As a child, I had many happy holidays around the UK, stay-cations if we're being fancy. I was lucky enough to holiday in lots of hot destinations too, but we often would visit my cousins in Dorset for holidays of chilly seas, hunting for sea glass and endless ice-creams.
As a teenager, I specifically remember a serious strop being thrown at the fact we weren't going abroad for our Summer holiday (My god, if I could give 14 year old Georgia a damn good talking to I would - but I'm certain my Dad did for me at the time ha!) Feeling left out as all my school friends were jetting off abroad, I sulked at the thought of a holiday on the west coast of England. I went and had a great time, obviously.
As an adult, some of the memories I cherish the most and the moments I look forward too wholeheartedly, are the ones devouring Cornish pasties and ice creams, wrapping up warm after dips in the sea and making the occasional rainy day plan. The moments spent on UK staycations with family and friends.
There really is something so special about a getaway in the country you live in. If you need convincing, here's 8 simple reasons as to why...
1. You don't have the stress and cost of airports and flights - which also means you don't have a luggage limit, which is always a good thing for me - you can take everything you might need, from bikinis and towels to wellies and raincoats.
2. You'll feel relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated. Slow mornings and the easy way of life is something you won't want to leave.
3. Once you've got the balls to do it, a swim in the sea will be the absolute best! There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting out of the sea, drying off as quickly as possible and putting on warm dry clothes, particularly a hoodie so you can snuggle up into it. I find even the thought of it so comforting.
4. You'll have an excuse to eat Cornish pasties, fish and chips, fudge and ice cream every single day.
5. You can't have a UK holiday, without at least one overcast, rainy day. It's not all doom and gloom, there's something very cosy about making a tea or hot chocolate, watching whatever random film is on tv and playing board games in your home from home.
6. You get to discover beautiful parts of your own country, that will never be too much hassle to re-visit.
7. Surf lessons! You'll be awful to start with and feel like you've been in a washing machine at the end but it's unbelievably fun and the best workout you can get!
8. Without sounding like spokes-person for a tourism board, it really is fun for all the family. From tiny tots, to teens, to parents and then grandparents - I've seen my whole family enjoy these holidays and make some of our happiest memories, with so many more to come.
It wouldn't be right to share the magic and nostalgia of a staycation with a few photos of my last few trips - I really should of dug the photo albums out for a real throwback, but I'll have to save that for another time (They're in the loft. I'm tired. Soz)
Honeycomb and clotted cream ice cream, the best! 
Pastel beach huts in Lyme Regis.
Crystal clear waters at Lulworth Cove, Dorset.
Wheal Coates tin-mine ruins near St Agnes, on our mums and daughters holiday with Anna and Lucy in 2014.
Polzeath with family in 2017 - post surfing alfresco dinners of bbq's and seafood, day time diets of ice cream, of course.
Henry joined us in Polzeath for a few days. We stumbled upon a hidden Rum Bar which quickly became my favourite place - Mai Tai's, full sunshine and the gypsy kings playing and it suddenly felt like a tropical island.
Days at Seatown beach - this beach holds so many memories for me. I still laugh with my Granny about the time she started dancing in the ice-cream shop here, turning myself and my cousin Scarlet's faces a bright shade of pink with embarrassment. Searching this, and many other beaches, for every piece of sea-glass we could find. It's just chunks of glass that have been rounded off in the rough and tumble of the the waves, but I would search for hours with Granny and Scarlet and I still have a hawk-eye for it. The little pub in the distance was where myself and my family sat celebrating my dads birthday 15 years ago, to receive a phone call to say my cousin India had been born. We were all there, having just made our 20p baby bets, ready to visit her the next day! The photo is from a trip my best friend Abi joined us on in 2012. We stayed in an amazing house and the 2012 London Olympics was happening at the time, lots of exciting evenings shouting at the tv for Mo Farrah and Tom Daley!
A long weekend in May 2017, my Dad took me and my little brother to visit our family in Dorset and we visited one of my favourite beaches, Charmouth Beach. My love of crystals developed from there and a quaint fossil shop, I still have all the gems I picked up from there over the years and every time I go back I vow to pick up another. From all my own childhood memories here, it was magic to see my little brother fossil and sea glass hunting just like we did.
It's really lovely that my boyfriend Henry spent all of his childhood holidays with his family in Cornwall. We get to share these times with each other now and show one another the places we used to visit, all the while discovering new places of our own. Last Summer, we stayed in Port Navas on the Helford River with his entire family. It was a reunion with about 7 other families they used to spend every Summer sailing with. It was a really happy week of laughter and reminiscing (or for me - hearing lots of funny tales from the past!) with my second family.
Dodging ominous showers in St Mawes.
Darn good fish'n'chips at Rick Stein's for our last evening in Cornwall.
To say I'm not the strongest surfer would be putting it nicely, but I absolutely love it! Last time, I did however take a foam board to the face, at speed, which does in fact hurt like a bitch.
The happiest time. I can't wait to book another one.
-- For some of my best recommendations, check out my Seaside Guides --
Post a Comment
This time two weeks ago I was enjoying a beach bbq, complete with slightly burnt sausages and toasted marshmallows, the most beautiful sunset, great company and, thankfully, a big thick jumper (1st September evening beach BBQ's aren't that warm, just fyi.)
The perfect final evening of our week long holiday in Polzeath, Cornwall.
I completely fell in love with this little seaside town, so thought I'd write up a Seaside Guide - similar to my St Ives one, with my top places to stay, eat and this time, surf. It's a mix of camera photos and personal phone photos as I wasn't concentrating on it too much, I just wanted to enjoy quality time with the family (and if I'm honest lifting anything heavier than a feather hurts after surfing for 6 days straight soooo...)
I completely fell in love with this little seaside town, so thought I'd write up a Seaside Guide - similar to my St Ives one, with my top places to stay, eat and this time, surf. It's a mix of camera photos and personal phone photos as I wasn't concentrating on it too much, I just wanted to enjoy quality time with the family (and if I'm honest lifting anything heavier than a feather hurts after surfing for 6 days straight soooo...)
S T A Y
We stayed in Drumfish, (found on Latitude 50) for a week and it was perfect for our family of 6. You can admire the beautiful sea view, with the most wonderful view of the sunset on the large balcony. It's got three double bedrooms and a lovely upstairs open kitchen/dining/lounge space. It's in a really practical place to pop back and forth from the beach too.
We witnessed some serious sunsets during out stay, it was hard to pick just one photo! Every night we'd rush outside to capture the sun at different points as it disappeared and left behind pink/grey fluffy clouds and an orange glow.
F O O D & D R I N K
Surfside - I had the Lobster Mac & Cheese and Heirloom Tomato salad. If I could relive this meal every day, I would. All the fish dishes were amazing, but the tomato salad was the stuff of DREAMS.
The Cracking Crab - Delicious fish dishes alongside some crazy dressing up costumes - which of course, my family ended up wearing!
Rum Bar - absolute hidden GEM. If rum cocktails, palm trees and gypsy kings sound like your kind thing you'll fit right in here. The best on a sunny day - as there's little shelter for rain! - you'll feel like you've just landed on a tropical island.
Cone Zone - Perfect beach pit stop for smoothies, ice creams and pasties!
S U R F
Surf's Up Surf School
There's plenty of choice when it comes to surfs schools in Polzeath, but if you want one with a team of absolute babe instructors who are there to help with anything and everything, then there's really no other than Surf's Up. From booking lessons and picking out your wetsuits to popping up on your board in the water and providing you with photo evidence, they've got you covered. Friendly and fun, these guys really are awesome and I really hope I'll get to learn with them again.
Big thanks to Nisha, Goose and Harry for all the help and to Ryan Perring for these awesome photos!
There's plenty of choice when it comes to surfs schools in Polzeath, but if you want one with a team of absolute babe instructors who are there to help with anything and everything, then there's really no other than Surf's Up. From booking lessons and picking out your wetsuits to popping up on your board in the water and providing you with photo evidence, they've got you covered. Friendly and fun, these guys really are awesome and I really hope I'll get to learn with them again.
Big thanks to Nisha, Goose and Harry for all the help and to Ryan Perring for these awesome photos!
Surfing photos -
Already excited for another visit to beautiful Polzeath.
Speeding along the Cornish coast line towards bobbing boats, blue skies and turquoise seas, I was pretty sure I'd fall head over heels in love with St Ives before I'd even arrived.
I sure did. What a beautiful place. It's simply breathtaking, particularly when the sun is shining and luckily for us, it was!
I've always wanted to visit St Ives so we thought we'd take a trip on our recent holiday in Cornwall. I honestly fell in love with it and already can't wait to visit again. Walking along the seafront we stopped multiple times to express how we could believe the beauty of it.
I've rounded up some hot spots for eating and shopping and some top tips if you're heading to this truly, beautifully British seaside town any time soon!
E A T
Porthmeor Cafe - We didn't have the chance to stop in here, but I wish we had - it's in every guide I've read. Delicious food and a wonderful views - apparently!
St Ives Bakery - If that window display isn't enough to pull you in, I don't know what is! Piled high with brownies, meringues and fresh loaves of bread.
The Allotment Deli - Sandwiches, fresh juices and deli treats, it looked delicious and perfect if you're looking for a healthier option.
Just each ALL the ice cream - as long as it involves clotted cream you're all good (I highly recommend honeycomb and clotted cream... SO GOOD)
S H O P
Home and Gift St Ives - Full of perfect gifts and homeware pieces and a beautiful selection of cards too.
Hudson Art - Similar to above, they stocked Rifle Paper Co. which pulled me in and kept me browsing for a good fifteen minutes!
Sweet Lime - bright neons, aztec prints and bohemian style accessories.
The Cornish Candy Shoppe - pop in to pick up some Cornish fudge.
T O P T I P S
- Park and Ride -
Parking is a nightmare in St Ives so avoid the stress by parking at the Park and Ride spot in Lelant Saltings. Parking is £2.80 and an adult train fare is £4 for a return, so it's not too pricey and the views along the journey are practically tropical.
- MIND THE SEAGULLS -
Henry and I picked up two Cornish pasties for lunch, sat down on the quay to tuck in and swoop, in came a seagull and stole Henry's right from his hands! They're cocky little things so just watch out when you're eating outside!
- Keep walking -
When you first arrive off the train, there's lots of bars, restruants and souvenir shops right along the seafront. It's quite busy and hectic and at first you might wonder where the quaint seaside town you've hear about it hiding. Make sure you explore, the gems are hidden behind the the seafront and don't be afraid to just walk down every cobbled street and to see what you find.
I've always wanted to visit St Ives so we thought we'd take a trip on our recent holiday in Cornwall. I honestly fell in love with it and already can't wait to visit again. Walking along the seafront we stopped multiple times to express how we could believe the beauty of it.
I've rounded up some hot spots for eating and shopping and some top tips if you're heading to this truly, beautifully British seaside town any time soon!
Porthmeor Cafe - We didn't have the chance to stop in here, but I wish we had - it's in every guide I've read. Delicious food and a wonderful views - apparently!
St Ives Bakery - If that window display isn't enough to pull you in, I don't know what is! Piled high with brownies, meringues and fresh loaves of bread.
The Allotment Deli - Sandwiches, fresh juices and deli treats, it looked delicious and perfect if you're looking for a healthier option.
Just each ALL the ice cream - as long as it involves clotted cream you're all good (I highly recommend honeycomb and clotted cream... SO GOOD)
Home and Gift St Ives - Full of perfect gifts and homeware pieces and a beautiful selection of cards too.
Hudson Art - Similar to above, they stocked Rifle Paper Co. which pulled me in and kept me browsing for a good fifteen minutes!
Sweet Lime - bright neons, aztec prints and bohemian style accessories.
The Cornish Candy Shoppe - pop in to pick up some Cornish fudge.
- Park and Ride -
Parking is a nightmare in St Ives so avoid the stress by parking at the Park and Ride spot in Lelant Saltings. Parking is £2.80 and an adult train fare is £4 for a return, so it's not too pricey and the views along the journey are practically tropical.
- MIND THE SEAGULLS -
Henry and I picked up two Cornish pasties for lunch, sat down on the quay to tuck in and swoop, in came a seagull and stole Henry's right from his hands! They're cocky little things so just watch out when you're eating outside!
- Keep walking -
When you first arrive off the train, there's lots of bars, restruants and souvenir shops right along the seafront. It's quite busy and hectic and at first you might wonder where the quaint seaside town you've hear about it hiding. Make sure you explore, the gems are hidden behind the the seafront and don't be afraid to just walk down every cobbled street and to see what you find.
I wish I could have tried every restaurant and done a lot more but with only an afternoon we had to be selective! Liv Purvis also has a totally brill guide to St Ives here.
Have you been to St Ives before? What are your favourite spots? I already can't wait to go back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)