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Cornwall

The Jam Pot, Gwithian Towans

The little round white building that bears the name of this place is visible for some distance as you approach along the low cliffs that edge St Ives Bay. And so it should be. It was once a lifeguard’s lookout post, commanding views across the wide waters of St Ives Bay and its occupants scanned the water for boats and ships in trouble, invading enemies, and probably for smuggling vessels, which could also be in trouble, but of a different sort. Today the hut, and the more recent small conservatory, have the same views, and the people indoors or in the little garden with its sea-green painted wooden tables and benches, can sit there enjoying the panorama before them.

Whether the sea is a calm blue shading to eau-de-nil, with the sun shining down and gulls gleaming white against the clear sky or if storm clouds are rolling in and the sea turns gunmetal grey to reflect the sky, visitors here can continue to eat their meals in comfort and enjoy the drama.

There is seating in the lookout and in the conservatory, and it caters for hungry walkers and surfers with hearty breakfasts, rolls, paninis and pasties. The soup is homemade and so is one of the daily cakes available. My dogs and I have enjoyed many hours sitting here in the garden, the dogs humouring my rest time as I enjoy a milkshake and flapjack, watching the every-changing colours of the sea and following the drifting progress of puffy white clouds across the sky.

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