In the summer 2014 we wanted a family holiday that was also dog friendly.  After searching a lot of websites for properties that allow dogs we chose Retallack Resort and Spa near Padtsow Cornwall.  It was a fantastic resort, our 2 bedroom lodge had a private hot tub perfect to relax in after a day at the beach.  Padstow is known to be dog friendly but is it also gluten-free friendly?

 

Absolutely.  We arrived at the resort on one of the hottest days that summer with a Flowrider event in full swing.  On this occassion there was also an outside grill to order from.  Arriving on empty stomachs I headed there whilst my family set about relaxing in the hot tub.  I asked the head chef if there was any flour in the burgers he was unsure.  I was about to order something else when he pulled out his phone and dialled his butcher.  There was flour, how about some chicken breast?  Perfect.  It was a wonderful start.

 

I had heard that Stein's Fish and Chips had gluten-free options and could not wait to try them.  Having the dog in tow we headed to the take-away.  I ordered gluten-free haddock and chips (£9) and gluten-free cod bites (£5.95) and the same with regular batter.  The price was the same for the gluten-free as the regular and I don't believe we waited any longer as they were cooked in a seperate fryer.  It was wonderful to have  chip shop fish and chips again. What a treat to eat out and have some choices that aren't just a salad. 

 

On the back of this success our next destination was Rick Stein's The Cornish Arms.  Dogs are welcome inside and outside and there are gluten-free options available.  We enjoyed both meals so much that we visited them again before the holiday was over.

 

Staying in Cornwall I wanted to try a cornish pasty.  In Padstow there a couple of pasty shops that sell gluten-free options.  We tried The Padstow Pasty Company and opted for the traditional pasty.  One for now and one for later.  Fantastic just as I remember from holidays as a child.  Golden pastry and lots of filling.

 

Had we more time in this beautiful part of the country I would have liked to try Harbour Ice for a gluten-free icecream cone and  Rest a While tea shop for a gluten-free cream tea.