Despite the squeeze on the hospitality industry, there’s been a flurry of exciting new openings. Selena Young reveals the hottest spots to add to your autumn hit list
Inba, Bideford, Devon
Fans of Sunshine & Snow have been eagerly awaiting Inba’s arrival, and the lifestyle store’s new little sister cafe and bar doesn’t disappoint.
Tucked in the courtyard behind the swoony store, the stylish hideaway shimmers with Mediterranean cool, thanks to founder India Snow. Drop in to sip low-intervention wines, graze on seasonal small plates and admire the considered details of the bougie cafe-bar.
St Enodoc, Rock, Cornwall
You must have been living under a rock (sorry, not sorry) if you haven’t heard that the new custodians of St Enodoc are uber-chef Paul Ainsworth and his wife, Emma.
The pair have transformed the hotel into a stylish coastal retreat for exquisite feasting, laidback stays and spectacular estuary views. The pièce de résistance is its Estuary Grill, where locally sourced meat and seafood are cooked over fire on the asado grill alongside dishes inspired by Paul’s Seychellois heritage. Elsewhere, the Flour Garden serves Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastries and soft-serve in landscaped gardens, while the attractive terraced bar is the perfect spot for cocktails as the sun dips behind the Camel Estuary.
Mor, Carbis Bay, Cornwall
Named for the Cornish word for ‘sea’, MOR is the hot new catch at Carbis Bay Estate. The restaurant is tucked within the gobsmackingly gorgeous coastal hotel and headed up by two-Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers. What’s most noticeable is the insane attention to detail that runs through everything – from the ceiling installation that ripples with the sea breeze to the quality of the tactile furnishings like the Cornish granite fireplace. The ‘one-breath’ free-dived scallop dish is astonishing.
The Great Decoy, near Andover, Hampshire
In the pretty village of Hustbourne Tarrant, high-end pub collective The Chickpea Group has just opened its tenth property.
The group has preserved the bones of the historic building, while carrying out a sensitive restoration to transform it into a cosy, contemporary space for wining and dining. Visit for its well-stocked bar of local ales, wines and cocktails, a menu of seasonal pub favourites, and eight bespoke bedrooms.
Kiln Sauna, St Ives, Cornwall
Porthmeor Beach, with its pearly sands and turquoise waters, is the this year’s go-to destination for contrast-therapy disciples.
Kiln Sauna’s third venture (joining sites in Flushing and Falmouth) is its most impressive yet. The Japanese-inspired Sauna Pavilion comprises two ten-person mobile saunas connected by sheltered walkways, cold plunge pools and showers. It has sustainable creds too: rain and bathwater are repurposed to irrigate the surrounding gardens, which are planted with native grasses, while earth excavated during the build has been shaped into a grassy amphitheatre that allows for meditative gazing over the Atlantic.
Radek’s Chocolate, Totnes, Devon
Hot on the heels of the launch of a sister chocolate shop in Bristol, Radek’s has opened in Totnes. Don’t go expecting to find slabs of milk choc to satisfy a sweet tooth, though. This is the kind of place to sip a cup of 80 per cent ceremonial cacao with lion’s mane, or nibble a CBD-infused pecan and date brownie, before perusing a selection of organic single-origin treats sweetened with only natural ingredients.
Corsham House, Corsham, Wiltshire
The Beckford Group have done it again. The hospitality giants behind renowned South West spots that include The Beckford Arms, The Talbot Inn and Lord Poulett Arms have swung open the doors to Corsham House. The wine-led townhouse, situated between Bath and the Cotswolds, is your go-to for sociable brasserie dining, a swish overnight stay (there are 14 bedrooms) and to explore the quality curation in its own Beckford Bottle Shop.
Lardon, Elkstone, Gloucestershire
Elkstone Studios, a creative hub of indie retailers, wellness spaces and fam-friendly dining spots, recently welcomed Lardon into the fold. The restaurant takes its cues from Tuscany, the Basque Country and Provence, serving wood-fired, European-inspired small plates.
Expect everything from Cantabrian anchovies and parmesan arancini to handmade pasta, dry-aged Galician beef and flame-cooked fish – all served in a stylish setting made for leisurely lunches.
The Nici, Newquay, Cornwall
The Nici’s anywhere-but-the-UK resort vibe is no longer reserved solely for Bournemouth visitors. The luxe hotel brand has opened a sister coastal retreat, this time overlooking surfy Great Western Beach in Newquay. Unlike the Bournemouth hotel’s Miami spirit, this Cornwall opening is the place to live la dolce vita, thanks to its Amalfi Coast vibes.
Canteen, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
This is your chance to channel your inner it-girl. The original Canteen in Notting Hill featured on Dua Lipa’s Google Maps recs and has been rammed with gorgeous people scoffing gorgeous food ever since. Its new South West sister is pretty similar and dishes out attractive compilations like fig, gorgonzola and thyme pizza, lamb-ragu tagliatelle, and chocolate mousse with olive oil and sea salt.
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