Guide to Cornwall!

At RCHT we recognise that most of you will have a long commute and be spending considerable time away from family and friends this year. We hear from previous trainees that the educational benefits of a placement at Truro outweigh the negatives, but to make this year most worthwhile, we would encourage you to make the most of your time - (weather permitting!) the area is incredibly beautiful and the opportunities for outdoor enjoyment immense.

To help you make the most of your time here, and to try and encourage you to consider Truro as a potential home in the future we have compiled a list of our favourite places, and would encourage you to make the most of having accommodation here to spend some time locally at the weekends, and get out and see the area during the evenings before the winter draws in. You will notice that most of the recommendations are outside of Truro which is not renowned for its sights or nightlife.

Weather - The great thing about having coast on three sides is that the sun (almost) always shines somewhere in Cornwall - if it is cloudy or misty on the North coast, the weather can be drastically different just a few miles away on the opposite coast.

Consult Rhys Llewelyn, Rosie Gray and Ross Kruger for more detailed surf advice.

Godrevy – most reliable spot for beginners. Seal breeding spot a short walk from the lighthouse. Godrevy café does a great lunch
Perranporth – you may have to dodge the tourists but reliable break.
Fistral – Famous, doesn’t need an introduction, watch out for parking tickets.
Great Western, Newquay – good beginners beach/
Praa Sands – off the beaten track but often gets surf when the north coast beaches are flat/too big.
Godrevy

The Watering Hole, Perranporth – the only pub situated directly on the beach in the UK, originally built of driftwood. A Cornish establishment, best enjoyed in the shoulder seasons as gets packed in midsummer. Hosts Tunes on the Dunes festival in May each year.
The Pandora, Restronget, Mylor - C16th thatched pub with a sunny pontoon out into the River Fal. Great spot for crabbing up to 3 hours either side of high tide. Delicious Sunday lunches. Popular spot to paddleboard down the Fal river.
The Blue Bar, Porthtowan – the best local spot for a sundowner. Somewhat scruffy surf beach but the best ‘dirty chips’ in
Schooners, Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes– Perfect after a surf, swim out to the buoy (400m at high tide), or beautiful coast path walk from Chapel Porth, pizza and craft ale from Verdant Brewery. (Be aware, you run the risk of bumping into some familiar faces as half the department live in St Agnes)
The Ferryboat Inn, Mawnan Smith – great oysters, unbeatable location on the Helford River. Take the passenger ferry over to Helford passage for a second pint at the Shipwrights Arms.
The Heron, Malpas – reliable fish overlooking the Truro river. Only a short drive from RCHT.
The Godolphin, Marazion - Great place to enjoy great seafood as the sun sets over St Michaels Mount. About 30 mins from Truro

East of county – a trip to Eden (use your Sanctuary address for locals’ discount), or Heligan Gardens is possibly better for those with children. Visit Charleston Harbour at the weekend for pop-up restaurants and bars – this is Ben Rock’s turf and he will recommend good swimming spots. The Roseland – ‘Gods’ own country’ – Tom Sulkin knows this area well. Take the Kind Harry Ferry over, or drive round from Truro. Lunch at the Hidden Hut during a sunny day at Porthcurnick Beach is hard to beat, or head round to St Mawes where there are several great places to eat. Take the ferry over to Place and walk around St Anthony’s Head or swim to the pontoon and enjoy the beach swing at the end of Summer Beach with a bbq.

West of county – Mousehole is the smaller (marginally less touristed) sister of St. Ives but has the same vibe. St Ives is not to be missed on a sunny day but avoid peak season and catch the train from St Erth rather than park in town. Avoid the crowds by wandering around ‘the Island’ and Porthgwidden Beach. Porthcurno is the home to reputably the best beach in the county and the famous Minack Theatre built into the cliffs. Walk over to Porthgwarra and visit Porth Chapel beach on the way.

South – Cadgwith, Kynance, Porthleven - A long way down but the Lizard is worth the travel. Get to beautiful Kynance Cove early to avoid the tourists (check the tides first!), then visit Cadgwith Cove for crab sandwiches straight off the boats (best in June when the flowers are out). Catch sea shanties in the pub on a Friday evening. Visit Gillan Cove for an off-the-beaten track feeling before having dinner at Flora at Trelowarren, or Kota Kai in Porthleven. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek is close by and worth a visit in the Spring to see rescued pups. Cadgwith Cove

Isles of Scillies – Paradise on Earth, but accordingly £££. Base yourself on St Mary’s or camp on Bryher, St Martins or St Agnes. Plays host to several sporting events each year, the medics vs Scilly cricket match in September, Otillo SwimRun and The Scillies Swim Challenge.

Falmouth Sea shanty Festival – mid June
Tunes in the Dunes, Perranporth – May, music festival on the beach
Boardmasters, Newquay – iconic surf/music festival
The Great Estate Festival, Scorrier House – first weekend in June, family friendly music festival
Porthleven Food Festival – worth traveling for, mid April
Bolster Festival, St Agnes – local children drum the Giant Bolster through the town before the traditional re-enactment of the story of St Agnes and the Bolster on Chapel Porth cliff. Live music and general merriment at the Driftwood Spars pub.
Flora Day, Helston – You will have inevitably tortured your parents with the Flora (or ‘Furry’) Dance if you played a musical instrument as a child. The whole town turns out and dances through the streets.
Obby oss Day, Padstow
The Classic Quarter, May – each year we enter several quad teams into this ultramarathon, a 44 mile team event along the coast path from Lizard to Lands End.
Rogue Theatre – Hilarious, family-friendly outdoor theatre in Tehidy Woods, seasonal performances at Christmas, Halloween and in the summer.

Especially important in the winter months when you can pop out straight after work.

Blue Bar, Porthtowan
Wheal Coates, St Agnes
Trevellas beach
Perranporth

Catherine O’Dwyer is the font of all knowledge for all things two-wheeled.

MBT – West Kernow way
Bissoe trail – mountain biking areas and a flat cycle from Portreath to Devoran (or continue on to Point Quay).
Saints Trail – partially completed but will eventually connect Perranporth to Truro.
Camel trial – great flat cycle trail from Wadebridge to Padstow. Visit one of Padstow’s famous restaurants, or the Lobster Hatchery.

Gwithian Farm – great family campsite next to one of the best surfing beaches in the county.
Penwarne Farm, Mawnan Smith – just up the road from Grebe beach, a hidden gem you won’t find on map but is the most reliable place in Cornwall to see bioluminescence in late Aug/early September.
Treen – no booking so arrive early. Incredible views of Porthcurno.
Trevedra campsite, Sennen – incredible sunsets and direct access to Gwenver Beach, never crowded, lifeguarded and good surf
Polly Joke, Crantock – basic but beautiful campsite. The cliffs are covered in poppies in June.
Arthurs Field, Porthscatho
Harry’s, the Lizard.

Culture, Falmouth
Ugly Butterfly, Carbis Bay Hotel
Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes
Idle Rocks, St Mawes
Argo, Newlyn
Gurnard’s Head, St Just
45 Queen’s Street, Penzance
Mackerel Sky, Newlyn – fish tapas, walk-ins only
Banjo Kitchen, Falmouth – casual but awesome sushi.
Hidden Hut, Porthscatho – outdoor food on Porthcurnick beach, Fish soup out of this world.
The Standard Inn Gerrans, Flushing