Cornwall LivingIssue #111
Lostwithiel’s finest 2021
We take a look at some of the best businesses within the valley town of Lostwithiel.
Found at the head of the estuary of the river Fowey, the valley town of Lostwithiel is home to an abundance of independent businesses, from hair and beauty salons, fashion emporiums and purveyors of all things vintage, to foodie havens offering diners an array of freshly prepared Cornish goodies. Put simply, you should certainly pencil a trip to Lostwithiel into your summer itinerary!
The Hair Gallery
At number 8 Monmouth Lane you’ll find The Hair Gallery. Immediately welcoming thanks to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the team here offer all aspects of hair design and stay fully up to date when it comes to all the latest trends, including balayage, foliage, root smudge and more. They also offer gents barbering, colouring and perming, stock products from Redken, Goldwell and Moroccanoil, and offer a discounted refill service on their entire range of professional shampoos and conditioners.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Hair-Gallery-Lostwithiel-513681558725660/
Bellamama Deli
Capitalising on Cornwall’s natural larder, at Bellamama Deli (24 Fore Street), the food is simply sublime. The team can be found baking fresh bread, quiches and cakes daily. What’s more, produce from the owners’ smallholding often makes its way onto the menu, including home-reared lamb and eggs from their own ducks and geese. Also serving takeaway coffee, sandwiches, pies and savoury goods (including goose egg scotch eggs, when the geese are laying!), plus a range of delicacies from their continental suppliers and a wide selection of Cornish cheeses, this is truly a must-visit for foodies.
The Romantic Englishwoman
This unique and hidden gem (found at 33 Fore Street) has been a favourite destination for visitors to Lostwithiel for over 30 years. From treats and trinkets to cotton nightwear for ladies and children, plus beautiful cotton quilts you’ll always be able to find that special gift – beautifully wrapped and posted if you desire. Receive a special 10% Cornwall Living discount until 30th September 2021, when you show a copy of this magazine or if you can’t visit in person you can order online. Alternatively, call 01208 873818.
Choughs Craft Upcycling
With an interesting vintage/retro corner, a selection of upcycled furniture, as well as lots of locally sourced crafts, Choughs is the place to go if you’re on the hunt for something unique. Also proud stockists of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Cornish Milk Mineral Paint, all furniture is painted on site, a process you can try for yourself with one of the team’s regular workshops. Open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, if you’re looking to explore Lostwithiel’s finest, then be sure to pay a visit to Choughs.
www.choughscraftyupcycling.com
Lostwithiel Antique Centre
Full of unexpected treasures, owners Martin and Annette, have built on a lifetime’s experience of buying and selling antiques. Specialising in galvanised planters, traditional olive pots from Turkey, quirky Indian painted furniture and more, the pair are happy to share their in-depth knowledge and passion for antiques to all who visit. You’ll also find an enviable collection of vintage vinyl here including in jazz, funk, reggae and soul classics. From the weird to the wonderful this is a unique, must-visit place.
www.lostwithielantiquecentre.com
Sweet Magnolias
Sweet Magnolias started as a vintage clothing store, but it blossomed into so much more. Inside, as well as collectable ceramics, china and decorative glass, you’ll find a Gentlemen’s Lounge with games, books and a place to check your messages. Upstairs are four more magical rooms with a curated collection of women’s clothing and accessories you won’t find anywhere else. Not only that, for those who seek a classic style for the home, Sweet Magnolias stocks a selective range of mid-century modern furniture. In short, this is a must-visit, out-of-the-ordinary emporium for anyone in search of the different.
New You Beauty
Housed in a lovingly restored, late 1700s property on 17 Fore Street the salon, and its beautifully laid out treatment rooms, provides a tranquil and relaxing environment where you can enjoy a massage or facial, manicures, pedicures, lash and brow treatments, bridal and prom make up, or indeed a spray tan or stand-up sunbed to enhance your glow. More advanced treatments such as electrolysis and cryosthetics are also available, all provided by friendly and highly qualified therapists who welcome new and loyal clients alike. Also stockists of Eve Taylor London Skincare and The Gel Bottle Inc.
Lancaster and Cornish
Sian Cornish, Creative Director of Lancaster & Cornish, is a natural dyer, visual artist and educator whose work evolves with the seasons. Using ancient recipes of plant-based colours, infused with romance and a little bit of magic, she creates colours and patterns from the landscape flora on silk. Featured in Emma (Universal Films) and with clients all over the world including Netflix and Jamjar Flowers, she creates ribbons for weddings and events, and runs workshops on natural dyes and shibori from her Lostwithiel studio, as well as venues across Cornwall including Bedruthan Hotel and Spa.
With a family history in textiles, they are very much in Sian’s blood. Cornwall is home, and where the beautiful landscape, rivers and tides provide a constant source of inspiration. The studio’s seasonal collection of silk ribbons and accessories, launched in strictly limited quantities throughout the year, are heart-felt expressions
of landscape.
As well as ribbons, the studio creates and sells silk hair accessories and scarves, all crafted
and dyed by hand in Cornwall.