Cornwall LivingIssue #88
Falmouth focus
Falmouth is a must-visit destination for anyone hoping to make the most of summer by the sea.
With the hotly anticipated Falmouth Week coming up, we take a look at some of this wonderful town’s best businesses, from hair dressers, high street boutiques and places to eat, to pet care and adrenaline-fuelled days out on the water.
Italian comes to Falmouth
The Black Pearl
The Black Pearl is a family owned business that began in Falmouth and expanded to Fore Street in Exeter last October. The boutique shop specialises in affordable and colourful Italian fashion, including silk and linen clothing throughout the summer, and beautifully soft jumpers, tunics and faux fur clothing and coats throughout the winter. There’s also a range of fabulous Italian leather handbags and unique jewellery.
theblackpearlfalmouth on Facebook
Introducing…
Restaurant Nik Boyle
Bringing his unique contemporary style of Cornish cuisine to Falmouth, Nik Boyle utilises delicious seasonal and local produce from Cornish suppliers, including Philip Warren, Cornish Duck Company, and local, single-handed fishermen.
Raised in Porthleven – the home of Cornwall Living – Nik spent a number of years honing his culinary craft in London, before bringing his skills back to Cornwall making the most of the foodie provenance our beloved county is famed for.
restaurantnikboyle on Facebook
Hit the high street
The Grey Lurcher
Tucked away at the top of the historic High Street in Falmouth you will find The Grey Lurcher, an independent lifestyle shop. The High Street is one of Falmouth’s little gems, and is full of boutiques and independent shops. The shop itself – named after the family dog – has an eclectic selection of cards and gifts. You will be able to choose from a selection of jewellery, cosmetics, candles and home wares. They also stock the iconic Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – great for up-cycling furniture. So head up and say hello, the shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am until 4.30pm.
The Grey Lurcher Falmouth on Facebook and Instagram
Take to the seas
Cornish Cruising
If you want to spend more time out on the water then why not contact Cornish Cruising – Falmouth’s complete charter, cruising and training centre. RYA accredited, the team run a comprehensive range of courses, perfect whether you’re hoping to brush up on your sailing skills and first aid, or hoping to forge a career on the high seas and are looking for professional guidance to help you on your path. Yacht charters are also available and, if you’re only in town for a few days, you can also head on out on a two-hour jet ski safari – a great way of exploring the local waterways!
Waterside wonders
Creekside Cottages
Creekside Cottages offers a fine collection of individual, waterside, rural and village self-catering holiday cottages on Cornwall’s south coast. “Our holiday cottages are located in some of the best areas of Cornwall – some are situated just yards from the seashore,” says company founder Martin Watson. Cottages are located in enchanting and picturesque positions, making for a peaceful and comfortable stay in and around Falmouth. So whatever time of year you choose to visit, there will be a home away from home that will suit you, your family, and even your canine companion perfectly.
A passion for pet care
Rosemullion Veterinary Practice
First established in 1885, Rosemullion is a RCVS accredited small animal practice with a fully equipped veterinary hospital in Falmouth and branch surgeries in Helston and Penryn. Passionate about small and companion animal care, Rosemullion’s skilled teams of veterinary surgeons and nurses are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for your animals. They open seven days a week and provide 24-hour emergency care in Falmouth, with a dedicated on-site night nurse and on-call vet.
Rosemullion provides a complete care service for your animals, anything from a routine consultation to a complex operation or more extensive diagnostic procedures. The teams treat all species of domestic animals including dogs, cats, small furries and birds, and although they hope you won’t need their services whilst visiting Cornwall, they always welcome holidaymakers whose pets become poorly.
Cornwall by kayak
Sea Kayaking Cornwall
This superb Falmouth-based company is one of the world’s leading sea kayaking adventure centres, catering to all of your sea kayaking needs. Courses, national and international qualifications, worldwide expeditions, classroom and navigational courses, sea kayak demos and sales, motivational presentations, equipment outfitting and a highly experienced team; you’ll get all of this and more from Sea Kayaking Cornwall!
Fresh and flavourful
De Wynns
Housed in a historic listed building, De Wynns is one of Falmouth’s original coffee shops, where the team makes, bakes and produces the majority of the menu on site. Members of the Tea Guild of Britain, the team has won the guild’s Award of Excellence a number of times. De Wynns is renowned for its cream teas, where homemade scones are complemented by Trewithen Dairy clotted cream, Boddington’s strawberry jam and Tregothnan tea. Looking for something savoury? You’ll find an extensive sandwich and salad menu, which includes locally caught crab.
Divine provenance
The Meat Counter
This trendy burger restaurant prioritises quality and provenance in their food, using grass-fed free-range beef from award winning Cornish butcher, Philip Warren. They also offer an impressive vegan and vegetarian menu, all made in house from scratch. With Cornwall’s best collection of bad record covers, a classic arcade machine, hand-spun shakes and locally brewed craft beers, it’s no wonder The Meat Counter has won the TripAdvisor Certificate
of Excellence five years running and is featured in the current Lonely Planet guide.
Summer style
N V Hairdressing
With a refurbished salon and views over the harbour, N V Hairdressing is located just off of Falmouth’s High Street. With a team trained by award-winning Stylist Steven Smart – Hairdresser of the Year 2016 and 2018 – your hair could not be in better hands! The N V Hairdressing team are committed to keeping their skills as up to date as possible, attending regular courses and keeping abreast of the latest techniques so that you can leave feeling totally pampered. On your first visit, get 25% off a cut and style with salon owner, Nikki, or Senior Stylist, Jo – simply quote ‘Cornwall Living’!
Making sense of skincare
Scence Natural Skincare
Scence makes natural and effective skincare made from mainly organic ingredients and presented in eco-friendly, 100% paper packaging that is vegan friendly and cruelty free. Encouraging more natural ways to nourish our skin, Scence shows us the way.
With just a few carefully chosen effective ingredients, Scence brings excellence to natural skincare with a range of face, hand and body moisturisers, deodorants and lip balms offered in seven different aroma profiles, using essential oils.
A little Cornish something
The Cornish Store
Looking for gifts, local food, drinks or accessories? Look no further than The Cornish Store in Arwenack Street! The piskey-sized department store offers an extensive range of Cornish gifts for all budgets, including souvenirs, jewellery, books, music, clothing and local foodie delights!
Each product showcases the identity, heritage and warm atmosphere of Cornwall and its people, giving you the very best experience when buying Cornish, along with a dash of Cornish fun!
Keeping you on the road
Millers Renault Falmouth
As your local Renault authorised repair centre, with Renault trained technicians, Millers in Falmouth offer a complete Renault service, including MOTs, air-conditioning, repairs, valeting, tuning and servicing. The team are also experts in light commercial vehicles, Motability and motor homes, plus non-Renault vehicles.
The team pride themselves on being experts in people too, meaning they’ll always take care to understand and deliver exactly what you want and when you want it.
Visionary style
Alexander Miller Opticians
Summer is upon us and at Alexander Miller Opticians, the team have some lovely, colourful frames which are perfect for this season. Introducing CCS by Coco Song: inlayed with feathers and silk, these frames are truly beautiful. There’s also the gorgeous Chloé range, which include some quirky oversized styles – the epitome of femininity and sophistication, and only available in Cornwall via Alexander Miller. Last but by no means least are the all-new Prue glasses – fun, fabulous and just perfect for summer!
www.alexandermilleropticians.co.uk
Seasonal, sustainable
Hooked on the Rocks
Boasting panoramic views across Swanpool beach and its crystal clear waters, Hooked on the Rocks combine ingredient led cooking and friendly service to ensure you enjoy the very best dining experience. Seasonal, sustainable and using only the freshest Cornish produce continues to be the beating heart behind the fresh and vibrant menu. Whether it’s tapas, wild mussels, Falmouth Bay scallops, locally caught crab or lobster, you’re guaranteed a true taste of Cornwall while taking in the most stunning scenery.
www.hookedontherocksfalmouth.com
Blooming marvellous!
Blew Flowers
This Falmouth-based florist specialises in wedding, funeral and event flowers, and owner Charlie also runs workshops to make flower crowns for hen parties, birthdays and other events.
Cornwall has a wonderful selection of flowers so Charlie always aims to use those that are locally grown. What’s more, keeping her environmental footprint as low as possible is something of a passion for her, so all of her flowers and products used are foam free, recyclable or natural.
Inspiration on tap
Dougfields
Family-run and independent, Dougfields in Penryn don’t mess around when it comes to bathrooms, kitchens, plumbing and heating. Open to both trade and the public, offering competitive prices and a buying experience courtesy of the Dougfields team of experts, all backed with sterling after care service; whether you’re embarking on a home improvement project, or are looking to source premium trade materials for a project your business has contracted, be sure to drop in!
01326 375801
Gear up!
Freeriders
Open since 1998 when owner Keith Richards decided to open the town’s premier surf shop, since then, not much has changed. Keith and the team still strive to supply the best surfing hardwear, apparel and accessories that the industry has to offer. With products ranging from their own in-house clothing brand – Kernowfornia Republic – to board wax, Freeriders has everything you need to lead the surfing lifestyle all year round. Pop in and check out their latest range of t-shirts – perfect for the sweltering heights of summer!
Understated luxury
Mirri Damer Contemporary Jewellery
After years of working in the jewellery trade and on private commissions, award-winning goldsmith Mirri Damer opened her gallery on Falmouth’s High Street in 2015.
Using precious metals (all of which are recycled or fair trade) with beautiful gemstones, everything you see is designed and made right there in the workshop by Mirri and her team. Mirri’s designs are inspired by the weather-worn coastline, evoking perfect days spent on the beach. Bespoke commissions welcome.
Above and beyond
Passmore Cleaning
Combining an old-fashioned work ethic served with a down-to-earth attitude, the friendly Passmore Cleaning team will reliably go above and beyond to make sure that your cleaning needs, whatever they may be, are done thoroughly and efficiently.
Why not head to the website and check out the testimonials for yourself, where clients have praised the “outstanding” service, describing the team as a “hardworking bunch” who “clean to the highest standards.”
Relax and stay awhile
The Rosemary
Come and relax at The Rosemary in Falmouth where the team combine warm and friendly service with a high standard of bed and breakfast accommodation.
The Rosemary is a lovely Edwardian town house, with sea views over Falmouth Bay. It is perfectly situated for guests to make the most of the town, on a quiet road just two minutes’ walk from Gyllyngvase beach and only ten from the railway station.