From Britain with Love

Mawgan Porth is a small village on the North Cornwall coast, located about halfway between the surfing capital of Newquay and the foodie mecca of Padstow, made famous by local food hero Rick Stein.

The North Cornwall coastline is stunning whatever the season, and there are miles of country and coastal walks. Mawgan Porth, where we are, is also very centrally located in Cornwall which makes it an ideal base for exploring the rest of the county, as you can get pretty much anywhere and back again in a day trip.

Well, we couldn't answer this question without mentioning Darrel's Father, artist David Wheeler, who you can often see painting here at Merlin Farm (picture, right). He sells his work at a wonderful local gallery called Beyond The Sea in Padstow.

Other great places to shop for gifts and homewares are The Atlantic Blanket Company which is also in Padstow, and Hooper & Shaw which is a bit further up the coast in the fishing village of Port Isaac (made famous by the TV series Doc Martin) which sells locally made gifts, accessories and hand-pulled screenprints. Don't worry if you're not in the area, because they all sell online too so you can have a little bit of Cornwall delivered to your door!

The North Cornwall coast has become a real destination for foodies, made popular by celebrity TV chefs Rick Stein, whose restaurants in Padstow offer everything from Fish & Chips on the harbourside to the more exclusive Seafood Restaurant, as well as Jamie Oliver whose Fifteen restaurant is in nearby Watergate Bay. 

Try Custard British Dining Rooms in Padstow (pictured) for a taste of seasonal British cooking with a twist, and explore the pubs, cafes and restaurants along the coast offering everything from freshly caught fish and seafood to locally produced ice cream, and not forgetting the traditional Cornish cream tea. We think the best cream tea in Cornwall is to be had at Carnewas, at nearby Bedruthan Steps Beach. 
 

Here at Merlin Farm you'll find a small and secluded complex offering character converted barns sleeping 2 to 8 people, as well as our three stunning new 5 star Eco Cottages, just a short walk from the beautiful beach at Mawgan Porth.

Originally farm barns, our eco cottages have been converted retaining charm and character, with floor to ceiling glass fronted lounge extensions providing wonderful views of the Cornish countryside. The barns are super insulated to provide cosy accommodation with ground source heat pumps, underfloor heating and solar powered water heating.

For the ultimate treat, these properties include welcome hampers, complimentary cornish toiletries, crisp cotton bed linen, waterfall taps, walk-in drench showers, woodburners, wifi and infra-red garden heaters for star gazing on clear nights!

Visit as many of Cornwall’s beautiful beaches and coves as you can. Nearby Padstow is a lovely old fishing town with boutique shops, restaurants and places to buy locally the fresh, locally caught fish. We would also highly recommend hiring bikes and cycling The Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow - a great way to work up an appetite for lunch! From Padstow you can also take a short ferry ride to the beach at Rock on the other side of the Camel Estuary. For a day trip, the spectacular Eden Project (below, right) is only a 30 minute drive away and should not be missed.

Avoid the busy summer holiday period to make the most of the quieter roads and beaches. The weather can be lovely in April and October - and accommodation is cheaper too!