One of our summer traditions is an evening at Melinsey Mill for one of their pizza nights. With school starting soon, me, Henry and my mum strolled down for some charming woodland dining.
Melinsey Mill’s in quite hidden spot. Situated at the bottom of a sheltered valley between Veryan and Ruan High Lanes, it’s a firm favourite with locals.
Open during the spring and summer months, Melinsey Mill is a great stop off for avid walkers passing through The Roseland Peninsula. Serving teas and coffee, cakes, sandwiches, and cream teas, it’s just the sustenance you need before embarking on further exploring and travels. In the evenings, it takes on a different feel, offering tasty pizzas in its rustic setting, amongst flora and twinkling lights.
Melinsey Mill
The mill, as it is now, has been in situ since the mid 1500s. It’s thought that a mill’s been in the valley since 1210 – that’s a long time!
Traditionally, Melinsey Mill produced food, hay and straw for local livestock, which makes total sense considering the number of farms in the local area. While it hasn’t been a working mill since the 1920s, it’s become a well regarded venue for refreshments and hearty food.
The Setting at Melinsey Mill
Melinsey Mill is now a beautiful, secluded place to eat, where customers are surrounded by nature. In the centre of the site is a pond; home to amphibians, ducks, and invertebrates. On one of our recent visits, we even spotted a dragonfly.
It’s not just good for spotting wildlife. Much care has been taken with plants, creating an ideal habitat for local wildlife and insects. Not forgetting, of course, the Melinsey Mill pond walk which takes you to different spots around the pond. Look out for a carved out mermaid, the sleeping troll, and trees decorated with lampshades. There’s the teapot arch too, paying homage to mugs and tea sets from my childhood.
Inside the mill there’s a quirky craft shop selling locally made items, from cards to blankets.
Pizza Night
Pizza night at Melinsey Mill usually takes place from Wednesday to Saturdays, from 6.30. It’s a good idea to book because it gets busy. All seating is outside but there’s the option to have your pizza in one of the 2 rustic wooden pods, or a bigger wooden holding, which is ideal for large groups.
The pizza menu at Melinsey Mill offers 3 or 4 choices, with an additional specials option. With a license to sell alcohol, they offer wine and beer, alongside a selection of soft drinks. Pizzas are a generous size too, all about 12″, with a gluten free option available. Nibbles are available too so there’s plenty of food to satisfy your appetite.
Me and my mum knew we’d struggle to finish a whole pizza each, and despite Henry’s assertion that he’d polish one off on his own, we went for 2 pizzas between the 3 of us (one gluten free). Henry chose the meat feast, topped with pepperoni, salami, chorizo, cheddar and mozzarella. Me and mum went for the special – pulled pork, sweetcorn and caramelised onions. All pizzas come topped with fresh rocket.
As it was a night out, we had a glass of merlot each. At only £3 a glass it’s excellent value, smooth, and went down a treat. In fact it was so nice, I’m tempted to give them a ring to find out which wine it is!
We didn’t have to wait long for our pizza and they were delicious, as always. Cooked in an outside pizza oven, both had a thin crispy base and generous toppings. I have to say, the pizzas didn’t last long. Once he’d eaten, Henry explored the pond walk while me and mum nursed our wine.
At the end of the evening, we walked up the hill (it’s very steep!), back to Veryan. If you visit in the day, or early evening, you can extend your visit by taking the nearby path through the woods to Pendower beach. Sounds like a good idea for a Sunday stroll to me, and a good way of walking off the pizzas.
Melinsey Mill is open from April to the end of October. They’re closed on Mondays, except Bank Holidays. It’s usually opening hours are 10-5.30. Pizza nights are Wednesday to Saturday. Do check their opening times online before you visit.