If there’s one place in the UK that never fails to inspire and delight us, it’s Cornwall. Within reasonably easy reach from Hygge & Cwtch’s home town of Cardiff, it’s our go-to staycation, the place we go to visit family, see new sights and re-visit old favourites. We’re also regularly in the area to deliver some signature Hygge & Cwtch interior design to Cornwall holiday lets and homes. No matter the season or occasion, Cornwall is always a good idea. So with a well-worn list of must-visits for interior inspiration, fabulous food and general good vibes, here are our Hygge & Cwtch Cornwall highlights. 

Starting strong in St Ives

A weekend in Cornwall calls for an early start in St Ives.

Take some time to wander around this charming town. Surrounded by picturesque beaches, St Ives is a unique blend of vibrant and relaxing. Plenty to do and explore but with a hygge pace which calls you to sit, soak it all in and simply enjoy. Stunning in the sunshine but with plenty of places to retreat and take in the Cornish lifestyle even on the wettest of days.

On our most recent trip to St Ives in July, we enjoyed full days on beautiful Porthmeor beach, basking in the sunshine while our sons went to St Ives Surf School (and loved it). For lunch, we picked up the most delicious takeaway salads from Source Kitchen. A family-run restaurant and deli who are all about locally-sourced, fresh ingredients. Their honest, simple yet beautiful approach to food and British ingredients really comes through and rings a bell with our own values and Hygge & Cwtch.

In the name of balance, I followed up my beachside salad with my personal favourite, Cornish scones and tea from The Makers, another family run business in the centre of St Ives. We visit this bakery on Chapel Street every time we’re in the area for the best cakes, pastries and treats.

Cornwall coast to coast from St Ives to Mousehole (and back again)

Hop from coast to coast, with a 30-minute drive from St Ives to Mousehole, on the southern shore of Cornwall.

The historic fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced ‘mow-zul’), is just three miles west of Penzance and brags a stunning fishing harbour surrounded by narrow streets filled with galleries, gift shops and places to eat.

The Old Coastguard has been a special spot for us for many years. We celebrate our wedding anniversary there whenever we can. Stunning views from the garden and utterly delicious food, they’ve even recently opened The Crab Shack – an outdoor bar and kitchen for informal drinks and dining, open during the summer months (weather permitting). Trust us, this family-owned seaside hotel and restaurant, in this beautiful Cornish village, is well worth a visit.

When you head back to St Ives, try to squeeze in a quick browse at The St Ives Co. A gorgeous gift shop, set up by three local sisters who wanted to celebrate Cornwall and give mementos of the region to visitors and locals alike. We never leave Cornwall without a visit to this shop and a dose of interior and lifestyle inspiration for the journey home.

Round off your first day with drinks at Silco Bar & Kitchen – a vibrant, laid back, 5-star spot with stunning sharing plates (if you’re still peckish) and their sustainable own-brand drinks. The perfect end to a day in Cornwall before retiring to your holiday-let to reset ready for day two!

A change of pace in Falmouth

Head East from St Ives, we’d recommend visiting the university town of Falmouth.

A busy town on the River Fal in Cornwall, Falmouth is steeped in maritime history. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and harbours with Pendennis Castle and links to numerous historical figures, there is a rich history to see and learn about. Paired with a vibrant arts scene, Falmouth is a creative, bustling place with the stunning coastlines and top quality restaurants that you’d expect to find in Cornwall.

We never visit Falmouth without a stop at Morgans. A five-storey art gallery and studios, the building itself is a view to behold and has been beautifully restored by the family who bought it back in 2019. Both the building and the art exhibited inside are a display of Cornish talent, blending coastal, rustic beauty with contemporary colourful design. Wall to wall design inspiration.

Stop off at Sabzi deli, a 2 minute walk down the street from Morgans, to pick up some lunch. A different Middle Eastern-inspired menu each day, Sabzi is another local business which prioritises good ingredients, creativity and heart, producing food for the soul and a must-visit for foodies.

Time to unwind?

What better way than to round off a weekend of exploring, eating and drink, than with full relaxation at The Wildwood Spa.

Located in the village of Mawgan Porth, not far from Newquay, is ‘where nature meets nurture’. Never has a phrase felt more aligned to Hygge & Cwtch! If you can stop off here on your journey home, we would highly recommend it.

An immersive experience of relaxation and renewal – think ice baths, saunas and wood-fired hot tubs – designed in harmony with the surrounding woodland, you’ll leave this spa feeling refreshed and with a renewed sense of stillness and calm.  Scientifically proven to improve mental and physical wellbeing, the guided journey between hot and cold, while immersed in nature, is based on the traditional sauna cultures of Finland and Lithuania. For us, this year has been all about feeding the soul and seeking wellness and joy. Our visit to Wildwood Spa truly hit the mark.

The spa is just a few minutes walk from the Sunday Times award-winning Mawgan Porth beach, so you can get your last fix of Cornish coastline before heading home.

Where to stay for a weekend in Cornwall

With so much to see and do in the region, a weekend is only going to scratch the surface of what Cornwall has to offer. But if that’s all you have, you’ll want to make the most of every second! We always find that St Ives is a great base to get out and explore, while being a must-visit location in its own right.

We’ve been lucky enough to bring some of our interior design style to Cornwall. We’ve designed some wonderful properties including Rose Cottage – a perfectly located cottage in the heart of bustling St Ives – and Lahaina – one of our biggest holiday-let design projects, it’s a 5-star holiday home just outside St Ives, perfect for group getaways. 

Whether you’re looking for a Rose Cottage or a Lahaina-style holiday, or something in between, we love using Orange Roofs, who describe themselves as ‘Experts in delivering exceptional St Ives holidays in 5* holiday cottages’. Both Lahaina and Rose Cottage are listed on here plus many more.

We also can’t let this blog post pass without a mention of our Beach Road project. A property located in St Ives, overlooking Portmeor beach, we did a full house design and really tapped in to the playful, coastal, artistic Cornish vibe. We’re looking forward to getting started on their loft conversion, which is the final phase of this project. We were lucky enough to pay a visit to Beach Road our most recent trip to see their completed studio overlooking the beach. Beautiful home with incredible views in a special location.