Lewinnick Lodge sea view pub Newquay Cornwall UK

WHAT? WHERE?

Just south of the main town of Newquay, marking the SW end of Fistral beach, stands the East Pentire headland, home to Lewinnick Lodge. Quiet and rugged, and yet just a few minutes by car (or 20-minute walk) from the town centre, you’ll find this boutique restaurant/bar with rooms emerging from the craggy cliffs.

Once a former single-storey bungalow-turned-restaurant, a million-pound make-over saw Lewinnick Lodge transformed into a boutique hotel. You’ll find locals enjoying the bar and restaurant, as well as the gorgeous wrap around terrace / balcony with glorious sea views.

drinks on the table with sea view behind at Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay Cornwall UK

THE VIBE

Downstairs in the restaurant and bar, the vibe is casual waterside dining, where blonde wood and big windows highlight and frame the sea view. Head to the bar for drinks, or book a table in the brasserie for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

restaurant at lewinnick lodge newquay cornwall uk

On a sunny day you can’t beat the terrace for drinks, especially at sunset. The views out over the bay or across to Newquay and Fistral beach are hard to beat. The landscaping has been thoughtfully designed to echo the natural beauty of the rugged Cornish cliffs, with wild flowers and coastal grasses bordering the tables and decking.

PILLOW TALK

The rooms above the restaurant are a real hidden gem. Natural Farrow & Ball hues indicate serious relaxing, and almost all the 17 rooms have Nespresso machines, walk-in monsoon showers and many have roll top baths too.

Aside from the occasional walker and lobster fisherman tending the pots on the water below, it’s only the cliffs and the sea visible from room one (shown above), which is one of the good sized rooms available.

interiors bedroom view at Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay Cornwall UK

With huge beds and comfy elegant furniture, there’s plenty to recommend a cheeky night away here. Almost all the rooms have a partial or full sea view; drift off to the sounds of the waves outside the window. The larger rooms feature free-standing baths, emperor-sized beds, and all rooms have Egyptian cotton sheets and little luxuries including gowns, face cloths and free wifi.

room 1 at lewinnick lodge pentire newquay cornwall uk

Set just above the vista, the grasses and pinks sway in the breeze and the waves wash over the rocks below. In winter, it is all about storm watching; in summer, the sunsets are something very special.

view from room one Lewinnick lodge pentire newquay cornwall UK

The window roll top bath was a highlight, this (above) was my actual view as I lay back for a quick wash pre-dinner, and I had a longer soak with thoughtfully provided epsom salts and Bramley bubble bath the next morning before we reluctantly checked out.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Executive Chef, Andrew, and his team bring together the land and sea in the downstairs brasserie, with a seasonal menu stuffed full of local produce. This is not fine dining – the portions may be pretty but they are also generous, and something to get stuck in to rather than pick at. Take your mates, or your fam for a special lunch, or a celebration – it also makes a great date night option, especially if you request a table for two in the window at sunset. The night we were there was even hosting a wedding celebration for ten and they popped onto the balcony for photos between courses.

steak at Lewinnick Lodge Newquay Cornwall UK

Starters (from £9) included fish, goats cheese and pork, with three vegetarian / vegan options and a variety of styles of cooking with a Cornish twist. Mains (from £18) ranged from burgers, below, and steaks, above, from the grill to a variety of fish dishes plus a healthy smattering of curries and other Asian dishes. Everything was cooked perfectly and even with a full restaurant came out in an enjoyably timely way (not always a given) with suitably attentive staff.

Once in the restaurant, everything is table service, but in the bar, you have to order and pay for drinks as you go, which makes it more akin to a regular pub. The usual Cornish gins (Tarquins) and beers are available alongside a reasonable but not extensive wine list where there are several options by the glass as well as sweet and sparkling.

Cornish cheeses and ice-cream featured on the dessert list (from £9) as well as chocolate and hazelnut cake and a pannacotta.

Breakfast was served from 8am and we enjoyed a full Cornish and tasty pancakes, alongside coffee and juices.

KID FRIENDLY?

Yes, the family suite sleeps up to four and is also dog-friendly and the luxury and oceanside double rooms can accommodate an extra z-bed for a child. There is a kids menu in the restaurant, and children are welcome – family celebrations are encouraged although they do not provide cakes, you have to bring your own!

ACCESSIBILITY

Lewinnick Lodge is well set up for those with accessibility requirements, and actively welcomes all customers. Facilities extend beyond parking and toilets and include easy restaurant restaurant access with no steps, and a wide entrance door, and tables with more space to suit a wheelchair.

Rooms are accessible via a lift where wide corridors and doors are wheelchair-friendly, and the showers are walk-in. A disabled shower chair can be provided on request. All dietary requirements are catered for, just make the team aware.

DOG-FRIENDLY?

Yes, except the restaurant itself. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area and terrace, where tables are non-reservable and available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Some rooms are dog-friendly with dogs welcome for a £20 charge (dog beds and water bowls provided). The headland beyond Lewinnick is a popular place to walk dogs, and takes in the SW coast path. Crantock beach is dog-friendly year round.

OUT & ABOUT

The walk out beyond the doors of Lewinnick Lodge takes you out onto the headline where you can watch the sunset over an ancient Bronze Age tumulus (round barrow). Take the coast path back into Newquay where you’ll reach south Fistral beach (don’t miss Muddy award winning Ocean Flow Yoga on the way past) and then you’ll find the town itself, with its many attractions. Check out my guide to Newquay here for more ideas.

Heading the other way, and you’ll come to The Fern Pit Café from where you can take the little ferry across the Gannel to Crantock beach and then walk along to West Pentire and it’s fields of wild flowers and poppies (best in mid June, depending on the year, but expect flowers through until early July). Further along you’ll find Polly Joke beach and then onto to Holywell – you can usually see seals from the footpath.

Polly Joke poppies June 2023 Cornwall UK

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Locals wanting a cheeky night away from it all, with dinner, drinks and a gorgeous room; low-key but special celebrations, drinks on the terrace, and those who are after a great place to stay but don’t need the full facilities of a big hotel.

Not for: It is pretty casual, so if you’re after proper formal dining, or like your stay to come with a side of pool and spa, there are other local hotel options that will suit better.

The damage: The Headland double starts from £180 per night including breakfast during the summer months.

Lewinnick Lodge, Pentire Headland, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1QD

lewinnicklodge.co.uk

Review: Lewinnick Lodge, Newquay

You may also like