NAMASTE, AND WELCOME TO
Playing In Nature
Foster a Love for Nature & Travel Blog
Playing In Nature is a passion project blog of mine. That is focused on inspiring other families to disconnect from their daily lives and foster a love for nature. My blog shares a variety of blog posts and guides to help your family get outdoors and plan your trips safely as well as some travel destinations in and around the UK.
I hope that through my tips and resources we all can inspire other families to foster a love for nature in themselves and their children too. Let’s start a generation trend of loving, caring for and respecting Mother Nature.
Where would you like to go?
Namaste, I'm Charmaine Howard
I'm the storyteller behind Playing In Nature. I am a wife, business owner, fur baby mother and an absolute fanatic about Nature and treating her respectfully. Through my blog, I hope to help families of all ages foster a deep love and respect for Mother Nature, and inspire families to spend more time outdoors or just connect to it as best as they can.
I absolutely love permaculture and holistic land management and what they stand for and do when implemented correctly and fully. My goal is to share my love of nature with you, give you tips, and guides and increase your nature knowledge.
I am currently based in the UK, living in a caravan with my husband and fur baby. We are traversing the whole of the UK, with Scotland, Ireland and hopefully the Isle of man as well. Such Fun!
St Mawes Village – A Timeless Cornish Harbour for Couples
Tucked along the sheltered waters of the Fal Estuary, St Mawes is one of Cornwall’s most elegant coastal villages. Calm, colourful, and gently refined, it feels perfectly suited to couples looking for a slower, more considered kind of escape.
Unlike busier seaside towns, St Mawes retains a relaxed rhythm. Pastel cottages line the waterfront, sailing boats drift in the harbour, and days unfold without any sense of rush. It’s a place where walking hand in hand along the quay or lingering over lunch becomes the highlight of the day.
Exploring the Village
The heart of St Mawes is compact and easy to explore. Gentle harbour walks reveal ever-changing views across the water towards Falmouth, while narrow lanes lead to independent shops, galleries, and cafés. Everything feels close, intimate, and unhurried.
A short walk brings you to St Mawes Castle, a beautifully preserved Tudor fort offering sweeping views across the estuary. The walk up is gentle, and the reward is one of the most romantic vantage points in South Cornwall.
Ferry Crossings and Coastal Views
One of the most memorable experiences in St Mawes is the passenger ferry across the Fal Estuary. The short crossing to Falmouth or Place feels like a mini-adventure, offering a fresh perspective on the coastline and harbour.
For couples, it’s an ideal way to enjoy the water without committing to a full day of travel — relaxed, scenic, and quietly special.
Food, Atmosphere, and Evenings
St Mawes is well known for its food scene, with waterfront restaurants and relaxed pubs serving fresh seafood and seasonal dishes. Evenings here feel calm rather than busy, with soft light reflecting off the water and a sense that time has slowed.
Practical Information
Location: St Mawes, Cornwall, TR2
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Parking: Limited in village – park & walk recommended
Getting there: Ferry access from Falmouth
Top Tips for Couples
Visit midweek for the quietest experience
Take the ferry at least once for the views
Walk to the castle at golden hour
Stay for dinner by the water
Allow time to simply wander
Conclusion
St Mawes is a village that rewards slowing down. With its harbour views, gentle walks, and refined calm, it offers couples a setting that feels both special and deeply relaxing — a place where simple moments linger.
This is just one of many peaceful destinations featured in our Couples Escapes in Cornwall guide:
👉 https://hideawaystays.uk/couples-escapes
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY PODCAST
Chats with Charmaine
This podcast is a way for me to express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to podcast, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY CHANNEL
Playing In Nature
This channel is a way for me to visually express myself, as my husband will tell you, I have many thoughts, ideas and I suppose beliefs about how life could be better for us all, now and in the long run. How we as a species need to become more conscious so that all life on Earth can live in harmony, supporting and nourishing each other in turn.
I am open to video ideas, topics of discussion and thoughts or questions that have been hounding you.
If you’re like us, there’s a yearning inside of you to connect with nature. You’re tired of life in the hamster wheel and you want to reclaim a little freedom.
To explore either by yourself or with the whole family. No matter where or how far away from home you may go; it does not matter.
Opening your heart up to nature is all that matter