that's where I feel most grounded.' A favourite family destination is Port Quin, a remote Cornish cove that's accessible either by Rib from the sea or by quite a challenging drive. It's worth it when you get there though. 'It's a real paddleboarding kind of place,' Ainsworth explains. 'You've got this amazing crystal-clear water, and it's like this secret, tucked-away spot. Getting there by car isn't easy as it's quite out of the way, but the X7 makes it completely doable.' If it's not beach days as a family, Ainsworth is taking off for a solo cycle. 'I'm a keen cyclist,' he says. 'Sometimes I start from home, but I've also driven to Dartmoor with the bike in the back to get a good starting point for a longer route. It's brilliant for that.' Dartmoor's varied terrain and remote tracks might present a challenge for the average car, but then, the X7 is anything but average. The xOffroad Package and adaptive suspension are perfectly designed for tackling unsealed roads and gravelled parking spots. 'There's a lot of stuff involved in cycling,' Ainsworth adds. 'Shoes, helmets, fixing kits… I'm quite organised with it all. It's all sorted in tubs, so the space and layout of the X7 really help.' For families who want a car that can genuinely keep up – on and off the beaten path – the BMW X7 is an impressive proposition. From ferrying produce back from a farm, navigating a soft-sand beach at low tide or pulling into a trailhead for a day in the saddle, it's adaptable. 'It just does everything,' Ainsworth says. 'You can go off-road, load up the back, take the dog, the kids, whatever. It looks beautiful, feels amazing to drive and it gets you where you need to be – no matter what the road looks like.'
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Paul Ainsworth: excellence is baked into every aspect of the BMW X7
I am completely aware of what a privilege it is to live in Cornwall. With the beaches, moorlands and woods all on your doorstep, one minute you can be knee-deep in salt water or flying down a trail on your bike, and the next you might be somewhere beautiful and calm, warming up with something rich and delicious, surrounded by your loved ones. That contrast is something I think about often. It mirrors the balance that I am always aiming to strike with my work. At our restaurants, we talk about two things: the standard of the food and the sincerity of the hospitality. For me, the technical side of what we do – the sourcing, the freshness, the creativity and the presentation – has to be spot on. But how you feel when you walk through the door is just as important. We want to be generous, welcoming and people-first. It is our pleasure to have you. That's the kind of hospitality I grew up with, watching my parents run a guesthouse, and it stuck with me. The BMW X7 really reminds me of that duality. As a machine, it has technical brilliance baked into it, from the M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine and the all-wheel xDrive system to the adjustable air suspension and active-roll stabilisation. It is powerful and impressive, with advanced features like Integral Active Steering and a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The car moves with control and composure, even over tricky terrain. I took it down onto the beach at Porthilly, with the tide out and the silt thick under the wheels, and it just glided through it. But then, there's the other side of the car: the experience of being inside it. As a driver, you spend probably 90 per cent of your time in the interior. So while it looks beautiful from the outside – with its large kidney grille, slim headlights and long wheelbase – the cabin is where it really shines. The seats are unbelievably comfortable, the panoramic sunroof opens the whole cabin to light and plenty of little touches, such as heated and cooled cupholders and soft-close doors. It's not showy; in fact, in many ways it's carefully understated. But it's confident, cosy and reassuring, just like I aim to be with my restaurants. Even the ambient lighting and materials, such as Fineline open-pore wood trim, have achieved that balance of modern luxury and subtlety. It creates a space that feels like a calm cocoon, whether you're on a short hop to school or going up and down the rolling hills. As I've always said, it's a privilege for us to have guests dining with us, not the other way around. That's the attitude we bring to every table, and it's the same feeling I get when I'm in the X7. It's not shouting at you; it's not brash but it's clearly delivering a first-class experience. The space inside the car is also brilliant. We've got two young girls and one of them goes to school 30 miles away. Beyond that, I could be taking my daughter Cici to her surfing lessons at Polzeath, dropping my wife Emma off for a coastal walk or heading out for a family beach day. So we drive here, there and everywhere. The X7 handles all these different demands with ease. There's room for everyone, even our cockapoo Freddie. I love that the rear two seats in the third row fold away at the press of a button to give us space for up to seven people if we need it. It's extremely practical, but without compromising on enjoyment. It's the balance of brilliant performance and confident capability with seriously impressive finishing touches that make the X7 such a standout. Whether you're loading up the back with paddleboards or just doing the family's daily commutes, it delivers technically and comfortably. It's the kind of refinement that doesn't forget the human side of the experience. To me, that's the definition of luxury.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
15 of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight
When planning an island holiday for sun, sand and fun for the family – the 147sq-mile diamond off England 's southern shore may not be the first that springs to mind. The Isle of Wight, a haven for retro staycations, hiking trails and stylish seafood for the sailing set, has long been working on its rebrand from drab to fab. And with vineyards, friendly alpacas and an emphasis on wellness, setting sail for some of the UK 's sunniest days is well worth the ferry ride. An annual music festival dances in Newport, Cowes Week sweeps across the Solent and rides still spin for thrill seekers at the UK 's oldest theme park. That's before even donning a wetsuit to dive into the coastline or laying a towel on some of Britain's best beaches. With buckets of things to do away from the sand, here are the top ways to pass the time on an Isle of Wight getaway. 1. Try the UK's oldest rides at Blackgang Chine At Ventnor's Blackgang Chine, the UK's oldest family theme park, you can ride, scream, and dance your way through 180 years of thrills and games. Its summer firework extravaganzas and Halloween spookfests are family-friendly highlights of the island calendar, and it's easy to navigate Cowboy Town, Dodo Valley and the moving dinosaurs of Restricted Area 5 with little ones. 2. Visit Queen Victoria's Osborne House The grand Osborne House, Queen Victoria's seaside retreat in East Cowes, combines Victorian opulence with Italianate gardens for a visually and culturally enriching afternoon spent experiencing royal life. There are beautifully preserved staterooms, royal apartments and servants' quarters to explore on more than 300 acres of landscaped grounds before sipping tea with raised pinkies in the terraced café. 3. Dive into seafood at The Hut What's a trip to the seaside without a fish supper? For something fancier than a chippy on the coast, The Hut in Colwell Bay reigns as the seafood spot in West Wight for stylish surf 'n' turf and unrivalled sunset views. This is where leisurely lunches on the Solent are done best. Here, boats drop diners off on the jetty for bursting stacks of fruits de mer, platters of Porthilly oysters on beachfront tables and boozy sundowners on the rooftop terrace with a playlist primed for hauling yachties out of their seats to dance the night away. 4. Ride the Steam Railway It's all aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a charming 10-mile round trip through some of the island's best landscapes. Puff through the countryside, rolling from Havenstreet to Smallbrook Junction and on to Wootton in ornate Victorian and Edwardian carriages, with or without the kids, to enjoy over 150 years of railway history before a light bite in The Barn Cafe. 5. Cruise the Needles A trip to Alum Bay not only offers an action-packed high-speed ride with The Needles Pleasure Cruises – for a whistle-stop tour of the water's iconic chalk stacks – but also a steep trip down the colourful cliffs on the famed chairlift, giving you the chance to see the three landmarks up close for yourself. Trips leave the bay for a close-up look at the Needles rocks and lighthouse seven days a week (weather permitting) on boats Yarmouth Rose, Summer Rose, Ramblin' Rose and Wild Rose. 6. Go wine tasting at Adgestone Vineyard Holding the title of the UK's oldest commercial vineyard, Adgestone Vineyard's vines are planted on a south-facing slope with panoramic views of Brading and, although small, are well worth a visit when the sun comes out for tours, pours and live music. Tantalising wine tastings swirl through full-bodied reds, crisp glasses of blush and a sparkling blue for just £22pp, including a self-guided tour of the cellars and vines and live music performances. 7. Get pungent at The Garlic Farm Love it or hate it, garlic chutney, garlic olives and garlic vodka strongly season Arreton Valley's Garlic Farm with its pungent namesake. Since 1983, there has even been an Isle of Wight Garlic Festival held on the third weekend in August devoted to the powerful bulbs. The island's farm happens to be the UK's largest garlic producer, with as much as 50 acres of the cloves grown each year. Visit for farm tours plus garlic-based tastings in the on-site restaurant. 8. Befriend an alpaca The residents of West Wight Alpacas – woolly Suri alpacas that is – welcome visitors on treks of the farm's 23 acres of countryside. Whether walking with Larry, Oreo or even Amadeus, you'll learn all about the South American animals on a scenic stroll with your unique new pal. 9. Kick-start summer at The Isle of Wight Festival Big-name acts descend to serenade the island and kickstart the al fresco activities for the Isle of Wight Festival in June. The original festival was held at Ford Farm in 1968, with the likes of David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac performing at past instalments of 'Europe's answer to Woodstock'. This year, Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake will take to the stage at Seaclose Park in Newport. 10. Walk the Tennyson Trail The chalky Tennyson Trail stretches from Carisbrooke to The Needles, travelling along the spine of island highlights, Afton Down and Freshwater Bay. Keen walkers can get their steps in on the poetic 14-mile hike – best planned with a well-deserved refuel at Dimbola Tea Room – or stop to catch their breath and dolphin spot at The Tennyson Monument. 11. Downsize at the Godshill Model Village With its thatched cottages and model village, pocket-sized Godshill epitomises 'chocolate box'. The 1/10th scale replica of Godshill and Shanklin Old Village in the 1920s is a timeless family attraction set in the grounds of the Old Vicarage. After being charmed by miniatures, tie in lunch at Loaph for trendy sandwiches, pastries and breakfast rolls that are more than bite-sized. 12. Sail into Cowes Week With August comes Cowes Week, the seven-day sailing regatta that draws a nautical-loving crowd of over 100,000 at the height of the summer holidays. One of the longest-running sailing events in the world, Cowes Week has been a part of the British sporting calendar since 1826, with up to 600 keelboats participating in the races. Pitch up with a Pimm's to make the most of the lively sailing scene between 2–8 August. 13. Embrace a wellness event at Ventnor Botanic Garden Get to Ventnor for immersive sound baths, yoga and pilates backdropped by the 22-acre sanctuary of Ventnor Botanic Garden. Wellbeing experiences are scheduled in the studio or amongst the trees with gongs, crystal bowls, chimes and percussion part of the current 'Trees of Life' sound series. 14. Take the bus for a ride round the island Hop on and off a Southern Vectis bus for an open-top ride around the island. The Island Coaster linking Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin with the West Wight area is the longest bus route on the island, cruising the Military Road towards Freshwater with impressive views over the coastline. 15. Sweat it out at a Slomo sauna Looking for some R&R between sightseeing? Book a 60-minute Slomo sauna in Freshwater Bay to sweat it out on the edge of a pebble beach. Open every weekend until the end of June 'whatever the weather', this site is steps from the Albion Hotel and a wood-fired pizza van for a slow Sunday on the island's west coast.
