As we begin to emerge from the winter months, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of spring, and highlight what we love about this time of year in north Cornwall. With the equinox behind us and longer days, warm sunshine, and Easter on the horizon, there is a lot to look forward to!
Perhaps the biggest hints of spring’s arrival are the flowers and blossoming trees appearing all around us on the north Cornwall coast.
Cornwall is the largest supplier of daffodils in the UK, and with the season beginning towards the end of February, they have been brightening up Highcliffe for several weeks now. The crocus, primrose, camellia and snowdrops have also begun appearing, most commonly found in meadows and along hedgerows. We are particularly eager to welcome the arrival of the sea thrift, a pink flower that only grows by the coast, and begins blooming in April.
The cherry blossom, blackthorn blossom and magnolia trees are already out in full force in Cornwall, and we’ll start to see luscious green leaves returning to our non-blossoming trees soon too.
Wild garlic can be found in abundance in Cornish woodland during spring, and is a delicious, natural ingredient to use in cooking, holding a lighter taste than traditional garlic. One of our favourite cooks, Anna Jones, has a page on her website dedicated to recipes inspired by spring vegetables, with a few of them focusing on wild garlic.
As the days warm up, animals slowly begin to emerge from their winter slumber, including badgers and hedgehogs. Spring is the best time to spot rabbits and hares in countryside fields, as while they don’t hibernate, the grass will soon be too long to see them!
Although spring is a little early to see dolphins, basking sharks and most other native sea creatures, puffins tend to come back to their habitats on land to breed early in the season, and grey seals can be spotted in the sea and on beaches almost all year round. Taking a boat trip from Padstow can help you catch a glimpse of both, especially as you pass Puffin Island, home to the only breeding colony in Cornwall (Padstow Sealife Safaris offer a range of great, family-friendly boat trips).
We always like to offer suggestions of things to do while staying at Highcliffe, and as Easter is the beginning of the busy season in Cornwall, most places have now reopened from their winter closures and the longer days mean you can pack more into your itinerary!
Pencarrow House & Gardens, a Georgian stately home in the valley between Wadebridge and Bodmin, is a great place to spend a morning with the whole family. Set in meticulously landscaped gardens, this property is still lived in and taken care of by the Molesworth-St Aubyn family, having settled there in the 1500s. When you’re finished exploring, visit the quaint, walled-garden tea room offering Cornish cream teas and light lunches. There is a small charge for adults to access the house and gardens, but children get free entry to both. If historic houses are your thing, Lanhydrock House, a National Trust property near Bodmin often regarded as one of their best properties, is a brilliant one to visit, offering a similar experience to Pencarrow. Over the Easter holidays, they will be running daily Easter adventure trails, which are sure to keep the children entertained.
The small hamlet of St. Endellion will be holding their annual Easter festival from 9th-17th April 2022, welcoming back world-renowned classical composer and conductor, Sir James MacMillan, along with many other amateur and professional musicians and singers. This celebration of spring and Easter will take place in the 15th century Collegiate Church, a 4.5 mile drive from Highcliffe.
For some, Easter Sunday is all about the lunch! Luckily, we’re spoilt for choice on that front. Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners in Rock is well-known for offering one of the best roasts around, while The Atlantic in Polzeath is fast becoming a local favourite. Across the estuary in Padstow, there are plenty of highly-acclaimed eateries such as The Mussel Box, and a small drive outside the town will lead you to Rick Stein’s The Cornish Arms.
We have some limited availability before and after the Easter holidays, so head to our Cottages page for more information.
