Cornwall Living
Keeping it local
Just a few hundred yards from Lizard Point lies this delightful 200-year-old inn.
Run by husband-and-wife team Andy and Margaret Sutherland, you’ll find home-from-home accommodation at The Top House Inn, coupled with a high level of personal service that is often aspired to but not often achieved by other hostelries.
The Top House is one of a small group of chosen pubs that is a Cask Club member of St Austell brewery, so there is a superior selection of local ales, cider and lager, as well as some special Cornish gins and whiskeys along with a carefully selected wine list. This is complemented by a superb à la carte menu as well as the traditional favourites – the full English breakfast, Sunday roasts and summer barbeques all of which use locally sourced produce where possible, with an emphasis on freshly caught fish and seafood daily; all prepared by Head Chef Alex.
A brand-new feature not to be missed is the Sutherland’s Vintage Tea Room. Recalling an era when tea was regarded as an important ritual to be enjoyed at leisure, the tea room features genuine vintage crockery from which to eat your home-baked cakes, Cornish cream tea or ice cream from the Gwella Dairy – a visit to which is to be recommended.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lizard peninsula the area is the ultimate outdoor playground. With direct access to the South West Coast Path just yards from the inn and footpaths that meander across the downs in every direction, this area is a walker’s paradise. If you don’t want to set out alone, then a local guide can be arranged to steer you in the right direction, sharing stories and secret spots, as well as teaching you how to forage from the clifftops. Off-shore there are sea adventures to be had with the world famous Kynance Cove a short (hired) cycle ride away. However, if you set your sights lower, then Lizard village has some unique shops selling crafted items made from local serpentine.
Finally, the Top House Inn regularly has live music and entertainment; from a saxophonist playing at Sunday lunch to Cornish folk and Celtic music evenings with popular local artists playing guitar, singing and dancing. Every Wednesday all local musicians and singers, along with visiting players, are invited to get together and enjoy an evening of jamming. Landlord Andy treats every player or singer to a drink on the house and as an ex DJ to boot, he hosts his unique disco parties, which always go down well.
The Top House Inn