Adam Handling is preparing to open The Tartan Fox in Cornwall

By Angela Green: Adam Handling is preparing to open The Tartan Fox in Cornwall.

Chef Adam Handling MBE is delighted to announce the opening of his new pub, The Tartan Fox, in Cornwall on 4th June 2024.

The Tartan Fox, set in the picturesque countryside between Newquay and Truro, is Adam’s second venture in Cornwall, joining his Ugly Butterfly restaurant and bar in St. Ives nearby. The Tartan Fox marks Adam’s second pub opening, following the launch of the award-winning The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor in 2021.

In keeping with the Adam Handling Group ethos, The Tartan Fox embodies Adam’s visionary approach to modern, waste-free British food underpinned by the philosophy of ‘Sustainable, Local Luxury’. Like the Ugly Butterfly, all produce used at the pub will be sourced locally from Cornwall and the surrounding area, and Adam plans to grow home grown ingredients from the pub’s extensive garden space next growing season to include vegetables, herbs and flowers.

The name ‘The Tartan Fox’ is inspired by Adam’s Scottish roots and the pub’s location, which is nestled in the middle of a Cornish woodland and, like a fox’s home, is a den to escape to the countryside. A group of foxes is called a land, which relates to its group’s commitment to sustainability. This will be reflected in the pub’s interiors, which will focus on earthy tones and natural materials including stone and wood. Adam is determined to celebrate the history of the 400-year-old Grade II listed building, which sits in 30 acres of land.

The food offering will be similar to that of sister pub, The Loch & the Tyne, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand and 3 AA Rosettes, but using local ingredients from Cornwall and the surrounding area. Guests can expect delicious dining options, from more casual and classic pub grub to Adam Handling’s signature dishes with a touch of Scottish influence.

Alongside a selection of sustainable cocktails and local beers, there will be an extensive wine list, showcasing wines from around the globe as well as highlighting British excellence, spanning the breadth of affordability to luxury.

Once known as Carvynick House, located in the picturesque region of North Cornwall, the building has a history full of elegance and charm. Originally built in the 1600s, this grand residence embodies the architectural style of its time, with features that reflect a blend of tradition and sophistication. Built by the Tanner family, it was said to be the matrimonial home of Anthony Tanner and Grace Carthew and this is what the ‘T’ over ‘AC’ is believed to stand for before the year of construction stamp, which remains clearly carved over the entrance to the pub until present day. The transition to a pub marked a new stage in the history of Carvynick House and Adam is looking forward to The Tartan Fox being the building’s next chapter.

Tartan Fox will seat 90 over two floors, which will include the bar, wine room, restaurant and two private dining rooms, as well as additional restaurant seating upstairs. Adam is investing in refurbishing the pub ahead of its summer opening, with significant further investment scheduled in the first year. The Tartan Fox is designed as a stunning, quintessentially British country pub, which will utilize the building’s existing exposed brick and stone walls and combine them with stone and sintered wood, powerful fireplaces, wall-mounted lanterns and cozy areas and comfortable.

The pub also has an extensive garden area set in Cornish woodland. Boasting plenty of outdoor lounging space, Adam is also installing fire pits to ensure year-round use with delightful sunset views.

The Barn at The Tartan Fox offers a beautiful outdoor space for additional guest seating and can also be hired for weddings, parties and events for over 100 guests.

Says chef-owner Adam Handling MBE: “I’ve always loved Cornwall so when this opportunity came up it was one I just couldn’t turn down. The pub is absolutely stunning, steeped in history, set in the Cornish countryside with so much land. Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the UK and produces incredible ingredients. It’s amazing to have the chance to combine the history of this amazing building with sustainable British food made from local Cornish ingredients. You might not know you’re in an Adam Handling restaurant when you walk in, but you’ll know it when you walk out.

Cornwall is such a popular holiday destination as well as home to so many wonderful locals and it’s an absolute dream to be able to have two locations here. Extending the Adam Handling experience to Cornish residents and anyone further afield, you can fly into Newquay, visit us at The Tartan Fox in the countryside and then head to Ugly Butterfly on the coast. It’s the best of both worlds.”

The Tartan Fox, Carvynick Farm, A3058, Newquay, TR8 5AF. The website.

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