We are Johnny and Pip - your hosts. We own and manage The Hyde. Although we live on the property, we offer our guests total privacy as The Hyde is completely hidden; both the treehouse and its gardens are secluded. We live just 75 metres away, down the hill and behind the trees, in a house called Toad Hall, but we can’t see you and you can’t see us! We are available to answer any questions, but will leave you undisturbed for the duration of your holiday.

As published authors, both Johnny and I could wax lyrical about the delights of Cornwall, but we will try and keep it simple. Johnny has lived here for many years, is well known in the surfing community and has a wealth of local knowledge which he is happy to share. We have both travelled the world, have lived in some far-flung, exotic places, and like to think we know what our visitors want. As our reviews confirm, we must be getting it right!

Every traveller seeks a different experience and will prioritise different aspects of a trip including location, property design or authentic, local knowledge. We list some local restaurants, places to go and things to do, but you can always message us for further details, and we will gladly help you put together a tailor-made holiday.

The cabin is a wonderful place to return to after surfing, swimming, picnicking and relaxing on the Blue Flag award-winning beach at Porthtowan, or one of the many beaches to be found on the North or South coast of Cornwall. If the sun is behind the clouds on one side, drive to the other. If you like surfing, or are a total beginner, we have a surf shop in Porthtowan and Ryan, our son, will sort you out with all the gear, advise you where to go and what to do, and give you a private lesson on request.

The village of Porthtowan is the perfect, quaint seaside spot for breakfast at the Beach Café, coffee overlooking the ocean, or a drink at sunset watching for ‘the green flash’ (an optical phenomenon often seen here) at the popular Blue Bar. The Unicorn with indoor and outdoor tables and an adventurous menu serving fresh fish, including lobster, is a fun place to go after an exhausting day and, only a mile from The Hyde, is within walking distance if you want to leave the car behind, take a stroll through the valley and reward yourselves with a cocktail.

We suggest, if you are celebrating a special occasion or just want to eat out, you make a reservation well in advance of your holiday to avoid disappointment. Cornwall has become more and more popular with lovers of good food looking for a few Michelin stars with Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth or a trip to Padstow and Rich Stein’s famous restaurants, but we will keep our list more local, and we will update it from time to time.

All the links work, but you may have to open in a 'new window’.

The Unicorn on The Beach, Porthtowan. https://www.theunicornonthebea...

The Blue Bar , Porthtowan.  http://www.blue-bar.co.uk

The Beach Café, Porthtowan. https://www.porthtowanbeachcafe.com

Schooners, St. Agnes.     https://www.schoonerscornwall.com

The Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives. https://www.porthminstercafe.co.uk

Tresanton Hotel, St. Mawes https://tresanton.com.

The Cornish Vegan https://www.thecornishvegan.com

Eco Park Cafe   https://www.mpecopark.co.uk/cafe

The Gurnard’s Head.   http://www.gurnardshead.co.uk

The Hidden Hut, Portscatho.  http://www.hiddenhut.co.uk

Take Away

Seasmiths Fish and Chips, (National Award Winners) Porthtowan https://www.seasmithsfishandchips.com

Pizza, St Agnes. https://www.thecornishpizzacompany.co.uk

The local village shop in Porthtowan is well stocked and the owners, Les and Tracey, are very kind and helpful.  For very fresh vegetables and fruit and a wonderful range of foods, The Old Market at Chacewater https://www.oldmarketchacewater.co.uk is a great place to pick up everything you need for a French style picnic of bread and cheese and a bottle of wine.

Things to do.

Cornwall is renowned for its Surfing, which became popular in Corwall more than fifty years ago. There is no need to go any further than Porthtowan and our own Tris Surf Shop where Ryan and Laura will look after you. Please let them know you are staying at The Hyde    https://www.trissurfshop.com

https://www.edenproject.com  I keep this outing for cooler days when visiting the ‘largest rainforest in captivity’ feels like a day in the tropics.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan https://www.heligan.com/ One of the most mysterious gardens in England, Heligan’s two hundred acres are a paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant lover and garden romantic. 

Discover Cornwall from a different perspective with Koru Kayaking, St Agnes. https://korukayaking.co.uk/

You can hire bikes, including ebikes, locally and follow the local trails. Granite way-markers guide you through the beautiful Cornish countryside. https://www.elmfarm.biz

Excellent idea for getting to the beach when the car park is full at the height of summer.

Take a walk over the cliffs from Porthtowan, past the famous engine house Wheal Charlotte to Chapel Porth and reward yourselves with an ice cream at the Chapel Porth Cafe, home of the original iced hedgehog. They are also opening the ’Night Hatch’ this summer. More information on that soon.

Theatre

The Minack Theatre is perched on the cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean. It was built between the two world wars and continues to put on plays, concerts and operas every summer in the open air. The stage is set with its back to the sea and the whole thing is very dramatic. 

https://www.minack.com

Live Music

Mount Pleasant Eco Park  https://www.mpecopark.co.uk/ev...