I’ve always been hesitant to label a holiday linked to any rite of passage. I actively refer to what was considered my honeymoon as the “holiday I took after our wedding,” perhaps in an effort to avoid the pressure associated with these milestones. So, when it came to a babymoon, I was (unsurprisingly) uncertain about the need to link another holiday to what will undoubtedly be the most significant moment in my life to date. But the more I thought about what a babymoon meant, the more I realized I desperately wanted that alone time with my partner before our baby arrives.
I was relatively set on taking a trip abroad. My vision included leisurely days spent in the Dolomites or lounging in the sun in the South of France. I always imagined traveling quite a bit while pregnant, but in reality, I felt quite different once I was actually expecting. I found myself wanting to stay close to home—to my friends, my family, and those home comforts. It became clearer that a UK staycation was in order. I knew I wanted to be by the ocean, with easy access to nature and those chocolate-box villages that make up the countryside. I also wanted to be near tasty restaurants, while still having the option to cook at home, as my partner and I find great joy and connection through food. And what offers all of these must-haves and more? Cornwall—which, funnily enough, is also where we spent the “holiday we took after our wedding.”
We spent weeks deciding where we wanted to stay in Cornwall before finally landing on Three Mile Beach. My first thought upon seeing the setup was, “This is my ideal babymoon.” Luxury beach houses make up the colorful, village-like set-up at Three Mile Beach. You can expect a fully equipped kitchen, while still having hotel-style amenities like a restaurant, coffee shop, pizza nights, and access to surfboards, as well as my favorite, a spa.
We were staying in Echo Beach—a four-bedroom beach house with a quirky boho interior that really transported you into the beach holiday mindset. Each room had its individual style: the master featuring a beautiful woven tapestry, an ethereal fabric chandelier and sand-colored furniture to create a relaxed atmosphere. There was an en-suite rainfall shower, but the real showstopper was the copper tub, the perfect remedy for my sore joints related to my ever-changing pregnant body. The first night, we walked down to Gwithian Beach—a mere five minutes from our beach house to watch the sunset before heading back up for a pizza night. The team set up an Ooni pizza oven, complete with all the necessary gadgets and a full suite of ingredients. We were given a quick tutorial before being left to our own devices. We had an absolute ball coming up with our own topping combinations, and were thoroughly impressed by the delicious dough from St Ives Bakery. We spent the evening at one of the tables on the house’s outside deck, discussing our hopes, dreams and fears for the future, and how we can remain connected after the arrival of our baby.
The next day, I was treated to a Glow Between Tides facial, 60 minutes of pure bliss, utilizing all-natural ingredients from InLight. I have to admit, I fell asleep during the head massage, and left feeling more relaxed and comfortable in my body than I have this entire pregnancy. My partner was so envious of my zen attitude that he booked himself a massage for later that afternoon. We set off on a mid-morning walk to the Godrevy Lighthouse and Mutton Cove. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day to walk through the dunes to the various viewpoints along the way, and we even spotted a few seals. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the patio, more specifically, in the hammock, dozing, before heading to Chomp for dinner. This is a laid-back indoor-outdoor restaurant serving family-style plates that celebrate Cornwall’s abundant produce. The menu was unfussy yet tasty. We ordered everything from grilled hispi cabbage with wild garlic pesto to spiced chicken wings with Korean sauce and saffron aioli. We took a walk around the property after dinner, satisfied and chatting about possible names for our little one.