Ever since I first learn Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier a little bit over ten years in the past, I’ve wished to return to Cornwall. A spot I visited with my household as a younger lady, my recollections are of light summer season days, melting ice-creams and constructing sandcastles on the seaside; nevertheless it’s been a spot I’ve longed to return to, to immerse myself within the backdrop that so impressed my very favorite writer.

A hub for authors, artists, and creatives alike, the county positioned on England’s rugged southwestern tip has lengthy been a go-to for these wanting to flee the hustle and bustle of city-life to be impressed by the wild, romantic, dramatic panorama that Cornwall is greatest recognized for. From its literary festivals to the wealth of gorgeous bookstores dotted round fairly port cities, to the limitless authors who’ve known as Cornwall house, it’s simple to see why so many ebook lovers make literary pilgrimages to Cornwall annually. And as quickly as I booked a visit house to Europe for my first post-Covid summer season, I knew Cornwall can be prime of my literary wish-list, so I’d lastly get to see extra of the place that Daphne Du Maurier as soon as known as house.

Watergate Bay Overview

The UK is in the course of a heatwave on the Sunday we drive the four-hour route from the Berkshire countryside to simply north of bustling Newquay. England’s rolling inexperienced hills are parched – because of what has been the most well liked summer season on report since 1935 – and lots of the grassy fields we move by means of are straw-like and brown; the water ranges of once-flowing rivers lie low.

As we cross the Devon-Cornwall border, nevertheless, one thing begins to occur to the sky that would have been proper out of a Du Maurier novel. We move an indication to Jamaica Inn on the left, and shortly after the clouds begin to darken and a looming mist rolls over the hills; if we wished an evocative strategy to our Cornish getaway, we couldn’t have deliberate it higher if we’d tried.

By the point we strategy the sloping hills that encompass Watergate Bay, sunbeams are breaking by means of the clouds, and whereas there’s nonetheless a chill within the air, there’s a balmy summer season glow on the horizon. We’re staying in one in all Watergate Bay’s lovely seaside lofts – so wanted that when The Occasions hailed Watergate Bay because the second most lovely seaside within the south-west of England, they warned readers that there was zero likelihood of seeing the within of these coveted boltholes.

With simply seven seaside lofts obtainable – every of which options ground to ceiling home windows overlooking the seaside – subsequent to the doorway you’ll discover a well-stocked honesty bar and a tuck store filled with sticky home-made desserts, olives, milks, a number of teas, freshly brewed espresso, pastries and cereals – good for a post-morning swim or a mid-afternoon snack.

Watergate Bay is perched overlooking a two-mile stretch of golden sand with views of the Atlantic. Surrounded by sloping grassy hills, it’s the one lodge on this gorgeous slice of Cornish shoreline, and the views are as mesmerising as they’re expansive. Quintessentially British, the lodge boasts beachy interiors that fuse laid-back luxurious with the type of apres-ski vibe you would possibly discover in an alpine lodge.

The 2 days we spent at Watergate Bay have been heaven-sent; from the surf lesson with wave hunters (even when I did wind up with a fats lip), to the decadent breakfasts that we ate in our room, poring over our favorite Sunday dietary supplements. We went on coastal walks and seaside rambles, marvelling on the ever-changing and iridescent views of the water. Of a night we’d get pleasure from pre-dinner sun-down drinks in our room watching the late afternoon solar dapple over the water, because the ocean breeze skittered by means of the ground to ceiling home windows, and spent two superb days absorbing the crème de la crème of an unforgettable Cornish getaway.

Watergate Bay literary hyperlinks

As bookish getaways go, Watergate Bay is up there with one of the best of them. From the fashionable lodge library – that boasts sweeping views of the sandy stretch of seaside – to the rigorously curated number of Cornish-inspired books; to the superbly positioned, sun-drenched outside decking, and the outsized sofas overlooking the ocean, there are cosy spots and ebook nooks a-plenty in your limitless studying pleasure.

What to learn at Watergate Bay

Cornwall is a spot synonymous with literary historical past, and whereas there are numerous books to select from that may make the proper studying companion whereas holidaying right here, a ebook by Rosamunde Pilcher or Daphne Du Maurier can be my prime advice. Probably the greatest-known authors whose roots lay in Cornwall, Du Maurier’s household first purchased a vacation house right here – Ferryside, at Bodinnick – within the 1920s. The home quickly turned one of many writer’s favorite locations, and he or she quickly after revealed her first novel, The Loving Spirit, in 1931.

There’s not a single ebook by Daphne Du Maurier that I haven’t adored, however if you happen to’re searching for some literature evocative of Cornwall’s placing panorama, strive Rebecca or Jamaica Inn. If you happen to’re within the temper for one thing a bit extra light-hearted, nevertheless, go for The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. A fantastically written household saga that spans two time-frames and isset in opposition to splendidly British backdrops of Cornwall’s lovely seashores, bustling London and the solitude of the Cotswolds, it’s one in all my all-time favorite books.

Close to-by bookshops

For me, my favorite place to purchase books are native, unbiased bookstores which have fairly facades, beautiful places, and an important number of books. And whilst you’ll want a automobile to get to my two favorite bookshops in Cornwall, they’re properly definitely worth the drive. First up is Padstow Books. Situated within the beautiful harbour city of Padstow, Padstow Books has a stunning inexperienced exterior – full with an attention-grabbing window show – pleasant workers and a tempting mixture of each basic and up to date tomes. Barely additional afield is Shrew Books. Nestled within the coronary heart of Fowey – a reasonably port city recognized for its hyperlinks to Daphne Du Maurier – Shrew Books is a good looking bookstore promoting new releases, nature writing and kids’s books.

 Helpful details about Watergate Bay 

Set on a spectacular, two-mile browsing seaside on the North Cornwall coast, Watergate Bay Resort is the proper vacation spot for a up to date seaside vacation. 

Deal with: Watergate Bay Resort On The Seaside, Trevarrian Hill, Newquay TR8 4AA,

Web site: E book direct on their website.

Value: Watergate Bay prices from £250 an evening.

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