FishingforafamilyfriendlyCornishbreak
THE Cornish fishing village of St Mawes has been popular among keen sailors and the well-heeled for decades.
Now It’s enjoying a revival — and welcoming a new set — thanks to the arrival of The Idle Rocks and The St Mawes Hotel, both owned by racing driver supremo David Richards and his wife Karen.
St Mawes is the perfect family holiday spot. It’s pastel and whitewashed cottages, tiny castle and imposing lighthouse that stand guard opposite, on St Anthony’s head, give it a magical feel.
What it has lacked, until now, is a friendly, funky and mid-priced hotel. Not any longer. The St Mawes Hotel (laid back, younger sister to The Idle Rocks), opened across the harbour, in the heart of the village this summer.
Downstairs, it feels like a pub with locals congregating for home-made pizza, £2 G&Ts and local ales. It’s that well-worn phrase shabby chic; lived-in leather chairs sit against whitewashed walls and there’s a cosy roaring fire.
Model sailing boats and rowing oars give a seaside flavour and the bedrooms have views over St Mawes bay. The staff (all locals) are supremely friendly — as charming with my four-year-old as they are with a northern couple in their 90s.
The pub is a social spot year-round and buzzes on Saturday nights when it hosts live music. There are plans afoot for a 24seater cinema, too. St Mawes is equally embracing. Children will enjoy the harbour and the two enclosed beaches where they can try their luck at crabbing and rock pooling.
So affluent is the summer crowd that Will Gould, owner of the delicious Watch House bistro, overheard one child say: ‘Come on little crabby, take my parma ham.’ Local fisherman James Brown will take anglers of all ages mackerel fishing on the Madeleine Rose.
Lucky sailors might even spot a pod of dolphins. The little blue St Mawes Ferry to Falmouth is another way to take to the waves. It’s no coincidence that Sir Ben Ainslie honed his skills here.
Landlubbers can spend a lazy afternoon browsing the Square and Waterside Galleries for work by local artists.
Yummy mummies and teenage girls will find something at the Grace And Favour boutique, which is stuffed with gorgeous kaftans and funky jewellery.
Those with children will make return visits to Fudge And Moore for their excellent home-made ice-cream. Me? I am happy kicking back at St Mawes Hotel with an icy G&T, watching the world sail by. TRAVEL FACTS DOUBLE rooms B&B at The St Mawes Hotel cost from £145, 01326 270 170, stmaweshotel.com. Fishing trips from £15 per child, £20 per adult, fishandtripstmawes.co.uk