Category Archives: England

Beach, England, Norfolk, Travel, Trips

Norfolk Road Trip. Kings Lynn to Norwich – Scenic route

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Norfolk is a very special place. It is an important historical county as well as a wildlife haven and it is very easy to enjoy both. It’s known for its flat land and iconic ‘Big Sky’. Familiar pictures of windmills and marshland. You can easily lose track of time and feel as if you are in a different country all together! The best way to see Norfolk is slowly, so lets take you on a Norfolk road trip covering towns, beaches, marshes and much more!

Communities have existed in Norfolk since the last Ice Age. The Iceni tribe inhabited the region prior to the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD. After which the Romans built roads, forts, villas and towns.

With ports on the coast, Norfolk was a main trading location with North West Europe. Consequently it has seen many settlers from Romans to Vikings throughout history. It has been farmed extensively. Not just for its animals or woodland, but perhaps more famously, its Peat. It is the Peat farming that helped to create the Norfolk Broads as we know them today with their intricate network of rivers and waterways. 7 rivers and 63 broads are the result of the sea flooding the peat works in the 14th century.

Protected wildlife and AONB sites on the Norfolk road trip .

The Broads are home to a quarter of Britain’s rarest wildlife including the Teal, Wigeon, Reed and Sedge Warblers. The Marsh Harrier has made a comeback and Bittern numbers have also increased in recent years. It’s not just birds that are thriving here, the rare Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and the Fen Raft spider (which can grow to palm size!) are also amongst the protected species. The fens alone have more than 250 different plants. These include the nationally protected fen orchid and the rare crested buckler fern. Thankfully we didn’t see the Fen Raft Spider or this post would have been very short and consisted of hello Norfolk, goodbye Norfolk!

It’s not all marshland and windmills. There are plenty of attractions for families, great restaurants and beautiful towns and villages to explore too.

We are going to take you on a 120 mile Norfolk road trip that will show you the variety Norfolk has to offer!

Kings Lynn

Kings Lynn
Kings Lynn warehouses

Start here for your Norfolk road trip. On the northern coast of Norfolk you will find a charming city, 98 miles north of London. This is a great location to begin your adventure with it’s vibrant mix of history, shopping and entertainment. Although not on the coast itself, Kings Lynn was one if the counties most important ports in the 12th century. The great River Ouse feed the town with vessels for trade. It was as important to the UK in the 12th century as Liverpool’s docks were during the industrial revolution.

In present times, you can still see remnants of the old Kings Lynn with warehouses and cobbled streets. There are a whole host of attractions here from museums, churches and parks to visit. Or if that’s not your thing,’ sit by the harbour and relax after some retail therapy. It’s a great place to start your Norfolk road trip and maybe worth a day or two here alone.

Salthouse Via Hunstanton

Take the 45 miles route on the A149 coastal road to Salthouse. This road will take you on a stunning route past Castle Rising and the Royal Sandringham estate. There are plenty of places you could stop including the seaside town of Hunstanton. Hunstanton faces west across the wash and is one of the few places that the sun can be seen setting over the sea. The picturesque seaside town also houses the Sea Life Sanctuary and a ship wreck of the steam trawler Sheraton!

Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier

The villages of Cley and Salthouse are within walking distance of each other on the coast path. The Norfolk Coast Path is a long distance footpath in Norfolk, running 83 miles from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea. Opened in 1986 it covers the North Norfolk Coast AONB. There are so many ways to see the sights that is a Norfolk road trip isn’t your thing, you can always walk it with a backpack! We met a lovely lady on our walk who was doing just that and stopped to have lunch with us.

These small parish villages are located on the salt marshes where it is not uncommon to see Marsh Harriers and Lapwings.

Cley Marsh

Cley Marsh WIndmill
Windmill at Cley Marsh

Cley is stunning with an 18th century windmill, delicatessen, famous smoke house, craft gallery and tea shops. The Cley Marshes Visitor Centre is a great place to start. It will help you get to understand the area of outstanding natural beauty. There is an education centre featuring films about the birds and nature reserve. It teaches you about its unique structure. Not being too hot on my bird breeds I found that I came away with the ability to identify some of the rarer birds. Although there are plenty of ‘twitchers’ around it is also a place for artists, poets and photographers. The natural landscape is inspiring to see.

As far as shops go there are very few in Salthouse. Little village shops and local pubs will see you through but do be warned, if you visit the Salthouse church you will see the museum dedicated to the savage floods that have occurred here over the years and killed many local residents. There is parking right down by the sea defences and it doesn’t state that you cant overnight here. Do be warned that in bad weather these sea defences have been severely breached!

We read one story of a lady who was sat on her stairs watching as her house had flooded. She commented that she had seen the water rise so had lifted what she could up stairs and rolled up the carpets. She then watched in disbelief as a hoover floated past her that she hadn’t seen in years!

Next Stop – Cromer!

Cromer Crab
Cromer Crab

10 miles from Salthouse on the same coastal road will return you to civilisation! Possibly the 2nd most popular seaside destination in Norfolk after Great Yarmouth and famous for its local crab and Seals. This is certainly a must on your great Norfolk road trip.

This popular tourist destination has plenty to offer including a good selection of car parks and on road parking options. The walk to the beach, in some places, is a little steep. From one of the car parks it is down a cliff path but it isn’t too bad from the town itself. The beach is shingle and sand when the tide is out. It is a great destination for a day of lounging about near ice cream stalls and sea food vendors. We were lucky enough to see some buskers too adding to the atmosphere of the sea front.

With rock pools to satisfy the little ones, and surf schools for the slightly older and more adventurous, there was something for everyone to enjoy here. Now I’ve mentioned the seals and I know you are waiting eagerly for this section so here goes!

See the Seals

Blakeney point is a nature reserve. The National Trust have owned this land since 1912 and it has become home to both common and grey seals. There are over 2,700 pups born each year. This makes Blakeney Point the largest colony in England. Between June and August, Common seals have their young, while the Grey seals have their pups between November and January.

Seals Blakeney point
Blakeney Seals

The best way to see them is via a boat trip from either Blakeney harbour or Morston quay. Usually lasting about an hour you’re taken to the natural habitat of the seals around the ‘Spit’. There are several boat operators that you can arrange trips with but we do advise to book in advance – especially in peak pup season!

There are also trips aboard amphibious boats from Hunstanton to the Wash. The Wash is an area of shallow tidal sandbanks, fed by four tributaries.

At Horsey, you will find a large colony of Seals. Please admire from a distance and keep dogs on leads. You may be lucky to also see seals in the water or basking on the beach at Wells Harbour, on the sandbanks at Holkham and at Sea Palling.  

Great Yarmouth

33 miles south of Cromer you will find a bustling town and seaside resort with a long promenade full of arcades, rides and attractions. It is more suited to young families with the pleasure beach and donkey rides. Teens and adults can take refuge from the weather in the abundance of arcades.

The Pleasure beach is free to enter and rides are paid for by tokens. You can enter or leave as you please. It can be quite expensive for rides, after a few, according to reviews.

Great Yarmouth Norfolk road trip
Great Yarmouth

The buildings along the front are very Victorian and some are now derelict which is a real shame. Some have been converted to Night clubs and adult entertainment lounges. You can have a bet on the racing – horse racing and greyhound tracks can be found here if you are into that type of thing. Sadly for us we felt Great Yarmouth was a little dated and much preferred Cromer. It was very difficult to park our large van in Great Yarmouth.

Back into the Wild!

River Bure norfolk road trip
River Bure

After your trip to Great Yarmouth, head 20 miles in-land for some rest and recuperation in Wroxham and Hoveton. Knows as the ‘capital of the Norfolk Broads’ these 2 connecting villages situated on the river Bure provides tourists with the chance to see the broads by boat.

You can also experience a trip back in time with the villages largest department store chain- Roys! Mr Roy started his chain with a department store, a DIY shop, a toy store and supermarket.

You can park behind Roys department store for free for 4 hours but I have been told there are other free spots. There is a large car park by the marina but this can be pricey for all day parking!

Wroxham contains many visitor attractions including a riverside park, the Bure Valley steam railway and nearby Hoveton Hallgardens and Wroxham Barns craft centre. The village certainly is a busy spot in high season, but is open all year round and is well worth a visit at any time of the year.

Lou on the Broads Norfolk Road trip takes a boat trip
Louise on the Broads

Do make sure you take a boat trip on the broads! You can either opt for a guided trip on a passenger boat or hire a small boat and go on an adventure yourself! Just pop over to BroadsTours for more information and for an unforgettable experience on your Norfolk Road Trip. We took a trip along the river Bure on a guided tour and learnt all about the area including some special local boats and also the local wildlife. We didn’t see any otters on our trip but the guide said they are there and can sometimes be spotted so take your binoculars!

Final Destination – Norwich

It is just under 10 miles from the stunning village of Wroxham to the city of Norwich. It is worth trying to aim for a weekday for this trip as we encountered long queues.

This medieval city houses museums and historical buildings including 2 Cathedrals. Norwich Cathedral is a medieval Cathedral with its Romanesque design and ornate cloisters. Across the city lies the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, said to be one of the finest examples of great Victorian Gothic Revival Architecture in the UK. It is complete with beautiful stained glass windows and stonework.

There is so much to see and do here that I would really recommend either the guided tour or hop on sight seeing bus. Even just to familiarise yourself with the layout of the city. It would be a good idea to treat yourself to a few days here to really learn about the city and relax. There are plenty of places for retail therapy and good food! You can’t beat a bit of people watching whist enjoying a drink after a bit of shopping!

Camping

Mobile office on Norfolk road trip
Not bad for a days office!

Norfolk is popular with camping enthusiasts so there is a great deal of choice in where you can pitch up. We tend to wild camp where we can but can recommend Reedham Ferry campsite where we stayed for a night. The campsite is right next to a ferry where you pay a small charge to cross. The site is very clean with lovely hot showers and plenty of space to work in. I found this a good spot to do some admin – accompanied of course by a nice glass of cider!

Other areas to investigate…

Salhouse Woods
Woodland at Salhouse

If you have time, check out Salhouse Broad. A lovely car park leads you to a woodland footpath before taking you to the broad. There is a little campsite where you can borrow a wheelbarrow to move your camping gear. A small marina with a beach awaits you and a woodland that was filled with Bluebells when we visited. She laid out a carpet of wonderful lilac and blue hues.

Bacton Wood is also a lovely spot

Working in Bacton Woods

for a stop over. Nestled in woodland a sheltered car park leads to trails and footpaths where we spotted a muntjack deer, owls and over 30 species of trees. There are bird and bat boxes, open spaces and a tumbling woodland with mixed terain that can attract the bmx bikers but we didnt have any problems when we visited! its perfect for dog walks and nature spotting.

Thetford – Just about within the Norfolk border to Suffolk, this is where the Iceni tribe and Boudicca called called home. Now it is a market town with the remains of a castle on Castle Hill and close to Thetford Forest this location has many hidden treasures to still reveal to archaeologists.

Norfolk Rocks

Norfolk Rock
Norfolk Rocks

It was in Bacton woods that we found our very first painted rock. Norfolk Rocks are a facebook group with lots of members. Many of whom take great pleasure in decorating rocks and hiding them in different locations all across the county. People find the, take a picture and then rehide them. The photos are uploaded onto the group so they can track how far they have travelled. It’s great for the kids but also fun for us! We hid ours around the Salhouse Broad – I wonder if it’s been found yet!!!

That concludes our Norfolk road trip and this is a nice route that can take you as long as you like to complete. We did this in around a week but could easily have spent longer investigating the villages and scenic spots.

If you have visited Norfolk and know of good places to go, drop the details in the comments box below! Don’t forget to subscribe for monthly emails about the behind the scenes information and share us on social media.

Check out our other posts here!

Berkshire, England, Travel, Trips

Wolf Howl!

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The UK Wolf Conservation Trust is home to around 10 wolves living very happily in 4 packs on the conservation site. These include North American and Arctic wolves, as well as a European/North American cross.

They are situated just 10 minutes from the motorway, between Newbury and Reading on a large farm affording large enclosures, paddock areas, an education barn and main entrance with small shop.

The trust run talks and workshops to raise funds and educate the public on the misconception of wolves, the trust’s principles and the worldwide work they are involved in.

UK Wolf Conservation Trust aims to help raise awareness of wolves, raise money for worldwide wolf conservation projects, to provide ethical opportunities to research (and improve the lives of) both captive and wild wolves and provide wolf related conservation programs for adults and young people.

The site has been here for many years and I had previously sponsored one of the wolves (Torak) for a year or two.

Although only a small ‘attraction’ the site offered wolf walks as well as talks and events that could be attended.

Sadly, due to the age of the wolves, the owners have decided that they are going to close the site to visitors although they are going to continue to care for the wolves at the site with a small team of dedicated volunteers and staff.

I was lucky enough to attend one of their final wolf-howl nights and was a magical evening that I will never forget.

Arriving at the farm an hour before we were due because we were so excited, we had hoped to hear the wolves in the distance but it was very quiet. When allowed to enter, we checked in as this was a ticketed event. We were due to have a talk by an external charity on anti poaching dogs however they had broken down en route and the evenings talk was quickly changed to one on wolf communication.

Whilst we were waiting for people to arrive we were able to have a little look around at the first enclosure of wolves. In reception you could watch a video of media clips taken at the UKWCT. You could also purchase items from the shop including the obligatory key chains and T-shirts.

The staff guided us to a purpose built education barn down the hill a little way. It was here that a staff member delivered a facinating talk on wolf vocalisations and body language. Having worked with dogs for 13 years I was surprised and excited about how in some respects they were so similar, but also very different in how they communicated.

Whilst the talk was happening, the air was charged with excitement. It had been a hot day and the cool evening air mixed with the anticipation of what was to follow.

The wolves, however, felt they were being ignored and decided to get our attention. One wolf started to howl, then another replied and another, until all the wolves were singing to us.

Not one to be rude, our speaker allowed the wolves to continue, the visitors were all awestruck. The sound so encompassing and magical that we were all simply stunned into silence. Some of us were very emotional and shed a tear of joy.

We continued our talk with intermittent interruptions by the wolves and once finished we were lead by two other members of the team who escourted us around the enclosures.

THE WOLVES

As I introduce the wolves I will link to their official pages on the UKWCT website. All the pictures of the wolves on this page are from the official website and do not belong to me.

Torak and Mosi

First up, Torak and his companion Mosi. These two share a large enclosure at the front of the park and although Torak can be a little shy, Mosi loves a bum scratch by her human friends to get the fluff out of her coat! Mosi’s sister Mai is also here however when Mosi came of age, she decided she was the dominant female and pushed Mai out of the pack.

Mosi and Motomo

Mai now lives with Motomo, an under socialised wolf from Devon. These two lovebirds hit it off straight away and Mai subsequently give birth to Nuka, Tala and Tundra in May 2011.

The Beenham cubs.

These three rascals have grown up in Beenham and have been a delight for the handlers to watch grow up from day one. Now 7, they became the ambassador’s of the conservation centre.

The three have very different personalities and roles within the pack. Tundra likes to be the dominant female and will tell Tala off if she receives too much attention. Brothers are sometimes hard to live with too and Nuka will spoil the fun ensuring all squabbles are ended. He is the Peace keeper of the group. We saw this in action on the howl night when Nuka had to get in between his sisters and keep them apart.

Arctic Wolves

Born during a storm in Canada, the cubs suffered from hypothermia before they could be dug out from the snow. The mother wolf had 5 cubs in total, sadly one died and the other remained with its mother after the three cubs were transported to the UK. They were the first Arctic wolves in the UK and caused quite a lot of excitement whilst in quarantine!

Sikko is the only female of the pack. Massak and Pukak, her brothers, are larger than her. She is a very smart wolf and can outwit her brothers quite easily. Massak is in charge of the trio but Pukak likes to have fun and rebel when he thinks his brother isn’t watching.

END OF AN ERA

We had an absolutely amazing time visiting the UK Wolf Conservation Trust and learnt so much about the wolves. The team were very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. They were constantly watching the wolves body language and seemed to be able to communicate well with them.

I feel so lucky that I got to experience this before they closed.

Do take a look at their website as they may still have the occasional talk or event running to help fund the wolves retirement. The staff were unsure how much they would be open for but thought it was possible that future events could be advertised.

You can still sponsor the wolves and donate to the Wolf Conservation Trust to enable this work to continue, not just in the UK but worldwide.

England, somerset, Travel, Trips

Cheddar Gorge – Somerset

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We were heading to a camper van meetup in Somerset in early April. If we know we have to be somewhere by a set date we can look at our route and plan stops on the way. On this occasion we stopped in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset. Home of cheese and Cider! I have been to Cheddar before and couldn’t wait to take Louise.

Driving to Cheddar is beautiful from every angle and is a great place to use as a base due to the amount of campsites in the area. I have stayed at 2 different campsites in Cheddar now.

What is it?

scenic road through Cheddar
Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar is a limestone gorge on the south side of the Mendip Hills. It is where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton was found during cave excavations in 1903. He has been named Cheddar Man and tests on his DNA show that 9,000 years since his death, there is a direct descendant of his living in the Cheddar area to this day!

Cheddar Gorge is a site of special scientific interest due to rare plants, caves and Vertebrate palaeontology. The gorge is 3 miles long and 400 meters deep! 2 of the caves are now open along with several other attractions such as the museum of pre-history. The museum displays many artefacts of great historical importance, that shed invaluable light on our ancestors and how they lived, have been found in Cheddar Gorge and it’s caves.

Jacobs Ladder

  • cheddar

Jacobs Ladder is another attraction in Cheddar that’s included in the ticket price. At the exit of the Dreamhunters cave you can ascend the 247 steps straight up to the top of Jacobs ladder. Once there the panoramic views are breath taking. If your legs are still up for the challenge, there is the look out tower where you can go up even more steps (48) and take in the sights.

The climb is well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Mendips and beyond. To the south you’ll see the flat, lush water meadows of the Somerset Levels. To the north you’ll see the windswept plateau that runs for over 22 miles east to west! If you don’t fancy walking 247 steps back down you can always do some or all of the cliff top walks through a nature reserve.

Goughs Cave

  • Goughs cave
    Cheddar Caves Goughs

At over 500,000 years old and excavated in the late 19th century, this is the most magnificent cave in Cheddar. I recall that the walk is around a quarter of a mile into the cave. In severe weather it has been known to flood to the entrance. You will also see where the famous Cheddar Cheese is put to mature at a consistent temperature of 11 degrees.

This cave system takes you through formations where the River Yeo carved its way hundreds of thousands of years ago. You can spot where whirlpools put pressure on the rocks and hollowed them out, as well as stalagmites and stalactites that have formed slowly over that time. St Paul’s Cathedral and Solomon’s Temple will have you in awe as you gaze up at rocks above you.

Ameneties

After your exploration of the caves, there are plenty of shops to wonder around. These include ice cream parlours – we found one with over 100 flavours! There are gift shops and cafes in the gorge as well as the obligatory Cheddar Cheese shop and the cider shops too.

If you don’t manage to visit all of the attractions in one day, don’t worry! you have a whole year from your purchase date to visit again and use the rest of the ticket.

You can walk into Cheddar Village where you will find supermarkets and other shops. Parking in Cheddar can be tricky especially if you have a larger vehicle so I would recommend staying on a site for a couple of nights and walking in!

Camping

I have stayed at 2 of the nearby campsites. Both easy to walk into the gorge and local shops.

Petruth Paddocks – Run by Jules and his family, Petruth Paddocks marks itself as a ‘free range’ campsite. With a lovely laid back feel and really clean facilities you will feel welcome here. Jules loved to drive around on his tractor and loan you a fire pit and sell you some wood. Its a great site for families, groups or just a quite get away. There is plenty of land and you can pitch where ever you like if you are happy on a field or they do have some electric hard standings available. If you want to splash out you could always hire a shepherds hut!

Cheddar Bridge – This is an adult only site, just a few hundred yards from Petruth. This quite site has the River Yeo running alongside it with many pitches able to take enjoyment from pitching close to the bank. It has plenty or hard standing pitches and a few camping pods on a field as well as 5 static caravans for hire. Facilities were clean and well kept.

We loved Cheddar and its such a beautiful place to visit. It is a popular attraction so in peak times it can be very busy. There are some lovely places to visit in the area too so we think you should make the most of it and stay longer!

Cheddar Gorge is linked with Longleat Safari Park and you can buy a duel ticket from the gorge ticket office.

If you are looking at purchasing cheap attraction passes then check out out bumper post!

England, somerset, Travel

First Campervan Meet Up

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A campervan meetup is an event organised by someone usually from a group. It is where like minded campervan loving people get together and have fun. We had not been to a meet up before last night. Not because we didn’t want to but because we were usually working and couldn’t get the time off. Now we are free to travel we finally managed to get to one and what an experience!!!

Between Louise and I we are members of a several campervan groups on facebook. One of which (Women with Campervans) is a group for women and we find it very helpful. It is full of people of different ages, interests and reasons for loving to travel in a campervan. They posted that they were arranging a meet up at a pub (Tuckers Grave Inn, Radstock), in Somerset. Unsure if we were going to make it due to technical difficulties we decided to wait until the last minute.

Will we make it?

After a lovely day in Cheddar Gorge we drove 20 miles to meet this group of women and listen to their stories. We pulled up at around 6 ish and found a field with lots of camper vans in it. Its our first time parking Chewy on grass. Opting to stay at the top end of the field rather than get stuck in mud at the other end! (you can park on the gravel car park if you don’t want to risk the field). Happy smiling faces greeted us as we exited the vehicle and went to introduce ourselves. There were lots of different groups here for the meet up and the pub hosts events regularly. £5 for the pitch – no facilities apart from a portaloo.

we drove 20 miles to meet this group of women and listen to their stories. We pulled up at around 6 ish and found a field with lots of camper vans in it. Its our first time parking Chewy on grass. Opting to stay at the top end of the field rather than get stuck in mud at the other end! (you can park on the gravel car park if you don’t want to risk the field). Happy smiling faces greeted us as we exited the vehicle and went to introduce ourselves. There were lots of different groups here for the meet up and the pub hosts events regularly. £5 for the pitch – no facilities apart from a portaloo.

campervans

The Gathering begun!

We were not the largest van on the site – beaten by an old bus who did risk it to the end of the field. What a beauty! Wood burner stove, fixed bed and plenty of kitchen space she really did look homely. I would expect that that one doesn’t bend going around corners either! There were motorhomes, van conversions and tents. All were welcome here at the campervan meetup and it was quite evident that people would want to come and look around each others van.

We quickly retired to have a tidy up and open the cider, made the bed and shoved things in boxes. Once we were settled we hosted a few people who wanted to have a look inside our van. We then got invited to see theirs. Van lovers are very proud of their vans and at a meet like this rather than looking at pictures of their kids, you will find them swapping pictures of their vans and where they have been. It is so beautiful to see how many of them have customised their vans to suit their own needs. From storage space to kitchens, everyone is unique.

A friendly atmosphere in a calm setting

Everyone was so friendly, sharing drinks and stories. People just pulling their chairs up to tables and forming a group together, not shying away on their own. Even the way they were parked, almost in a terrace house formation – there was no 6 meter rule if you didn’t want it! Some pulled right up close to each other. I instantly felt like I had found a family. A gathering of people who just get it, you know? These people love to do what we are doing, whether its for a weekend, a week or full time.

We have met so many wonderful people, men and women, young and old, some with a travelling cat, some with dogs. Some single and some couples. It really doesn’t matter – they just want to hear about your travels and swap tips!

Emma and Louise tuckers grave inn

Entertainment

At 8pm the pub had arranged for live entertainment and a BBQ for us. They had a massive barn at the back of the pub and this housed a stage on a trailer, hay bales for seats, picnic benches outside and a massive fire pit to keep us warm. There were loads of people, I assume some of them locals as well as the campers.

2 bands played last night and this went on until around midnight. Everyone was drinking, dancing and talking, swapping stories about van life. Our favourite was a story about a lady who had a toilet on one side of the van and her kitchen on the other. She used to lean back on the toilet door as she was cooking and prepping food. Having recently revamped the van she had swapped the door for a curtain. Safe to say she had a slight mishap when prepping food and ended up stumbling backwards into the toilet cubical, landing on the washing up pile! How she didn’t end up with a spoon up her ass remains a mystery!

Tuckers barn

Tuckers Grave Inn

Tuckers Grave is thought to be Somersets smallest pub. With a Skittle ally and a beer garden its local charm shines through. Being in somerset it was no surprise that the main drinks were Cider! A great range of Cider to try so I tried 3 last night. The BBQ was lovely with burgers, sausages and pheasant pitta pockets on the menu.

The staff are so friendly and the cozy pub with its log fires and eggs for sale makes it an experience you won’t forget. It’s not uncommon here for you leave with a whole bunch of new friends and I hope that is the case for us. This bunch of individual souls, each on their own journey but with such care and compassion for others really gives me hope that maybe we can turn this world around. There is no ego here, no pretence. just people coming together.

Louise was worried that after we left ‘society’ to live as nomads, we would find it hard to reconnect with the world if we dipped back in to the ‘matrix’. If we can meet up with others in this environment I think we will be just fine!

Tuckers Barn live music

The gathering continues

As I write this some of the group have left, the rest of us are planning on staying another night. Louise made a lentil soup and fresh bread which we shared with some of the women. We have been invited to join them tonight in the skittle ally for an open fire and games night. I am already thinking about how much I will miss this group and want to see these people again.

Meeting new people makes me anxious and I don’t mind telling you that I was really nervous to come here. If this weekend has taught me anything it’s to stop worrying what others think of you and just be yourself. If you are genuine and true to yourself, this bunch will love you. It’s been a fantastic 24 hours and I cant wait to see what this evening brings.

If you haven’t already been to a campervan meetup I would thoroughly recommend it. It was so much fun.

Although we only have last nights experience to go on I have been told that it was quite typical for a campervan meetup so get on those groups and join up – check events and see whats near you.

To all of the people we have met this weekend, and to all others we may meet in the future, Cheers!

Courses, England, West Midlands

Foraging Course – Coventry

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Foraging – the act of gathering wild food for free. Something our ancestors would have done long ago and with the added knowledge of their health and medicinal properties. We were lucky enough to Join Kerry from The Foraging Course Company for a taster session on foraging. Keep reading to find out more about the amazing plants around us and what we can eat!

foraging course company logo


Are you looking to forage for food on a regular basis, as a hobby or want knowledge to help you identify plants? We teamed up with Kerry from the Foraging Course Company to share the experience with you.

Sat in a pub garden near in Coventry a group started to gather. An unlikely mix of older gentleman in their finest professional walking gear, a gentleman who had been brought an experience by his daughter and 2 young ladies dressed up to the 9’s looking like they had taken a wrong turn and should have been in a salon. I was surprised seeing the diversity of this group. It proved that all walks of life were interested in foraging. This enabled the group to communicate in interesting ways. Old and new coming together with a varied knowledge of foraging.

Foraging course – Do’s and Donts’

Kerry introduced herself and gave us a quick health and safety talk. The main one being “If I give you stuff – don’t put it in your gob unless I tell you you can eat it!” Some plants are very dangerous and can make you very very sick – if not kill you. It is VITAL that you do not eat anything unless you are more than 100% sure it is what you think it is. Some plants can look very similar. There are many laws and regulations covering foraging and most land is owned by someone – even public areas like parks. Do not take it for granted that you can take food from any areas and always ask permission. Do check local bylaws and never take food if there not an abundance of it. The preservation and maintenance of the wild food must be at the forefront of our minds.

Can you describe this?

Cherry Blossom Vanlifediary

Kerry had a small cutting of a cherry tree in her hand. Full of beautiful blossom it’s the first thing you see! Kerry asked all of us (there must have been about 16 of us) to describe something about the cutting. It had to be an observation about its appearance. The first few had it rather easy – It has blossom. There are yellow stamens. It has Bark. By the time they got around to us (at the back of course!) it was more of a challenge . However there were still so many things that you could identify once you started to look. The exercise was one that made study the identifying features of petals, leaf formations, smell and textures of the bark.

We soon set off on our walk, surprised at the abrupt stop before we had left the car park. An old silver birch tree stood proud at the exit of the car park. Kerry told us about some of the health benefits this tree had to offer and when this could be harvested. We learned that sap can be harvested in Feb/March which has micro nutrients. Birch sap can, in small doses, be very good for you however is also a diuretic and laxative. Birch has been used in the treatment of many different ailments. It is not suggested to be used by people with weak hearts or Kidneys.

There are over 300 species of Bramble!

Less than 5 meters from here we stopped at the Bramble. Most people are able to identify a blackberry but did you know there are over 300 species of bramble in the UK? This can account for the difference in tastes that we experience. We all know that you can make blackberry and apple pie, and that its a fact it tastes better if you have been out to pick the fruit yourself! Did you know that you could also make cordials and wines, chutney and fruit leather from it too? It was here that Kerry told us a very important rule. The Great Dane Rule!

Most brambles (and other plants) grow at low levels and we can be tempted to pick what is closest to us – however these can be easily contaminated. Remember that if a Great Dane could cock its leg and pee on it, it’s not a safe zone!

Sorrel, Pignut and wild garlic


Other edible plants we learned about on the foraging course included Chickweed, Hairy Bittercress, Pignut’s, Sorrel, Hawthorn, Dandelion, Wild Garlic, Nettle and Lords and Ladies (Stay well away from this one! It’s not edible but you need to be able to identify it as it looks similar to one you can eat.) I would love to share some of the things I have learnt with you but I really want you go find out for yourself and not spoil anything!

History Lessons

There were a few history lessons added in too as to where these plants came from and how they ended up here. We have the Romans to thank for some of the plants but also for some of the science too. Roman soldiers used to flog themselves with nettles to keep them warm as it brings the blood to the surface and also to aid in the healing of ailments such as shin splints. Scientists are now looking into this more as clinical trials have shown this to have positive effects. This is possibly due to the brain not fully understanding what the body has endured and therefore throwing all it has to the area. The Romans concluded the pain in their legs was reduced following a regular flogging to the affected areas.

We spent well over 3 hours talking about these plants and having wonderful taters that Kerry had brought with her. We tasted Hawthorn Ketchup, Wild Garlic Pesto, Nettle Cordial and Dandelion coffee! Kerry really added to the experience with these extras.

There is so much to learn and we only covered a tiny area. Guidebooks can give you some reference however – these will show you a picture of one plant on one day and not give you the full information. Downloadable apps are on the market to help you identify mushrooms. Don’t trust them as gospel. These have been shown to be inaccurate and with serious consequences. Some species of mushroom are known to cause reactions in up to 1 in 4 people.

Try for yourself Or buy a Gift Voucher

If you are interested in foraging (or know someone who is), I would recommend you book a course and speak to an expert. Learn in a way where they teach you specific identifying features. Many species have not so edible look-a-likes and being able to distinguish them is very important. A guide book is just that, a guide, not a reference. Learn from the experts, don’t take a risk. As I said above the consequences of getting it wrong far outweigh the benefit of a gamble.

Kerry said “There’s loads of fantastic resources out there in the form of books, videos, internet forums, and enthusiast groups. But, there is nothing quite like somebody handing you a plant or mushroom so you can see it, feel it, and smell it for yourself. That’s what really makes you familiar with a new species.” and we couldn’t agree more!

Where is the foraging course run?

Don’t worry if you are not in Coventry, Kerry runs courses all over the UK and at different times of the year so that you can learn about different food during different seasons. Starting at just £35 per person Kerry’s foraging courses are both affordable and and investment. We will be booking to go on another one later in the year to learn about fungus and mushrooms.

Kerry was a fantastic teacher and took her time to ensure all members of the group had tasted, seen, touched and grasped all of the information required. Kerry also followed up a few days later with an email about the plants and trees we had encountered (as well as some recipes that we can’t wait to try).

Kerry Foraging course company

Where else have we been near by? check our Locations page

Cotswolds, England

Snowshill – Cotswold Lavender Farm

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This third generation family have been farming Snowshill lavender since 1999 and have achieved great success. Their success is thanks to the naturally draining limestone located 1000 feet above sea level. They now grow over 40 different varieties of lavender covering 140 miles of rows. They have recently started to grow Chamomile. You can also find wild flowers growing, such as Corn Cockles with their bright blue flowers, poppies, daisies and white cornflowers. Lavender is a herb and comes from the same family as mint!

Cotswold Lavender Barn

For £4 adult and £2 child entry fee (and free parking) you can treat the family to a great trip outdoors. You can walk around the Snowshill lavender fields just before harvesting, when the flowers are in bloom and the aroma of lavender flows through the air. The fields are open from mid June but the best time to see them is early to mid July. Harvesting usually starts around the last week in July through to August. There is a distillery on site where you can learn about the fascinating oil extracting process. Lavender must be harvested and distilled the same day and you may see this being done if you are lucky. You can still learn about the process in the distillery.

The site is dog friendly so feel free to take your 4 legged friends. There is no shade in the fields so use your common sense and judge the temperatures.

Cotswold Lavender, Snowshill.

Facilities

Across the road you will find a barn shop and tea room. Please see their website for up to date information on opening dates and facilities. Here you can purchase bath and body scrubs, cleansers, oils, wheat warmers, muscle rubs and more! It’s a little expensive, however you will find some lovely gifts here. You can even purchase your own lavender plants and help our dwindling bee population! They had several variety of Lavender for sale when we visited.

Rows of Lavender

The tea room has some lovely lavender themed food including lavender shortbread, scones and cakes. Their Lavender and Lemon cake is light and fluffy. A firm favourite of visitors. A marquee stands outside with lots of benches providing shade and comfort while you rest after your walk. A perfect place to look back over your photographs of kids playing in the lavender or your loved one striding through the purple rows.

Lavender has been used throughout history for its medicinal properties, including anxiety and insomnia. Antibacterial, analgesic and anti-depressant properties are also found in Lavender.

After your time here you could always visit Broadway village and Tower for a spot of shopping or see other attractions in the Vale of Evesham!

Access to Snowshill Lavender Farm

Cotswold Lavender
Snowshill Lavender

Access to Snowshill Lavender farm is on a single track B road. It has lots of passing places but can be busy in peak season. Please do not be out off by this as there are beautiful views of the landscape all year round, even when the lavender is not in bloom.

The National Trust’s Snowshill Manor is also close by. Charles Wade owned this house and used it to display his collections from toys to armour. Extensive gardens pitted as outdoor rooms, the garden provides an extension of Wade’s modest living quarters in The Priest’s House and the manor itself.

You are only a few miles from Evesham and Broadway so why not explore other gems the area has to offer!

FUN FACTS

Although most Lavender comes in blue or purple there are some varieties that come in yellow or pink!

Romans used Lavender to ward off insects and the Egyptians used Lavender 2500 years ago during the embalming process of mummification.

England, Travel, Trips, Worcestershire

Evesham,Worcestershire.

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Evesham Almonry in the snow

Evesham is filled with fruit orchards and rolling hills galore. I fell into the same traps as many and forgot to investigate my local area, opting to travel long distances for the next adventure – but not this weekend! We had a blast without spending a lot on fuel or hours of driving.

Evesham is a Market town with an Abbey, Armoury and history steeped in legends. The abbey was, in a roundabout way, responsible for the name of Evesham. It seems that, Eoves, a herdsman of the Bishop of Worcester, had a vision of the Virgin Mary at this spot. Evesham Abbey, and consequently the town that grew around it, immortalised Eoves name.

Evesham’s Exports

The Vale of Evesham prides itself on its varied exports. Evesham Asparagus Festival is held annually to celebrate the harvest. The Round of Gras pub is the centre of the festivities, holding an annual asparagus auction (the village asparagus festival lasts a full week). They hold carvery’s as well at certain times and their food is delicious. We tucked into a lunch of freshly made baguettes and jacket potatoes with a couple of pints of lager shandy.

The other exports around the area include Apples, Plums (The Pershore Plum Festival is also a great one to visit!) and vegetables.

Sadly the town centres retail catalogue has shrunk, as it has in many local towns now. Projects are underway to restore footfall in the town and I would certainly say it is still worth a visit. The changing architecture, the park by the river, the history… all amounts to a wonderful trip out. (If you like your history you may even find links to the Knights Templar here if you do a bit of research! I don’t want to give away all of her secrets!)

For dinner we ventured into Evesham town and had a meal out at the ‘Casa’ Italian restaurant. Stylish and tasteful décor greeted us as we entered into the Bar area with dark beams and cosy lighting. It set the tone for a relaxing and enjoyable meal. We sat by the front window gracing us with a view overlooking the Abbey. They have a large conservatory at the rear of the venue with ample seating so you do not feel as though you are being packed in to get more tables, but spaced out where the emphasis is on the enjoyment factor. Their large menu caters for everyone in the family, offering vegetarian food, authentic pasta dishes and fish dishes.

Broadway

russells fish and chip shop broadway, nr evesham
Russell’s Fish & Chip Shop, Broadway.

Just 3 miles from Evesham you will find the text book definition of a Cotswold Village. With its wide high street and shops built with traditional Cotswold Stone, you can’t help but fall a little bit in love regardless of your age.

Places to eat in Broadway

There are an abundance of places to eat and drink to suit any budget.

Russell’s – Fish and Chip shop

We know the best chip shop is Russell’s in Broadway. Tucked down a side road you will find a rare gem. The design of the interior combines life jackets, sea fearing paraphernalia and candles on the tables with posh nosh! In the summer it is lovely to sit and eat outside under umbrella’s with the dog after a long walk.

Their menu is surprisingly large with the take-away option of beer battered cod/haddock, breaded or grilled plaice, scampi, chicken goujons or fish cakes as well as vegetarian pies, battered halloumi and a catch of the day. Customers can buy an alcoholic beverage in the licensed restaurant. The Take-away meal is presented to you in a lovely box with plenty of chips, including a serving of tartar sauce and a slice of lemon.

The Broadway Hotel

With a choice of spots to settle including a relaxed lounge, a bar area with an open fire (both dog friendly) or a formal serviced restaurant. You can relax here any day of the week and enjoy fine wines, excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. The decor changes through-out the hotel with the Broadway Hunt featuring largely in the local artwork upon the walls.

  • Foord from The Broadway Hotel
    Broadway Hotel Food

TheBroadway Deli

Stocked high with different local foods, treats and gifts. There is a cafe in there serving all manner of home cooked food with many vegan and gluten free options. They work with producers and suppliers from around the world who focus on the quality, integrity and provenance of their produce.

The Market Pantry

This small cafe sits about 20 people at a time. Vegetarian vegan and gluten free options, this British cafe serves meals ranging from £5-£9. Open 7 days a week and serving locally sourced, quality food, fresh seasonal and natural ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea or simply a coffee and a homemade cake.

There are so many other places to try, your taste buds will definitely be tickled in Broadway.

A walk around Broadway Village is a good way to walk off all of the food! It’s traditional Cotswold stone buildings pack in the charm with style and grace. Other shops include Kitchenware, Art gallery, old fashioned sweet shop and fashion items.

Broadway Tower and The Cotswold Way

Broadway Tower is a unique Capability Brown Folly tower. Its one of England’s outstanding view points, at 1024 feet above sea level, you can see over a 62 mile radius and as many as 16 counties from the roof viewing platform. William Morris also spent time here being inspired by the arts and crafts scene in the area.

Refreshments are available at the Morris and Brown cafe which is open all year round. It serves hot drinks and full meals or just a slice of cake if you prefer. Sit by the log fire and relax or browse their shop.

You can tour the tower with 50 acres of woods and parkland offering scenic walks and cycle routes. Spend time watching a heard of Deer housed there or go down and investigate the nuclear bunker between March and October.

The Tower just happens to be on the Cotswold Way, a 1000 mile footpath from Chipping Campden to Bath offering panoramic views of the Cotswolds. We have walked from Chipping Campden to Broadway so far and hope to walk other parts in the future. You don’t have to walk the whole thing and the paths are well sign posted.

Evesham Country Park / The Valley

Offering ample car parking. You can go for a riverside walk, do a spot of shopping, or grab a coffee with a friend. For the kids over the summer they have a ‘beach’ with sandpits for the children to play in. There are inflatable slides, carousel, swings and food and drink available.

A steam train runs from the car park, around the orchard, to a wooden castle built for the children. You can stop here and walk back or pick some apples and plums while you wait for the train to return. It is not an exceptionally long ride, but for £1.20 adult fare it is a good way to keep the family quite for 10 minutes!

Hillers Garden Centre

Hillers Garden Centre, Alcester, Warwickshire. Part of the Ragley Hall Estate, it has operated on one form or another on this site since the 1920’s. They have changed from a fruit farm to a pick your own and now a farm shop and garden centre. The shop sells produce either grown on site or sourced from a 10 mile radius. Farmers then invoice the farm shop what they need to make a living.

Honeyed ham, Ragley beef and pork are all roasted in their own kitchen for sale on the deli counter, along with a range of homemade salads, continental meats, pâtés and locally made cold pies.

Make your selection from the self serve olive and antipasti bar and stock up on all your groceries from the wide selection of specialised and everyday food. Bread is freshly baked throughout the day and they also have a selection of rolls and breads from local baker Lawrence’s.

The garden centre has well established flower beds and a rose garden. There is also a bird hide where you can see some of the 40 species of birds spotted. Fallow deer have also been known to feed here. There are avid bird watchers with camera lenses bigger than their heads, sitting next to children. For the children (and adults apparently) there is also a miniature railway – and the trains ARE small. It only lasts a few minutes but costs just 90p a ride. You can only fit two people in a carriage sitting opposite each other.

There are tea rooms here to enjoy your afternoon after walking around the garden centre. Staff members waited on you and come to your table to take your order. The tea rooms were dog friendly and we saw several well behaved pooches resting their paws in the shade.

Nearby locations

There are many other places to explore nearby including Snowshill Lavender, Chipping Campden and Bourton on the Water. Stratford Upon Avon, although not in the Cotswolds, is only half an hour by car from Evesham – as is Cheltenham. Why not plan a stop to stay over and visit either the Cheltenham or Stratford races? Birmingham is also in close reach for a bustling nightlife or larger retail experience.

The Cotswolds are full of attractions and travel between the towns is easy with good public transport links. You can find accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

Beach, England, Hampshire

New Forest, Hampshire

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I was lucky enough to have grown up on the outskirts of South London. My grandmother had moved to Holbury, just outside the New Forest and the best thing about visiting was a trip to see the horses! We returned years later to see what the New Forest was offering and were not disappointed!

Shetland Pony in the New Forest

For this trip we stayed at Hollands Wood Campsite (through campingintheforest.co.uk). The site is advertised as a perfect retreat for mind and body. Celebrity broadcaster and environmental campaigner David Bellamy described it as a paradise park. It is situated in 22 hectares of oak woodland and although the facilities are limited to toilets, showers and 600 grass only pitches, (they don’t have any electric hook ups or wifi) it sounded like a beautiful spot to explore from. The ‘limited’ facilities did mean the cost was very reasonable if you were willing to unplug from the grid.

The wonderful thing about this site is the lack of a hard perimeter. The horses and cattle are able to enter and free roam the site. Opening the doors the next morning we could already see the wildlife from the comfort of our bed. We had our breakfast and watched in awe as a heard of cows silently made their way through the trees. They came through camp – leaving one member behind who went frantically charging through a few minutes later calling for the herd.

Brockenhurst

Brockenhurst Village is within walking distance of the campsite and is one of the villages without cattle grids. It is not uncommon to see the horses and cows walking through the village nonchalantly. It has two fords which are a draw for the animals on hot days looking for a drink of cool water. There are a parade of shops and a couple of places to stop for a bite to eat. We stopped at The Buttery near the car park and enjoyed a cool drink and a bit of shade. In my head I thought the village would be bigger but it was a quaint and peaceful location. There is also a large pay and display car park with plenty of spaces.

Hythe

Hythe is a town on the Solent famous for being home to the world’s oldest operating pier train. It is an excellent location to see the large cruise ships as they dock at Southampton. I remember watching the QE2 manoeuvre herself on more than one occasion as a child and feeling so very small in her shadow!

Hythe had a market on during the time we visited, selling fruits, vegetables, clothing, pet supplies and household items. The town has plenty of shops to look around. We found a Costa, grabbed a hot chocolate and headed to the estuary. The tide was out but it was still lovely to sit in the sunshine and watch the birds. We saw a type of seagull here that looked very different to the ones we usually encounter. I was not sure what they were called but they had white bodies and black faces. Google came to our rescue and told us that they were indeed called black faced seagulls… Who knew!

New Forest Sunrise
Sunrise in the New Forest

The Happy Cheese Pub

Taking a drive to Ashurst on the A35 we discovered a popular local pub called The Happy Cheese. It’s on your right hand side as you go over the railway bridge. The pub was so popular that we struggled to find somewhere to park as their car park is not very large however there were other options available to us which we took up.

The pub is well presented with fresh paint on the building. The outside area housed benches with umbrellas in both a grassed and patio locations for you to choose from. The inside was very ‘country pub’ looking with dark beams and low lighting which I found enhanced the character. The food was beautifully cooked and the staff were very friendly and efficient.

Beaulieu

Most famously known for being the home of the National Motor Museum and its Palace House, Beaulieu is a stunning village best seen in glorious sunshine. Although it is a very popular destination for tourists, its parking is rather lacking. Be sure to get there early for a space!

There are a few shops in the village and a pub. The Beaulieu River is home to lots of wildlife and can be a twitcher’s paradise with some rare birds seen here.

Bucklers Hard

A great couple of hours out here, and not far from Beaulieu. The New Forest’s charming hamlet was once famous for its shipbuilding. It has a clear navigable route to sea and a great source of timber! The rows of cottages are now turned into museums and tourist attractions to learn about the shipbuilding industry and how people lived. In the summer time they often have people in costume too. Boat rides are available at extra cost along the water.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst is known as the ‘capital’ of the New Forest and has been visited by many members of royalty since William the Conqueror established it as a royal hunting ground.  The graveyard of St Michael and All Angels’ Church is the resting place of one of the New Forest’s famous residents, Alice Pleasance Liddell. Alice was the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass’. Alice also had a holiday home in Llandudno and you can read about her influence on this seaside town here!

Lyndhurst’s bustling town is full of shops, restaurants and local charm. From here you can rent a bicycle, go for a walk into the forest or simple wander around the quaint little independent shops and grab a bargain!

Horse Riding

Horse riding new forest
Emma and Louise Horse riding

I had not been horse riding before but Louise has. Louise had spoken about how she missed it and when I was looking for things to do I realised we could hire horses and go on a hack! The stables are very experienced and went through all the health and safety information followed by a quick lesson on how to control your horse.

These horses are very well trained and know the drill. They are used to novices riding them and were very patient. We were a group of 6 with 2 professionals to lead us around the forest tracks and even though I was terrified at the start, I can tell you that there is no better way to see the forest than on horse back!

New Forest has Beaches???

Yes. The New Forest is an amazing destination as it has everything! Forest, heather, wide open spaces, rivers and a coast line with sand dunes and nature reserves! Head to the southern edge of the forest to be greeted with loads of options. Check the New Forest website for a list of possible sunbathing spots!

A unique destination with so much to offer

We loved the New Forest and there is still so much left to explore. Being in close proximity to the horses and cows was an amazing experience.

You can pay for the privilege of going to a zoo and having an ‘experience’ with the animals but nothing quite feels as real as a herd choosing to walk close to you. For me it was a very honest experience which reminded me about acceptance and serenity. I will not forget that.

Earlier in the post I described the campsite as ‘limited’ however after my experience there, it is the most unlimited location I have ever been to. It really opened my mind and heart.

The new forest has something for everyone, so whether you want to chill out and relax like us or spend your days with more of an adrenaline rush, there is something here for you!

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cornwall, England

Fistral Beach, Cornwall

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fistral beach vanlife
woman surfer vanlifediary

Cornwall’s Fistral beach is one of the best spots in the UK for surfing. The 750 metre long beach is backed by sand dunes, and sits half a mile west of Newquay. Boasting golden sand and plenty of things to do this hot spot will keep you returning for years to come. Fistral beach is enclosed by two headlands and creates a perfect, west facing, beach front with consistent world class waves. This has lead the beach to become a haven for surfers and water sport enthusiasts.

Whats about?

Fistral holds several major events here throughout the year including Boardmasters surf and music festival, Slyde Handboards UK Bodysurfing Championships 2017, the Quicksilver Skins, the UK Pro Surf Tour and the BUSA Championships.

There are two car parks close by, one off of Tower Road with a short walk through the golf course. The 2nd is off of Headland Road which will take you to the car park for the entertainment complex situated here. The complex comprises of a large surf school, retail shops such as FatFace, Ann’s Cottage surf shop. The Seashore Beach Shop caters for all of your bucket and spade needs. There are also several eateries such as Rick Steins fish restaurant, The Stable (a pizza, pie and ale restaurant).

Fistral Beach Bar

My personal favourite, Fistral Beach Bar and Kitchen which serves food from breakfast through until dinner. Having eaten both breakfast and dinner here for my birthday I can wholeheartedly recommend this place to eat. Their nachos and pizza were devoured by us rather quickly. You can also drink and socialise after a hard day surfing or topping up your tan. Genuinely dog friendly, one of the staff came around when we were eating breakfast with a sausage for the dogs. On our return they let him in to the bar in the evening where he not so discretely curled up on the sofa. They have large flat screen TV’s situated around the venue showing videos of surfing, jet-ski competitions and local events. Their wooden decor providing a friendly and warm atmosphere in which to relax.

Surf School

The surf school itself features a large selection of equipment and provides lessons for all of the family catering in body boarding, surfing and stand up paddle boarding. They are able to tailor make sessions for all levels of experience and if you haven’t had a go before. Trained experts teach you how to be safe with the equipment and maximise enjoyment.

There are lots of different surf schools along the beaches around Cornwall. I can honestly say that even if you do it once for the experience, it is a real adrenaline rush. At an affordable price it is worth spending a few hours having a go! It’s a great taster session and help you figure out if it is something you would like to continue without spending a lot of money before you know if you like it. I am not suggesting, that like me, you get an idea into your head and run before you can walk. I say this because of course I wanted to buy a surf board and just do it on my own but I settled for the wet suit which I will also wear when kayaking so that was an investment. It was! Stop judging me!

Coastguard Patrols

A coastguard  patrols the beach throughout the summer and some busier winter weekends. They have clearly marked out flagged zones for surfing and body boarding which they make sure people keep to. This ensures the safety of other people in the sea and helps them to keep an eye on everyone. Whilst surfing and body boarding are the main sports here we also witnessed some kite boarding happening. They make it look so easy but I am assured that it is not!

Relax and Unwind

For the less adventurous the beach is a lovely sun trap and there is plenty of room to spread out. There are some rock pools at the western end of the beach to go crabbing or searching for critters in. Fistral a unique selling point – in that it is dog friendly all year round so you can take your dogs for lovely walks.

You can also take a lovely coastal walk from Fistral Beach to Crantock. It is a moderate 4.5 mile walk including sandy footpaths, quiet roads and pavements. It can be a little steep in places but it links pastures with coastlines showing off superb Cornish shoreline. There is also a peaceful saltmarsh, home to wading birds and salt-loving plants. Be sure to check the tides before you leave though.

Another of the attractions that you can take home with you is the fact that there is a live video feed streamed from the beach HERE where you can come home after your holiday and pine over how much you want to go back to Cornwall.