Shared by Pete

Welcome to The Ohana Edit – a new blog series from the Ohana Mua team and our partners, sharing real stories, seasonal moments and the experiences that make our destinations special.

If you’ve stayed with us before, you may already know Pete, our Retreat Manager, resident wanderer and the person we rely on most for local tips. Since moving to The Vale two years ago, he’s explored Cornwall in every season, but it’s the quieter months that he says reveal the real magic of this place.

For our first edition of The Ohana Edit, we asked Pete to share why he thinks the months before summer are secretly the best time to stay.

Pete: why staying before summer is secretly the best time

I moved to The Vale two years ago, and one of the first things that struck me was how different Cornwall feels outside the summer rush. The quieter months reveal a slower, more intimate side of the landscape, one that invites wandering, following your curiosity and letting the day unfold without worrying about crowds.

Lansallos beach

Coming from the east coast of Devon, I was immediately taken by the sheer scale of Cornwall’s coastline. The cliffs are taller, the views wider and everything feels slightly wilder. That became clear on one early walk when I realised I’d missed the beach I was aiming for by about three‑quarters of a mile. Fortunately, this is the kind of place where getting lost often leads somewhere just as beautiful. In the quieter months, that freedom to roam without meeting many people is part of the charm.

Polperro

The same sense of difference carries into the villages. Where newer places often lean towards neatness and uniformity, Polperro is the complete opposite. Delightfully unplanned, with narrow lanes and cottages that look as though they’ve settled into place over centuries. One January afternoon, we walked from Talland Bay into the village just as a storm rolled in. We ducked into a local pub and watched the rain sweep across the harbour from the warmth of the bar. It struck me then that this is exactly how places like Polperro are meant to be experienced: peaceful, atmospheric and free from summer bustle.

Golitha Falls

One of the unexpected appeals of moving here was realising how well the lifestyle suits having a dog. I haven’t taken that step yet, but friends often bring theirs, which makes for a good test run. Recently we took them to Golitha Falls, where the woodland paths and flowing water create a naturally calming place to wander. Off‑season it’s even quieter, giving the dogs space to roam without the usual stop‑start rhythm of busier days.

We ended at Inkies Smokehouse for something warm to eat. Muddy boots, tired legs and a very content dog under the table. It’s exactly the sort of simple pleasure that winter here does best.

Bodmin Jail

Cornwall in the colder months isn’t all coastline and woodland. On a particularly wet day, we visited Bodmin Jail, which turned out to be the perfect refuge: atmospheric, dramatic and somehow even better when the weather outside is at its worst. The thick stone walls and echoing corridors make you feel miles away from everything, and there’s something fitting about exploring it on a grey day.