Easter Bookings Up in Cornwall and Devon

It has been reported that holiday bookings for the Easter weekend are up on previous years - despite the wind and cold weather that has been affecting our region for the past week.

'Decades of investment has weather-proofed the Westcountry's tourist economy' according to a recent report on local news sites - with funding poured in to many 'upmarket' and luxurious attractions such as spas and boutique attractions.

If we go back 15, even 10 years in Cornwall, there wasn't the same kind of money being pumped into all weather activities - and there wasn't any appeal in trudging around grey, depressing towns full of miserable people and miserable puddles. Thankfully things have changed however, and now the idea of being tucked up in cosy Cornish cottages (many in the area have been renovated, too) in the heart of the countryside seems far more appealing.

Cornwall - Britain's New Food Capital?

A culinary renaissance is currently taking place in Cornwall. Good news for all those foodies out there, and great news for visitors who are these days gaining even more for their money in the food stakes.

The region's vast quantity of farms, countryside and entrepreneurial folk have enabled a large amount of varied cuisine to be grown, produced and eaten throughout the country. Focusing on high quality, low quantity and expertly crafted food, the Cornish food economy has gone well beyond the cliche of Rick Stein's Padstow.

According to The Guardian, several factors over the years have contributed to Cornwall's increase in food production. EU funding has bolstered the economy; creating jobs, the infrastructure and the ability for people from outside Cornwall to 'set up shop' using techniques and ingredients unknown in the area many years ago. It is no longer a seasonal destination, as restaurants now often stay open all year round and offer interesting menus full of season cooking. The distance from the rest of the country remains an issue, but with the advent of higher sustainability and growing techniques, much less has to now be bought in from elsewhere.

Press attention also helps. With Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and small beer craft company the Harbour Brewery Company getting nationwide attention - there is a certain element of class to Cornish cooking. The Camel Valley is even renowned worldwide for high quality, luxury sparkling wine, and the trend continues to grow.

The fact is these food and drink companies are being successful in not only marketing their food, but marketing Cornwall as a destination. The luxuriousness and quality of their food is reflected in people's attitudes towards the region. It will always continue to be a struggle, but the future looks bright for South West chefs.

For more information, click on Cornwall for Foodies, which I posted a little while ago.

Godrevy Images 29/03

Went down to the beach today and I was lucky enough to enjoy a lovely break in the clouds as evening drew in. I'm very much enjoying the increase daylight in the evening now - starting to feel a bit more like summer as the region begins to bustle with promise. I'm very much enjoying taking photos of Cornwall right now

Link to Picasa Albums

Rick Stein Seafood Restaurant Padstow - Lunch Set Menu - £28.50 for 3 Courses

Here's a great chance to sample the amazing cuisine of Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant in Padstow for a relatively small price. Of course, the Seafood Restaurant is normally out of the price range of most people and is visited for special occasions only - however it is worth splashing out the cash for this lunch...the details of which can be found at Rick Stein's website linked here:

http://www.rickstein.com/The-Seafood-Restaurant.html 

'The 3-course £28.50 set lunch menu will be running from Monday 1st November 2010 through until Sunday 3rd April 2011. Available everyday between 12pm and 2.30pm.'

The news of the return of this special offer at the Seafood Restaurant comes at a time when the Padstow based establishment was named as one of the fifty best restaurants in the United Kingdom. There has been much talk of Rick Stein's domination of the small town of Padstow; however anywhere in Cornwall with this kind of national recognition has to be appreciated and accepted as a beneficial contribution to the county's economy and reputation.

Reflections on Summer Part 1 - Why Do People Come to Cornwall?

Hi again,

Summer is a wierd and wonderful period for Cornwall but also a period which we could not do without. Visitor numbers in 2009, in many ways, exceeded those of 2008 despite the poor weather.

I have been wondering whether the nature of Cornwall's Tourism industry has changed much in the last five years or so. Really, I believe people still come here for the same reasons, however not so long ago I remember very little material in many of our town and villages which actually welcomed tourists into our lives. Over the last few years, I've seen signs being put up, buildings being repainted, road links being improved and tourist attractions such as Eden develop immeasurably - however I always ask whether people see these improvements based on what it was like before. Obviously, the old-timers do see them and appreciate them, but a large number of tourists from to Cornwall are in the 25 - 35 age range and therefore may be making their first trip to Cornwall with a small family. Do they just presume the improvements they see have been there forever? We see lacklustre attempts every year to improve the status of Cornwall as a 'tourist destination' - but that is exactly what most people are trying to avoid. The true beauty of Cornwall is that it doesn't need any added extras. The scenery, the way of the life and the people who live here are what makes Cornwall so great - not Land's End, not Eden........

My argument therefore is that while many people in Cornwall complain about the lack of civilized entertainment on offer for tourists, many people who do not come from complain hardly complain at all. It is part of the beauty of this place that we do not need Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures or any number of manufactured theme park based attractions. Just let Cornwall be what it is, and everyone will be better off.

I am starting a new project on Cornish Life which will be called Reflections on Summer. It is for anyone who is either from Cornwall or not to comment on these posts regarding their experiences of their time in Cornwall. I hope to take this to other blogs and website, and get enough reaction to suggest what improvements could be made in Cornwall for tourists.