The picturesque village of Hessenford is located in one of the least-explored areas of Cornwall, in the South East of the county between Torpoint and Looe. Seventeenth century coaching inn the Copley Arms was built around the bridge crossing the River Seaton and originally included stables and a pig sty. Today the Copley Arms provides all the facilities of a modern day inn, with quality accommodation, roaring open fire, conference suite and good home cooked food – but sadly for animal lovers the pig sty has gone.
A tiny hamlet between Falmouth and Redruth, Comford is about as far away from the coast as you can get in Cornwall, but is an ideal base for the heritage walking routes and cycle trails as well as discovering the area’s mining heritage at Gwennap Pit, just over a mile away. The Fox & Hounds is a charming, traditional pub boasting home cooked, locally sourced food where children and dogs are both welcome, making the seventeenth century inn a great stop-off for families looking for something special in a quieter part of the county.
A 10 minute drive from the fishing village of Mousehole and with five characterful bedrooms, The King’s Arms in Paul is a great place to stay while exploring the far west of the county. The pub shuns modern pub entertainment in favour of good old fashioned family values – it operates a strict ‘no fruit machine, no satellite TV’ policy, and has earned a reputation as one of West Cornwall’s most atmospheric pubs.
The home of Rick Stein, Padstow is famous for its seafood and harbour side eateries, but just a six-mile cycle away down the Camel Trail is small town of Wadebridge, and The Ship Inn. Taken over in 2013 by the former manager of Stein��s Seafood Restaurant Rupert Wilson and his wife Sarah, The Ship has been transformed into a traditional and homely inn, open from 9.30am serving coffee and cake through to hearty pub grub and local ales in the evenings.
Tucked away a few miles off the Atlantic Highway between Bude and Wadebridge, the St Kew Inn has a colourful history which goes as far back as the mid-fifteenth century, being used as a venue for everything from traditional Cornish Wrestling bouts to annual Victorian fairs. Landlady Sarah Allen trained under Rick Stein, so as you would expect the food and friendly service are outstanding, and you can expect a warm welcome from Harry the Labrador, named after much-loved previous landlord Harry Arkley who now resides in the old churchyard next door.
Despite being Cornwall’s county town, Truro is often missed by visiting tourists – a mistake when there is a gem of a pub like the Wig & Pen to discover. Worth visiting for the food alone, landlord and head chef Tim Robinson trained under Gary Rhodes and offers fine dining in the Quills restaurant as well as home cooked food in the bar, even making his own crisps. Keep an eye out for the resident Victorian ghost Claire – easier to spot after a drink or two on the terrace.
The Gurnard’s Head is one of the furthest west pubs in Cornwall just outside the village of Zennor, but it’s well worth the trek for some of the best pub food in the country. Under the guidance of head chef Bruce Rennie, The Gurnard’s Head has built a reputation for simple but outstanding dishes and has been featured in the Good Food and Good Hotel Guides, Hardens and Michelin, as well as lauded by several national food critics.
Located in the far south of Cornwall on the Lizard Peninsula, Cadgwith was made famous in Monty Hall’s ‘The Fisherman’s Apprentice’, but is still far from the usual tourist trail. The Cadgwith Cove Inn offers comfort and charm in its seven guest bedrooms, and a warm and traditional Cornish welcome from landlords Gary and Helen. The pub is adorned with relics from the cove’s rich seafaring history, and seafood served in the restaurant is so local they can tell you the name of the fisherman who caught it.
Although only four miles outside of Newquay, The Smugglers’ Den Inn feels worlds away, in the middle of rolling countryside in the picturesque hamlet of Trebellan. The 16th Century thatched inn has a private dining room, Victorian terrace, beer garden, children’s play area and ample parking, and is renowned for its real ales, fine wines and friendly welcome. Featured in the AA Good Pub Guide and CAMRA beer guide, The Smugglers’ Den Inn also serves traditional classic pub food with changing daily specials and a delicious Sunday roast.
Helford Passage is no secret to Cornwall’s sailors – the unspoilt estuary of the Helford River is a popular stop-off point for passing boats. By land however, it’s tucked away in the woods 20 minutes from Falmouth, and not frequented by many tourists. The Ferryboat Inn dates back 300 years and sits on the waterfront, surrounded by wooded banks and sloping fields. The pub serves the Wright Brothers’ seafood specialities using as much local produce as possible.