The Edge Magazine

The Edge Magazine

Boutique Coastal LIVING T H E V E RY B E S T O F CO R N I S H L I F E + S T Y L E

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HANG 10 CORNWALL Our ten hot places to be, and to be seen SURFING BACK IN TIME A potted surf history of Newquay SEA-FOOD Right on your doorstep WAVES OF HEAVEN Spa-ing Cornish Style COOKING UP A STORM Wild foraging and cooking WILDWINE SCHOOL Drink it in FIERCELY INDEPENDENT NEWQUAY Cornish cool coffees and cocktails FUN AND FROLICS For all the family BLUE MIND MENTALITY The wellness science of being by the ocean NO PLASTIC FANTASTIC The Good Lyfe ABSOLUTELY BALEARIC Interior inspiration THE HOLIDAY BUSINESS Invest in Cornwall

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‘You’re SO lucky to live in beautiful Cornwall’, is a phrase we often hear from friends, family, clients and buyers. And for us, to ‘live in Cornwall’ is so much more than simply a house, or a location, where we spend our time. Life, and truly living, in Cornwall, is so much more than bricks, mortar, wallpaper and furniture for us as the two Stephens behind Stephens + Stephens. True, we spend a quite ridiculous amount of our waking hours thinking about the most beautiful blending of design, form, function and build. However, it’s actually our passion for the Cornish lifestyle that is at the heart of everything we do. And like our personal, and professional, marriage and ongoing meeting of minds and skills, for us life + style are two separate words with their own meaning. But together, they also marry brilliantly, symbiotically - continually enhancing, strengthening and complementing each other in every way. And when you add our other crucial element, our Cornishness, to the equation: Cornish + life + style - you have something extra special. And it is this ‘extra special’ element that we dedicate ourselves to daily. Cornwall has its own enigmatic ‘super power’, a sense of magic, and wonder, like that sparkling time as the sun either rises or sets over the endless ocean. And we know that we are all lucky to live a life here that sets us apart. Editors

Paul

STEPHENS

Director

EDITORS NOTE

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It’s a place, and a life that we know and we understand. And a place that we feel an elemental pull towards, no matter what we’re doing. As self-confessed design ‘geeks’ we also can’t resist the deeply satisfying pull of style. And of a careful and specific curated aesthetic that adds that extra special ‘va va voom’ to a place, a space, an experience, and to a life, whether you are a full-time resident or on a much-needed vacation. So we continually dedicate ourselves, and our team, to finding, honing and driving the very best of the Cornish + life + style in all of our work. And we greatly admire, and are honoured to be part of the like-minded community, also continually creating spaces and places where our friends, family, guests, clients and buyers can discover, and truly realise, their own Cornish + life + style. This magazine is dedicated to bringing some of our favourite hang out places, spaces and experiences directly to you, wherever you are. We are delighted to share this edited collection of some of those passionate pioneers, all living on ‘the edge’, and driving fresh and exciting propositions, in and around the ultimate blue-minded life + style destination of Newquay, Cornwall. We really do ‘wish you were here’, and hope you will be joining us soon. NOTE

Helen

STEPHENS

Creative Director

EDITORS NOTE

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Photo: The Colonial, Tolcarne Beach Hang 10: CORNWALL

HANG 10: CORNWALL

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Where to be and be seen...

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WHERE TO BE AND BE SEEN

HANG 10: CORNWALL

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1 | The Pig @ Harlyn One of Cornwall’s most historic houses dating back to the 15th century, THE PIG at Harlyn Bay has far-reaching sea views, oodles of quirks and character and stacks of original features. The boutique hotel has unique and characterful bedrooms in the Main House with views out across the headland and Harlyn Bay or the gardens, whilst the restaurant has an obsessive commitment to home grown produce and a serious love of all-things local. thepighotel.com/at-harlyn-bay Location: Harlyn Bay Distance from Cliff Edge: 17 miles 2 | The Fish House Paul Harwood’s Fish House is located on Fistral Beach, a stone’s throw away from the sea in Newquay. During the National Tourism Award for the past two years, the restaurant has won the Gold Award for ‘Best Restaurant in Cornwall’ and Silver Award for the ‘Best Restaurant in the South West’. The food in this award- winning restaurant comes straight from the sea, using locally caught fish and shell fish straight from Newquay Harbour.

thefishhousefistral.com Location: Fistral Beach Distance from Cliff Edge: 2 miles

3 | Lewinnick Lodge Escape to the edge of the Atlantic by visiting the Lewinnick Lodge on the edge of Pentire, in Newquay. This is the ultimate place to soak up sea views and sip fine world wines and locally brewed ales as you allow yourself to be mesmerised by the captivating coastal views. The cliff-top restaurant and outside terrace sports spectacular ocean panoramas or headland views. lewinnicklodge.co.uk Location: Pentire Headland Distance from Cliff Edge: 2 miles 4 | St Moritz St Moritz Hotel & Cowshed spa nestle alongside Cornwall’s captivating coastline, between the beautiful beach resort of Polzeath and connected to the foodie paradise of Rock. The hotel’s innovative collection of luxury rooms, suites, and self-catering apartments and villas are all architecturally spaced, and purposefully designed to provide the most stylish safety for all visitors. stmoritzhotel.co.uk Location: Wadebridge Distance from Cliff Edge: 16 miles

WHERE TO BE AND BE SEEN

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HANG 10: CORNWALL

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8 | Cove 24 Wherever you sit at Cove24, every aspect has been thought through. From what you can touch, see, taste, smell and experience. Sumptuous chairs and private low-lit booths provide somewhere you can linger over morning coffee, meet for a tasty lunch, or dress up for a sophisticated dinner. cove24.uk Location: Newquay Distance from Cliff Edge: 1 mile 7 | Rick Steins The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, opened in 1975, is Rick Stein’s flagship restaurant which serves absolute seafood classics including lobster thermidor, Singapore chilli crab and turbot hollandaise. Since the 70s, Rick has opened several eateries around Cornwall, including at the famous Fistral Beach in Newquay. rickstein.com/eat-with-us Location: Padstow Distance from Cliff Edge: 17 miles 6 | Paul Ainsworth At No.6 The famous Michelin Star restaurant is located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in the heart of Padstow, serving modern British food with a focus on locally sourced Cornish produce. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner but a reservation is an absolute must due to the popularity. paul-ainsworth.co.uk/number6 Location: Padstow Distance from Cliff Edge: 17 miles 5 | The Colonial Nestled on the golden shores of Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, The Colonial restaurant mixes spectacular views with sophisticated dining. Indulge in a beach-side breakfast, soak up the sights over a lazy lunch or make an evening reservation to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, complete with cocktail in hand. tolcarnebeach.co.uk/the-colonial Location: Tolcarne Beach Distance from Cliff Edge: 300 metres 9 | The Longstore Overlooking the picturesque harbour in Charlestown on the south coast of Cornwall, The Longstore is an award-winning steak and seafood restaurant with an impeccable reputation. Beautiful oyster-shell chandeliers hang from the ceiling, walls adorned with exposed brick work and an open kitchen creates an unforgettably relaxed, yet stylish, experience. thelongstore.co.uk Location: Charlestown Distance from Cliff Edge: 18 miles

WHERE TO BE AND BE SEEN

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Hang 10 SPOTLIGHT

The Star & Garter starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk Location: Falmouth Distance from Cliff Edge: 24 miles

The maritime outpost of Falmouth continues to win over new fans with its spirit-of- the-sea infused charms. And on the town’s quirky high street is the Star & Garter, one of the destination’s oldest pubs, constantly delighting travellers and locals alike with its fresh concepts and contemporary, yet super comfortable, surrounds. The Star & Garter’s acclaim is all down to the efforts of thirtysomethings Elliot and Becca Thompson. When Elliot and Becca reopened the doors of the legendary establishment, which has stood since 1892, their plan was to turn the dated drinking den into one of the West Country’s premier gastropub destinations. They have most certainly succeeded. The Star & Garter is now loved by locals and visitors and has been lauded by fellow chefs and critics alike. Interior design by multiple award-winning agency Absolute, the quirky décor mixes satisfying dark hues across tongue-and-groove with textural tiles with luxurious leather and velvets alongside a wood-burner and vintage pictures sporting Falmouth scenes from by-gone days. The restaurant has a swathe of accolades and awards including ‘Best Foodie Pub in the South West’ and runner-up for Best Sunday Roast in the Observer Food Monthly Awards, and an ongoing listing in the Good Food Guide. Founder and owner Elliot Thompson has taken the helm in the basement which serves as the pub’s ever-bustling kitchen. Elliot’s quest for perfection never ends and he remains determined to ensure the pub stays forever on top of its game, using only the best local produce to produce big, bold, flavours, inspired by countries spanning the Mediterranean. With a nose-to-tail philosophy underpinning his ethos and a woodfired oven at the heart of the kitchen, Elliot’s passion lies in a back-to-basics approach that produces sumptuous dishes with nods to the likes of France and Italy to the west and Greece and Lebanon to the east. ‘Food is at its best when it’s not mucked around with and when you’ve got produce as incredible as we have in Cornwall, it’s hard to go wrong’ said Elliot. ‘Simplicity is at the heart of Mediterranean cooking and, done well, can lead to stunning results. We want to capture that spirit at the Star.’

HANG 10: SPOTLIGHT

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HANG 10: SPOTLIGHT

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“Immersed in wave-riding since the early ‘60s, I watched British surfing evolve as I grew up. I was both participant and observer in a new and unique way of life. Surfing gripped my soul.” - Roger Mansfield. In ‘The Surfing Tribe’, Newquay resident Roger Mansfield tells the full story of the history of surfing in Britain. In these excerpts, produced with the kind permission of the publishers, Orca Publications, Roger recounts some of the key moments in the journey that has taken Newquay to its current status as Surf City UK.’ current status as Surf City UK.’ © Photos courtesy of Orca Publications

SURFING BACK IN TIME

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1940s The Great Western Railway ushered in a new era of tourism in Cornwall during the early 20th Century. Many of the visitors came to the then small fishing town of Newquay on the North coast. With nine golden sand beaches open to ocean swell, Newquay was naturally equipped to become a centre for surfing. Bellyboarding was the post-war summer buzz and a local culture emerged that was all about playing in the waves. This evocative image was used to promote Newquay as the tourist capital of the new ‘Cornish Riviera’, easily accessed by train (and increasingly by car) in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Local surf pioneer Pip Staffieri had aroused mild curiosity by riding waves in Newquay during the ‘40s, but the austerity of the post-war years prevented the emergence of surfing for another 20 years. By the ‘50s, Pip was better known for making ice creams than surfing, but he still liked to park his van in a good spot and quietly watch the waves while he was working.

1960’s When a visiting team of surf lifesavers from South Africa put on a demo at Tolcarne Beach in early Spring 1962, the Newquay crew were hugely impressed. The standout was three-times South African paddling champion Max Wetteland. The Springbok team had already visited Jersey and St Ives, but it was in Newquay that Max had the biggest impact. Later that Spring, a sequence of chance events unfolded which would form a core group of surfboard riders in the town. One morning, [local man] Bill Bailey received a telephone call from Peter Cox, a friend who lived on the island at Towan Beach. “Bill, get over here!” said Peter excitedly. “Someone’s surfing right out front!” Bill rushed down to Towan, where he saw a distant figure riding the waves on a revolutionary-looking board. The mystery man turned out to be a visiting American called Doug McDonald, and the board he was riding was a state-of-the-art 9’6” Bragg fibreglass Malibu board. By the spring of 1963 a small but dedicated surfing clan had formed in Newquay, with all the action going down in the bay. By 1964 surf fever was building in Newquay, and at the end of that long hot summer it was obvious that there was not only a new sport emerging, but also a new lifestyle. All the action was focussed on Tolcarne, Towan and Great Western. Newquay’s fledgling surf industry begins to take shape and surfers could purchase boards from three different shapers in town. Word started to spread about the waves in town and more and more foreign surfers began to visit the town. In 1967, the first mainland British Championships is held at Fistral Beach under the guidance of the newly-formed British Surfing Association.

THE STORY OF BRITISH SURFING

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And Eat It With the Atlantic Ocean on the doorstep, it is no wonder Cornish seafood is legendary for its quality and freshness. More than 60 species of seafood are brought into Cornish ports and locals and visitors alike are spoilt with a diverse, short-travelled and sustainable choice in restaurants as well as fishmongers. The demand for sustainable produce has unequivocally risen the past few years and we’ve seen a shift of the importance of knowing where the fish has come from. We now want to know the entire journey from sea to plate. Sea- FOOD

SEA-FOOD

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Sustainability is one of the core principles of Cornish fishermen as they are all aware of how important a healthy marine environment is for their livelihoods. The Cornish fleet is renowned for its efforts and innovative approach to conservation and line-caught fish is promoted wherever possible by fishmongers. For conscious consumers and businesses, guides like the Good Seafood Guide provide clear and accurate information to help consumers and businesses make environmentally informed decisions when purchasing Cornish seafood. Visit www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk to learn more about how to support Cornish fishermen and healthy seas. Cornish fishermen as they are all aware of how important a healthy marine environment is for their livelihoods. The Cornish fleet is renowned for its efforts and innovative approach to conservation and line-caught fish is promoted wherever possible by fishmongers.

© Photos courtesy of The Fisherman’s Mission fundraising book Sea, Salt and Solitude. Taken by Chris Hewitt.

RIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP

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WAVES OF HEAVEN

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Fistral Beach Hotel Gaia at Fistral Spa in Newquay is a place of serenity that encourages those who are in need of some relaxation to retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and simply check in, and chill out. All treatments use Gaia products, blending together the finest ingredients, plant

actives and essential oils. fistralbeachhotel.co.uk/spa

The Headland Deep at the heart of The Headland Hotel, overlooking Fistral Beach, lies the entrance to another world of balance, pampering and well-being – the first five-bubble rated spa hotel in Cornwall. In the same month as the hotel celebrated its 120th anniversary, guests were the first to enjoy The Aqua Club’s brand-new facilities, which include six pools, a sun terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant named The Deck. headlandhotel.co.uk/spa

The Cowshed @ St Moritz

St Moritz Hotel has the UK’s only Cowshed Spa outside Soho House properties. The Cowshed spa is built on the exclusive beauty philosophy designed, tried and tested at Babington House in Somerset. Mood-enhancing products based on botanical ingredients straight out of an English country garden are expertly blended

to soothe or revive. stmoritzhotel.co.uk

The Scarlet With its luxury tented treatment rooms lit by lanterns and its far-reaching views over Mawgan Porth Beach to the wild Atlantic beyond, the Scarlet Spa is essentially a quiet, contemplative, almost spiritual place. The focus is on holistic well-being and the nourishment of mind, body and soul, drawing on the wisdom of Ayurveda and adding their own, distinctive Cornish twist. Outside, a cliff top hot tub invites you to stargaze or storm watch, and our natural chemical-free pool, cleaned by reeds, beckons you into the water… scarlethotel.co.uk/spa

SPA LIFE

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COOKING Up A Storm

Cornwall is home to a vast array of fresh, sustainable and short travelled produce. Not only will you find it in everything from fine dining restaurants to the chippy on the corner, but you can also forage to stock up in your own kitchen. Wild garlic, black mustard flowers, sea spaghetti, apple mint and mushrooms - the world outside your doorstep has endless opportunities to develop your taste buds. But how to learn how to recognise these new and exciting ingredients? More important than knowing what to pick, is knowing what not to pick. Dotted around the county are experts who will teach the complete newbie to the most expert of chefs about the Cornish countryside and how we can best utilise the nature in our kitchen. At the Fat Hen, a wild cookery school based in Penzance, owner Caroline Davey works alongside talented chefs to create fabulous dishes showcasing ingredients sourced from the wild. Aiming to break down the barriers between the kitchen, the outdoors and the dining table, Fat Hen has constantly found itself winning awards and made countless listicles by prestigious publications such as The Telegraph and Countryfile Magazine. If you’ve never picked wild food before, there are also courses run by Cornish Wild Food that will soon have you confident in identifying and harvesting hedgerow treats. Choose a gentle foraging with the whole family or an adventure followed by a wild feast. Some might also get excited about the prospect of the school’s ‘Wild Gin Workshops’, where expert foraging instructor Matt Vernon will come to your home or organise an al fresco meeting at a beautiful outside spot to teach you how to craft your own gin using foraged ingredients.

But flora is only part of what you can harvest and consume. The marine life along the Cornish coast is myriad of exciting additions to the plate. Cornish fishermen have a list of 63 types of common fish and shellfish that they are hoping will bait the hook in local waters. Celebrity chef Rick Stein started his seafood empire in the 70s and has since developed numerous restaurants as well as a cookery school. Here, you can start the day with a trip out to the sea with local Padstow fishermen before heading back to the kitchen with your catch to learn how to prepare and cook it. But it’s not just about seafood at Rick Stein’s, they also do lots of other interesting day courses, one dish workshops, tasting evenings, children’s cookery and a rather fun ‘Cook your own dinner party’ evening. On the Roseland Peninsula, Philleigh Way is a contemporary cookery school whose ethos is to teach, inspire and delight. Set next to stables, a church and an excellent village pub, the cookery school is located on the Roseland Peninsula, bordered by the Atlantic and the deep creeks of the Fal. Depending on the course you have chosen you may well be foraging or fishing for your lunch on the banks of the river, or cooking some of Cornwall’s best produce with top-level chefs in our state-of-the-art kitchen. Whether you’re developing your taste buds to the extreme or if you just want to learn how to prepare fish purchased at the local fishmonger, Cornwall is home to the sustainable, short-travelled ingredients that the world so sorely needs us to use. After all, why buy something that has travelled across the globe when you can find it right outside

your Cornish front door? fathen.org | rickstein.com/school cornishwildfood.co.uk | philleighway.co.uk

COOKING UP A STORM

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WILDWINE SCHOOL

Tables dug into the sand, oysters eaten from marble baths, Vouvray served in a Victorian ice house and canapés whilst kayaking. These are just a few of the previous features of the amazingly beautiful Wild Wine Club experiences, masterminded by Newquay-based sommelier Debbie Warner. Throughout lockdown, Debbie has further built her proposition, creating the Wild Wine School, with in-depth WSET online accredited courses and workshops covering topics such as Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture, Minimal Intervention Wine Making and An Introduction to Cornish Wines to name but a few. Sign-up for advance notice on the immediately sold-out pop-ups and happenings. wildwineschool.co.uk

Top, above: Philleigh Weigh Cookery School Middle-left and bottom: Fat Hen © James Bowden

WILDWINE SCHOOL

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Fiercely Independent NEWQUAY

Jam Jar Café Nestled on a quiet corner in the heart of Newquay is Jam Jar, named after the size of the café. On display daily are tasty nutritious alternatives to home baked cakes paired with a range of beverages from locally roasted coffee to freshly blended smoothies all served in a range of quirky shaped jam jars. A visit here will leave you feeling energised and nourished from within. jamjar.cafe

The Bottle Located in Wesley Yard, The Bottle is a wine bar, deli and eatery with a cool French-inspired twist to it. Cured meats, delicate cheese, sharer boards, home-made tarts and tarte tartines are key items on the menu. In addition, they also operate as an off license, meaning you can take home what you don’t drink in-house.

Kahuna Restaurant Husband and wife team Ryan & Kelly Mather run Newquay’s wildly popular Pan Asian restaurant. The menu stems from years of travelling and is great for those who are looking to try something new or for those who simply want to reawaken their travelling culinary experiences. A large percentage of the menu can also be made to be vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. kahunarestaurant.co.uk

thebottlenqy.co.uk

Box and Barber Award winning coffeehouse Box and Barber, perfectly situated between the town centre and Fistral beach, is a favourite amongst visitors and locals alike. The menu hosts a range of exciting artisan coffee, tasty foods, delicious cakes, colourful acai bowls, fresh smoothies and juices. Catering to all dietary needs. facebook.com/boxandbarber

FIERCELY INDEPENDENT

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Bush Pepper Fresh, contemporary and Australian influenced, Bush Pepper uses an eclectic mix of Cornish and Australia’s finest ingredients to produce an array of dishes that bring a twist to the usual dining options in Newquay. Owner and Head Chef, Chris Brookes, has travelled the world and come to the realisation that Australian food incorporates the finest elements of many dishes around the world. bushpepper.co.uk

TomThumb This characteristic and quirky cocktail bar, named after the traditional fairy tale, offers fine cocktails with locally foraged syrups and new techniques. Whether you’re craving an Espresso Martini, Negroni or a Cosmopolitan,

you’ll find it here. tom-thumb.co.uk

NEWQUAY

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FUN & frolics

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FUN & FROLICS

Watersports at Retallack Resort Only a few miles from Newquay, Retallack Resort is the undisputed home for watersports in Cornwall with a plethora of exciting activities for complete beginners as well as seasoned professionals. Slip, slide and splash around our inflatable Aqua Park, great for kids, teenagers and the young at heart; experience the fun-filled, excitement of zorbing or take to the waves on Cornwall’s only surf simulator. ariaresorts.co.uk

Healey’s Cyder Farm Enjoy lazy afternoons in the courtyard of Healey’s Cyder Farm with a cream tea, freshly pressed apple juice, peacock-spotting and letting the little ones watch cute pygmy goats on their trampoline. The kids will love the tractor ride through the 20 acres of beautiful orchards with seven different varieties of Cornish apples with more being planted each year. healeyscyder.co.uk Newquay Zoo As well as being a great family day out, Newquay Zoo is an education, research and conservation charity which is dedicated to protecting global wildlife heritage. The animal experiences allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the most popular animals, such as the penguins, red pandas and more. newquayzoo.org.uk Dairy Land Come rain or shine, Dairyland Farm World offers indoor and outdoor farmtastic fun for the whole family. This attraction has the best of both worlds, with all the farm features you expect such as fuzzy and friendly farm animals, pony rides, tractor rides and the chance to try on those farm overalls for yourself and milk the cows and bottle feed the babies, as well as a massive indoor play area with drop slides, ball pits, raging bull ride and much more. dairylandfarmworld.com Blue Reef Aquarium Blue Reef Newquay is home to 40 naturally-themed habitats and provides the opportunity to come face-to-face with some freshwater turtles, caiman and pufferfish and so much more. The underwater tunnel runs through the ocean tank at the heart of the aquarium, and offers captivating views of the reef and all the sea life that calls it home, including the loggerhead sea turtles, reef sharks, and shoals of colourful fish. bluereefaquarium.co.uk/newquay

Pirate Quest Let yourself be led through realistic scenes on an hour-long voyage into the history of piracy in Newquay’s only immersive walk-through experience, combining talented theatrical actors, amazing special effects and detailed 360o sets. This is your chance to be transported to the 1700s and discover the fascinating life of a real

Caribbean Pirate… piratesquest.co.uk Jungle Jacks

Newquay’s largest soft play area, Jungle Jacks, provides over 1,700 square feet of fun including challenging climbs, a rope bridge, an astra-glide slide, crafty crawl tubes and peekaboo bubble windows. This is the perfect place to let your little monkeys run wild, have a blast and burn off some energy. junglejacks.co.uk Fistral Rangers Turn your youngsters into a pack of beach savvy Fistral Rangers! Book either a half or full day with Newquay Activity Centre and they’ll get them involved in a variety of exciting ocean- based outdoor activities especially for kids, including surfing, bodyboarding, eco coasteering, rock pooling and beach safety on the stunning shores of Newquay. Family Super SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) This unforgettable experience is action packed, adrenaline filled and sure to have you back in the cool- parent category. The Super SUP tour is Newquay Activity Centre’s latest and possibly most fun family holiday boredom buster. Mum, dad, and kids will be kitted out in a top of the range wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and paddle then join an experienced instructor to paddle this giant surfboard along the breath-taking Cornish coastline. Along the way you’ll take in secret coves, smugglers’ tunnels and interesting marine life that make these craggy cliffs their home. newquayactivitycentre.co.uk

KIDS ACTIVITIES

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Photo: Retallack Water Park

BLUE

Mentality

BLUE MIND MENTALITY

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MIND

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BLUE MIND MENTALITY

Covering more than 70% of the planet and nearly 70% of our bodies, there is no denying the importance of water in our day-to-day lives. But how important is our relationship to the masses of liquid that exists in different shapes and forms all around us? Research show that the odds of increased happiness and life quality are higher if you are living less than a kilometre from the coast. But why is that? ‘Blue mind’ mentality, coined by Marine Biologist Wallace J. Nichols in 2015, has become a common buzzword in our contemporary setting with more and more people embracing the theory. Wallace describes the term as the “mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, on, or underwater,” – the antidote to the modern life’s over- connected, anxious and over-simulated state. In Cornwall, it’s not unusual to hear that the reason for moving from ‘the big smog’, London, was to ‘get away from it all’. Living by the coast gives you endless opportunities to embrace a different lifestyle. Paddle boarding can suddenly become your daily commute, team meetings can be done on the coast path, the kids can learn to swim in shallow rock pools and you can surf the optimal waves both before and after work. Because now you have time and access. Studies suggest that people who live less than a kilometre from the coast are around 22 per cent less likely to have symptoms of a mental health disorder, compared to those who live 50 kilometres away. Sea swimming releases endorphins and encourages deep breathing, which leads to a meditate-like state whilst surfing has been found to be so healing it’s often used in recovery programmes to replace the ‘high’ that comes with substance abuse. Whether you’re a swimmer, surfer, kayaker or a jolly stone skipper, the ‘blue mind’ mentality quickly becomes part of your DNA once you start living by the sea. Research is constantly being conducted to further explain the phenomenon but there is no denying that there is nothing quite like the shock of the majestic Atlantic Ocean hitting your skin. Adrenaline pumping through your veins, instantly bringing you into the very moment you are living in now. A reminder that life is much, much more than just sitting at an office desk.

Newquay Activity Centre Set up by pro bodyboarder, Rob Barber, Newquay Activity Centre is the number one activity provider in the South West. Whether you want to learn to surf, bodyboard, coasteer, stand-up paddle board, kayaking or try something totally extreme, they’re doing it and are raring to share the buzz. newquayactivitycentre.co.uk

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BLUE MIND MENTALITY

Women +Waves Based in Newquay, Women + Waves is a unique all-female surf collective, who have just created a cool new female surf clothing range in collaboration with global retail giant H&M. The expert team offers surf coaching weekends and international surf holidays to women of all ages, experiences and backgrounds. Wherever in the world you choose to join the them, they will help smash your goals, build your confidence and have fun with like-minded. womenandwavessociety.com

BLUE MIND MENTALITY

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NO PLASTIC Fantastic The Good Lyfe The Good Lyfe, located in the heart of Newquay town centre, was set up by Jaime and Laura in 2018. It is a plastic-free, ethical store, selling zero-waste dry foods (including rice, pasta, beans, lentils, herbs and spices), refillable laundry and cleaning liquids, and personal care and homeware products. Customers can bring in their own containers, or purchase reusable jars or organic cotton bags, fill them up with the products of their choice, only paying for what they need. The shelves are also fully stocked with a range of beautiful ethically sourced home and lifestyle products, enabling customers to be able to shop with a guilt-free conscience. thegoodlyfe.co.uk

NO PLASTIC FANTASTIC

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THE GOOD LYFE

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Absolutely BALEARIC INSPIRATION

ABSOLUTELY BALEARIC INSPIRATION

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For the new Cliff Edge development in Newquay the Helen Stephens and her Absolute team have masterminded a Mykonos/Balearics infused vibe, taking the jaw-dropping sunsets and sparkly sea vistas as their key inspiration point. Taking their inspiration from the classic whitewashed Cycladic interior style typical of the contemporary Mediterranean, Mykonos or Ibiza, each apartment will provide an elevated level of holiday retreat or lifestyle for guest, holiday homeowners and residents alike. Across Cliff Edge the Absolute team has ensured a new world luxurious sophistication, blending architectural design and unique, bespoke interiors styling. Seamlessly mixing modern interior décor with simplistic textures and flourishes, Cliff Edge has a continual, cool, cosmopolitan, European feel throughout all 39 ultra-luxe apartments. What is more, all two and three bed apartments have the practicality of two parking spaces, located in the secure underground parking facility with three elevators for ease. With a handmade, wooden, collector’s item Dick Pearce Bellyboard included as a gift for every apartment purchased, the surrounding light and airy design includes porcelain tiled bathrooms, contemporary sanitaryware and Porcelanosa designed kitchens as well as stunning outdoor living furniture and interior and exterior olive trees. Fully glazed patio doors lead onto balconies for all apartments, so sunrises, sunsets and stargazing come as standard and the apartments have been designed to have abundant storage options. All new owners have the option to use Absolute’s professional and dedicated turnkey interior design service at no additional cost, with furniture and finishes coming at an additional cost. [email protected] @weareabsoluteuk

INTERIORS

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The HOLIDAY BUSINESS There’s never been a better time to invest in a Cornish bolthole or luxury home.

Whether it be for your own use or as a holiday let investment. The staycation trend continues to get stronger and stronger with Newquay’s place on the UK bucket list solidifying year on year. The town’s foundations continue to gain not only from all the national acclaim, but also the fortuitous British trend of more frequent, style-driven shorter breaks, at home. More than ever-before, holidaymakers are seeking luxury self-catering properties as opposed to hotel room stays, given that (on average) they offer 30% more space, more privacy, more freedom and are more cost-effective in terms of there being no extra hidden costs. The evidence of UK-based self-catering popularity lies in occupancy rates: self-catering accommodation in the UK averaged an 81% occupancy rate in 2019, and outperformed hotel rooms which stood at 77.2%. And that was all before COVID even became a word that we all understood.

Add today’s low interest environment where compounding your savings at the 0.1 per cent rate set by the Bank of England will see it doubling in a disappointing 694 years, and it becomes ever-clearer why a lifestyle holiday let could be your obvious ‘investment with benefits.’ The profits count as earnings for pension reasons and you can claim capital allowances, as well as offsetting expenses against your profits. And the days are long gone when Cornwall’s popularity is just limited to summer visitors. It is now a compelling, and lucrative, year-round, much-lauded, on-trend destination. Couldn’t your investment portfolio benefit from the pull of the most chilled of getaways and activities, spa treatments, wining and dining, and all aspects of the beguiling laidback Cornish lifestyle 365 days a year? We certainly think so…

HOLIDAY

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BUSINESS

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