Hardly a match for London's Earl's Court, but the Kingsley Village shopping outlet at Fraddon puts on a highly professional “ideal” Home Show each year on the last weekend in April. Described as Cornwall's most exclusive home, garden and sustainable living exhibition, it brings together 45 exhibitors from all over the country along with the usual permanent shops, craft outlets and restaurants.
Cornwall Home Show emphasizes sustainable living solutions
Primarily aimed at shoppers, gadget lovers, DIY-ers and anyone looking for some home and garden inspiration it is a surprisingly professional and upmarket event. With an eye to the eco-friendly environmentalists among us, it also focuses on renewable energy solutions and sustainable living.
As well as the usual shops, the Cornwall Home Show brings in a host of exhibitors selling everything from luxury kitchens to furnishings. There are experts demonstrating electric vehicles, solar panels and home charging units and sustainable living experts if you are thinking of building or remodeling your Cornish cottage or holiday home. Interior design experts can give a range of practical advice and ideas to rival Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on a good day.
Cornwall's top specialists will all be on hand with new products and ideas and are happy to give out helpful hints and tips. Some of the exhibitors for 2013 include Rozen Furniture, Tor Windows, Kudos Kitchens, Cornwall Solar Panels, Eco Architectural, Natural Tile and Stone Company, Celtic Renewable Energy and Parks Interiors.
What to expect at the show
Other stands will demonstrate some of the latest home and garden design products to make life easier. It's exciting, interesting, and basically you don't know what you'll find around the next corner. Special show offers also help visitors save money and the modest £2 entrance fee includes a goody bag filled with information, offers and discounts.
By bringing everyone together in one place, you can compare products and costs, save time and speak to the key suppliers direct which is ideal if you are in the process of building or renovating a home, and just good fun to browse and pick up some ideas if you're not.
Kingsley Village's gourmet Food Hall
The modern purpose-built complex includes a Food Hall which is the focal point for many of the events and displays that make up the Cornwall Home Show. There's always a great selection of fresh meat, homemade sausages, Cornish cheese, poultry and game which maintains a commendably high standard.
Then there are stands of jams, pickles and chutneys as well as fresh fruit and veg by the barrowload. The Kingsley Fishmonger buys direct from Newlyn Fish Market, so it doesn't come any fresher. Choose fresh dressed crab, lobster, cod, or lesser known specialties such as John Dory (yes, it's a fish!), turbot and lemon sole. If you're nervous about cooking something new, the staff will offer plenty of cooking tips as well as dressing and sauces if you want to cheat.
Crafts and more at Kingsley Village
The Craft Hall showcases what a talented lot the Cornish truly are, with novelty pots, handmade jewellery, lovingly hand-stitched teddy bears, handmade beauty products, candles, baskets, woodwork ‐ you'll have to come and see the rest for yourself.
Kids of all ages will want to pick and mix from the range of sweets and chocolates at the Candy Village. Cornish Plants always have an array of potted plants, flowers and perennials for brightening up your Cornish garden and outlet shops have bargains in sporting goods, fashion, food and art.
When you need to rest your feet, take a break at the Kingsley Café and mull over the exhibitor brochures with a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake. Shopping and planning can be hungry work! The event runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4:30pm on Sunday and it is very easy to reach off the A30, just north of Summercourt.
Did we manage to mention something you would particularly like to see and do at the Cornwall Home Show?
Does the Cornwall Home show sound like somewhere you would like to visit? Have you been to other Home and Garden Shows elsewhere in the UK? What do you like best about these events? Do share your thoughts with us below.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.
The Cornwall Home Show event does sound like an eyeopener for a DIY enthusiast like me. I have been to several Home and Garden Shows in the past, but none of them appealed to me as much owing to the lack of eco-friendly solutions. Sounds like a show I would want to visit soon.