Rick Stein’s guide to Cornwall: Celebrity chef reveals his hometown hot picks

And one of its longest serving devotees is also one of its most famous: celebrity chef, Rick Stein.

In a career spanning five decades — during which he’s published more than 20 best-selling cookery books and made more than 30 TV shows — the Cornish chef’s affable personality, infectious enthusiasm for good food, and no-nonsense cooking style has earned him an army of fans globally.

Though now splitting his time between Britain and Australia, Rick knows that there’s no place like home. Chatting to Metro.co.uk the famous foodie reveals his top Cornwall travel tips…

You spend a lot of time abroad, what keeps you coming back to Cornwall?

I do spend a lot of time away from Cornwall, but I do think of it as where I live. Don’t get me wrong, I love Australia (where I am at the moment) but when I drive down the hill into Padstow and pass the old school and catch a glimpse of the Camel estuary, maybe at high tide with the water filling every little inlet, I think: ‘it’s nice to be home!’

There are so many amazing beaches, which is your favourite?

My favourite beach is Constantine Bay, near Padstow. As a child. it was a big no-no for swimming because there were no lifeguards and there are some dangerous rips. But the compensation was the sand dunes, which we used to slide down.

How about your favourite local hike?

There’s a lovely circular walk by the Rashleigh Inn at Polkerris, to Readymoney Cove near Foye, and back. It’s about seven miles, but you can do a short cut, if you like. The views along the coastal path are amazing.

What should history buffs not miss?

There is so much history in Cornwall going right back to Phoenician times, who traded their olive oil and wine for Cornish tin, so my favourite slice of history is anything to do with the Cornish tin mining industry.

We’ve all seen Cornwall immortalised on the small screen – where’s best to soak in some of the Poldark and Doc Martin backdrops?

One of the great joys of being a local is to identify various beaches and coves in both Poldark and Doc Martin. I thoroughly enjoyed a recent Doc Martin episode, which involved a trip to a lighthouse that turned out to be Godrevy. It’s much more than a hop and a step from Port Isaac (where Doc Martin is made) to St Ives where Godrevy lighthouse is — I reckon it would take about four to five hours by boat, in fact. Put poetic licence, of course. The view of the Godrevy lighthouse from St Ives is one of my favourites.

What are your top tips for visiting foodies?

Padstow, of course. But I’m getting increasingly excited about Falmouth due to the university there, which incorporates Falmouth Art College. There’s a lot of foodie activity happening in that lovely town.

What is the one Cornish dish that every traveller needs to try?

A Cornish pasty, of course. I don’t know if it’s just me, but Cornish pasties seem to be much better these days than my memories of them back in the 60s and 70s. However, if you are eating one on the quayside in Padstow, watch out for the seagulls. Also, don’t forget to try a Cornish cream tea, but remember: jam first and then cream.

Controversial question: where should we go for the best Cornish pastry?

Well, I could tell you… but I don’t really want to, because we all have our deep pasty secrets.

Where’s best to sink a pint?

A proper Cornish pub is definitely — well, for me anyway — is one thing not to miss. I love The Tinners Arms at Zennor, St Kew Inn at St Kew, The Cornish Arms at St Merryn (that’s ours, so read that as you will!) The Rising Sun Inn at Altarnun, The Rod & Line in Tideford, and finally, for the best Padstow local experience, The Golden Lion.

Is there a great spot for live music you’d recommend?

Not that I personally go to such places, but my staff seem to love Newquay to bits.

Is there a cultural venue you’d recommend?

I love the opera that Prideaux Place in Padstow puts on.

I haven’t don’t this before, but I’m going to a performance at The Minack — which is a renowned spectacular, open-air theatre perched on the cliffs above Porthcurno — soon, and I can’t wait.

How about for a spot of pampering?

I haven’t been there yet, but there’s a huge new spa at the Headland Hotel and it’s bound to be good.

And for shopping?

I love Kingsley Village at Fraddon. It doesn’t feel like Cornwall, but it’s great to turn off the A30 with plenty of parking and a great M&S food hall.

Lastly, what’s your ultimate top tip for Cornwall first-timers?

I’m afraid it’s bleedin’ obvious — go for a cliff walk and take in the views virtually anywhere around our beautiful coastline.

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