So, we’re going to say it… summer is here. Aside from the little rainy glitch that was last week, it’s officially ice cream and flip-flops season! Easily our favourite time here at the Bowgie Inn, since it means we can get the most out of our stunning views and finally take our surfboards down to the beach. In fact, there’s so much that the return of the sun allows us to do down here in beautiful Cornwall, it inspired us to draw up this list of the best of the best that we think everyone should experience!
Crantock Beach
Why not start with the very beach we overlook? Notoriously gorgeous – voted the Best Beach by the Coast in 2013 and appearing in the Sunday Times’ list of Britain’s Best Beaches 2014 – there’s something for everyone to do against the stunning backdrop. Whether you’re splashing into the Gannel for a spot of surfing, or heading out with your binoculars for a stroll down the South West Coast Path, we’ll have the Gin and Tonic ready for when you’re all finished – with ice, of course! Feel free to swing by day or night, we serve food and drink all day from 11am during the school holidays, with our beer garden being the prime location to watch the sun set in the evening.
St Michael’s Mount
If you’re anything like us, the idea of being stranded on a scenic island is one of the more appealing fantasies in life. Well, this dream will be made a reality through a visit to St Michael’s Mount! Whilst you can make your way to the isolated village by foot at low tide, come high tide you’ll need to make use of the local harbour in order to get home. If you haven’t found your sea legs yet, spend your time imitating the flowers on the extensive garden trails by soaking up the sun, or channel your inner explorer through the seemingly endless rooms of the Castle to really complete your fantasy.
Crantock Bale Push
Alternatively – for the more active types among us – the 13th of September sees the annual Big Bale Push return to our resident village of Crantock. All you need is a willing, albeit somewhat mad, team of 4 competitors and you’re already on the way to straw-based glory. Every age group is welcomed, from under 8’s to combined 180’s, so there’s no excuse for not taking part in this almost two-decade old tradition! To convince you even more, all the raised funds are distributed to various charities, so not only are you putting a smile on your own face, you’re actually making a difference too!
Minack Theatre
No matter what kind of fun you get up to in your days, inevitably the evenings will roll around far too quickly. Don’t despair though – we’ve got you covered here too! For over 80 years, the open air Minack Theatre has hosted a full selection of performance arts just a few yards from a cliff edge looking out on the Atlantic Ocean. Progressing from a place for local drama enthusiasts to hone their trade to a professional-standard venue, this year the Minack is playing everything from Shakespeare to Prom Bands, so be sure to book your tickets in advance! Naturally, you could also visit the theatre in all its glory during the daytime – the cliffs paired with some natural light make for an excellent Poldark-style photoshoot opportunity!
Climb Brown Willy
It’s a hill! Thought we’d just get that out of the way quickly. Not just any hill with a funny name either, as the ‘Hill of Swallows’ (as it means in the original Cornish), is the highest point in all of Cornwall! On your way to the summit, you can take the time to fully appreciate the rugged Bodmin Moorlands, but the views from the top are the real highlight here; on a clear day you can see all the way to Looe! Perfect for a day trip alone, as a family or with your pooch companion, just be careful not to upset the local sheep!
Can you see why we’re so excited now? It’s ridiculously easy to get lost in becoming typically Cornish for a couple of days, at least! We’ll be ready here at The Bowgie to hear every detail of your stories, or even to make some fresh ones with you!
