By Penny Bolton
Savills’ new associate director has always known that she would settle on Cornwall’s north coast.
Having married into the military, it was several years before I was able to make that dream a reality, but since moving here in 2008, I’ve never looked back. North Cornwall has it all. The incredible landscape never fails to impress, and the lifestyle is superb – unlike anywhere else in the UK. I am lucky enough to live just a short stomp from what must be one of the most impressive stretches of the South West Coast Path, close to Polzeath and Rock. It’s hard to overstate quite how breathtaking the coastal landscape here is, taking in vast and rugged coastline one moment and pretty little bays and wide, sandy beaches the next.
A favourite walk of mine is from Lundy Bay to Pentire Point, passing through The Rumps headland, which is a haven of wildflowers. In the summer months, Pentire Point is a wonderful lookout spot for wildlife, including dolphins, seals, even puffins, and on a sunny evening, my husband and I have been known to pop into Polzeath for a glass of rosé at The Waterfront.
Not too much further along the coast from Polzeath, the village of Rock is another favourite haunt of our family. Founded in 1938, the Rock Sailing and Waterski Club is a bit of an institution, and the most fantastic place for waterbabies to sail and ski from, although you do have to be a member. Otherwise, there is the Camel Ski School, which has something for everyone, from toddlers through to the most experienced watersports enthusiasts.
My husband and children all enjoy wakeboarding, and while I love a boogie board from time to time, and find it great fun to get smashed around by the waves, there is nothing I love more than a spot of people watching and taking in the fabulous views out to Stepper Point, Bude and even Lundy Island on a clear day.
Some of my favourite restaurants on the north Cornish coast are The Dining Room in the heart of Rock, offering delicious fine dining and a special experience, and the Mariners, which is the perfect local pub. It then doesn’t take much to convince me to jump on a water taxi to Prawn on the Farm for some of the freshest seafood, cooked beautifully in tapas style. Another fantastic restaurant in the town is Café Rojano, which takes the best Cornish produce and gives it a Mediterranean spin. And if you are in Padstow, you would be missing out not to pay 17 Duke Street a visit for a Padstow Gin and Charcuterie.
