Gastro-cycling in Cornwall
Food and drink lovers can experience the taste of Cornwall without worrying about their waistline thanks to a specialist holiday operator.
Cornish Cycle Tours offer an eight day self-guided cycling tour of Cornwall, taking in many of the county’s best known eateries, from the best pasty shops to Rick Stein’s restaurants and classic Cornish pubs.
Foodies can enjoy the critically-acclaimed culinary delights guilt-free: according to Government statistics four hours of cycling will burn nearly 1,500 calories, equivalent to four medium-sized Cornish pasties.
With so much excellent food to devour, an eight-day, 177 mile ride has been devised to combine the stunning beauty of the Cornish coastline with indulgent restaurants.
The route follows country lanes and dedicated cycle trails as much as possible, making sure guests see a side of the county that most visitors miss. As each night’s accommodation is pre-booked and luggage transfers taken care of, cyclists can stop wherever their taste buds take them.
Lanyon Rowe of Cornish Cycle Tours provides a brief slice of each day of the eight-day Cornish Tour and the treats on offer:
Days 1 & 2 - Wadebridge to Charlestown
After settling in to your accommodation on day one, day two sees you hop in the saddle. There’s no better way to start your tour than with a glass of wine at the award winning Camel Valley Vineyard. If food becomes more a necessity as a result, there’s the Crown Inn, in Lanlivery, a 12th century longhouse and an ideal place to stop for a spot of lunch.
Day 3 - Charlestown to Falmouth
After finishing the 26 mile route from Charlestown to Falmouth, you’ll deserve a treat. Fortunately, Rick Stein has recently launched his first restaurant outside of Padstow with the opening of Rick Steins Fish & Chips on Discovery Quay, near the Maritime Museum, offering both dining in and takeaway options, and an oyster bar.
Day 4 - Falmouth to Porthleven
Half-way through your holiday and the recently renovated Amélies at The Smokehouse provides the perfect opportunity to reflect as the boats go to and fro and the sun sets in the background. In addition, this restaurant has green credentials and a focus on the freshest ingredients, cooked on a purpose built wood-fire.
Day 5 - Porthleven to Porthcurno
Day five sees the tour enter Marazion, grab a Philps Butchers pasty as a snack, (you deserve it). Then an easy, level ride around Mount’s Bay to Penzance and neighbouring Newlyn; both are famous for their fish.It’s also an ideal place for lunch, ending the day at Porthcurno; the Beach Café provides a brilliant place to stop for a tasty cream tea.
Day 6 - Porthcurno to St Ives
Day six is one of the shortest days on the tour which affords plenty of time to stop for a drink at The Beach Cafe, Sennen and enjoy the surfers in the sea. Whilst in the area, Gurnards Place Hotel is one of my favourite places to stop for hearty, wholesome food and local beers. Nearby, Moomaid Of Zennor sell lovely ice-creams. Finish the day with a plate of the freshest fish at the famous Porthminster Beach Café, St. Ives.
Day 7 - St Ives to Perranporth
First stop of the day is Hayle, which is known for its three miles of golden sands. Philps the bakers in Hayle produce a top drawer pasty. By now you’ll have pedalled over 100 miles - to celebrate, as you roll in to St Agnes head to The Meadery, a fantastic family restaurant serving locally-made mead and fruit wines. Not too much though, you’ve still got to make it to Perranporth.
Day 8 - Perranporth to Wadebridge
The final day of the tour should find you both fuller and fitter than ever as you arrive at Padstow. Whilst the picturesque port is famous as the home of Rick Stein, those in the know nip next door from his café to Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 where lunches start at £5.
The 8 day/7 night Cornish Tour costs £590 per person, including accommodation and luggage transfers. For more details on this and other tours visit: cornishcycletours.co.uk
