With dreary January out of the way, half term was on the horizon. Both husband and I were a little worn out. Husband, as ever, was working hard and also training for a half marathon. So he was jaded, and I needed a change of scenery. Having a little look about, I found a great four night stay at the Bedruthan Steps, Mawgan Porth in Cornwall. My husband had stayed there 30 years ago and a few friends had been there and raved about it. After a little read on the internet, we took the plunge and booked a break.
It turns out that this was one of the best decisions we could ever have made! I cannot tell you how much I (aged late 30s), my husband (even later 30s), daughter (9) and son (7) enjoyed our stay at Bedruthan Steps. Here are our ten reasons why we loved it so much:
1. Location
The hotel is in North Cornwall, although a long drive from South London (5 hours approximately) it is always worth it. Near to Mawgan Porth there are many wonderful places: Fowey, Newquay, Watergate Bay, Padstow (and those wonderful fish and chips and Rick Steins!), The Camel Trail and The Eden Project are all in easy striking distance.
However, we didn’t leave the hotel until the last day as we enjoyed the hotel and its environs so much!
2. The Beach
Mawgan Porth is a (steep) 5 minute walk from the hotel. It is a glorious beach with a vast expanse of sand. There is a stream that runs into the sea on both sides of the beach – with a little waterfall on one side. This gave my children and husband ample opportunity to do some damming and changing of the water course! The sea also has good surf, so the hotel can arrange for you to have surf lessons too if this takes your fancy.
Straight off the beach, there are two great coastal cliff walks. In one direction you go towards Watergate bay, and the other towards Bedruthan Steps and Carnewas. Incidentally, there is a great National Trust Cafe which serves superb cream teas!
Of course, just as we got cold and maybe a little wet from beach activity, as the hotel is so close you are back in the warm sipping hot chocolate in front of a log fire before you know it.
3. Adult Only Areas
I know how much we all love our children, and how much we love time with them. But every so often, it is nice to have a little time apart from them. When in a busy child-friendly hotel, they can get everywhere. Therefore, knowing that adults do appreciate a little child free time, there are several designated areas in the hotel that are just for adults. Whilst my children went wild in Jungle Tumble (more on that later), my husband and I had a quiet coffee in the Tranquilty Zone. The bar is also child free, and then there is the spa … (again, more on that later!)
4. The View
As previously mentioned, Bedruthan Steps overlooks Mawgan Porth beach. As we were in an Ocean View room, we opened the curtains to this view every morning.
The bar, spa and restaurants all have this amazing view too.
Then just to top it all off, the hotel looks to the West, so we were treated to fabulous sunsets every night.
5. Food
Firstly, let’s talk breakfast. This is just stunning. There is home made granola, sausage, bacon, fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, yoghurt, cereal, pastries, cold meats and cheese … Not to mention the extras of pancakes, poached eggs, porridge …. The list goes on and on. It was simply amazing. It suited all tastes and everyone ate until they were stuffed. Added to that, 85% of the food is all sourced locally, they’re working on the other 15%!
Throughout the day, you could order food. Afternoon teas were delicious, and lovely after a blowy walk down on the beach. One great thing was kids tea, served between 430 – 6pm. There was a cold option of sandwiches, cakes, jelly etc and also a hot buffet. My kids loved the cold buffet and it was a bargain at £3.
Our kids ate with us every night in the Wild Cafe. Food was always good, with a bistro style menu. Unsurprisingly, the evening specials were mainly seafood led! Again, a 5* for kids meals, which were all the childhood favourites (but quality versions) all priced at £5.
6. Swimming Pool
The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools. Obviously, travelling in February, we only used the indoor pool. It’s a a big enough size for the kids to splash about in, and they limit people going in so it never gets too busy. The kids loved their daily swims, and the bonus was that the spa was next door, so husband and I would take it in turns for a sauna or steam, followed by a relax in the HUGE jacuzzi (overlooking THAT view) whilst the other splashed about with the kids in the pool: Perfect.
7. Kids Entertainment
My kids would both say that one of the best things about the hotel was the soft play. Dinner was generally wolfed down so they could get back to Jungle Tumble to play ’40, 40 ALL IN’. If they weren’t there, they hung about the teenage room with the air hockey and table tennis, or the entertainment room with the Wii and table football. Added to this, between 10-1030 and 6-7pm, there was free entertainment in the ballroom and this ranged from dancing, singing, the animal man, baking and party games. The hosts were always wonderfully engaging and the kids went wild for a while.
There are also kids clubs (at additional charge) and baby sitting services, but we never used these so I can’t comment. The evening clubs (so you can eat in peace) seemed very popular and loads of fun and I know several parents with younger parents made use of the baby listening service.
8. The Bar
John, the barman, loves a chat, particularly about his extensive knowledge on cocktails! He has 161 bottle of liquor and he’s not afraid to use them. The cocktails are to die for.
9. Enviromentally friendly
The hotel prides itself on its green credentials. Areas of the hotel are allowed to grow wild, there are green roofs and rainwater is collected and used to flush the toilets in the spa. I spotted a bee friendly garden whilst I was there and there’s no bible in the bedrooms, but instead a book on ethical living.
10. A Relaxed Atmosphere
The hotel is cool, relaxed, contemporary and sufficiently spacious that you can find your own space with a coffee and book whilst the kids run around with their newly found BFFs. It’s not stuffy in the slightest, and all of us deemed it the perfect half term break.
Lastly should you forget anything, the hotel lends wellies, buggies, backpacks, fishing nets, buckets, spades, kites …They’ve thought of EVERYTHING!
For more information on the hotel please visit HERE
Disclaimer: I was not paid or given a free stay at Bedruthan, I just enjoyed my stay so much, I want to share my experience with you
