Falmouth Oyster Festival 2010

Falmouth Oyster Festival 2010 takes place between this week from the 14th to the 17 October 2010 celebrating the start of the Oyster dredging season. The four day Falmouth Oyster Festival takes place on Events Square next to the Maritime Museum Falmouth, attracting in the region of 27,000 visitors. The Oyster festival kicks off with a cookery masterclass from Valentine Warner of the BBC2 series "What to eat now". Wine from Walter Hicks and ale from Skinners Brewery will feature highly during the festival.

St Michaels Hotel & Spa are this years main sponsors of the Falmouth Oyster Festival. Their chefs will be demonstrating throughout the event as well as running the Seafood & Oyster Bar with the fishermen who are supplying their catch for use during the festival. The following week St Michaels Hotel & Spa host the Oyster Ball, a four course event with all the best entertainment and dancing.

With cookery demonstations throughout the oyster festival as well as a Grand Oyster Parade, sea shanties, live music and children's shell painting, there is something there for everyone. Chefs include Fergus Coyle from Rick Stein's Fish and Chips, Dale McIntosh from The Pandora Inn, Restronguet, and amongst others Nick Hodges, Executive Chef at The Flying Fish Restaurant at St Michael's Hotel & Spa. On the final day, Sunday 17th October, the Falmouth Working Boat fleet will race in the harbour, a spectacular sight even from St Mawes.

Tea & Chocolate evening at Smugglers Cottage, Tolverne

Smugglers Cottage, Tolverne are hosting a Tea and Chocolate gastro evening on Saturday 9th October from 4pm. Smugglers Cottage was extensively renovated at the beginning of this year when the Newman family retired after more than 70 years. Tregothnan Estate, home to the Boscawen family since 1335, were the first to grow tea in the UK over 200 years ago, and now produce 14 different teas on the Estate.

The evening will begin with a tea and chocolate-infused cocktail and continue into a 2 hour Tea and Chocolate tasting masterclass with award winning chocolatier Marc Demarquette and Tregothnan's tea expert Jonathon Jones.

Following the masterclass you have the option of staying for a three course menu prepared by Smugglers Cottage head chef Carl Paparone. Each course will combine the flavours of Tregothnan Tea and chocolate matched with wines from the Smugglers Cellars.

Smugglers Cottage, Tolverne is situated on the Fal estuary in an amazing location. You can reach the tea rooms and restaurant by road or by water. Mooring along side the private pontoon is permissible for patrons. The views across the water are unique and well worth a visit.

Numbers are strictly limited, so to reserve a place call Lucy at Tregothnan on 01872 520000. The Tasting Masterclass is only £25 per person, or with the three course dinner, wine and petit fours £85 per person. Or visit their website www.tregothnan.com for more details on all their products.

St Mawes Triathlon

This weekend sees the second Triathlon held in the Roseland area. The Nearwater St Mawes Triathlon on Sunday 26th September at 10am is raising money for 'Help for Heroes'. The event includes a fundraising dinner on the Saturday night and a BBQ on the beach after the event.

Following on from the success of the Roseland Triathlon in August this event promises to be spectacular. It is classed as a sprint triathlon and encompasses the whole of St Mawes, through St Just in Roseland and out to Philleigh.

The Swim will start on Summers Beach, go out to a buoy in the Harbour and then back into the town beach and a small sprint up to the main car park to enter transition one. Here, the cyclists will depart and head out of the village along the front of St Mawes passed the Castle and out towards Philleigh. The run follows a similar but much shorter route, along the sea front and around the back of St Mawes to the finish back near the main car park.

Many of you staying in St Mawes Holidays properties will in fact have competitors passing your front door, even along the cycle route out at Philliegh. Many of the Roseland Triathlon competitors were encouraged by cheers from the public along the route, so please do support all those trying to raise money for such a good cause.

St Mawes Holidays are sponsoring the event so look out for our swanky new banner. We will be there on the day (two staff are competing), so do come down and say hello to us.

Philleigh Fair is coming!!

The unique event that is Philleigh Country Fair hits the Roseland Peninsula over the next few weeks.  The Fair is held on the Roseland Rugby Club field just outside the rural idyll of Philleigh.  Attracting over a thousand visitors and locals, Philleigh Fair offers a unique evening of entertainment for all to enjoy!


Dog & sheep racing (yup, the latter has to be seen!!) with a betting tote, pony rides, throwing the hay bale, tossing the horse shoe and many many other traditional games take place.  The crowd is kept entertained by the tones of David Wilcox and others commentating on the events.  A BBQ and basic bar provides refreshment.


The finale of the evening is the legendary egg throwing competition where many a grown man has been reduced to a sticky mess of shell and yolk..........


Philleigh Hog Roast & Dog Racing, Wed 21 July from 6.30pm onwards
Philleigh Fair, Wed 28 July & Wed 4 Aug from 6.30pm onwards


Stay in one of our Roseland Holiday Cottages and experience the unique Philleigh Fair!!

Destination Roseland for Art Lovers

One of the latest galleries to open in Cornwall, The Harbour Gallery, is confirming the Roselands position as a leading destination for art lovers.  The gallery opened last autumn in the picturesque coastal village of Portscatho.  

The gallery is relatively small but has at least 60 works on show and new paintings come in on a regular basis to attract browsers and buyers.

The gallery specialises in contemporary paintings, prints, sculptures and crafts.

Cornwall has long been synonymous with some of the best art in the UK, but the Roseland is fortunate in having several excellent galleries to make it an art destination in its own right and well worth a visit by tourists and residents alike.

The Harbour Gallery is open all year round and from April will be open every day except Monday from 10.30am to 5.30pm.  If it's culture you're looking for combine your stay at one of our lovely holiday cottages with a visit to some of our local galleries.  You won't be disappointed!


Please see our website www.stmawesholidays.co.uk for smashing accommodation in Portscatho and St Mawes.

J Class Regatta in Falmouth 2012

Major Sailing event planned for Falmouth

Falmouth will host the J Class Regatta in June 2012, the first time the majestic vessels will have raced in UK waters for 65 years.  The J Class before the war, were the yachts the general public idolised particularly as King George V was a regular competitor in Britannia.  Each yacht is 140 feet long and weighs about 200 tons, and needs crews of more than 30.

Falmouth has a fantastic maritime heritage and facilities which can be combined with a holiday in one of our lovely cottages or self catering accommodation in St Mawes or on the Roseland Peninsula.  As there will be three races in the bay St Mawes will provide spectators with a stunning viewpoint of the regatta.  Alternatively it's only a 20 minute boat ride on the St Mawes Ferry to Falmouth.

As this will be the first time in history that more than four of the yachts will race together in a fleet (potentially nine yachts will be competing), for those sailing supporters out there, this is a great opportunity to witness an historic event whilst staying in luxury accommodation in St Mawes. We have plenty of lovely holiday cottages or self catering accommodation around St Mawes & the Roseland Peninsula all within easy reach of Falmouth. For more information visit stmawesholidays.co.uk or call us on 01872 264441.

Carne Bay Spa - Relaxing Health & Beauty Treatment on the Roseland!

Pamper yourself at The Carne Bay Spa whilst staying in St Mawes or on the Roseland.

Why not combine your holiday in St Mawes or on the Roseland with some indulgence at The Carne Bay Spa?  Situated in the beautiful Nare Hotel, The Carne Bay Spa offers an extensive range of treatments including facials, luxury bath wraps, massages & reflexology all at a reasonable price.  You could even make a day of it by enjoying a delicious lunch at The Quarterdeck with its stunning views across Carne Beach.  Anne O’Grady, Spa Manager ensures that every guest within her care feels relaxed and pampered. If you would like to see more of what the Spa offers please click here www.narehotel.co.uk

For a complete break from the stresses of everyday life escape to one of our lovely cottages or self catering accommodation around St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula, all within easy reach of The Carne Bay Spa.  For more information visit stmawesholidays.co.uk or call us on 01872 264441.