What to do during a stay in Alta, Constantine

Cornish Gems. November 6, 2024

Alta is a stunning celebration home, set high above the creeks of the Helford, only 10 minutes from Falmouth Bay. We caught up with the owners, Martin and Caroline, to tell us their favourite activities, restaurants and must-do trips, when staying in Alta.

With plenty of light and airy spaces, and stunning views from every window, Alta is a secluded haven, nestled in the upper reaches of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gardens roll around 1.5 acres of grass spaces, populated with seasonally coloured plants and mature trees, including huge Montrose Pines. Thanks to its breathtaking 180 degree south-facing view, the lush fields and shimmering waters are the perfect holiday backdrop, from sunrise to sunset. At the end of the grounds is a large flat lawn area perfect for croque), football, badminton or cricket.

Privacy, peace and good old fashioned fresh air are guaranteed. The only sounds you will hear are birdsong and the bubbles of your champagne. With no light pollution on a clear night the stars are spectacular, especially from the hot tub or the fire pit, so be sure to bring your binoculars. The only visitors you might expect come early, including pheasants, rabbits and the occasional kestrel or buzzard hovering over the fields. Recently, we’ve even seen young buck. 

At Alta you have the best of both worlds: the country and the sea. We know you will love relaxing at Alta but there are also so many other things to do and here is a list of our favourite spots.

Beaches

Local beaches

  • Maenporth Beach – Sandy. Dog-friendly. 15 minutes drive from Alta.
  • Swanpool  – Sandy. Dog-friendly. 17 minutes from Alta.
  • Gyllyngvase Beach  – Excellent restaurant and cafe. Big sandy stretch. Dog-friendly. 20 minutes drive from Alta.

* The above three beaches are all tidal and interconnected by the coastal footpath, so it’s possible to park at Maenporth Beach and visit all of them and even walk into Falmouth. Surf depends on the weather. There are great cafes at each one serving hot snacks.

  • Grebe Beach – National Trust Pebble beach on the river. Great for beach BBQ and swimming. Dog friendly all year round. 12 minutes from Alta.
  • Bosohan Cove – On the West banks of the river is this secluded cove for picnics and swimming. 20 minutes from Alta.

Other beaches a bit further afield (but well worth a visit!)

  • Praa Sands – A fantastic mile long beach, give or take. A surfers paradise. Beautiful golden sands to walk and play on. Fantastic cafe serving some of the best beach side food, including pizzas and burgers. 35 Minutes from Alta.
  • Porthcurno Beach – Situated to the East side of the Minack Theatre. A stunning sandy wild beach with lively surf. Be sure the lifeguards are on duty as currents can be fierce here. 30 minutes from Alta.
  • Kennack Sands East – Lovely dog-friendly beach. Great for kids. Nice cafe and large car park. 25 minutes from Alta.
  • Sennen Cove – The UK’s Most Westerly Beach, near Lands End, looking west out into the Atlantic. On a clear day you can see The Isles of Scilly. Fantastic surf beach, with equipment hire, restaurants and cafes. 1 hour 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Kynance Cove – Stunning National Trust coastal area. Eye-popping views down to the beach. Great for walking to The Lizard Peninsula. This beach has been voted one of the top ten beaches in the world. Ideal for swimming and has a wonderful beach cafe. Well worth the journey. 25 minutes from Alta.
  • Coverack – Stunning National Trust coastal area. Great for walking and swimming. Wonderful beach cafe. Well worth the journey. 25 minutes from Alta.
  • Constantine Bay Beach – North coast blue flag surf beach long and sandy surf hire facilities and a cafe.1 hour 5 mins from Alta.

Great Cornish Pubs, Restaurants and Cafes

It’s said Cornwall ‘has the best larder in the world’ from land and sea, with the freshest ingredients prepared by some of the country’s best chefs for award winning restaurants, pubs and beach cafes. Here are some of our favourites. In most of the top places it’s best to book before you travel to avoid disappointment.

Local pubs and restaurants

  • Potager – Out of the drive turn right, stay left and 10 Minutes walk from Alta, you’ll find this award winning and very tasty vegan eatery, in a unique garden and glasshouse setting. Ideal for brunch or lunch under 10 minutes walk from Alta.
  • Port Navas Yacht Club – One of our favourites. Melissa and Sarah (owners of the restaurant) run a tight ship, serving excellent high quality food in this peaceful hidden riverside hamlet. Great wine list. 5 minutes in the car or 20 minutes walk from Alta.
  • The Ferry Boat Inn – Stunning riverside pub serving delicious food. The chunky chips are in a league of their own. 20 minutes from Alta. There’s a beach here for the little ones at low tide.
  • Hotel Meudon – One of our favourites for high tea in the garden and excellent evening food in the restaurant. Meudon can be reached by car or on foot along the South West Coastal Path, if you park at Grebe Beach and head east to Falmouth. The stunning giant gardens here extend down from the hotel to the beach, where seals can occasionally be spotted. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Hooked On The Rocks – Cool casual cocktails with stunning high sea views over the bay at Swanpool. Decent wine list. 15 minutes drive from Alta.
  • Trengilly Wartha Inn – A hidden locals’ pub. Very good home cooked meals – look out for the sticky toffee pudding! Plan your visit as some nights there is live blues or folk music which is really excellent. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Budock Vean Hotel – Smart casual, open to residents and the public, looking out onto the golf course. 15 minutes drive from Alta.
  • The Black Swan at Gweek – Lovely creekside location, good food and sometimes has live music. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • The Ship Inn – Excellent chef, delicious food. 15 minutes from Alta.
  • Pandora Inn – Famous riverside Inn on the Fal, where Ben Ainsley learned to sail. A regular for boat people and locals alike. It’s a bit further out but worth it for a sumptuous roast. It’s even better if you can get a table on the pontoon! 20 minutes from Alta.
  • Slice of Cornwall – Comfort central, awesome waffles.

Image by Pandora Inn

Restaurants in Falmouth

All 30 minutes drive plus a short walk once parked, we recommend you use the carparks at the South end of town by the National Maritime Museum.

  • The Verdant Seafood Bar – Fish and Funk, style and content.
  • The Chain Locker – Quayside pub with live music some nights.
  • The Mulberry – One of Falmouth’s Finest. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Restaurant Mine – A small restaurant packing a big punch, superb menu, definitely book. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Culture – Nature inspired cuisine with a focus on flora and fauna, with Hylton Espey. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • The Greenbank Hotel – Dive fork-first into award-winning food, and feast your eyes on uninterrupted estuary views at the water’s edge. We’re all about cooking honest food using top-notch ingredients, served with a slice of charm and a dollop of the friendly Cornish hospitality that our region is renowned for.
  • Harbour Lights Fish and Chips – Our ‘go-to’ in town if the mood takes us. Endless chips if you order a large cod!
  • Brasserie on the Bay, St Michaels Resort – Enjoy a relaxing treatment first, then a glass of champagne and delicious lunch looking out over the beach.

Image by The Greenbank Hotel

Restaurants a bit further afield (but well worth a visit!)

  • The Old Quay House – A firm favourite, some of the best food in the South West, Michelin Guide recommended. 50 minutes from Alta.
  • Kota – Winner of the Great British Menu, Asian Cornish fusion cuisine. 30 minutes from Alta. Michelin Guide Recommended.
  • Rick Stein’s in Padstow – Enough said, it’s great. 1 hour 10 mins from Alta. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Paul Ainsworth at No 6 Padstow – It’s where the chefs go and Rick says it’s excellent. 1 hour 10 mins from Alta. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Nathan Outlaw’s New Road – We have not been but friends say it’s exceptional. 1 hour 20 mins from Alta. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • The Fish House Fistral Beach – Small but excellent for seafood. 53 minutes from Alta. Michelin Guide recommended.
  • Source Kitchen St Ives – As featured by Rick Stein on TV. If you are headed north this is a great option. 48 minutes from Alta.

Image by Rick Stein’s in Padstow

Food Shops and Markets

Local stores

  • Constantine Spar Shop – General store and pasties. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Constantine Stores Ltd – Pasties and groceries yes but also highly recommended for an exceptional range of fine wines, fortified wines, whiskeys and gins from all around the world. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Argal Farm Shop – Aladdin’s cave of a place with local cheese, sausages and bread. 8 minutes from Alta.

Shops a bit further afield (but well worth a visit!)

  • Mawgan Stores – Our favourite village shop for Cornish produce. It’s a small country shop but it has everything including local farm veg, Helford Cheese, fresh caught fish and Penny’s Pies! It’s a bit of a drive but it’s worth it. The AONB creekside and woodland scenery on the way is spectacular. They sell our gardener Nick’s delicious homemade still cider Gweal Mellins. Be warned, it’s laughing liquid! I like the medium flavour. 20 minutes from Alta.
  • Gweek Stores – Good local fruit and veg excellent variety of all food goods. Possibly the best pasty in Cornwall/The World. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Asda Penryn/Falmouth – Superstore with everything for your self-catering needs including some pharmaceuticals plus extra firewood for the fire pit. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Waitrose Truro – Wonderful Waitrose, you can organise a click and collect or home delivery to Alta.

Image by Argal Farm Shop

Food markets

  • Perranarworthal Fruit and Veg – This place is a bit of a journey but it has fresh fantastic fruit and veg, as well as meat, all from their farm in the field behind the roadside shop. Without doubt the best sausages I have ever had the pleasure of putting on the bbq.
  • The Food Barn – I can’t believe I haven’t been here yet. That will be put right the next time we are down. There’s too much good stuff to say here!

Shopping in Falmouth

Falmouth is a unique, lively, historic maritime/university town. Running through its high street is an eclectic mix of small independent, high street shops and boutiques, selling arts and clothes, with dozens of spots to get a snack have lunch and dinner.

Shops on our radar are:

Image by Willow & Stone

St Mawes

“My Oh My to be messing about in a boat on the river”. Mole was right, there is nothing quite like reaching your destination by small ferryboat on a bright sunny day. 

Venture down to the ticket booths in Falmouth at the Prince of Wales Harbour Pier to buy a return ticket and enjoy a day of munching and mooching. There are lots of pubs, trinket shops and a stunning Napoleonic Castle, which is not to be missed.

St Mawes restaurants

On arrival, by boat, there is a small cabin on your left at the end of the quay that in my opinion does “the best pasty in all of Cornwall”…or was that Gweek Stores? Don’t miss either, these two are on another level, be warned one’s enough for two!

  • The Reef Knot Restaurant – Serves the best of Cornish sea-to-table cuisine. Enjoy the delightful sea views across the Fal estuary from the waterside restaurant, or take in the views and sunshine from their wonderful south-facing terrace.
  • Hotel Tresanton – Super stylish restaurant. They have a special yacht for charter, for a special occasion.

St Mawes shops

Aspiga – It’s one of our favourite stores in Cornwall. We’d get the ferry especially each time we visit. The clothes are island chic, stylishly sustainable fashion. Tell Sarah that Martin and Caroline sent you, and she’ll take good care of you. There’s also a good pub next door, the Victory.

Flushing

Flushing is a small Fal riverside village, also accessible from the Prince of Wales Harbour Pier.

  • Harbour House Hotel – The main attraction is the Harbour House Pub / Hotel. The food here is exceptional, with Michelin trained chefs. The Sunday lunch in particular is divine. I think I once told the chefs “it felt like my taste buds have been kissed by angels” The excellent wine list may have helped.

Areas to visit beyond Falmouth

  • Lands End – A nice drive, over an hour but lovely scenery. 1 hour 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Mousehole Harbour – Beautiful harbourside village with excellent food in the harbour cafe.
  • St Ives – St Ives is in West Cornwall but not that far. It’s busy but there are spectacular beaches, shops, restaurants and Tate Modern to tempt you. 48 minutes from Alta.
  • Helston – Historic town with local shops. 25 minutes from Alta.
  • St Michaels Mount – History set in spectacular gardens, don’t get caught out by the tide (as we once did). 37 minutes from Alta.

Things to do

Depending on your dates there are regattas held all over Cornwall, as well as the annual tall ships visit in Falmouth, which sees boats from all over the world. Also, don’t miss the Oyster and Sea Shanty Festival! Falmouth’s event calendar is extraordinary.

  • South West Coast Path – Stunning memorable walks. Great for long dog walks. Rain or shine don’t miss the spectacular views. Start from Maenporth Beach, 15 mins east to Falmouth, west to the Helford. Check a map for distances to see what you can manage.
  • Pendennis & St Mawes Castle – If you like historic monuments don’t miss these Napoleonic Fortresses. 19 minutes from Alta.
  • Minack Open Air Theatre – Experience one of the most memorable theatrical productions you will ever see, in this incredible open air space looking out over the Atlantic. It was built over decades, into the hard Cornish rock face, by Rowena Cade and her gardener Billy Rawlings, amongst others.
  • The National Maritime Museum Falmouth – If boats and maritime history are your thing, this museum is a must. Pay special attention to the exhibit on your way in, showing the survival craft of Dougal Robertson and his family, which were left adrift after their boat was sunk by orca whales.
  • Cornish Seal Sanctuary – A charity that rescues and rehabilitates grey seal pups from around the Cornish coastline. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary – A charity that rescues these loveable warm hearted creatures. 10 minutes from Alta.
  • Trebah Gardens – Valley gardens with seasonal blooms, subtropical trees, adventure play areas and private beach. This place is spectacular and you will not be disappointed. 15 minutes from Alta.
  • Glendurgan Gardens – Near to Trebah Gardens, these gardens are equally spectacular and feature a tricky maze.

Sailing

  • Helford River Boat Hire – (By Ferry Boat Inn) For small boat hire, SUP. Kayaks. 15 minutes from Alta.
  • Mylor Boat Hire – For all types of small boat hire, Cornish Crabbers, RIBs, Fishing boats. Good restaurant and cafe. 21 minutes from Alta.
  • Sailaway St Anthony – A quieter area going west around the next bay from the Helford. For small sailing boat hire, SUPs , motorised fishing boats (they will bring boats to Port Navas Yacht Club, 5 mins drive from Alta, subject to hire time and weather). Great for mackerel fishing trips. 35 minutes from Alta.

Diving

  • Aquacity Freedive – What happens under the crystal clear water is just as stunning as what happens above it. 35 mins from Alta.
  • Porthkerris Divers – It’s been years since we used to dive, but this stretch of the coast is littered with wrecks and interesting rock formations. 35 minutes from Alta.

Deep Sea Fishing

There are lots of fishing charter companies that operate out of Falmouth, it’s worth shopping around as they do different things e.g coastal, wrecks, offshore, whole day half day bass, shark or cod fishing. 

Charters supply everything, but if you need fishing tackle, rods etc, bring your own or pay a visit to Trago Mills in the heart of Falmouth. As mentioned above Sailaway at St Anthony are a great company that will rent lovely small 2-stroke or marine diesel fishing boats, weather permitting.

Sports

  • Budock Vean Hotel – Has tennis courts, but check their website or put in a call to reception.15 minutes from Alta. It also has two 9 hole courses, in spectacular extensive floral settings. Very good, smart/casual, restaurant.
  • Falmouth Golf Club – The course runs alongside the South West Coast Path, so benefits from some stunning views out to sea. 20 minutes from Alta. Hooked on the Rocks is a great nearby restaurant.
  • Mullion Golf Club – This is a great fun links course to play. It’s the most southerly course in the UK boasting stunning sunsets. There is also a good restaurant here. 30 minutes from Alta.
  • Bosvathick Riding Stables – Nearby stables with tuition. 10 minutes from Alta.

Image by Mullion Golf Club

Spas

  • St Michaels Spa Resort Falmouth – Award-winning Spa Resort featuring all the beauty and massage treatments you could wish for. Also the largest indoor and outdoor spa-hydrotherapy pool and hot tubs in the south west, heated up to a comforting 35C. 25 minutes from Alta or you can walk there on the coastal path from Swanpool Beach. There are several great restaurants here in the hotel.
  • Budock Vean Natural Health Spa – 4 treatment rooms, including a couples/dual treatment room, plus a nail bar and dedicated spa lounge. Plus there is a 15m indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub. Nestled away within the Budock Vean Hotel surrounded by 65 acres of peaceful grounds you will be able to relax, unwind and escape. 15 minutes from Alta.

Local wild swimming

  • Polwheveral – If the water in Polwheveral Creek, just below Alta, is ‘in’ take a 15 minute walk down to Polwheveral and look for the footpath sign on the left which takes you alongside a house and down onto the creek. 
  • Scott’s Quay – Just a bit further along from Polwheveral you’ll find a footpath on your left going across fields to Scotts Quay, on Polwheveral Creek. Opposite is The Frenchman’s Creek – this is Du Maurier country – perfect for picnics.