St Kew

St Kew Churchtown

St Kew Churchtown is a small hamlet buried down country lanes, a few miles from Port Isaac. Being just inland and in a wooded valley with a stream, the climate often feels warmer and calmer than on the nearby coast. It is sparsely populated making the popularity of the 14th century local pub surprising - until you experience the warm atmosphere, gastro food, excellent ales and local artisan gins. No trip to St Kew Escapes would be complete without popping in and living life like a local!

The other village building of note is our very splendid ancient church - the Church of St James (although it is also known as St Kew Church) it dominates the village and the Church bells are hand rung every Sunday and again on Wednesday evenings for bell ringing practice, as well as for weddings and other special occasions. The historic stained glass windows are also worth a look.

St Kew village has not escaped the eye of film producers wanting to set their scenes in a pretty, typical Cornish location. A Rosamunde Pitcher film, “Never kiss a Lawyer” was shot here a few years ago. More recently, our local Fisherman’s Friends made a film which used locations in the village and our local Church be seen in the clip below. Everyone enjoys the Fisherman’s Friends fun, open-air Friday evenings down on the harbour in the summer at their Platt Gigs, which they’ve been doing long before they became the famous boy band they now are!

Wadebridge

Our nearby town of Wadebridge offers a great range of small, independent shops and cafes. The Camel River meanders its way through the town, becoming the beautiful Camel Estuary as it flows downstream towards Rock and Padstow. The Camel Trail runs along the banks of the estuary, providing a scenic, traffic-free, 19 miles off road cycle and walking route all the way to Padstow. Bikes can be hired along the Camel Trail from: Snail’s Pace off grid cafe; Wadebridge town centre and Padstow harbour.

This part of North Cornwall is exceptionally well served by amazing pubs and restaurants. For gastro lovers, Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth have restaurants at Padstow and Nathan Outlaw’s double Michelin Starred restaurant at Port Isaac has been voted the number one restaurant in the country in 2019 for the second time.

Port Isaac

Port Isaac is a 3 mile drive along the lanes from St Kew.

This very picturesque, ancient fishing village has become popular in recent years due to the television programme Doc Martin which is filmed almost entirely in and around the village.

The village rises above Port Isaac harbour with narrow windy streets lined with old fishermen’s cottages. Here there are cafes, restaurants, a pottery, a fish market, and traditional pubs which all add to the bygone atmosphere.

As much of the surrounding area and coastline is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coastline , it goes without saying that the cliff walks and easily reached Port Quinn and Port Gaverne along the coastal path are a delight to discover.

Be sure to call in at Katie Child’s studio and shop, Cliffside Gallery, her beautiful art-work is featured in the Loft.

Distances - Port Isaac: 2.9 Miles • Wadebridge: 3.5 Miles • Polzeath: 5.7 Miles • Rock: (St Enodoc Golf Club) 5.4 Miles • Padstow: via Rock 5.4 Miles then short passenger ferry • Trebarwith Strand: 6 Miles • Newquay Airport: 13 Miles. Bodmin Parkway station 15 Miles. Trainline