My Coastal Escape to The Old Success Inn, Sennen Cove 

The first thing I noticed when I walked into my room at The Old Success Inn was the light - it poured in through the window, bouncing off bright blue and green walls that looked like they’d borrowed their colours straight from the sea. There were little pops of yellow, too, which instantly made the place feel cheerful. 

Everything had been recently renovated, but it still had that cosy, old-inn feel. You could tell it had a story - this place started life as a 17th-century fisherman’s inn, after all - but now it’s all about comfort and seaside charm. 

And the view? Unreal. From my window, I could see Sennen Cove stretching out below - soft white sand, turquoise waves, and a handful of surfers chasing the next perfect break. 

The Cove and the Town 

Sennen Cove is one of those places that feels like a secret - small, friendly, and totally focussed on the beach. There’s a surf shop, a cute café where I may or may not have gone back twice for scones, and a few local restaurants. The rest is pure coast and nature. 

The beach itself is stunning. It even won a Seaside Award in 2024 for its water quality, safety, and environmental care - and it shows. It’s clean, peaceful, and has the kind of surf conditions that make you wish you were better at standing on a board. 

Dinner with a View 

Evenings at The Old Success are something special. There’s a big terrace that looks out over the cove, made for al fresco dinners with a sunset backdrop. Inside, the bar and restaurant are warm and welcoming - perfect if the Cornish weather decides to do its thing. 

The menu changes with the seasons, and everything is made fresh. They don’t do pre-prepared meals here - the chefs base everything on what’s local and in season. They know where every ingredient comes from, which I think is pretty amazing. 

For example, their meat comes from Mr Meats in Newquay and Brian Etherington Meats in Redruth. Fish comes from Fish for Thought in Bodmin and Matthew Stevens in St Ives. Even the crab is from The Real Cornish Crab Co. in Newlyn. It’s all local, all traceable, and all delicious. 

I ordered the catch of the day (because how could I not?) and paired it with a pint from St Austell Brewery, who run the inn. Between the food, the view, and that deep-orange sunset over the bay, I was in my happy place. 

The Slow-Down Effect 

By the second morning, I’d fully switched into Cornwall mode - slow breakfasts, beach walks, and zero guilt about doing absolutely nothing productive. The Old Success made it easy to just relax. Everyone there - from the bar staff to the locals - had that easy-going warmth that makes you feel like you’ve been coming there for years. 

When I finally packed up to leave, I stood for a while on the terrace, watching the waves and thinking about how much I’d fallen for this place. The Old Success Inn isn’t flashy, but it’s full of heart. It’s where good food, good people, and great views all come together in the best possible way. 

If you’re after a spot that’s equal parts cosy inn, foodie heaven, and seaside escape - this is it.