Winter Fun in Cornwall...

After being blessed with a lovely bright and sunny weekend this weekend (which wasn’t forecast I might add) my husband and I decided to explore closer to home.

After being told by some of his golfing buddies that the squirrels at Tehidy Country Park are so tame they’ll feed from your hand, this was first on our list, so armed with a rather large bag of nuts and some bread for the ducks we hit the road.

Tehidy is the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall and has over 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of woods and lakes to explore. We parked up at East Drive and took a walk along the bridal way that runs alongside the golf course.

Once inside the park it wasn’t long before we came across some squirrels and after some practice we eventually got the squirrels taking nuts from our hands. The trick is so be as still as you can with your hand flat on the floor and they will eventually take the nuts.    

As well as feeding the squirrels there’s also lots of lovely woodland walks to enjoy, the lakes are a great place to feed ducks and swans and there is also a little café that is open every day which is a great place to warm up over a sinful hot chocolate.

Tehidy Country Park is about a 20 minute drive from St Ives and offers plenty of free parking.

Just down the road from Tehidy is Heartlands, a new free visitor attraction (you do have to pay for parking though) that has opened in Pool, near Redruth.

With this being our first visit we weren’t quite sure what to expect but our well-seasoned nephews were more than happy to show us the highlights, which included the giant adventure playground, the climb-on sculptures and the vast areas where they could refine their bike riding skills.

There’s also a quirky café, lovely gardens and a handful of art and craft studios at the site.

I have to say that Heartlands really took me by surprise. It’s a great space for kids of all ages and it has been developed with Cornwall’s mining heritage at its core which is really lovely to see.

If you’re visiting St Ives and you have little ones to entertain I would highly recommend a visit to both Tehidy and Heartlands. If it’s an adult only affair Heartlands may not be for you, but a stroll through Tehidy on a sunny day really is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Best get planning our next adventure…

Kelly x

Screen Printing Fun at The Sail Lofts…

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The creative juices were really flowing at The Sail Lofts during October Half Term when we hosted our first ever screen-printing workshop with local artist Dena O’Brien.

These two hands-on workshops proved a real hit with our guests and both sessions were fully booked, offering children and adults a really fun way to learn about screen printing and create some lovely Christmas cards from Dena’s designs.

All the materials were provided and Dena took each group through the basics of screen printing before they began experimenting with the screens. Once they’d honed their skills the group were then given the chance to print twelve lovely Christmas cards that they could take away with them.

Dena, who has a number of prints exhibited in the apartments and The Sail Lofts Studio, is becoming well known for her printmaking and textile design's. She also teaches at her own studio, and at various colleges in Cornwall.

Due to the success of these workshops we’re hopping to run similar classes in our on-site studio in the future so if you have any ideas as to what you’d like to see please do get in touch via email info@thesaillofts.co.uk

Kelly x

St Ives this December

Make the most of St Ives this December...

Here is our pick of events not to be missed in St Ives this Christmas:

Saturday 1st December - Ice cream competition starts.

Thursday 6th December - Santa arrives into St Ives by lifeboat with the RNLI and then proceeds to the Guildhall. The atmosphere should be great as pantomime characters (courtesy of Kidz R Us) parade around town, entertainers and buskers line the streets and of course the jingle parade to the Guildhall. This is also the first of the late night shopping events.

Friday 7th December - The turning on of the Christmas lights and another evening of late night shopping.

Saturday 8th December - Santa Party Train from St Erth - more details to follow.

Saturday 15th December - Lots and lots going on in St Ives on this Saturday with the Santa Party Train making the perfect transport to avoid any parking hassle. There will be a Christmas Market at the Guildhall, treasure hunt, and many shops and areas will be holding special events such as the Sloop Craft Market and the Drill Hall.

Thursday 20th December - Community carols on the harbour beach.

21st, 22nd and 27th December - The renowned Kidz R Us will be showcasing Mother Goose.

Thursday 27th December - World Guinness Book of Records for the most surfing santa's ever! Hosted by St Ives Surf School.

This is just a selection of what is going on in St Ives this December, for more information visit the brilliant St Ives in December website. 

Beach walks...

Its almost the time of year when dogs are allowed back onto beaches, in fact only 5 days until Porthmeor opens its doors to our four legged friends...

The fresh air, views and pure happiness of a dog on a beach make the coming months in Cornwall a great place to be for dog owners. 

We have two properties we allow dogs into from the 1st October to 30th March, so our canine friends can enjoy a holiday as well. Just call the office to find out more on 01736 799175. 

Here is a day out a week or two ago where Skye (the daft boxer dog) and Sam made the most of the coastline and beaches we were allowed on... 

A walk down Porthkidney beach (our dog friendly beach in summer)

We were blessed with some good weather

Skye the boxer dog

An invitation to a BBQ on Sennen beach in the evening was too hard to resist...

...with food and Skye packed into the car we were greeted with a stunning evening

and possibly the sunset of the year so far.

 If you would like to find out more about winter breaks in St Ives, bringing a dog with you or about our fabulous off season offers contact Sam, Kelly or Peter.

p.s. Please help keep our beaches dog friendly by cleaning up after your dog :-)

Late availability for the next two weeks

Here are some of our last minute offers for the coming weeks...

August 31st for 3 nights in our one bedroom Surf apartment - £449. Find out more 
August 31st for 3 nights in our four bedroom Bay apartment - £999. Find out more
August 31st for 7 nights in our 3 bedroom seaview Ocean apartment - £1499. Find out more
September 3rd for 4 nights in our Surf apartment - £429 - Find out more 
September 3rd for 4 nights in our Bay apartment - £999 - Find out more
September 7th for 7 nights in our Bay apartment, make the most of the September Festival - £1575 - Find out more
September 14th for 7 nights in our lovely Ocean apartment for the second week of the September Festival - £1679 - Find out more

For more information or if you have any questions please do contact one of the team on 01736 799175 or info@thesaillofts.co.uk. 

 

At last summer has arrived...

We're having one of the best weeks of the summer so far, here are some pictures...

Gorgeous new product range at The Sail Lofts Ocean Spa

I’ve just come back from my first Elemis treatment at the spa and I’m feeling very refreshed and just a little too relaxed to be back at my desk (sigh).

Following the introduction of the new range of EIemis treatments and products I opted for the ‘Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow’ and it really was a lovely treatment. The lime and ginger scrub that is used during the treatment smells divine and my skin feels baby soft and looks smooth and glowing – it’s certainly beach ready, shame I can’t say the same for the weather!

The introduction of Elemis will complement the range of organic treatments currently offered by the spa and we’re very excited that we’re now able to offer our customers a choice between organic, natural therapies and results driven treatments from a world-renowned, British skincare brand.

Elemis have created a range of skincare products and treatments that combine natural ingredients with the advances in scientific research, which means they are good and they really work! After finding out that the Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream can reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by up to 78% in just 15 days my Mum has added this little beauty must-have to her daily skincare regime, and so far she’s rather impressed.

If you fancy treating yourself or you’d simply like to find out more about the Elemis range please contact the spa on 01736 448545.

Kelly x 

A picture post

Some you may have seen before, some not, all taken within the last month...

Blue skies and clear blue water - happy days!

Hawks Point - if only the surf was a little bigger

Its rare to see Carbis Bay as white as this - it felt like we were going to get blown away!

Potential for a big sand castle!

A South Coast spot, not many know about it and those that do keep it quiet... Great spot for snorkeling and fishing - time for the OS map!

Celebrate great food and drink in St Ives

Celebrate great food and drink in St Ives

Preparations for the St Ives Food and Drink Festival, taking place between 21^st and 27^th May 2012, are well underway.

The town comes alive during the festival with many of its local producers, chefs and resident foodies coming out to soak up the atmosphere of this exciting festival.

There will be many events taking place over the festival including fishing and cooking your catch, coastal wild food walks and wine and cheese tasting evenings. For a full calendar of events taking place over the festival please click here.

There will also be cookery demonstrations by some of St Ives’ leading chefs on the Harbour Beach (opposite The Sloop Inn) on Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd.  The cookery demonstrations will begin at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on each day so arrive early to ensure you get a front row spot.

The West Pier will host a producers market on Saturday and Sunday with many of the county’s leading food and drink producers showcasing and selling their produce. Sample and buy lots of delicious goodies including wine, cider, chocolate, cheese, meat, chutneys and curry. For a full list of producers exhibiting please click here.

If you can’t make it to the festival but fancy trying some inspirational recipes at home take a look at some of the recipes provided by a handful of fabulous chefs, who head up some of the best restaurants in the town, here.

If this has got your taste buds going and you fancy a last minute foodie break in St Ives we still have limited availability over the festival period. To check availability please click here or contact us on 01736 799175.

Changing seasons

We thought it was about time to post some pictures from some adventures we've had around West Cornwall over the last couple of weeks.

A sunny Sunday walk - between Zennor and St Ives looking East

 Penberth - time seems to standstill here

Traditional fishing is still prevelant here...

Penberth looking East - anyone for a snorkel?

 Sennen Lifeboat on its way home as seen from Porthgwarra

 

Porthmeor on one of the wet and stormy days.

We still have some availability for the next few weeks in our apartments in St Ives. Find out more here

Time for a holiday?

If your feeling left out as many clear their desks and head for the seaside and on holiday - we may be able to help!

We have a few last minute offers on our remaining properties for the week beginning 13th April with 7 days starting from just £499.

If you would like to talk to us about a break for this week do get in touch on 01736799175 or info@thesaillofts.co.uk

Let summer time begin!

As if by magic as the clocks sprung forward we were greeted with glorious weather, longer evenings and the best waves in weeks.


The smell of BBQs is back and shorts and flip flops are being fashioned across town! Summer is here for the moment, so don't forget the sun cream and we'll see you on the beach....

Win a luxury Sail Lofts Spa Break

For a chance to win a 3 night luxury spa break in St Ives Cornwall all you have to do is 'Like' our Facebook page and 'Share' the competition link.

LIKE our Facebook page and SHARE the Post.

Stay in the quaint and beautifully furnished Sail Lofts Cottage located in the heart of old St Ives. Whilst you are here you will have the opportunity to be pampered in our luxury spa near the harbourfront with a specially designed 'pamper package'.

If you would like to stay at the cottage during March we have reduced the price to £249pp including a spa package for either a Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday break. Visit here for more information.

Winter Sun

Whilst much of the country has been embracing snow, we've been enjoying clear skies, crispy mornings and a very healthy amount of sun for February! Here are a few pics we took over the last week or two...

Red sky in the morning - not a shepherds warning on this day

Looking towards Godrevy one morning

If this was summer those tables wouldn't be empty!

We've got some great deals if you want to come and enjoy a relaxing break in St Ives, why not have a look at our latest luxury spa break offer? Or see here for our half term and late availability offers.

Yummy Valentines Treat

Love is in the air at The Sail Lofts and as Valentines Day is nearly upon us we’ve asked our lovely friends at Seagrass for some ideas on how to spoil that special someone. Head Chef Lee Groves (semi finalist of Masterchef The Professionals 2010) has come up trumps with this fantastic recipe for homemade chocolate truffles, so why not give them a go and really impress your loved one with a handmade gift this year?

What you’ll need:

· 16 oz good quality dark chocolate (at least 60%)

· 5oz unsalted butter

· 2 fl. oz double cream

How to do it:

Melt 10oz of the chocolate and the butter in a bowl – set over a pan of warm not boiling water.

When melted, remove and allow to cool for a few minutes.

Bring the cream to the boil and add to the chocolate – beat well with a wooden spoon or spatula

At this point you can add flavourings of your choice (nuts, dried fruits, glace cherries, alcohol etc..)

Allow to set overnight in the fridge.

Make balls out of the truffle mix, either with your hands or a melon baller.

Melt another 6oz of chocolate – but make sure it doesn’t get hot.

Dip the rolled truffles into the melted chocolate and allow to set for a few hours in the fridge.

Now you can decorate as you like – chopped stem ginger, rolled in coconut or cocoa powder.

Enjoy these yummy little treats,

Kelly.

Have a choice...

January is our busiest booking period and at the moment the bookings are flying in, so we thought we best let you know the busy weeks so you don't miss out on your favourite dates and apartments.

The one bedroom apartments and Slipway are incredibly popular this year, if you would like to stay in one of these we recommend booking very early. 

February half term is filling up quickly, but we still have some great apartments left, including our most popular one bedroom - Lighthouse and a selection of two bedroom properties.

Easter is also nearly booked up for all the school holiday weeks, especially the larger apartments, we suggest booking very soon to avoid being disappointed!

Whitsun week - apart from Surf we're fully booked, but for those who want to sneak a weeks break with just 3 days holiday this is the week!

Summer school holidays - getting very busy - lots of bookings for all apartments of all sizes - don't leave it too long! (we also have some parking available - call the office for more information 01736799175).

September is getting busy around the festival weeks already - if you like a choice of apartments don't wait too long!


If we can be of any help do contact us on 01736 799175 or info@thesaillofts.co.uk.