Beat The Winter Blues with Cornish Prints!

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Marc

It’s all a bit grey and dreary at the moment, but there’s no reason to succumb to the winter blues this January. Brighten up your home and bring a little ray of sunshine in by treating yourself or a loved one to one of our Cornish prints! We have a huge range available from gorgeous watercolours from celebrated artist Elisabeth Clarke, some stunning photographic prints of some of our favourite Cornish locations and even some larger canvas prints for those who are looking for a new feature for the home.

An A6 sized signed and mounted Elisabeth Clarke print makes a superb little gift to bring a corner of Cornwall into the home. In subtle watercolours, each print depicts a different Cornish scene so there is sure to be something for everyone who has enjoyed time in the county.

Similarly, our extensive collection of Cornish photography includes mounted prints of many of Cornwall’s areas of natural beauty. Each of them is full of colour and most have a distinctly summery feel, so they are ideal for beating the January blues this year!

All of our prints are now available in our eBay store, and don’t forget we have a half price sale on our 2013 calendars at the moment! Many of them also feature stunning landscape shots of Cornwall with a different one for each month of the year.

Simply The Guest Award

Posted on January 9, 2013 by steve

Jamaica Inn is proud to announce that we have been awarded “The Best Countryside Hotel Award ” in the 2012 Simply the Guest Awards

This is an award issued by the Hotel Booking Company “ Laterooms”

This award is even more special because it was all based on overall guest review scores of visitors here to The Inn over the past 12 months.Scoring in categories such as room cleanliness, room quality , food quality, customer service , staff efficiency and friendliness and location quality.

It proves what we have believed for years that we are ” Simply The Best “

Beautiful Celtic jewellery

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Marc

Last week, we talked about some brand new additions to the Jamaica Inn online gift store; our gorgeous Cornish canvas prints. However, that wasn’t all we added!

We’ve been very busy sourcing items which we think you’ll love and would make fantastic gifts. We’re pretty sure that our range of Celtic necklaces and earrings definitely fit both of those criteria!

Created by the fantastic Sea Gems, the Celtic necklaces combine traditional design with exceptional high quality, all for a very reasonable price. Each piece is plated with real sterling silver, ensuring that they will continue to keep their beauty for years to come.

Every one of our Celtic necklaces features a truly gorgeous design which oozes tradition and class. From knots and triskeles, to crosses and claddagh, you’ll easily be able to find that perfect gift for a friend, relative or loved one.

To complete the look or to create a touching gift set, we also have a wide range of matching Celtic earrings. Plated in the same, high-quality silver as the necklaces, they feature complementary designs which look incredible when worn with the necklaces.

Whether you love traditional Celtic design or know someone who appreciates beautiful jewellery, you’ll love our new range. Head on over to our online gift store to check it out for yourself and let us know what you think. Simply leave a comment below or chat to us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+; we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Beautiful Canvas Prints

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Marc

Here at Jamaica Inn, we’re always looking for fantastic new items to expand our gift shop. Today, we’re really pleased to show you one of our newest ranges; beautiful canvas prints from the incredibly talented Kerris.

Born and raised in Cornwall, Kerris won a scholarship to the Penzance School of Art at just 14. After two years there, he decided to enter the world of commercial art and design and he eventually established himself as a master sign writer. Apart from serving in the RAF as a nurse for two years, Kerris build up a strong business and continued to paint whenever he got the chance.

In 1970, demand for his stunning paintings as so high that he decided to give up his sign-writing business and focus on his paintings full-time. Kerris would often hold exhibitions of his work in the village of Polkerris, from where he has taken his name.

Nowadays, Kerris’ paintings can be found across the world and even as far afield as Hong Kong and New Zealand. He paints beautiful landscapes like the waterways of the UK or the vistas of Kenya, India and more. However, he still works from right here in Cornwall in his cottage studio in Polkerris.

Known as the “Cornish Constable”, Kerris’ work beautifully captures the tranquillity and peace of Cornwall. But don’t just take our word for it! Head on our to our online gift shop to take a look for yourself.

Our wide range of Kerris’ canvas prints captures almost every part of Cornwall and I’m sure you’ll agree that each one is simply gorgeous! Each print is sent to you rolled in a tube to prevent any damage. They are then ready to be framed and, with a generous size of 53cm x 27cm, will create an eye-catching focal point in any room or a truly heart-warming gift.

Be sure to take a look at our range of Cornish canvas prints over in our online store, and let us know what you think! Just leave us a comment below or chat to us over on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!

Healthy Eating Award

Posted on August 9, 2012 by steve

I am pleased and proud to announce that Jamaica Inn has been awarded a Silver Award for both our Lunch and Evening Menus. This award is issued by Cornwall Council only to restaurants with a 5 star Food Hygiene Award and whose menu delivers healthy eating options.

Our customers can always be assured of both Food Safety and Healthy Eating.

Elisabeth Clarke Prints!

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Marc

As you can probably tell from our previous blogs, we really love Cornwall! It’s a truly beautiful part of Britain, with a rich history and some incredible sights. To celebrate our lovely county, we have a range of fantastic Cornish prints for sale in our online gift store.

Painted by Elisabeth Clarke, each print stunningly captures a different Cornish scene in watercolour. Delicate and yet also striking at the same time, they make a wonderful gift for anyone who has visited Cornwall and fallen in love. I’m sure that anyone who has perhaps grown up in Cornwall and since moved away would also cherish a print as a touching reminder of home.

As you probably guessed, Elisabeth Clarke lives and works in Cornwall, creating these lovely prints from a studio in her garden in Helston. Elisabeth and her husband originally came to live in Cornwall in 1976, after moving from Africa. However, they soon moved back to Africa, returning to Cornwall in 1981.

It was at this time that Elisabeth and her husband bought a craft shop and art gallery in Coverack, which they ran until 2009. It was here that they sold Elisabeth’s original paintings as well as prints. Nowadays, however, Elisabeth and her husband have retired from their retail store. Instead, she spends her days painting while still running the business from their home.

Here at Jamaica Inn, we think that Elisabeth’s Cornish prints really do the county justice. They feature some of the area’s most incredible sites… There’s even a Jamaica Inn one available! Whether they capture the scene in the gorgeous sunshine or the middle of a storm, we’re sure you’ll agree that they look wonderful.

Do you have an Elisabeth Clarke print on display somewhere in your home, or are you thinking of getting one for a friend or relative? Each Cornish print is A6-sized and is mounted and signed by Elisabeth herself, making them perfect to be framed right away.

Let us know what you think of the prints and what one’s your favourite by commenting below or chatting to us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!

Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Marc

Two weeks ago, we looked at one of Daphne Du Maurier’s most popular novels: Jamaica Inn. That blog proved to be really popular, so today we’re going to look at her most famous work: Rebecca.

Published in 1938, Rebecca tells the tale of Mrs de Winter, an American woman, who is the narrator of the novel. At the start of the book, she is visiting Monte Carlo and meets Maximilian de Winter and agrees to marry him after two weeks of courtship. She moves to England to live in his home called Manderlay, which was based on a real mansion called Menabilly in Fowey. When Mrs de Winter gets there, she finds that the housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, is still devoted to Maximilian’s first wife; Rebecca.

As time goes on, Mrs de Winter becomes convinced that Maxim is still in love with Rebecca and that he is hiding some a secret. I won’t spoil it for you here, but the book is incredibly gripping as the secrets of Manderlay are explored. In fact, the novel has won Daphne du Maurier many awards since its publication and is widely regarded as her best novel.

In 1940, Rebecca was adapted into a film by the master of suspense: Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Laurence Olivier as Maxim and Joan Fontaine as Mrs de Winter, the film is fairly faithful to the book. One point is changed, however, but I won’t say what as I’d hate to give such an important plot detail away!

The release of the film was actually delayed in order to be entered into the 1940 Academy Awards, where it was nominated for a massive 9 awards. Rebecca went on to win two of these: Best Picture and Best Cinematography. In fact, Rebecca is still regarded as one of Alfred Hitchock’s greatest films, often mentioned in the same breath as Psycho.

I know that Rebecca is my mother’s favourite Daphne du Maurier novel, but is it yours? Let us know what you think of the book and if you’re a fan of the film, too. As always, leave us a comment below or join us over on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!

Gifts for teachers!

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Marc

With the summer holidays fast approaching, I bet your kids can’t wait for their six weeks of freedom! Of course, this also means that it’s the end of another school year and, for younger children, moving on to a new teacher or even a new school. When I was at school, I always took this opportunity to thank my teacher for all their hard work with a small gift.

If you’d like to do the same, our Jamaica Inn gift packs make a great choice. Reasonably priced and beautifully presented, I’m sure that any teacher would be really grateful to receive one.

The Jamaica Inn Gift Packs are varied enough that they’ll cater to any tastes. For example, our Cookie Selection is perfect for any teacher with a sweet tooth, while the Trio of Chutneys will go down a storm with anyone who likes the more savoury side of things.

While their delicious contents make our Jamaica Inn Gift Packs fantastic gifts, I think that they’re sure to be even more gratefully received by any teacher with Cornish connections. Perhaps they used to live here but have moved away to teach? The same goes for any teacher who is fascinated with the history of Jamaica Inn or perhaps is a huge fan of Daphne Du Maurier’s novels.

Whatever the reason, I know that any teacher would be more than touched to receive a gift at the end of the academic year, especially if they won’t be teaching your child come September.

As always, we’d love to hear what you have to say about our Jamaica Inn Gift Packs. Will you be buying one for your teacher, or maybe for a friend or relative? Let us know, and let us know what you think if you happen to receive one yourself! Leave a comment below, or come and join us over on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!

Daphne Du Maurier’s Cornwall.

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Marc

Here at Jamaica Inn, we’re immensely proud of our connections to Daphne Du Maurier. As a lot of you may know, Du Maurier loved Cornwall, so for today’s blog we’re going to have a look at her relationship with our county. We’ll also suggest some books available in our online gift store, should you want to have a deeper look for yourself.

Born in London, Du Maurier spent her youth sailing and travelling the continent. Not long after the publication of her first novel she married Major Frederick Browning and moved to Cornwall. However, she always dreamed of a rundown, old mansion called Menabilly, near Fowey. In fact, in 1937 when Du Maurier and her husband were based abroad, she found herself homesick for the mansion. This inspired her to write her most famous novel; Rebecca, with the infamous Manderley house based heavily on Menabilly.

By 1957, Du Maurier had written two more novels set in Menabilly. Although she could never completely own it, as it was entailed to the Raleigh family, it was at this time that she finally went to live there. She wasn’t to stay there forever, unfortunately, and moved to Kilmarth after the death of her husband in 1965 where she lived until her death in 1989.

Daphne Du Maurier’s love of Cornwall permeates through so many of her books. A lot of them are set in real-life locations in Cornwall, such as Jamaica Inn, or like Rebecca, are based heavily on places that Du Maurier often visited.

As mentioned before, our online gift store stocks a wide range of Daphne Du Maurier books. As well as her novels and her biographies, we also have a number that cover her time in Cornwall. For example, in Vanishing Cornwall, Du Maurier herself talks about how the “onset of the modern world” was affecting the county she knew and loved. On the other hand Daphne Du Maurier Country, by Martyn Shallcross, explores Du Maurier’s favourite places across Cornwall and looks at their influence on her work.

Have you taken a trip to Cornwall to visit some of Daphne Du Maurier’s favourite places, or perhaps it’s always been a dream of yours? Whatever your thoughts on Du Maurier, Cornwall or anything else, be sure to get in touch and let us know! As always, you can leave a comment below or chat to us over on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!

Inspired by Cornwall

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Marc

Here at Jamaica Inn we understand just how influential the myths, legends and landscape of Cornwall can be. This is why in our online gift shop you’ll find a whole collection of gifts and souvenirs inspired by the intriguing history of Jamaica Inn and the beautiful Cornish countryside.

St German’s Moored Yachts

These stunning photographic prints from CWV Photography truly capture the essence of Cornwall and really are beautiful examples of Cornish landscape photography. All of these fantastic prints arrive ready to be framed and make ideal gifts for any occasion.

Ever since Daphne Du Maurier visited Jamaica Inn in 1930 and was inspired by its atmosphere and its smuggling history to write her most famous novel, other people have been coming to Cornwall from all over the world to experience the supernatural atmosphere and to hear many of the chilling Cornish ghost stories. If you want a scare we have plenty of fantastic books in our online gift shop containing the most terrifying ghost stories inspired by Cornwall – just make sure you don’t read them late at night!