Roseland Peninsula Information
The Roseland Peninsula is one of the very special places of the British Isles. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it has so much to offer the visitor, a week is simply not enough! From breathtaking coastal walks to sailing in the Carrick Roads, from historic castles to stunning sub tropical gardens, from picturesque country pubs to stylish first class restaurants, the Roseland really has everything you could wish for in a Cornish holiday!
We have put together a brief guide to the highlights around the Roseland which we hope will be useful when you plan your holiday, but why not watch this short video of a trip from Falmouth to St Mawes (courtesy of You Tube) to wet your appetite......
1. An overview of the Roseland
St Mawes
St Mawes has changed dramatically over the last 100 years from a sleepy fishing village to the stylish holiday destination it now is. Overlooking its stunning bay, St Mawes is now the yachtsmans paradise with stylish hotels and lots for the visitor to see & do. Take a stroll along the harbour and along the road to the Castle where you can get breathtaking views over the Carrick Roads to Falmouth. Spend some time sitting on the terrace of the Rising Sun, the St Mawes Hotel or in the little alley outside the Victory Inn and watch the world go by. Take a ferry to Falmouth to visit the National Maritime Museum or Pendennis Castle. The little Place Ferry will take you to St Anthonys Head or there are numerous boat trips you can take around the estuary.
St Just in Roseland
No visit to the Roseland is complete without seeing the beautiful church and churchyard at St Just. Probably the only sub tropical churchyard in the British Isles, it is a beautiful & tranquil place.
Portscatho & Gerrans
Portscatho lies in the South-westerly corner of Gerrans Bay on the Roseland peninsula. The East-facing cove affords shelter from the prevailing sou-westerly winds and this meant it was ideal as a base for the pilchard fleets of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and is still, although on a much smaller scale, an active fishing port today. The same shelter makes for safe swimming and its proximity to many fine sandy beaches means its a family favourite. Portscatho is also the artists haven on the Roseland and there are a number of galleries to browse. Gerrans at the top to the hill has a fine old church.
Carrick Roads views
The views of the Fal Estuary (the great natural harbour known as the Carrick Roads) are spectacular from many vantage points around the Roseland. St Mawes Castle or St Anthonys Head are the best places. In the height of summer, during Falmouth Week the sight of hundreds of yachts sailing around the beautiful waters is simply unmissable!
Portloe
Portloe is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of the Roseland peninsula and one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall. Its steep sided valleys has meant that it has managed to escape development over the years and many buildings differ little from when they were built. Sir John Betjeman said of Portloe "One of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages".
Veryan
Veryan is most famous for its nineteenth century thatched Round Houses. There are five in all, two pairs of which stand at each end of the village and another in the centre. They were originally built by a missionary named Reverend Jeremiah Trist for his daughters. In a round house there are no corners where the devil can hide. A crucifix on the top of each one adds extra protection!
2. Eating out & shopping
Food
There is an excellent Spar supermarket in St Mawes, which is open from 8am to 7.30pm daily. St Mawes also has a butcher’s shop, a bakery on the quay, 2 delicatessens as well as chemist and two banks. Portscatho and Veryan also have grocer's shops and Portscatho has a particularly good butcher’s shop.
There are surprisingly limited sources of fish on the Roseland. However, Angie Green opens her cabin on the quay at St Mawes when she has fish available. The Portscatho grocer does stock some locally caught fish. Probably the best source of seafood is Curgurrell Farm which provides a “catch of the day” (crabs, lobsters, scallops, various fish): S. & C.E. Taffinder, Curgurrel Farm, Rosevine, 01872 580243. Opening times 10-12 and 5-7. This is signposted off the main road at Trewithian.
Also there is:
Mulberry’s, Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth: 01326 319 439Mevagissey Seafoods, Pannier Market, Lemon Quay, Truro: 01872 225 767
Excellent smoked fish, game and meat is prepared at Atlantis Smoked Fish,Fore Street, Grampound (20 minutes by car). 01726 883 201.
Scales, Lemon Street Market, Truro 01872 277 797
Humfrey’s farm shop on the Tregony – St Austell road has good, fresh local vegetables and some other foods including local organic dairy products.
Don’t miss Adrian & Tom Glanville’s vegetable stall on the left side of the road as you drive north out of St Just. Although they generally only stock the stall outside of the main holiday season, if you are lucky enough, make sure you try some of their fantastic local vegetables. There is an honesty box next to the stall.
Truro, Falmouth and St Austell all have supermarkets and Tesco deliver every day to the Roseland through their online service.
Local Produce Markets
The farmers market is in Truro every Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The WI has a market in the memorial hall in Portscatho from noon until 3pm each Friday.
Newspapers
The Post Office in St Mawes and the grocer in Portscatho sell newspapers and confectionary.
Town Shopping
Truro is the nearest and has the best shopping in Cornwall. It really is a beautiful city, worth a few hours to explore, but if it is a rainy day, make sure that you get there early.
Relaxed Dining
In St Mawes, The Victory Inn, St Mawes Hotel and The Rising Sun all serve excellent casual meals all day. The Quarterdeck at the Nare Hotel is a relaxed restaurant attached to this beautiful country house hotel on the cliffs near Veryan where you may purchase anything from a bowl of soup to a three course meal. En route to Veryan is Melinsey Mill, a charming restored water mill where you will be offered a variety of snacks, all made on the premises by the owners - their cream teas are famous on the Roseland. Gill’s Deli in the arcade at St Mawes will make sandwiches to order and Angie's cafe also offers a wide range of home made snacks.
Lunch or breakfast can be had at café and delicatessen Café Chandlers in St Mawes, right on the harbour front (01326 270 998). Here you can also stock up with all sorts of goodies of a very high standard – well kept cheeses, meats and sausages, freshly baked pastries, classy frozen ready-cooked meals, fine wines and beers, plus some beautiful kitchen pottery.
There are plenty of good pubs on the Roseland. St Mawes has the traditional Victory Inn as mentioned above and the modern public bars of the Rising Sun Hotel and The St Mawes Hotel. The Plume of Feathers in Portscatho is a favourite and Gerrans has The Royal Standard. The New Inn in Veryan is anything but new in all its charm, and The Ship at Portloe is a fishing village special. The King's Head in Ruan Lanihorne is the peaceful centre of a sleepy, charming village, serves excellent food and has very well kept real ales. Booking is advisable on 01872 501 263. The Roseland Inn at Philleigh is a charming old pub, 01872 580 254.
For those of you who seek a gourmet experience of a very high standard, Cornwall is the ideal holiday destination. There is an abundance of good restaurants throughout the county.Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant (01841 532 485) in Padstow, 50 minutes by car from the Roseland, is justifiably famous, and Stein’s empire now extends to five establishments in the town. Of worthy note is the new Restaurant Nathan Outlaw at the Fowey Marina Hotel in Fowey, run by one of Cornwall’s brightest cooking talents. But to get a picture of what is now on offer in Cornwall, you do need a restaurant guide book. Pick up one of the “Lists” published by the Cornwall Accredited Restaurants which provides a great starting point.
On the Roseland itself we have the benefit of some outstanding dining establishments. The restaurant at the Tresanton Hotel in St Mawes (01326 270 055) and the Driftwood Hotel at Rosevine (01872 580 644) are at the top of the league, but expect to pay top prices! The Nare Hotel at Veryan (01872 500 000) and The Idle Rocks Hotel in St Mawes both have a good reputation.
Finally, we should mention Smugglers' Cottage at Tolverne, signposted off the hill down towards King Harry Ferry. The position couldn't be lovelier, right on the edge of the Truro River. Call 01872 580 309 for information about teas, barbecues in the garden etc.
Cash Point
There is a cash point outside the Barclays Bank in St Mawes and both the Post Offices in St Mawes and Portscatho with provide cash facilities. The Spar shop will give cash back with purchases over £ 10. There is also a cash machine inside the Victory Inn, St Mawes or Ralph’s in Portscatho.
Petrol
There is a small filling station in Gerrans, about 3 miles away, just off the main road to Truro and a petrol station just past Ruan High Lanes, about 6 miles away.
Catering
Keith’s Cuisine, Savoy trained chef. 01326 279047
The Travelling Chef - cooks in your home. 01872 501233
Pencoose Pantry – cooks in your home or delivers. 01872 520511 3. Other Local Services
Car Repairs
N. Chaffin, Portscatho. 01872 580 629.
J.J. Harris & Son, Ruan Highlanes. 01872 530 304.
C. Morse, St Mawes, 01326 270 992.
Roseland Garage, Gerrans, 01872 580 347 (also petrol station, solid fuel, cycle hire)
Taxi
Roseland Taxis 01872 501 001 or 07929 202 406.
Gerrans Bay Taxi 01872 580 673, 07779 663 273.
St Mawes Taxis 01326 279 942, 07971 104 909.
Pet Sitting
Trusting Hands, registered pet sitters. Call Pam on 01872 501 269.
Petpals, also registered. 01872 501 703.
Pet Grooming
Dawn, mobile groomer. 01326 270 117
Flowers
Barbara Hall, Tredellans Farm 01872 580 314, along the road towards King Harry Ferry from St Just. Tredellans is a few yards beyond the Lanhoose right hand turning.
Churches
St Just in Roseland has one the most beautiful churchyards in England and is well worth a visit even if you do not wish to attend a service. There are regular 8am, llam and 6pm services every Sunday. The Catholic church is in the middle of St Mawes and their service is at 10am each Sunday. 4. Transport
You will almost certainly have arrived on the Roseland by car. To leave the Roseland in any direction but north-east via Tregony, you need to cross one of the many stretches of water which surround us.
King Harry Ferry
The King Harry Car Ferry is the quickest way to go north and west The ferry operates a 20 minute service, leaving the Roseland at 10, 30 and 50 minutes after every hour.
October 1st to March 31st: 7.30AM to 7.30PM weekdays, 9.10AM to 7.30 PM Sundays.
1st Aprilth to September 30th: 7.30AM to 9.30PM weekdays, 9.50AM to 9.30PM Sundays. St Mawes Passenger FerryIf you would like to visit Falmouth without having to take your car, the St Mawes - Falmouth passenger ferry is a lovely trip in its own right. Cars can be parked on St Mawes quay or in the main car park. Ferry departure times are announced on the quay, but are very regular during the season. You will find a timetable in the back of this folder or you can call 01872 861910 for ferry timetable information.
Pleasure Boat TripsThere are a number of pleasure boat operators in St Mawes and these are advertised around the harbour area. The St Mawes ferry takes you straight to the quay from which the Falmouth pleasure boats operate. A trip on the water is perhaps the loveliest way to explore this beautiful area.Fal River Links: 01872 861914 St Mawes to Place Ferry
Possibly the smallest of all ferries! In minutes you will be taken from St Mawes to the quay by beautiful Place Manor, an imposing private home next to the lovely St Anthony Church. Obtain information on this ferry from the post office. The headland can also be reached by car. St Mawes to Place: starts from St Mawes 10AM, then every 1/2 hour. The ferry starts from Place 10.15, then every half hour. Last back 17.15.
5. Beaches
Please always check tides before going to the beach – most beaches on the Roseland are reduced to a narrow sliver of sand at high tides. You will find a tide timetable in the Cottage, an extremely useful object. Arriving at the beach to find it entirely flooded is a dire disappointment to children and adults alike! Please remember to leave the timetable for our next swimmers. The Roseland has a number of good beaches. On the Carrick Roads side (facing Falmouth) they are mostly pebbly, but this is where you will find the evening sun. From St Anthony Head and up the east coast of the peninsula the beaches are sandy, and the morning sun is glorious. St Mawes to St Just in RoselandAll these beaches are stony, but can be very quiet and a great place to watch the Carrick Roads. For the truly athletic, small beaches can be reached by descending from the St Just to St Mawes coastal path. Not recommended for children, who would be happier on the small St Mawes Castle beach, where a lane and a path lead down from St Mawes castle. St MawesSt Mawes town beach is a larger sandy/pebbly beach in the centre of the village, wonderful for watching the busy yachting activity in this famous harbour. But because of the large number of yachts in the river the water quality can’t be guaranteed and we would personally prefer to swim somewhere else. No dogs in summer. Tavern Beach is much better, below the Tresanton Hotel, although again it can get very busy. St Anthony HeadlandA glorious beach on the way to St Anthony lighthouse is Porthbeor. Drive towards Bohortha village, but park immediately having turned left at the junction by the village signpost. Jump over the stile and walk across the field towards the sea - there is a path! Descend to the beach by the steep stone steps. Hard work, and small children and old pets may need carrying - but this lovely, wild sandy beach is worth it. Towan beach is a leasurely 2-3 minutes walk across a field from the (paying) car park at Porth Farm, on the road to St Anthony. A pretty, sandy beach which can unfortunately be somewhat spoilt by persistent easterly winds, exposing rock and throwing up seaweed. Dogs allowed. PortscathoPorthcurnick Beach near Portscatho is smaller, but has lovely fine sand and excellent swimming at low tide. Park at Portscatho main car park (paying) on the cliffs and follow the footpath east. You can drive to Rosevine and park on the side of the road by the beach (limited space). Dogs are allowed, but not necessarily popular with swimmers. PendowerThe largest beach in the area is Pendower/Carne, which form one long beach at low tide. There is fine sand at the Carne (easterly) end, where the swimming is best, and a little coarser at the Pendower end, where swimmers and dog owners should pay attention to undercurrents. There are wonderful paddling opportunities for small children at Carne by low tide, while at high tide this part of the beach is almost totally flooded. The Pendower Beach House (01872 501 241) and Nare Hotel (Carne end, 01872 501 279) both overlook the sea and are open to non-residents although at the time of writing, it appears that the Pendower Beach Hotel is going to be closed for the 2008 season. There is a car park at either end, with public toilets in both car parks. Dogs on leads only from May 1st between 9AM and 6PM.
PLEASE NOTE that tide movements around the Roseland are strong, and that the tide can come in much faster than most people expect. Every year holidaymakers in Cornwall face dangerous situations because this is not kept in mind. The currents can run hard, and small children and dogs must never be left unattended. There are no lifeguards on any of the Roseland beaches.
6. Recreational Facilities - Fishing. You may fish off rocks using your own tackle, or read the blackboards on the St Mawes quays where there are fishing trips available. Golf Just across the King Harry Ferry is the Killiow Golf Club and there is also the Carlyon Bay Golf Club on the cliffs near St Austell. Sailing SchoolsSt Mawes Sailing school: Sailing and cruising, all ages and levels of experience with a RYA qualified instructor. 01326 270 036Roseland Paddle and Sail: Portscatho. Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Windsurfing. Tuition, sales and hire. Again, RYA Qualified instructors. 01872 580 964 Cycle Hire The Bissoe Bike Hire Centre, has cycle trails over the old train tracks from mid to West Cornwall This is at Carnon Downs, just across the King Harry Ferry. There are also bicycles to hire at Wadebridge, where you may cycle along the River Camel. Riding School The Roseland has an excellent licensed riding school, Veryan Riding Centre near Veryan with an indoor and outdoor school. 01872 501 574. Booking essential. Nearest Swimming Pool Polkyth Leisure Centre at St Austell has a large pool with diving board, but the pools with fun slides and other extras are the Ships and Castles at Falmouth, or the Hendra Pool at Newquay. Surfing If an Easterly wind is blowing, you may surf from Pendower beach. Otherwise drive to the North coast, where there are lifeguards at all the main resorts - Perranporth, Newquay, Porthtowan etc. Canoe HireSt Mawes Sit-on Kayaks offer 1 & 2-3 person Ocean Kayaks for hire. From 2 hrs - 2 weeks! Discover St. Mawes & The Roseland from the water in a very peaceful way. Available from the Harbour In St Mawes or on 07971 846786. Health & BeautySpa at The Nare Hotel and The Nare Salon hairdressers, Carne Beach, Veryan 01872 500 002Nicky Waters, qualified therapist 01726 883 305 Massage & Body Therapy
Driftwood Cottage Therapies. Qualified therapist, 01872 501 802
7. Culture & Entertainment. Most towns have cinemas, the nearest being in Truro. The Hall for Cornwall in Truro has a varied programme of musical and theatrical entertainment.The interesting museums around Cornwall are too numerous to mention here. An impressive amount of local knowledge is offered to the public. For various aspects of local culture, we recommend the excellent magazine "Inside Cornwall", which has a wealth of information about what is on offer. We would nevertheless like to point out one outstanding feature:The Minack Theatre near Land's End, a true treat whether one goes to see a play or to admire the theatre itself and the extraordinary woman who carved it out of the cliff side with her own hands. Highly recommended. GardensCornwall is famous for wonderful gardens, and many are situated within a short drive from the Roseland. In subtropical St Mawes, the privately owned Lamorran House Gardens on Upper Castle Drive is open to the public Wednesdays and Fridays 10AM to 5PM April - September. 01326 270 800.Trist House in Veryan is open Sundays and Tuesdays April - September, 2 – 5.30 PM. Cream Teas and plant sales. For other gardens, please see leaflets.
Finally, a word of warning. The Roseland may be an extremely peaceful place, with violent crime virtually unknown and a general crime level far lower than what most people are used to. But the holidays can bring unwelcome visitors to the Roseland, and the petty theft rate increases as spring turns into summer. Always lock your car, and never leave anything of value in sight.