We have given a flavour below of our local towns. For detailed food shopping and eating recommendations see our Food and Drink page - and we also reference these local towns along with others in our Activities and Historic Houses & Gardens pages.

Lostwithiel (15 mins from Botelet)
Small ancient statuary town with Norman castle, medieval bridge over the River Fowey and lively community. Regular markets, antique fairs, community festivals and films. Large children’s play field and during the summer children can swim in the river next to the bridge. Many antique outlets, good butcher (try their pasties), deli and independent shops including the fantastic Alice in Scandiland. 

Liskeard (15 mins from Botelet)
Large properties in Liskeard town centre were built from wealth created from the 19c mining and wool industry and were largely designed by up and coming young architect Henry Rice. Check out the museum in Pike Street for a special walking leaflet guiding you around these buildings plus a host of other tourist information. A few individual shops are still trading - a traditional ironmonger, fantastic butcher (Warrens) excellent greengrocer all at the bottom of Pike Street. There’s a cobbler in Bay Tree Hill and if you want a pair of wellingtons or just a fascinating look back in time visit Gilberts Outfitters via a discreet door at the entrance to the disused cattle market. For breakfast, coffee or lunch we can highly recommend Olive & Co Café. Try the quirky Hub Café at the Liskerrett Centre (top end of market car park) for absolutely delicious home made vegetarian and food. Liskeard has our nearest supermarkets, a Co-op in town, and an Aldi and large Morrisons on the outskirts.

Looe (20 mins from Botelet)
Traditional fishing port with a small fleet still operating. The river cuts through East and West Looe, with a bridge adjoining. Children will enjoy crabbing from the harbour wall and playing on the sandy beach in East Looe. There’s an excellent fish market, some of the best quality fish in the UK is transported daily to London and also sold at Pengellys Fishmongers on the quay. Purely Cornish Deli in Fore Street sell local produce including wine. For the very best pasties make sure you go to Sarah’s Pasty Shop. Just behind the fire station in West Looe, heading up the hill a little on the left, visit the tiny Londis store. It has a surprising array of local cheese and cold cuts. Don’t forget to head out past the little church on the quay in West Looe to Hannafore. Free parking, lots of rock pools, great view across to St George’s Island, coast path to Talland Bay or Polperro (return by bus) lovely café on the lawn by the tennis courts. Looe can be really busy during the summer, we recommend the best times to visit are early in the day (a must to buy fish and pasties) late in the afternoon or early evening. Escape the crowds at anytime with a mackerel fishing trip (see Activities page) or take a boat (and a picnic) and spend as long as you want on St George’s Island.

Polperro (20 mins from Botelet)
Stunningly pretty fishing village with traditional houses set alongside narrow lanes. We highly recommend approaching by the coastal path from Talland Bay or - for a longer walk - Looe. Sadly there are so many second homes along with gift and trinket shops that the town can feel it’s lost it’s heart to bus loads of tourists, but none the less is worth the visit, knowing what to expect. Follow the coastal path up behind the Blue Peter Inn and find the sea pool, warm swimming if the tide is out and the sun has had chance to heat the water. Back to the Blue Peter for sustenance, a traditional Cornish fisherman's pub with great ales and food. We can also recommend Couch’s Restaurant in the centre of the village. If you do choose to drive to Polperro be warned that the car park is privately owned and very expensive, the walk along the coast from Talland Bay is under 30 minutes and spectacular.

Fowey (20 mins plus ferry, or 40 mins via Lostwithiel, from Botelet)
Beautiful town accessed from Botelet by car ferry from Bodinnick, passenger ferry from Polruan or a longer run by car via Lostwithiel. The three communities of Fowey, Bodinnick and Polruan face one another across a spectacular harbour. A few small coasters pass up river to the china clay dock, one or two cruise liners visit per season and myriads of pleasure craft stop by, a yachtsman's haven. Shops are mainly independent and strung out along one long street - Fore Street. There is a good butcher/deli, baker, art studios, antiques, clothes shops, a chandlery but don’t expect a supermarket. To eat, try Sam’s (reasonably priced) or in the evening we recommend Fitzroy which is also open at lunch time at the weekends. Cream tea at The Dwelling House in Fore Street or at Fowey Hall, a grand child-friendly house next to the main car park at top of town.