Now a 45 minute flight away, you can escape the city and head to Cornwall for a short but sweet getaway. We put it to the test
Words Pendle Harte
Getting Here
Cornwall for the weekend? Spending all of Friday night and then most of Sunday in the car isn’t really worth it, even for the most committed surfer. There’s really only one way to do it and that’s to fly. When it’s 45 minutes from Gatwick to Newquay, then a weekend is perfectly possible – quicker even than a trip to the Cotswolds if you’re leaving town
on Friday evening.
The Area
Newquay itself isn’t the most romantic of spots but a few miles down the coast is Mawgan Porth, where we stay in the Bedruthan hotel & spa, a brief taxi ride from the airport, and a slightly longer one from Padstow, Cornwall’s foodie mecca. This part of the world is famed for its surfing, its sunny climate and, of course, its fish and chips.
THE HOTEL
We’ll admit it – architecturally, The Bedruthan is not the most appealing building. But once inside, it’s all about the sea views, which are dramatic and eclipse any design. Interior-wise, the theme is midcentury Scandinavia, with lots of blonde wood, splashes of print and colour prints.
The restaurant is positioned perfectly with an expanse of windows providing an awe-inspiring outlook over Mawgan Porth beach – and the menu’s big on locally sourced ingredients and creative dishes, as well as kids’ favourites.
What To Do
The place is squarely aimed at families. There’s a playground complete with trampoline and zipwire, as well as a huge soft play area, indoor and outdoor pools (with a separate kids’ pool, unheated, for the brave) as well as a cinema room. It’s a brief stroll down to the beach for surfing lessons and rockpooling. Adults can leave children in the clubs and hit the luxurious spa and its sensory spa garden, and there’s a child-free restaurant for those wanting to take advantage of babysitting service. Don’t miss the hotel’s programme of events and entertainments, which on our visit included a clown in the bar before dinner, freeing up weary parents for a well-deserved cocktail.
Fly from London Gatwick to Cornwall Airport Newquay in 45 minutes from £24.99 with FlyBe (flybe.com).
Regional departures from 11 other UK cities available including Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester. Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall TR8 4BU
