Yesterday we got up early {8am England time 3 am US time} had our tea and headed out to the town of Tintagel to check out the castle, the coastline and to look for Merlin’s Cave.
In order to get to the castle though you have to cross a long bridge and unfortunately due to the high winds, the bridge was closed… So no castle for us. 🙁
But because the tide was out when we got there, we were able to hike down to the beach and explore the caves and to find a few more shells to add to our collection.
Cuttle bones… They’re everywhere here.
Merlin’s Cave.
I would have loved to walk across that bridge!
But there were quite a few caves we were able to explore though so we still had a good time.
And of course there were a lot of stairs to climb too.
But with a tea shop on pretty much every corner {we had ours yesterday at the Cornish Bakery and also picked up a slice of cake from King Arthur’s Cafe} all the climbing and walking is very rewarding.
In fact, if I lived in England, I’d probably walk 10 miles a day just so I could load up on pastries and tea and not feel guilty about it.
As we were walking around the village of Tintagel we spotted “The Old Post Office” and decided to go in and check it out. For 5 pounds each we were able to take a self guided tour of the property and cottage garden.
“The house was built in c.1380 as a medieval thatched house of three rooms with a through-passage. The building would originally have been a single storey dwelling, open to the roof, and would have housed livestock in the northern partition.
A central hearth in the hall would have offered warmth and provided smoke that would seep through the thatch above, killing off woodworm and preserving the wooden frames.”
You can read more about the property HERE.
I wonder how many loaves of bread were baked in that oven. And how different the bread would have tasted.
I think old wooden doors and stone floors are my favorite things about English homes.
There’s something about a worn appearance that feels homey. Especially when the place is over 600 hundred years old. 😉
How would you like to have this as your potting shed? A girl can dream, right?
After walking around the town of Tintagel {which I highly recommend} we headed back to Port Isaac to check out Trevathan Farm.
We knew that the restaurant portion of the farm shop would be closed {because it was a monday} but we had read such good things about the place online, that we wanted to stop by and have a look around.
The vegetables were gorgeous.
40p {45 cents!} for an English cucumber.
1 Pound {$1.13 USD} for a pint of cherry tomatoes. Holy cannolis! Those would have been $3 here in Maine if they were at a farmstand {and maybe likely more at a Farmer’s Market}.
One of the things we thought that was utterly unique were the bulk frozen pastries. 65p {.73 cents USD} for a single frozen croissant. You’d be hard pressed to find a baked one for double that in the US.
And bulk frozen vegetables! How cool is that?
In addition to the farm shop, there are loads of animals around in pens to visit.
I made friends with the resident turkey. 🙂
I think what we loved most about Trevathan Farm was all the wide open spaces for families and kids to wander. There was even a giant slide, a small zipline, loads of outdoor seating and dedicated a play area for small children.
I wish there were more places like this in the US like this. If I lived in England and had small kids, I’d be making a day out of all the farm shops around.
After our visit to Trevathan Farm, we headed back to the village. After parking the rental car at the car park {parking is pretty tight up at the Doc Martin Cottage}, we stopped off at a few local shops to collect supplies for our dinner.
Nicky B’s pasty shop was our first stop.
4 Pounds {$4.54 USD} for a large steak pasty. What a steal!
We love the food here. And the small appliances too.
It’s been fun trying to figure out how to work the oven, the mini dishwasher and even the washer/dryer combo {someone please explain to me how running a washer/dryer combo machine for 3.5 hours is energy efficient. I don’t get it}.
Steak and potato pasty and new potato salad. Mmm mmm good.
At the rate we’re going, I think we’re on pace to gain about 5 pounds AND we’re going to need to find another suitcase to bring home all the loot we’ve been collecting {me: mostly cookies, The Girl: mostly candy}.
We are having a blast, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so glad we’re here. 🙂
~Mavis
Helen says
Nice selection of biscuits. You’re just missing a packet of fig rolls and custard creams.
Heather says
In relation to the washer/dryer, most Brits don’t use their tumble dryers. We generally line dry or use an airer frame in a room with the window open to dry our clothes. Glad your are enjoying yourselves!
Virginia says
I had to laugh at the display of food you’ve collected. Good food really does make a trip infinitely better!
Could you possibly give us a “photo tour” of your room accommodations? I was surprised you had a kitchen where you’re staying. How nice!
I was a huge Poldark fan so am really enjoying seeing your photos.
Mavis Butterfield says
Here’s a link to the interior photos: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/doc-martins-surgery-is-for-sale/
Meg B. says
I was able to cross the bridge when we went to Tintagel years ago. The tide was high, so we couldn’t go to Merlin’s cave, but I do remember people swimming. (It was July.)
Katelyn says
My parents’ house is build on a big granite slab so they don’t have a basement. They have slate floors on the 1st floor, similar to what you’re seeing in England. They are beautiful but COLD in winter and when it gets humid in summer, they get wet from condensation. Never a dull moment. Happy you and The Girl are enjoying yourselves, especially after 2 years of limited traveling.
Dee Patterson says
I wondered if you would put the cream on first !
Devon and Cornwall are at friendly loggerheads over which way round .
I hope it stays half decent weather for you .
Lindsey says
You are so lucky to be going when the exchange rate favors the US dollar! Usually the rate is more like $1.50 for one pound and we have been there when it is almost $2 for one pound so everything seemed very expensive.
Stacie says
I agree with you Mavis, those old floors and old doors give the buildings such character!! I love how everything there looks so clean and well cared for; I wish the US businesses and countryside was that neat and tidy!
Elly says
I have to know what brand of shoes The Girl is wearing?? They look comfortable! Cornwall is on my bucket list so I am really enjoying following along on your trip.
Mavis Butterfield says
Duck feet. 🙂
Ca says
Not all towns and countrysides in the US are unkempt. My little Gold Rush town, Sutter Creek, CA, is a jewel. Check it out on line. It all depends on civic pride.
Cindy Miller says
Love, love, love, love. Thank you for sharing pics of wonderful places and the food. It looks like you’re having a blast!
sandyf says
Oh how wonderful. I am sipping my PG Tips now, hoping for Fall temps to hit Southern CA so I can finally wear a sweater.
If you pass a Marks & Spencer-stalk up on “knickers”, the best cotton undies on the planet.
Oh how I love England.
Question: Can you bring back shells and goodies that you have collected on the plane? Fingers crossed…
Cheers!
TC says
Now you are making me homesick I love McVities digestive biscuits and Cadbury’s flake. Did you have mushy peas with your fishing chips the other day They are so good and have you had a good steak and kidney pie yet Seeing your journey I want to go back home soon and visit it my family friends and Louis and load up on Google British grub
Jamie says
Our favorite thing to do in the UK is go to a Sainsbury’s or Tesco grocery and see how different their items are from US ones. Since you are down south I am guessing you haven’t found any bakewell pies or flapjack bars yet?
Cheryl says
What a wonderful time you are having! Thank you so much for sharing your travels!
M. O'Gorman says
As a proud Cornish woman I am appalled that the cafe you had scones in did not show you how to eat them !!! JAM FIRST CREAM ON TOP.
Angie Lawrence says
So glad you enjoyed Cornwall. We just missed you! We were there the week before meeting our first grandchild!
We live in the Isle of Man (somewhere else you should visit for its natural beauty) but Cornwall is very special indeed!
Angie
Mary says
Thank you for sharing