Bedruthan Hotel a perfect getaway in North Cornwall.
The stylish Bedruthan Hotel, built into the cliffs above the golden beach of Mawgan Porth, is only a short distance from Newquay airport and is an ideal base for a family or walking holiday exploring the beautiful North Cornish coast. It is dog-friendly with rooms suitable for guests bringing their pets with them. A few minutes away from the Bedruthan by foot is sister hotel, The Scarlet, which is an adult-only hotel.
I arrived on a wild, wet and windy September afternoon, thankfully parking was easy in the hotel’s own ample carpark. I was warmly greeted by the reception staff before making my way to my room, a double on the second floor with a view out to sea. Snug and warm in my room, it was raining so heavily I could only just make out the beach directly below. The hotel has a good mix of room types with doubles, twins, villas and even apartments for families and larger groups.
My room was a light and bright double with a clean, modern feel; a double bed, comfy chairs arranged to look out at the view and plenty of storage. There was a small dividing partition with a sofa. A kettle with Fairtrade tea and coffee sachets was tucked into the wardrobe, together with a small fridge containing a carton of fresh milk and a bottle of Cornish water. The hotel ethos is to be as sustainable as possible so for instance there is a water fountain on the landing between the floors where the water bottle can be refilled. The bathroom had a bath with a toilet and basin, Oula toiletries, the hotel’s own brand, and a dressing gown are provided.
I decided to explore the hotel facilities as it was too wet to venture out. The hotel has two restaurants, the Wild Café which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as the Herring Restaurant which is open for evening meals. There are lots of open spaces with bright, comfortable, seating as well as a bar area, serving drinks and snacks, with a view out to sea.
Original paintings, which are for sale, hang on the walls, the hotel also has its own small gallery and shop selling art, ceramics and textiles, I was very tempted to buy one of the paintings.
Children are very well catered for at Bedruthan, the beach is a short walk away, there are outdoor play areas and playrooms within the hotel, as well as a kids club and activities for children, there are even baby monitors in the rooms.
Given the inclement weather, I had a great excuse (not that I needed one) to spend some time in the thermal spa. Towels and robes are provided along with changing rooms and lockers. After a quick shower, I relaxed in the caldarium to gradually warm up my body temperature, before using the eucalyptus steam room. The hydro pool was a definite must for me although the temperature of the pool was a bit cool because of maintenance issues. Finally a small stint in the sauna before showering off. The indoor pool is housed in the same building as the thermal spa, making it ideal for hotel guests to enjoy the facilities to the full.
The Herring Restaurant where I had a reservation is the fine dining option at the Bedruthan. Using fresh seasonal Cornish produce where possible the menu changes daily with a choice of four options for each course. For those wanting something less formal, a family-oriented dining experience can be had in the Wild Café.
It was already dark making the dining room very cosy and intimate. To start my meal a glass of prosecco and a bottle of sparkling water supporting the RNLI.
To start I chose the local lobster with late summer vegetables and pea velouté, which was absolutely delicious with soft, succulent, lobster and small crunchy vegetables.
For mains, I plumped for pressed pork belly, pork loin and croquette with braised carrot, onion black garlic and jus. This came beautifully presented and was bursting with flavour. To accompany the dish, a glass of Chilean merlot.
The desserts all sounded delicious making it very difficult to decide, I chose buttermilk pannacotta with orange and mint roasted plums and shortbread. To finish the meal, freshly made coffee which came with homemade chocolate truffles.
I retired to my room after a fabulous dinner and sunk into the ultra-comfortable bed. I drifted off to sleep to the sound of the wind outside. It was a very blustery night, I could hear the wind blowing outside and was very glad to be cosy and snug in my room.
By morning the wind had died down, from my window I could see the beach below with the tide still slowly going out. I strolled down to the coast path for a walk before breakfast, taking the path by the side of The Scarlet hotel. Although it was an overcast day the beach was beautiful with hardly a soul in sight.
I returned to the hotel for breakfast which is served in the Wild Café; a buffet with cereals, pastries and hot options as well as a daily hot specials board. I am a big fan of granola and I was delighted to have the option of making my own granola from the ingredients supplied. There is a coffee machine and hot water urn to make tea.
I was booked into the spa for a treatment before leaving, the signature Oula facial lasting an hour. My skin was definitely in need of pampering after the summer. The products used at the spa are from the Pinks Boutique, a company providing luxury organic skincare. The treatment ended all too soon leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Bedruthan Hotel is a great place to unwind and enjoy the spectacular scenery of North Cornwall. If walking is your passion it would also be an ideal destination either for a short break, weekend or longer stay. Families are very well catered for at the hotel during the school holidays.
For more details and special offers, including short breaks and spa breaks, visit
Bedruthan Hotel.
Mawgan Porth,
Cornwall,
TR8 4BU.
Email: stay@bedruthan.com. Enquiries: 01637 861 200.
The Scarlet and Bedruthan hotels are part of the same group, for grown-ups there are packages including use of both hotels’ facilities. See the website for more information.
Bedruthan Hotel is less than ten minutes from Newquay airport by taxi. If you are travelling by car the hotel can be reached in around five hours from London.
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