A Cornish Welcome at the Elmsdale Guesthouse 

I arrived in Penzance expecting your classic English Victorian guesthouse - sweet, tidy, maybe a little old-fashioned in a charming way. But Clare’s Elmsdale Guesthouse? Totally exceeded the assignment. From the street, it looked quaint, but the second I stepped through the door, it opened up like Mary Poppins’ magic carpetbag. As I walked, it led deeper into an unexpectedly spacious world. 

And then there was the smell. A soft, summery fragrance floated through the place, drifting like a warm breeze from room to room. Clare told me it came from a local, sister-run business called The St. Ives Co. - which somehow made it even better. 

Before I could comment on the space, or the scent, or bend down to fuss her two furry co-hosts, Clemmy and Peaches, who were already trotting over to introduce themselves, Clare hit me with the magic question: 
 “Want a cup of coffee?” 

Absolutely, yes. 

Posh Coffee & Cornish Stories 

I took her up on the offer, gladly accepting a cappuccino - what my family lovingly calls a “posh coffee,” basically anything that’s not instant coffee. Soon, I was settled into the bay window, sinking into a plush cushion that practically hugged me back. Clare brought out freshly baked scones like it was no big deal.  

The living and dining space radiated that cozy, lived-in warmth you don’t want to leave. Clare chatted with me like we’d known each other for ages - hanging around when conversation flowed, drifting back to her homely kitchen when I needed a quiet moment. It felt less like staying in a guesthouse and more like visiting a friend. 

She told me how she ended up buying the place the exact week COVID hit the UK - a plot twist no business owner would ever willingly write in. But she navigated it. She pushed through it. And now her guesthouse is thriving, and Macs is proud to be part of her story. 

A Rest I Fully Earned 

Eventually, I made my way to my room, where the bed called to me with the kind of gentle, irresistible invitation you don’t argue with. After a long day breathing in sea air, letting the salty wind toss my hair around, and soaking up sunshine, I’d definitely earned a nap. And a hot shower.  

A Dinner Worth Doing a Happy Dance Over 

One of the best perks of staying at a locally run place? You get the real recommendations - not the “Here’s what tourists usually like” suggestions. 

I barely finished asking Clare where she’d go for dinner before she said, without hesitation, “Mackerel Sky.” One of her favorites, and soon one of mine, too. 

They operate first-come, first-served, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be given a beautiful outdoor table - glowing in the final rays of the day like it had been reserved just for me. 

Their tapas-style menu made it impossible to choose just one thing. So, I ordered a few plates: grilled samphire, mackerel with beetroot and horseradish - because honestly, how do you go to Mackerel Sky without ordering the mackerel? - and a panko monkfish burger with seaweed aioli. These chefs weren’t just cooking; they were performing straight-up seafood alchemy. 

At one point I did a tiny happy dance in my chair. I stopped myself from licking the plate. Mostly for the sake of public decorum. 

Morning Bliss: Posh Coffee, Round Two 

The next morning, breakfast smells drifted up the stairs like they were personally escorting me down to the dining room. I’d pre-ordered poached eggs and bacon on toast - plus, of course, another posh coffee. Clemmy and Peaches curled up next to me on the sofa like two perfect little croissant-shaped comfort creatures. I grabbed a few last puppy cuddles before it was time to head out. 

A Place I Truly Didn’t Want to Leave 

Staying at the Elmsdale felt like stepping into a story - one with characters you adore instantly: a warm, capable host, two lovable furry companions, and a house that somehow manages to feel both spacious and snug at the same time. 

If you’re hiking the South West Coast Path from St. Ives to Penzance, spending a night at the Elmsdale Guesthouse isn’t just a place to crash. It’s a treat - a real Cornish welcome, a great night’s sleep, and a chance to support a local business doing everything right. 

And if you’d like to get to know Clare and her magical guesthouse even better, just click the video below. The story only gets sweeter from here.