The Lanherne, Newquay

Visited: 01/05/2026

Accessibility: Access from the rear car park is level, but the doors are extremely heavy — the kind you really have to lean your weight into. Once inside, it’s a large open space, and if you have mobility issues the sheer scale of it makes everything feel further away than it should.

We’d seen plenty of positive comments about The Lanherne being a friendly, family‑run pub, so we went in expecting something warm or characterful. Instead, we found it surprisingly soulless. The building is big and open, but the atmosphere just doesn’t match the size — the few people who were there felt lost in the space, swallowed up by it rather than filling it.

The rear beer garden was a pleasant enough area to sit in, but it lacked any features of note. It was clean, tidy, and functional… but also sterile, with nothing to give it personality or charm. Inside, the same feeling carried through: a space doing everything “right” on paper, but without anything that made it feel alive.

The staff were perfectly pleasant, and the pub was clearly set up to be family‑friendly, but for us it simply didn’t have the warmth or atmosphere we look for. Sometimes a place just doesn’t click, and this was one of those times.

Overall: Despite its good reputation, The Lanherne didn’t work for us. Heavy doors, a vast and empty‑feeling interior, and a sterile beer garden all added up to a visit that felt flat. Not somewhere we’d rush back to.

The Queen’s Head, St. Stephen

Visited: 08/05/2026

Accessibility: Parking front and back. Levels shift inside, but there’s a ramp for anyone who can’t manage the steps into the main bar. Toilets at the rear and easy to get to.

A seating area at the back with great views of the local church. Eric been here before and hadn’t liked it, but really glad we gave it a second chance.

Toilets more easily accessed from the back – so if accessibility is an issue, better entering that way.

Overall: A cracking local pub with genuinely friendly staff. Busy at times. Food is simple

with no vegan options. But the welcome was spot‑on, and Eric would happily go back.

The Tavern, Newquay

Visited: 05/06/2026

Accessibility: We made a bit of a mess of the access and came in from completely the wrong direction — there are definitely better ways of doing it. It’s a big pub, and if you end up at the far end, the toilets are a long walk away. From the car park, the most direct route involves several steep steps with only one handrail, followed by more steps with no handrail at all. There is a step‑free way in via a side entrance, but you can’t park there, so you’d need to drop off and then go back to park. If you arrive on foot with mobility issues, the distance to the toilets is daunting.

We’ve driven past the sign for The Tavern countless times and always assumed it was just a modern pub tucked inside a dense housing estate. After a bit of research, though, we realised it’s actually a very old building with plenty of character, and once inside, that really shows with low ceilings, nooks and crannies, and a layout that feels genuinely historic. The furniture leans more towards lounge‑bar than traditional pub, but it suits the space well enough.

The staff were lovely, and what surprised us most was just how busy the place was. It’s clearly popular with locals and families. Unfortunately, we ended up next to a table where the adults were deep in conversation and the children were running wild, at one point, a child lay across the floor and completely blocked Eric’s path. Not the pub’s fault, but it did affect the experience. It’s something we’ll judge again on another visit.

Overall: A charming old building with friendly staff and a lively atmosphere, but the access is far from straightforward and the walk to the toilets is long if mobility is an issue. We’d like to return and try a more sensible entrance route next time, and hopefully avoid the pockets of unruly children.

The Top House Inn, The Lizard

Visited: 22/06/2025

Accessibility: Hard to say. We weren’t able to go inside. The step down into the pub is too steep for anyone with mobility issues, so we couldn’t assess the interior or the toilets.

We were able to park just outside the pub though – so not far to walk.

Main text: The Top House Inn sits right in the centre of The Lizard and is clearly a major stopping point for visitors and walkers passing through the village. Although we couldn’t get inside because of the steep step, we did enjoy a sunny drink at the picnic tables out front, with a lovely view across the village. The staff were friendly, and on a good‑weather day it’s a pleasant place to pause and take in the surroundings. From the outside it has the look of a traditional Cornish inn and seems to be a busy spot for people exploring the area.

Overall: A great location and a lovely outdoor stop when the weather’s on your side. But with the steep step at the entrance, it’s not accessible enough for us to visit properly. If we were passing on a fine day, we’d happily sit outside again; otherwise, we’d look for somewhere easier to get into.

The Norway Inn, Perranarworthal

Visited: 12 October 2020 and many times since.

Accessibility: Parking directly outside with good space and easy, level access into the pub.

We’ve been to the Norway Inn many times over the years, and it’s one of those places that just quietly earns its place on the favourites list. Parking is right outside with plenty of room, and access into the building is straightforward — no awkward steps or tight corners.

Inside, it has a great low ceiling, which is an automatic “like” for Eric, despite him being almost dead on 2 metres tall. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable without trying too hard. We’ve also eaten here a few times, and whilst the food isn’t anything wildly special, we’ve never had a single complaint — it’s solid, dependable pub fare that does exactly what you want it to.

It’s also dog‑friendly, which isn’t a major factor for us but is worth noting. The pub sits right on the main road between Falmouth and Truro, making it a brilliant stop‑off when you’re travelling that way and want somewhere easy, familiar, and welcoming.

Overall: A long‑standing favourite with easy parking, good access, a cosy low‑ceilinged interior, and consistently decent food. Not flashy, but always reliable — and that’s why we keep going back.

The Silver Ball, St Columb Major

Visited: 31 May 2026
Accessibility: No dedicated car park spotted. Small drop‑off space directly out front beside a few picnic tables. Level, wheelchair‑friendly route into the front bar area. Toilets are not on the same level as the front of the bar; there’s a step up to reach them.

We didn’t see a car park at all, so arrival is really just a case of pulling up briefly outside. There’s enough space to drop someone off safely, and the front area has a couple of picnic tables. Inside, it has a definite social‑club feel — very square tables, practical rather than atmospheric. It’s not a St Austell Brewery pub, and you can tell: it has its own character, a bit tired in places but clean, with some recent paintwork that suggests they’re trying to keep it fresh. You can imagine it feeling cosier in winter.

The staff were lovely — genuinely friendly and welcoming. It’s absolutely a locals’ pub, but not in a closed‑off way; we felt comfortable straight away. Access-wise, the front section is easiest. If you need the toilets, there’s a step to negotiate, but the general vibe is that people would happily shuffle around to help.

Overall: Not one for the regular rotation, but a pleasant stop and a warm welcome. St Columb Major itself is a surprisingly nice town; you can see hints of a more vibrant past, like many Cornish towns. A good one to tick off the list, and our first pub in St Columb Major, so no comparisons yet.

Hawkin’s Arms, Probus

Visited: 29/05/2026

Accessibility: Car park at the back with a gentle slope leading to a well‑laid‑out beer garden. Front has a handy ramp close to the door. Toilets easier from the rear, though steps are required to reach the main bar.

We parked at the back, where the ground is mostly flat and leads straight into a really well‑apportioned beer garden at the end of the car park. The front of the pub is quiet enough to stop briefly and drop off, and there’s a useful ramp just metres from the front door. Inside, access to the toilets is easier from the rear, but there are a few steps to get into the main bar. Handrails help, but it’s not wheelchair‑friendly. We didn’t see a dedicated disabled toilet, though the men’s was apparently easy to use.

Walking in through the back door, we knew immediately we were going to like this St Austell Brewery tenanted pub. We didn’t eat on this visit, but the burgers and pizzas listed on the wall looked tempting, and there’s also a simple menu of standard pub fare. The pub sits in a small village just off the main road to Truro, and it feels very much like a locals’ pub — steady footfall, familiar faces, and a relaxed rhythm.

The landlady was welcoming and extremely pleasant. Despite never having been in before, we felt at ease straight away, and there’s no doubt we’ll pop in again.

Overall: A friendly, welcoming village pub with a good beer garden and helpful access from both front and rear. Steps limit full accessibility, but the atmosphere and warm reception make it a place we’ll happily return to.

Holmbush Inn, St Austell

Visited: Multiple times

Accessibility: Level access from the rear car park. Dedicated disabled toilet (RADAR key) near the back door; key available from the bar. Inside is generally spacious but can feel tight when the pub is busy.

The front of the pub sits directly on the main road with no stopping options, so parking round the back is essential. The car park can be very busy, and although there are disabled bays, they’re often occupied. Once you’re in, access into the pub is straightforward, and the dedicated disabled toilet near the rear door is a real positive.

Holmbush is a staple for Eric, and the staff are universally friendly — consistently warm and welcoming on every visit. It’s a large, lively pub with plenty of seating and a broad menu. Portions are generous and the food is classic pub fare done reliably well. It’s not trying to be quirky or atmospheric; it’s a practical, dependable place where you know exactly what you’re getting.

Overall: A friendly, reliable pub with easy rear access, a proper disabled toilet, and consistently good pub food. Parking can be tight, but the staff and straightforward atmosphere keep us coming back.

The Rising Sun, Portmellon

Visited: 23 March 2025

Accessibility: Small steps to enter and to reach the toilets. Adjacent car park not owned by the pub; on‑street parking a few hundred metres away is easier.

A pub we’d been meaning to visit for a long time, not least because it sits right on the water and looked ideal for a warm drink while Eric’s companions enjoy a swim. We finally made it on a sunny but cold Sunday in March — and since that first visit we’ve returned many times.

The building feels old (17th century, perhaps) but blends modern touches with its historic character in a way that works beautifully. The landlord is exceptional: warm, welcoming, and treats Eric like an old friend every time. The small outdoor area is a real sun trap and so close to the sea you can practically taste the salt.

Parking can be awkward, the adjacent car park isn’t run by the pub — but if you’re willing to walk a short distance, there’s reasonable on‑street parking that doesn’t upset the locals.

The food is excellent: thoughtful, well‑cooked dishes rather than standard pub grub, and everything we’ve tried has been consistently good.

Overall: A warm, welcoming coastal pub with great food and a landlord who makes every visit feel personal. Access involves steps and parking can be tricky, but the setting and hospitality keep drawing us back.

Farmer’s Arms, St Columb Minor

Visited: 24/04/2026

Accessibility: Not fully assessed. We parked at the back of the pub where there are steps and Eric didn’t enter or use the toilets.

A quiet pub in a great spot, tucked in the shadow of the local church tower. When we visited on a sunny Friday afternoon it was almost empty, which made it hard to get a true sense of the usual atmosphere — our experience may not reflect a busier day.

We parked at the back and made the most of the sunshine in the beer garden, which was genuinely pleasant. The garden is easy to access from the car park, and on a warm day it’s the best part of the pub. However, there are steps leading down from the garden into the bar, so accessibility that way isn’t ideal.

We didn’t try the front entrance or the toilets, so can’t comment on those. Beer was perfectly fine, and we didn’t see a menu to get a sense of the food offering.

Overall: A quiet visit in a lovely location, with a sunny beer garden that’s easy to reach from the car park. Inside access from the garden involves steps, and we didn’t see enough of the pub to get a full picture — but on our visit, it felt very still and a little hard to read.