Paul Ainsworth Set to Reopen 100-Year-Old St Enodoc in Cornwall Next Month
Paul and Emma Ainsworth are delighted to announce the relaunch of one of the UK’s most recognisable travel destinations, St Enodoc in Rock, Cornwall, on 27 July 2026. The first stage in the renovation of this landmark Cornwall property combines contemporary elegance with the estate’s rich heritage while welcoming two new food concepts, a luxury wedding venue, and event spaces.
With a continued focus on exceptional guest experiences and the warm, personal hospitality that defines the family-run Ainsworth Collection, this historic estate, overlooking the Camel Estuary and welcoming guests since the 1920s, will continue to serve as both a hub for the local community and a sought-after destination for visitors from across the UK and further afield.
Restaurateurs Paul and Emma Ainsworth have long helped to define dining and tourism in Cornwall. Since opening the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No6 in 2011, The Ainsworth Collection has grown to encompass CiCi’s Bar, the Michelin Key awarded boutique hotel Padstow Townhouse, and Caffè Rojano. Across the River Camel in Rock, and just down the road from the soon-to-reopen St Enodoc, the collection also includes award-winning pub, The Mariners.
St Enodoc marks the couple’s most ambitious project to date with Paul leading the culinary vision and Emma curating the design narrative alongside close friend and interior designer, Eve Cullen-Cornes. The restoration pays homage to the building’s architectural heritage, complemented by interiors that reflect the Ainsworth Collection’s signature style. A planned second phase will focus on enhancing the property’s twenty-one rooms and the addition of a brand-new gym and wellness centre.
Surrounded by landscaped gardens and nestled between the sand dunes, the coastal retreat invites guests to explore at their leisure. The championship course at St Enodoc Golf Club is accessed directly from the property, while the nearby array of water sports remains a draw for guests looking to experience the coastline. An emphasis on openness runs throughout the space, with sweeping views across the expansive terraces to Padstow and the rolling landscape of Porthilly beyond.
The cooking for which The Ainsworth Collection is renowned sits at the heart of the food and drink offering, with the launch of two restaurants championing the long-standing supplier and producer relationships Paul has cultivated over his 18-year tenure in Cornwall.
The Estuary Grill will showcase the very best of Cornwall’s land and sea, including dry-aged meat from award-winning Philip Warren Butchers, alongside locally caught fish and seafood sourced from Flying Fish. A blackboard will highlight daily market price specials such as prime ribs, sirloins, pork chops and whole fish, all cooked over fire on the Asado grill by Somerset specialists Fire Made. In addition to grill classics like the St Enodoc burger, the menu will feature dishes inspired by Paul’s Seychellois heritage and the flavours of the Indian Ocean.
A more informal, family-friendly offering, The Flour Garden will be open all day, seasonally from March to October, welcoming guests on a walk-in basis. Set within the coastal garden, the relaxed outdoor restaurant will serve a menu centred around hand-stretched Neapolitan-style pizzas and hearty salads such as Panzanella and Niçoise, available to enjoy on-site or to take away. Guests can also choose from homemade soft serve made using a Carpigiani machine, topped with a playful selection of whimsical and nostalgic favourites.
The centrally located St Enodoc Bar will be open daily to all, serving as a meeting point for both locals and guests. The bar will offer an extensive drinks list featuring Guinness on tap, lagers from local Sharp’s Brewery, and Monte Carlo beers from entrepreneurs Antho Orengo and Will Scheffer in collaboration with Molson Coors, inspired by the French Riviera. Alongside this, guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails, spirits, and a world-class wine cellar. Monsieur Maurice, the hotel’s vintage French truck, will serve as an outdoor bar for drinks enjoyed with views of the gardens and Cornish coast.
Beyond dining, St Enodoc will introduce two brand-new, versatile function spaces designed to host everything from intimate gatherings to landmark celebrations. The Oyster Salon accommodates up to 100 guests and is perfectly suited to sit-down weddings, corporate events, and larger celebrations. With sweeping sea views and bi-folding glass doors, the Porthilly Pavilion provides a striking backdrop for civil ceremonies, private parties, and wellness activities, including yoga and pilates.
Paul Ainsworth comments, “Emma and I share a clear vision for St Enodoc: to honour a place rich in soul and history, bringing a renewed sense of energy and accessibility to its next chapter without losing what has always made it so special. We want St Enodoc to be a place for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re staying locally, travelling from afar or living around the corner. We can’t wait to welcome guests from the moment they arrive, with the same warmth and hospitality that runs through everything we do across our Collection, this time in a truly extraordinary setting. With the most incredible views, in a place that means so much to Emma and me, our ambition is for St Enodoc to become a year-round destination, not just for those of us who love Rock and Cornwall, but for visitors from across the UK and beyond to enjoy.”
Address: St Enodoc, Rock, Cornwall, PL27 6LA
Opening hours:
The Estuary Grill & The St Enodoc Bar & Terrace: Breakfast 7.30am-10.45am | Lunch & Dinner 12pm-9.30pm
The Flour Garden: Lunch & Dinner 12pm- Late
Room service: 7.30am-Late
