The Watch House

Delicious local seafood in a low-key, bistro-style restaurant in the harbour. We love the mussels and chips! They also have a hole in the wall for take-away fish and chips.www.watchhousestmawes.co.uk

St. Mawes Hotel

Delicious food and cocktails, in a beautifully decorated, light-filled room, overlooking the harbour. Also great for a pint and a packet of crisps whilst sitting on the harbour wall. They have a small take-away pizza menu. www.stmaweshotel.com

The Idle Rocks

The terrace at the Idle Rocks is unbeatable for a long lunch. The food, cocktails, service and views are all world class. idlerocks.com

Standard Inn

From the team behind The Hidden Hut, this pub recently opened in Portscatho and is top notch. Tonnes of local produce cooked to perfection in their wood fired ovens. www.standardinn.co.uk

Tresanton Beach Club

Open to all off-season and is our favourite spot for a coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice with a good book for a lazy morning. https://thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-tresanton/beach-club/

Hidden Hut

Hidden away on the costal path, set-back from the beach, this sea-side hut serves seasonal dishes from an outdoor kitchen. Food is served picnic-style to take-away and can be eaten on the beach. To walk from St Mawes take the Place Ferry from the Harbour and join the coastal path (the walk is around 2 hours). www.hiddenhut.co.uk

Mr Scorse Deli

Located in the village arcade this deli is bursting with delicious things and has a great wine selection. His picnics are amazing and we vote his crab sandwiches the best in Cornwall! mrscorse.com

The Bear Van

This amazing coffee van is in the Castle car park and serves the best coffee in the village, it's also a great spot for spying dolphins. Check them out through their Instagram page.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Europe's largest garden restoration, with a network of gardens, woodland walks and farmland. Lots to do and a great night out. https://www.heligan.com

Trebah Garden

A 26 acre Cornish subtropical valley garden, with over four miles of footpaths. The gardens roll onto their very own beach on the Helford River. www.trebahgarden.co.uk

The Eden Project

A former clay mine that has been transformed into a beautiful global garden. Explore the world's largest indoor rainforest and extensive outdoor gardens. www.edenproject.com

Trewithen Gardens

Trewithen means 'house of the trees' and is a 30 acre woodland garden with 200 miles of surrounding parkland. trewithengardens.co.uk

Caerhays Castle

Famous for its incredible magnolia collection, this garden is breathtaking in the Spring. Caerhays is a 30 minute drive from the cottage and is conveniently located next to Porthluney Beach, with lots of great coastal walks on the doorstep. visit.caerhays.co.uk

Tregothnan Tea Estate

Rare plants have been nurtured by the same family at Tregothnan since 1334. The first tea was grown in the UK in 1999 and now over 26 miles of tea bushes thrive in the unique microclimate. Manuka bushes have also thrived here since the 1880’s, the first grown outside of New Zealand and producing the most delicious honey. tregothnan.co.uk

Lamorran Gardens

The Sub Tropical gardens of Lamorran have with extensive views of St.Anthony's Head and lighthouse. A great collection of Azaleas and Rhododendrons and a 10 or 15 minute walk from the cottage.

Kayaking: Kayaks are available from St Mawes Kayaks on the Quay. 

Mackerel Fishing: Enquire through Fish & Trips of St Mawes

Sailing, Kayaking and Windsurfing lessons: Enquire with Paddle & Sail

Coasteering: An adventurous mix of kayaking, sea swimming and cliff jumping! Enquire through Gylly Adventures

RIB hire: Enquire with Paddle & Sail

Picnics Can be pre-ordered at Mr Scorse's Deli, which is in the Arcade. He makes the best crab sandwiches in Cornwall!!!

Tennis: There are tennis courts at the top of the main village car park, courts can be booked through the Tourist Information Centre (in the car park). 

St Mawes Castle: Built by Henry VIII between 1540 and 1545 to protect the River Fal, definitely worth a visit. 

St Just In Roseland Church: The walk from St Mawes is a lovely coastal stroll that will take you to the church, which Sir John Betjeman described as ‘the most beautiful on earth’. Walk towards and then past St Mawes Castle, when you reach a fork in the path stay left and continue along the path that hugs the shoreline until you reach St Just. The church is a real highlight, with its subtropical plants nestling alongside a centuries old graveyard at the head of the creek.

Local Walking: There are lots of beautiful walks, get an OS map from the tourist office and the world is your oyster. We love taking The Place Ferry and joining the coastal path from there. 

Massage & Beauty: Sophia is brilliant, book an appointment through her website

The Hidden Cinema: Tucked away inside the St Mawes Hotel, this beautiful and extremely comfortable cinema is a great wet weather option, you can see screening times here.