Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

A plant lover’s paradise. The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery has nested in a former slate quarry, a heavenly sanctum of tumbling flowers and sweeping views over the Fowey valley. Trail through the plants before heading to the café where you can slump into a sofa by the log burner and leaf through gardening books and newspapers at your leisure. Staff are attentive and friendly; breakfasts are made with the freshest ingredients – most from within the county limit – and washed down with free tea and coffee refills.

Enjoy the views to Restormel Castle from the terrace as you lunch on homemade bread, filled sandwiches, salads from the garden or heartier dishes – slow cooked pork belly, venison burgers, lemon sole. Cakes are expertly baked and afternoon teas are proper Cornish, piled with jam and daubed with clotted cream. There’s a footpath linking the nursery to the castle if you fancy a leg stretch afterwards and if you can resist the lure of the fabulous garden and gift shop (Italian soaps, local ceramics, traditional toys), you’re stronger than us.