The Cornish Rambler Blog

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Why Do People Love Cornish Honey?

Cornish honey is a delicious delicacy made by bees from the nectar of flowers found in the English county of Cornwall. Cornish honey has become a favourite among honey connoisseurs all over the world

The bees are kept in apiaries, which are spaces created exclusively for beekeeping. The majority of these apiaries are found in rural locations with a diverse range of flowers, plants, and trees for the bees to feed on. The nectar from the flowers is collected by the bees, who then break down the carbohydrates in it to create honey. Which they then store in their colonies.

The flavour of Cornish honey is one of its most distinguishing traits. The honey is noted for its delicate, flowery flavour with hints of heather, bramble, and clover. Cornish honey is also recognised for its rich, golden hue and thick, creamy texture.

Cornish Honey

Health Benefits of Honey

Cornish honey provides many health benefits in addition to its great taste. Honey has been known for centuries for its antibacterial properties. These can aid in infection prevention & overall wellness. It is also high in antioxidants. These help to protect the body from free radicals. Honey can also be used to treat seasonal allergies such as sore throats and coughs.

A number of beekeepers throughout Cornwall produce Cornish honey. These beekeepers work tirelessly to ensure that their bees are well-cared for. This ensures that the honey they produce is the very best quality. Many of these beekeepers now provide apiary tours, allowing visitors to learn more about beekeeping & the honey making process.

One of the best ways to enjoy Cornish honey is to simply drizzle it over toast, add to yogurt or porridge. It can also be used in baking as an alternative natural sweetener. Cornish honey is also a popular ingredient in mead, a fermented honey-based drink that has been enjoyed for centuries in the U.K.

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Amazing Farm Shops in Cornwall

Numerous farm shops in Cornwall sell a variety of fresh fruit, meat, dairy & other locally sourced goods. The very best of Cornish produce can be found here. It’s a great way for you to support south western farmers & food producers.

Here are just a few of the farm shops in Cornwall we recommend:

One of the most well-known farm stores in Cornwall is Trevaskis Farm, which is located in Hayle. The store sells a variety of locally sourced commodities, including fresh fruit, meats, dairy, baked foods and other items. Families in particular love the farm because it offers a pick-your-own fruit and vegetable operation.

The Cornish Food Box Company is based in Truro and provides a variety of products that are sourced locally. These include meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, and much more. The store also provides a subscription service that delivers a box of fresh regional produce right to your doorstep.

Located in the town of Redruth. Etherington’s Farm Shop sells a variety of produce, including their renowned take on the ever popular Cornish pasty. As well as dairy produce, baked goods and other artisan products around from county. The farm shop also has a popular cafe & restaurant, where home cooked meals are served daily.

Lobbs Farm Shop, close to the market town of St Austell, sells a variety of locally sourced goods, including fresh meats and dairy products. The store also has an in-house bakery where a wide variety of handcrafted breads and pastries are created daily.

The Boscastle Farm Shop sells a variety of fresh produce, meats and dairy products. The on-site dining options at the shop include a cafe that sells fresh meals and pastries.

The Farm Shop at Tregothnan, near Truro, offers a range of locally sourced goods. Including meats, vegetables, fruits, dairy products. The shop is located on the Tregothnan Estate, which is home to one of the United Kingdom’s only tea plantations.

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How To Go Rockpooling

With summer holiday season approaching, many people visiting Cornwall often wonder how to go rockpooling safely. This fun & exciting outdoor activity can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Here is a quick guide to help you get started:

Choose the perfect spot – Rock lined beaches & rock pools that are visible at low tide are the ideal locations. Make sure to do some homework on the region you intend to visit. In order to determine whether it is safe to explore. Pay special attention to the tide times.

Wear the proper attire – To keep oneself protected and comfortable while rockpooling. It is necessary to wear suitable attire. Wear waterproof gear if possible, or a wetsuit, & sturdy shoes with good traction. Take a sun hat and sunscreen with you also. So you can protect yourself from the sun over a long period of time.

Take the right equipment – To make the most of your experience, you’ll need the right equipment. A net, bucket, and magnifying glass are essential. If possible also take a beach wildlife guide to help you identify the creatures you may find.

Respect the environment – When rockpooling, it is very important to respect the environment and the creatures that live there. Don’t remove any creatures from their natural habitat, and also be gentle when handling them. Remember to leave the rockpools as you found them!

Observe and identify – When exploring the rockpools, take your time and observe the creatures you find. Use your magnifying glass to get a closer look and try to identify them using your guide. Some common creatures you might find include crabs, starfish, anemones, & smaller fish.

Safety first – Always be aware of your surroundings & the tide. Be cautious of slippery rocks & be mindful of waves that may come in unexpectedly. Never turn your back to the sea & always keep an eye on the tide, so you don’t get stranded.

how to go rockpooling
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Basking Sharks

One of Cornwall’s most stunning marine creatures, basking sharks are a favourite attraction for both tourists and local residents due to their size and benign disposition. Only the whale shark is larger than these sharks, making them the second-largest fish species in the world.

Due to its diverse marine life and nutrient-rich waters, Cornwall’s shoreline is a perfect environment for basking sharks. This is due to the plankton blooms in the waters around the county. These sharks are known to congregate in great numbers during the summer months. In order to consume the plankton, basking sharks travel to Cornwall where they use their gill rakers to filter the water.

From April to October is the best time to see a basking shark in Cornish waters. Tourists swarm to Cornwall around this time to see these amazing animals. The distinctive dorsal fins of these fish are frequently observed sticking out of the water as they bathe. It is thought that they bask in the sun to control their body temperature. They get their name from this activity.

Despite their size and strength, basking sharks are renowned for their gentle demeanour. They are not hostile to people, in fact, they are rather an inquisitive fish and frequently approach boats to look them over. As a result, they are a sought-after subject for wildlife photographers, who can take beautiful close-up pictures of the sharks.

basking sharks

Endangered species.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature now lists basking sharks as endangered despite their enormous size and popularity. They are particularly susceptible to overfishing since they reproduce slowly, making it difficult for their populations to swiftly repopulate. They can frequently get unintentionally entangled in fishing nets as well, which can result in harm or even death.

By bringing attention to the predicament of basking sharks and working with local fishermen to decrease unintentional bycatch. The Cornish Wildlife Trust is trying to safeguard them around Cornwall. The Trust uses a number of techniques, such as aerial surveys and acoustic tagging, to monitor basking shark populations. The trust is constantly striving to protect basking sharks in Cornwall.

By adhering to the rules for ethical wildlife viewing, visitors can also aid in the preservation of basking sharks. This involves keeping a safe distance from the sharks, avoiding loud noises or rapid movements, and not feeding or otherwise interfering with them. Respecting these rules will allow visitors to witness basking sharks in their natural environment, without endangering them.

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The Picturesque Mullion Cove

Mullion Cove is a picturesque fishing village located on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. It is known as a stunning area of natural beauty with its rugged coastline and historical significance. Here are some of the reasons you should visit the Lizard area and in particular Mullion:

Mullion Cove is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and its rugged coastline. The village of Mullion is surrounded by beautiful cliff walks, golden sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water. It makes a perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful and scenic holiday. The Lizard Peninsula itself is home to a wide variety of wildlife. This includes seals, dolphins, and rare birds, such as peregrine falcons and choughs. The area around the cove is particularly rich in wildlife. You may even be lucky enough. like we were, to spot some of these animals during your visit.

Mullion has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation going right back to the Bronze Age. The village was once a busy fishing port during the 18th/19th centuries. Many of the buildings in the area are of historical significance. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy during your visit. These include: surfing, swimming, fishing, and hiking. The village is also home to a selection of excellent restaurants, cafes, and pubs, where you can enjoy delicious local food and or a drink or two.

Mullion Cove is a stunning historical area. It offers tourists the opportunity to see some of the best of Cornwall’s natural scenery. Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed adventure, there is something for everyone.

Mullion Cove

Getting there:

From Helston take the A3083 south towards The Lizard. At the Mullion Holiday Park turn right onto the B3296 towards Mullion. Drive through the village and follow signs to Mullion Cove/Harbour. Note: Sat Nav: Use postcode TR12 7EP

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The Devon & Cornwall Scone Debate

Devon or Cornwall? That would normally be a debate for anyone planning their Cornwall holidays or a summer staycation in Devon. However the scone debate is all about one of the great traditions of these two great counties. The Great British cream tea. There is no doubting the quality of the ingredients. The scones, the clotted cream and the jam from both Devon and Cornwall, are of the finest quality you will find anywhere in the British Isles.

The real debate here is how the scone should be served. The first way is jam topped with clotted cream. The second way is clotted cream topped with jam. If you didn’t know already the Cornish way is to have clotted cream and then jam on top. The Devon way is to have the jam first and then clotted cream on top. This may seem like a trivial matter to some. But for the local people either side of the Tamar River. It has been a bone of contention for many centuries.

Queen Elizabeth II decides?…

A keen champion of the best of British traditions. Queen Elizabeth the second, according to one of here former chefs, preferred the jam on first. Darren McGrady, who worked for the royal family for nearly a decade wrote on his Twitter account.

“Jam first at Buckingham Palace garden parties!”

He went on to say…

“The Queen always had homemade Balmoral jam first,” the chef and author added in a subsequent tweet, “with clotted cream on top at Buckingham Palace garden parties in the royal tea tent and all royal tea parties.”

Does it really matter?

The difference between a Devon and Cornish scone doesn’t really matter. Just make sure your scone is topped with clotted cream from the West Country. Then a spoonful of jam from one of their fantastic producers. Whichever one comes first, cream or jam, it’s up to you!

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The Ultimate Cornish Pasty

The cold winter months are a perfect time to enjoy one the finest foods to come from the county of Cornwall. This is our take on the ultimate Cornish pasty. Adding some sweetness of a butternut squash, herby sage leaves and a kick of chilli!

The history of the Cornish pasty goes back to medieval times. But the modern version of the pasty is associated with the tin miners of Cornwall in the seventeenth & eighteenth centuries. Traditionally made with a skirt steak, the pasty had pleated edge or seam, which was used as a disposable handle.

Ingredients
  • 500g plain flour.
  • Sea & pepper salt to taste.
  • 100g of beef dripping.
  • 150g butter.
  • 1 egg.
  • 400g of steak, trimmed then cut into medium sized cubes.
  • 400g potatoes, cut into small cubes.
  • 200g butternut squash, cut into small cubes.
  • 4 chopped sage leaves.
  • 1 tablespoon of dried chilli flakes.
  • 2 medium sized chopped onions.
  • Salt & pepper to taste.
Method
  1. For the pastry – combine the flour, salt, pepper and dripping in a bowl until until a crumb style texture is formed. Add 100-150ml cold water to bring the mixture together. Spend around five minutes kneading the pastry mix until it starts to become elastic.
  2. Wrap the pasty in cling film and chill for 2 hours in the fridge.
  3. Preheat your oven to 200c and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.
  4. Divide the pastry into six balls, then roll each one out to about 20cm in diameter.
  5. For the filling- heap the filling onto one side of each pastry circle, brush the border with beaten egg, then fold the pastry over the top and seal in a half-circle. Then simply crimp and twist the edge, tucking the ends beneath. Transfer to the baking tray and brush with the egg to glaze.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes at 200c. Then reduce the oven to 160c and bake for a further 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Leave the pasties to cool at least ten minutes before serving.

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Padstow Christmas Festival

The Padstow Christmas Festival in Cornwall this year, runs from Thursday the 1st of December to Sunday 4th of December. After being postponed for the last few years due to Covid restrictions, it is back with a bang! There is a stellar line up of celebrity chefs scheduled to appear over the four days of the event. These chefs include some legendary British culinary icons. Such as Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw, Angela Hartnett, Paul Ainsworth, Phil Vickery, Glynn Purnell, Micheal Caines and Brian Turner.

The celebrity chefs will be appearing alongside with some of the hottest up and coming talent in the food industry. Giving you some inspiration on how to serve up the perfect Christmas feast for your family and friends. From party foods to the main event, all bases are covered. You can find a full timetable and can also purchase tickets for the festival here.

Alongside the celebrity chef demonstrations there will be a great selection of food market stalls. All dotted around Padstow’s picture postcard harbour side location. Showcasing the very best of West Country produce. From artisan bread and pastries, to chocolates, cheese, preserves & pickles. There will also be some of the finest craft beer, cider, gin, rum, vodka and brandy producers in the region on display.

After a long day sampling the very best artisan produce Cornwall has to offer. Padstow is the perfect place to wind down and relax for the evening. There is a superb collection of bars and restaurants surrounding the harbour to suit all tastes. Check out our guide to eating out in Padstow to see what you might fancy. If you are staying in the area for for all four days, why not sample more than one?

For arts and crafts enthusiasts, there is also a late night shopping slot. Featuring a range of local community stalls and vendors from across the South West. This will start at 5pm on Friday 2nd December.

Padstow Christmas Festival

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Forage and Cook Cornish Mussels

Surround on three sides by the sea. The United Kingdom’s southern most county is a great place to forage and cook Cornish mussels.

Foraging Mussels

The abundance of rocks on Cornwall’s many tidal and clean beaches create a natural environment for mussels to grow in abundance. Mussels are also one of the most sustainable seafoods to source in the waters around the British Isles.  

When collecting mussels on Cornish beaches there are a few basic rules to follow:

  • Make a note of the tide times before you set off.
  • Check the water quality of the beach you are collecting the mussels on.
  • Only pick mussels that are over 5cm in length.
  • Only collect mussels when the month of the year has an ‘R’ in it.
  • Avoid foraging for mussels near harbours and areas of marine traffic.

Preparing Mussels

  • Throw away any cracked or open mussels.
  • Store them in a refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Cook within 1-2 days of picking.
  • Soak the mussels in cold salted water for around 15 minutes
  • Remove the beard and any sand, then rinse with cold water.
  • Dry each mussel off with kitchen towel.

Moules Marinières

There are many ingredients to cook with Mussels that all taste amazing! Our personal favourite is the classic Moules Marinières. Roughly translated as French Mussels in a white wine & garlic sauce. For this recipe maybe we can change the name to Moules Kernow! Preparation time is around 20 minutes and the cook time around 15 minutes.

ingredients
  • 25-30 Mussels (serves 2 people)
  • Generous glass of dry white wine.
  • Knob of full fat butter.
  • 2 chopped shallots.
  • 3 crushed garlic cloves.
  • Sprig of chopped parsley.
Method
  • Put the Mussels into a pan, pour in the wine and cover.
  • Bring to the boil then turn down to simmer for 5-6 minutes.
  • Remove the mussels and set to one side.
  • Discard any non opened mussels.
  • Pour the remaining cooking liquid into a jug and let it settle.
  • In a separate pan, melt the butter on a medium heat.
  • Add the shallots and garlic.
  • Filter the cooking liquid through a clean kitchen cloth into the pan.
  • Stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Pour the sauce over the mussels in a serving bowl.
  • Finish with chopped parsley sprinkled over the top.

A freshly baked hunk of crusty bread is the ideal accompaniment!

Forage and Cook Cornish Mussels

..and finally, some words of advice.

Mussels can occasionally contain some fairly nasty toxins and chemicals. Most can be easily removed by cooking. Others are much less common. But their impact can be much more severe and are almost impossible to remove in the cooking process.

If you are informed and careful about where you forage mussels from. Also how you prepare and cook them, then you will be fine.

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Cornwall Car Ferries

One of delights of driving in Cornwall along the coastal route is crossing beautiful rivers via these two Cornwall car ferries.

Bodinnick Ferry

The Bodinnick Ferry is perfect for anyone wishing to travel on day trips to the towns of Looe or Polperro in eastern part of Cornwall. As well as Fowey and other towns and villages further across to the western areas of the county. The ferry crosses the beautiful River Fowey in just a few minutes.

The ferry can accommodate up to fifteen cars and is also used to carry foot passengers and motorbikes. Vehicles up to ten tonnes in weight are also welcome to use this service. Such as camper vans, mini buses and smaller lorries. Please note that coaches are not suitable. This is due to the access roads leading down to the ferry.

The service is open for 362 days of the year. It is only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

For the latest service timetable updates. Visit the Bodinnick Ferry facebook page.

Sat Nav Directions – Slipway, Bodinnick PL23 1LX.

Cornwall car ferries

King Harry Ferry

The King Harry Ferry links St Mawes and Roseland with Truro and Falmouth crossing the Fal river. The service is very popular all year round. Using the ferry cuts out around 30 miles of driving using the alternative route. As a result it is very popular all year round, with both local commuters and tourists.

The service operates daily. Every 20 minutes from each side, up until 10pm in the summer months and up until 7pm in the winter months. The crossing takes around 10 minutes. There is plenty of time to take in the views of one of Cornwall’s deepest and most spectacular rivers.

For the latest service timetable updates. Visit the King Harry Ferry website.

Sat Nav Directions – 2 Ferry Cottages, Feock, Truro TR3 6QJ.