Cornwall Spring 2011
FREE
tourism magazine In association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com
To the edge of the world THE WILD BEAUTY OF LAND’S END NEW LOOK NEWQUAY Surf town welcomes the whole family BODMIN MOOR Cornwall’s ancient past remembered FALMOUTH AHOY! Leave the car – it’s time to set sail... PLUS
TRURO – CITY OF ELEGANCE AND CHARM WALK THIS WAY – CORNWALL’S BREATHTAKING COASTAL PATHS
The Cornwall Pass Cornwall’s DIsCoUnT CarD The smarT way To save money In Cornwall! Accepted at numerous businesses across Cornwall including RestauRants | attRactions | activities | tRavel | accommodation
7 Day Pass £7, 14 Day Pass £10, 12 Month Pass £20 If you are coming to Cornwall purchase your Cornwall Pass today and save up to £100 per week or more! Each Pass covers up to five persons with no restrictions on use Make great savings for just £1 per day or less Free booklet listing all participating businesses provided with every Pass
For more information and to purchase your Pass, log on to www.cornwalltouristpass.com or call 01209 899175.
The Cornwall Pass Discount Card is also available at Rowes Bakery outlets across Cornwall.
NORTH CORNWALL
CORNWALL INVITES YOU... Welcome to a world of breathtaking beauty, warm climate, quaint picture postcard scenery and friendly, laid-back locals. Welcome to Cornwall. The UK’s most beautiful county is a holiday paradise, a place where lush woodlands home to a wonderful array of wildlife and deep green valleys filled with a kaleidoscope of beautiful flowers give way to craggy granite coastlines of high cliffs and secluded bays, carved out by seas famed the world over for their beauty and power. There is, quite simply, nowhere like Cornwall. This magazine brings you a taste of what you can expect when you visit here – the promise of a holiday experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. From the world-famous surfing beaches of the rugged North Coast to the harbours of the south steeped in naval history, from idyllic hidden harbour towns with their multi-coloured houses reaching down to the seafront and miles of sandy beaches to technological wonders such as the Eden Project – Cornwall has the lot. And the people who keep this fabulous mix of ancient and modern heritage alive are ready to give you a real Cornish welcome. So what are you are waiting for? It’s high time you came to see for yourself...
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Contents
7 LEGEND HAS IT
15 NEW LOOK NEWQUAY
21 A SENSE OF ADVENTURE
North Cornwall’s beautiful coast is at the heart of the story of King Arthur – and you’ll discover it’s still a magical place today
Britain’s surfing capital is now the perfect place for a family holiday and the ideal starting point for some of Cornwall’s most exhilarating coastal walks
Explore Bodmin Moor with its myths and legends, then visit the smuggler’s coast that inspired the great novelist Daphne du Maurier
30 TAKE TO THE WATER
37 CLOSE TO THE EDGE
45 FANTASY ISLANDS
The Falmouth Estuary has many hidden gems – the only way to get the most out of a visit is leave the car behind and take the boat . . .
Go as far as you can on the mainland with a trip to Land’s End and Lizard Point, the dramatic coast which has its own island castle in the bay
A world away – just 15 minutes away. The Isles of Scilly lie a short hop off the western tip of Cornwall – perfect for either a day trip or longer stay
Cornwall tourism magazine
In association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com
Cornwall Tourism Magazine is published by Select Travel Media Ltd on behalf of Cornwall Tourism Ltd. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and nothing can be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers. All content is correct at the time of going to press. The publisher does not accept liability for any content used by advertisers in this edition. For Cornwall Tourism Sue Hayward info@cornwalltourism.eu www.cornwalltourismltd.co.uk Editor David Beevers davidb@selecttravelmedia.com
Cornwall Tourism Magazine 3
CORNWALL TOURIST PASS
Pass to the Duchy
EY ACROSS CORNWALL THE CORNWALL PASS REVOLUTION – THE SMART WAY TO SAVE MON information on the discounts they provide to Cornwall Pass holders. You can also find the list at www.cornwalltouristpass.com along with their location via Google Maps so you will always know where they are.
WITH everything going up in price, going on holiday can be an expensive business. Accommodation, dining, attractions, activities; they all cost money but you can’t really come on holiday and do nothing so how can you make good savings? Well, if you come on holiday or on business to Cornwall you can now make substantial savings across the county with a discount card called the Cornwall Pass.
SO WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK? The Cornwall Pass is a discount card that enables you to enjoy savings at a host of attractions, activities, historic sites and gardens, restaurants, accommodation, shops and taxis across Cornwall. It is available to both visitors and residents covers up to five people so it is ideal for couples, families or groups of friends and offers you savings of up to £100 a week or more for around £1 a day or less. If you are a visitor you can purchase one for the duration of your stay - a 7-Day Cornwall Pass for £7.00 or 14-Day Cornwall Pass for £10.00 - and if you are a frequent visitor to Cornwall or a resident, you can purchase
SO HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU SAVE? a 12-month Cornwall Pass for just £20.00. Remember, each Pass covers up to 5 people. To use your Cornwall Pass, all you have to do is go to a participating business, show them your Pass and receive your discount. It is as simple as that. There are no restrictions on how many times you can use it or where. As long as the business is participating in the scheme, you will save money.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A BUSINESS IS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME? When you purchase your Cornwall Pass, you’ll get a free booklet that lists all the businesses participating in the scheme. They are listed by business type and their listing includes, their name, address, contact information including website address and
The minimum discount level is 10%, however many businesses offer even more and you can easily make savings of £20 a day and over £100 per week and more.
SO HOW DO YOU PURCHASE YOUR CORNWALL PASS? You can purchase your Cornwall Pass directly from www.cornwalltouristpass.com using a secure on-line purchasing system with your debit/credit card either before your visit or when you arrive in Cornwall. You can also purchase it from a number of Holiday Parks and accommodation providers in Cornwall or from any of Rowe’s Bakery outlets which are spread across the county. So if you’re coming to Cornwall whether on holiday or business purchased your Cornwall Pass now and get more of Cornwall for less!
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www.royalcornwall.co.uk Tel: 01208 812183
Bolddog Lings
Motocross Display Team
Camel Polo, Showjumping, Music & Dance, Cornish food and drink
If you’re heading to the South West on business or for pleasure, with Air Southwest you can relax in the comfort of your leather seat, happy in the knowledge that you’ll be landing at your destination in a fraction of the time it takes by train or car. And with Air Southwest you’ll find the ticket price includes all the airport taxes, check-in fees, on-board refreshments and a 15kg luggage allowance, with no hidden extras. So next time you need to get to the West Country fast, why not jump on one of our very comfortable, very affordable flights to Bristol, Plymouth or Newquay?
Get close-up to the animals Meet the rare breeds Enjoy the grand parades We’ll be choughed to see you
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Cornwall Tourism Magazine 5
Major events in
Cornwall 2011
MAY
Celebrity start at Pendennis Castle at 1pm. Tel: 01326 312300.
21-22 Blue Chip Zapcat Powerboat Grand Prix Championship Fistral Beach, Newquay. Spectacular superpowered twinhulled catamaran races. Tel: 01637 860543.
9-11 Royal Cornwall Show Wadebridge Showground. A top agricultural show, the Royal Cornwall Show is the county’s biggest annual event. Tel: 01208 812183
27 – June 5 Fal River Festival 130 events across various venues in Falmouth, Truro and the Roseland. Tel: 01326 312300.
17-19 Rock Oyster Festival Dinham House, St Minver, Wadebridge. One of Cornwall’s premier food festivals. Tel: 07813 792968.
27-30 Run to the Sun Festival Trevelgue Holiday park, Porth, Newquay. Music, custom cars and VWs as far as the eye can see. Tel: 01637 851851.
17-19 Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival Falmouth. In support of RNLI. Tel: 01326 312300.
29 Meet Paddington Bear Bodmin and Wenford Railway, North Cornwall. Paddington visits the railway. Tel: 0845 125 9678.
17-26 Polperro Festival Polperro. A week of of music, art, drama, morris dancing and more! Tel: 07813 303445.
30 Victorian Fayre St Agnes. Celebrating local produce. Includes pasty-making competition. Tel: 01872 554150.
18-26 Golowan Festival 2011 Barbican Lane, Penzance. Celebration of the traditional Feast of St John. Tel: 01736 369686.
JUNE 1-5 Charles Causley Festival Launceston. Celebrating the life of the Launceston poet. 01566 774107. 3-5 Looe Lugger Regatta Looe. Classic fishing boats compete under sail in the harbour. Tel: 01503 262072. 4 Azores & Back Yacht Race Falmouth. The largest ocean race to leave Great Britain in 2011.
18 Murdoch Day Redruth. Annual celebration of its most famous citizen, inventor William Murdoch. Tel: 01209 210038. 26 – July 2 Mevagissey Feast Week Mevagissey. Week of music, dance and races in the harbour, a tradition dating back to 1754. Tel: 01726 74014
JULY
AUGUST
1-16 Lafrowda Festival St Just. Two-week celebration of entertainment and the arts in St Just. Tel: 01726 888160.
1-6 Padstow Carnival Week Padstow. A week of events celebrating the town. Tel: 01841 533449.
9 Liskeard Agricultural Show Merrymeet, Liskeard. High quality breeds plus smaller animals for the kids. Tel: 01579 342955.
6-13 Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week Falmouth. Internationally recognised sailing regatta. Tel: 01326 312300.
9-31 Archaeological Dig Arthurian Centre at Slaughtersbridge, near Camelford. The public are welcome to have a go!
6-7 Trereife Summer Fine Food & Craft Fair Trereife House & Gardens, Newlyn. Promoting local produce. Tel: 01736 362750.
11 Stithians Agricultural Show Stithians. Includes display of steam vehicles and food stalls. Tel: 01209 861073.
13-14 Living History/Battle Reenactment Weekend Arthurian Centre at Slaughtersbridge, near Camelford.
20 RNAS Culdrose Air Day Helston. Air show featuring fighter jets, helicopters, parachute displays and classic planes. Tel: 01326 574121.
14-20 Fowey Regatta and Carnival Week Fowey. Daily races plus shoreside themed events. Tel: 01726 833573
21-24 Port Eliot Festival Port Eliot House, Caradon. Pitch your tent and enjoy a variety of musical and comic events. Tel: 01503 232783. 23-24 Living History/Battle Reenactment Weekend Arthurian Centre at Slaughtersbridge, near Camelford. 30 – August 5 Charlestown Regatta Week Charlestown. Sailing competitions in and around the harbour. Visit: www.charlestownregatta.co.uk.
19-21 West Of England Steam Rally Sithians Showground, Truro. The largest steam rally in the Southwest. Tel: 07729 816888. 20-26 2011 Mirror Dinghy National Championships Mylor, Falmouth. Parent/child crews compete in distinctive red sailed boats. Tel: 01326 374536. 27 – September 2 Bude Jazz Festival Various venues, Bude. A major event in the jazz world – a weeklong festival celebrating the early years of jazz. Tel: 01288 354240.
NORTH CORNWALL
Legend has it... DISCOVER THE ATLANTIC HERITAGE COAST NORTH Cornwall is 60 miles of rugged coastline – jagged, raw and breathtakingly beautiful after millions of years of going toe-to-toe with all the Atlantic could throw at it. The result is a stretch of coast peppered with inlets, coves, little villages and giant cliffs, an undulating paradise waiting to be explored. Ports grew as ships loaded up and sailed from here to all parts of the world. Castles were built to protect the crucial coastline.
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But even before all that, in the dark mists of myth and legend, the Arthurian legend began here in a town whose name would become synonymous with our ancient heritage – Tintagel. The Atlantic Heritage Coast stretches from Bude in the north to Wadebridge and the Camel Estuary and all along its reach it throws up a magical experience for the holidaymaker. There’s also some of the finest surfing beaches in Europe. So take a trip with us along its ragged edge and back through time. Of course, in true Cornish tradition, it’s a very relaxed, leisurely trip with one or two distractions along the way...
Cornwall Tourism Magazine 7
NORTH CORNWALL Summerleaze Beach
BUDE This charming sea-side town with its friendly and welcoming atmosphere provides everything the locals and visitors need. As the town centre of Bude has evolved over a couple of centuries, you will find a rather interesting mix of buildings, some dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, whilst others have a Georgian, Edwardian or Victorian character. Bude really came into its own in the mid18th Century, as the port’s trade rocketed.
Warehouses were built to hold cargo, and many cottages sprung up to house tradesmen, workers and captains. Over the next 80 years Bude flourished. In the 19th Century, as trade dipped, the advent of the railways came to the rescue. The town was connected to the national railway grid and with that, thousands of well to-do holidaymakers arrived for their summer holidays. The prestigious Grenville Hotel was
BEACHES
PLACES OF INTEREST
Summerleaze Beach Less than five minutes’ walk from the centre of town and the large car park leads directly onto the sand dunes. Summerleaze is a wide, sandy beach that is sheltered by the impressive breakwater, making it particularly popular with families. Another gem is the sea pool nestled at the foot of the cliffs. Part man-made and part natural rock pool, the salt-water pool, cleaned daily by the tide, has enticed swimmers since it opened in 1930. Lifeguard cover is provided on the beach and at the pool over the Easter weekend and from 1st May until 30th September. Dogs must be on leads from 21st May to 30th September from 10am-6pm.
Poundstock Gildhouse The 15th century Gildhouse stands alongsidenSt. Winwaloe, the parish church of Poundstock. The Grade 1 listed building is the best-preserved example in Cornwall of a late medieval church house which has been in continuous use since it was built. It is open to the public every Wednesday from May throughout the summer 10am-4pm.
Crooklets Beach Crooklets is at the north side of Bude and can be reached by a short walk over the Summerleaze Down, or down the hill from the town centre. A wide expanse of golden sand is exposed at low tide, bordered by rocky outcrops ideal for rockpooling. Crooklets has great facilities - a large car park, level access and viewing area, a play area, skate park, beach cafe, showers, amusements and pubs close by. Crooklets is very popular with surfers and is home to the Bude Surf Life Saving Club. Lifeguard cover is provided from 16th May until 20th September. Dogs are banned from Easter Day to 1st October (except guide dogs).
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The Bude Marshes Nature Reserve The main feature of the reserve is the reed bed, reed marsh, the fourth largest area of reed in the county and a valuable habitat for wintering migrant and breeding birds including high numbers of wintering rail and snipe. It is also an important winter roost for pied wagtails. Migrant birds have included bittern, glossy ibis, Baillons crake, night heron, and gargany duck, as well as the more regular sandpipers, warblers, etc. The area is also important in summer when there are breeding sedge and reed warbler, moorhen, willow warbler, reed bunting and mallard. Otters are known to regularly use the area. Maer Lake Nature Reserve Maer Lake is a wetland meadow reserve which is closed off to access but which can be viewed from the private road which runs alongside it. Visitors with cars should park in Crooklets Beach car park and not on the private road. The purpose of this is to allow the visiting
built, and with it many a guesthouse opened its doors to the influx of people. Today, tourism is still Bude’s main employer and although the railway line is now long gone, Bude’s tourism trade is going from strength to strength. Hartland Point
birds uninterrupted peace so they can settle, nest and rear chicks without disturbance. The site attracts a wide variety of species including bittern, snipe, spoonbill, plovers, many species of duck such as teal and widgeon, and grey and red-necked phalaropes. Phillips Point and Upton Meadow These two beautiful reserves are very close to each other on the road heading out of Bude to Widemouth Bay. Phillips Point has magnificent vertical and slumping high cliffs with spectacular views to Hartland Point and Widemouth. This is one of Cornwall Wildife Trust’s smallest reserves. From it you can see large colonies of grey seals frolicking off the coast. Upton Meadow has a wide range of species here, albeit mainly common plants and animals, such as rabbits and creeping buttercup. Buzzard are most often seen soaring over the reserves.
SURFING Surfing’s what Bude is famous for and it has a thriving surfing community. The most popular on the Bude coast for the best waves are Widemouth Bay to the south, and north to Duckpool, Sandymouth and Northcott beaches. In the town itself, Crooklets and Summerleaze both face west, swells up to about eight feet.
KAYAKING Bude is well served with kayaking environments. The canal provides the perfect safe location to introduce young and novice paddlers to the sport, the harbour area allows for more adventure but still within the safety of Summerleaze Bay and then there’s the open ocean for Sea Kayaking expeditions.
GOLF The Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club is a 21-hole course located in the town centre. Visitors are welcome, and many local B&Bs and hotels offer reduced green fees. For more info visit the club’s website: www.budegolf.co.uk, e-mail: secretary@ budegolf.co.uk or call the Club Secretary Mrs P.Ralph on 01288 352006
CRABBING Bude’s beaches are perfect for families to explore at low tide. A basic crabbing line, fishing net and bucket will cost just a few pounds – even the Bude Tourist Information Centre sells them. Whilst you are crabbing, you will come across a whole host of wildlife – Shore crabs, Dog and Cat fish, colourful Sea Urchins, Common and Sand Starfish, Edible Crab, Shrimps and all sorts of shellfish such as Cockles and Mussels.
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NORTH CORNWALL WIDEMOUTH BAY Widemouth Bay is very popular with bathers and surfers alike. Although it looks like one huge beach, stretching across almost 1.5 miles, it is actually divided into the North and South Beach (also called Black Rock) by a natural barrier of rock. Widemouth offers fantastic conditions to learn surfing or body-boarding, which is why many of the local surf schools have their base there. A big car park, public toilets and beach café are available. Lifeguard cover is provided from the beginning of May until the end of September (North Beach). Cover on Black Rock is from the middle of May until the end of September. Dogs are welcome on Black Rock beach.
N CRACKINGTON HAVE Dominated by truly majestic cliffs, this is a wonderful, but small beach, with hundreds of rock pools teaming with wildlife. It offers quite a stretch of golden sand with the tide out, and has facilities such as car park, pub, café and public toilets. Lifeguard cover is provided in July and August. No dogs are allowed.
BOSCASTLE Boscastle nestles in a scenic rocky inlet on the dramatic north coast of Cornwall. Visitors usually head for the harbour but there is far more to discover in this unique place. It is most famous for hitting the headlines in 2004 when a flash flood tore through the streets of the village and Crackington Haven. The community has fully recovered now and Boscastle is back to its beautiful best – with a few modern improvements carried out since the flood. open all year round.
BEACHES Bossiney Haven A few minutes drive along the road towards Tintagel, this is a beautiful hidden gem. The large sandy beach is accessible only via footpath over farmland and steep man-made steps down the cliffs. There are no lifeguards but dogs are allowed all year round.
PLACES OF INTEREST Boscastle Pottery The Pottery was established in 1967 by Roger Irving Little who has since been joined by his son, Tim. It is situated in the Old Bakery and specialises in Mocha
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ware. This is a technique where “mocha tea” is applied to wet slip. The tea runs through the slip creating a tree or fern-like pattern. Museum of Witchcraft The Museum of Witchcraft in located in the Harbour at Boscastle, and houses the world’s largest collection of witchcraft related artefacts and regalia. The museum celebrates 60 years of scaring the living daylights out of millions of visitors from all over the world – it’s one of Cornwall’s most popular museums. It was opened in 1951 by occult expert Cecil Williamson, a Devon man with a lifetime of experience in withcraft both here and in Africa. It’s
The Old Mill The Old Mill is a collection of craft and antique shops keeping alive the traditions of the past. It still has a working wheel and an artist in residence works at the Old Forge. The Mill dates from the early 1800s and was built as a Corn Mill for the surrounding area and further afield. In fact its flour was shipped out in such quantities from the harbour that it led to Boscastle becoming one of the county’s most important ports during the 19th century. Pentargon Waterfall Follow the Coast Path from the north side of the Harbour, climb the hill and continue along the clifftops to Pentargon for a glimpse of this magnificent waterfall.
The route then takes you back into the village – it was created by locals dodging paying a toll on the more direct route centuries ago. Bottreaux Castle The site of Bottreaux Castle at the top end of the village dates back to 1100 AD, and the views over Boscastle are magnificent. The castle, from which Boscastle gained its name, has sadly vanished but it is said that much of the village was built from its stone. Indeed there are stone windows in the famous Wellington Hotel in the village that are reputed to have come from the Castle. A tiny opening and a road near here takes you down past Minster church through a valley to Lesnewth and St. Juliot’s Church, which is where the novelist Thomas Hardy met the love of his life Emma while working as an architect on the church tower.
Cornwall Tourism Magazine 9
NORTH CORNWALL TINTAGEL Tintagel is best known for its connection with King Arthur and its many shops, inns and houses reflect this with Arthurian connotations in their names. The dramatic setting of the legend is unsurpassed with the Castle Ruins spanning from the mainland to the Island and the panoramic rugged coast line of north Cornwall.
BEACHES Trebarwith Strand A long stretch of sandy beach with plenty of rock pools just south of Tintagel. There is fairly good access from the road (drop-off point) and the car park is a 5 minute walk. Popular with surfers. Summer lifeguards. Refreshments available. Ample parking, toilets and telephone at the Beach. Dogs allowed all year.
PLACES OF INTEREST Tintagel Castle A short walk along the cliff brings you to Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave. Tintagel Castle is steeped in legend and mystery; said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. With a history stretching as far back as the Romans, Tintagel Castle is one of the most iconic visitor attractions in the south west. Joined to the mainland by a narrow neck of land, Tintagel Island faces the full force of the Atlantic. On the mainland itself, the remains of the medieval castle represent only one phase in a long history of occupation. Even before Richard, Earl of Cornwall, built his castle in 1233, Tintagel was already associated in legend as the place where King Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon was seduced by his mother Queen Igraine. Indeed Richard’s castle was probably deliberately built to reinforce his connections with Arthur and the ancient rulers of Cornwall. The remains of the 13th century castle are breathtaking. Steep stone steps, stout walls and rugged windswept cliff edges encircle the great hall, where Richard, Earl of Cornwall, once feasted. Due to the geography of the local area, access to the castle is via at least 100 steep steps. Surfaces in the castle include grass, gravel, cobbles and flagstones. The island element of the site is a natural Cornish headland which includes several cliffs. Parts of the castle can be 10 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
viewed from Glebe Cliff - the National Trust has set aside an area beside the church for this purpose. A Land Rover service (April - October) can take visually impaired and disabled people to the exhibition and shop (additional charge). No need to book, except for large groups - please contact the site in advance.
The central hall is open to the great oak trusses and slates of the roof. A pleasing collection of country furniture, fine needlework samplers and a charming garden all add interest. During Victorian times one room was used as the letterreceiving office for the village and so the house became known as the Old Post Office.
The Old Post Office The ancient undulating roof and massive chimney stack lend character to this fascinating 14th century Yeomans Farmhouse in the centre of Tintagel.
St Materiana Situated on the wild and exposed cliff top known as Glebe Cliff to the south of Tintagel Village, the Parish Church of St Materiana’s has many qualities of
interest to the visitor including a font originally from the castle chapel and a Roman milestone once built into the lychgate. Trebarwith Nature Reserve This rich meadow and coastal valley area is accessible via a public footpath off the road leading to Treknow from the B3262 at Trewarmett, two miles south of Tintagel. It offers quiet walks through some of the lushest woodland in Cornwall. Brown trout fill the stream, which meanders through the three-acre site. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
NORTH CORNWALL PORT ISAAC Port Isaac might look very familiar to many of you – it boasts quite a film and TV career. It was where the hugely popular 80s TV drama Poldark was filmed and it is perhaps better known to you as Portwenn, the fictional village in the hit ITV series Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes. It was also featured in the 2000 comedy film Saving Grace with Brenda Blethyn and the village hall was even given a makeover by Nick Knowles and his builder pals for the BBC’s DIY SOS. It is also the home of the latest “pop” group to take the music charts by storm – sea shanty harmony group The Fisherman’s Friends, who still sing every Friday night during the summer on the Platt in the Old Harbour despite having signed a £1million album deal with Universal Records. Port Isaac was a busy coastal port from the Middle Ages to the mid 19th. century when it was an active harbour where cargoes like
BEACHES Polzeath One of the best surfing beaches in North Cornwall is Polzeath 4 miles away. Dogs are not permitted on this beach from April to September, but the adjacent, wide beach of Daymer Bay (5 miles) has excellent, fine sand and is available to families and pets. Port Gaverne Neighbouring Port Gaverne developed in the 19th century as a slate, coal, limestone handling port where shipbuilding also took place - the large buildings have all been converted into holiday accommodation. At low tide www.cornwalltouristpass.com
stone, coal, timber and pottery were loaded and unloaded. Fishing and fish-processing were also important and today there are still fishermen working from here although tourism plays an increasingly important role. Most of the old centre of the village consists of 18th. and 19th. century cottages, many officially listed as of architectural or historic
there is small, sheltered, sandy beach with an abundance of rock pools which is probably the safest beach in North Cornwall for small children. Park in Port Isaac and walk across. No lifeguards. Dogs allowed all year.
PLACES OF INTEREST Port Quin Worth a trip, this now deserted community is owned and run by the National Trust. It lies about two miles to the west of Port Isaac and has suffered two traumatic episodes in its history – once when all the menfolk were swept away and drowned in a fierce storm and the other occasion when the failure of the pilchard harvest killed
importance, along narrow alleys and ‘opes’ winding down steep hillsides. To the south is St Endellion, the district now firmly established in the political history of our nation as the inspiration for one of the forenames of Prime Minister David Cameron’s daughter Florence Rose Endellion,, who was born while he and his wife Samantha were holidaying there in 2010.
off the local community. A real insight into old Cornwall and the sometimes fragile existence people in remote communities used to endure. Carruan Working Farm Carruan livestock farm just outside Polzeath is open to the public and has its own restaurant (you can’t get fewer food miles than that when you dine out!) The aim at Carruan is to show you how they farm, and there are tours on the tractor & trailer, plus outdoor and indoor play areas and an area where you can get to know the farm animals personally! There is also a farm shop so you can try some of the locally produced meat and other produce from the farm. Cornwall Tourism Magazine 11
NORTH CORNWALL
TOW ESTUARY PADSTOW AND PADS Ask anyone if they know anything about Padstow and you’re likely to get one answer – Rick Stein. The celebrated TV chef with a passion for seafood and fish has over the past 25 years singlehandedly put this idyllic little harbour town on the map not just in the UK but globally. But there’s a lot more to the town than that. The natural beauty of the area around Padstow will thrill you – its rugged coastline, sweeping sandy beaches, quiet coves and fabulous walks. But there is much more to do and see. At the centre of all activity is the harbour. Brass band concerts are held regularly, visiting entertainers often perform on the quayside, fishing and pleasure trips depart from there and much social activity is conducted from the harbourside cafes, restaurants and pubs. Treat yourself to a wreck, reef or bottom fishing trip or a fun-forall-the family mackerel trip out in the bay. Or try a high powered speedboat trip or more leisurely cruise aboard the Jubilee Queen for a trip along the fabulous coastline. The Padstow Town Museum lets you step back in time and discover the history of Padstow through its Obby Oss, Railway and Lifeboat displays. The Museum is open from Easter to the end of October and is run by volunteers. 12 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
BEACHES To the north of the town and accessible by the coast path is a beautiful beach that stretches from St Georges Cove to Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove. The walk from Padstow to St Georges Cove takes about 20 minutes with great views across the estuary. Harbour Cove is just further along the coast. The walk out to the headland to Stepper Point (The Sleeping Dragon) provides the most stunning views of the estuary including Daymer Bay, Rock and up the estuary to the old Iron Bridge which is part of the Camel Trail. Padstow is connected via a ferry service to the village of Rock. Dogs are banned from St Georges Cove from Easter Day to October 1
however are permitted at Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove.
PLACES OF INTEREST Prideaux Place Prideaux Place is one of the West Country’s oldest houses remaining in habitable condition, visually and essentially Elizabethan yet with a wealth of Strawberry Hill Gothic interiors. Fourteen generations of Prideaux have lived here and each generation has added its own contribution to the house and its historic garden. This beautiful mansion sits on the hill above Padstow and the grounds boast some of the finest views over its ancient Deer Park and the Camel Estuary to Rock and Bodmin Moor beyond.
The National Lobster Hatchery South Quay The National Lobster Hatchery can be found on the docks of the picturesque Cornish fishing village of Padstow. Their aim is to help maintain a healthy lobster population in Cornwall through conservation, education and research, supported by a fun visitor centre and the donations of sponsors and Friends. You can even adopt a lobster while you’re there! There main attraction is seeing the young lobsters growing up ready to be released, they also have a resident giant lobster, ‘Dai the Claw’ and Edible and Spider Crabs.
WADEBRIDGE This bustling market town, which thrives alongside the ebb and flow of the River Camel, offers a wide variety of things to see and do for all tastes and ages. Take a walk around the town and you’ll find there’s a surprise around every corner. From the tiniest shops to the biggest store, they offer something special and with personal service to boot. Take a stroll down Molesworth Street. You can relax as you browse or just sit and watch the world go by in this pedestrianised boulevard style area.
PLACES OF INTEREST St Eval Karting Circuit St. Eval Kart Racing Circuit is the culmination of 10 years planning and construction and as a result is the Largest, Fastest and Most Exciting race circuit in the South West offering 800m/1000m/1200m tracks including a flyover. The 1200m circuit has been very carefully designed with the assistance of some of the UK’s top racing drivers. Downhill Meadow Nature Reserve A meadow and heathland area accessible by foot off the B3276 near the
disused St Eval airfield. It is home to a variety of birds including yellowhammer.
GOLF Wadebridge has a fine golf course at St Kew and the club bend over backwards to cater for the holidaymaker. It is set in attractive parkland and is a relatively flat course which suits older players who struggle with the more undulating courses in the area. Nine-hole rounds are available for those who don’t want to commit the whole day to a full round of golf. For more info, e-mail the secretary at: fjb@stkewgolfclub.fsnet.co.uk
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Cornwall Tourism Magazine 13
NORTH CORNWALL
ST MERRYN The parish and village of St Merryn includes more than five miles of coastline, with some of the most dramatic cliffs and beautiful beaches in Cornwall. St Merryn’s village motto of ‘Seven Bays for Seven Days’ comes from the seven beaches within the parish of Trevone Bay, Harlyn Bay, Mother Iveys Bay, Boobies Bay, Constantine Bay, Treyarnon Bay and Porthcothan Bay all of which offer something a little different from safe family bathing to great surf for learners or the more experienced. There are always things going on in St Merryn and during the main season events such as the St Merryn Carnival, the Great Atlantic Raft Race, the St Merryn Vintage Steam Rally, church fetes, community markets, fun days and local music events will keep you busy during your time away from the beach.
THE SEVEN BEACHES Mother Ivey’s Bay Mother Ivey’s Bay is a picturesque and pleasant sandy beach. The nearest parking is at Harlyn Bay (to the east), which then involves a 15 to 20 minute walk along the coast path. Dog friendly. Trevone Bay Trevone Bay is located between Padstow and Harlyn Bay. The village of Trevone has two beaches, a sandy beach which is ideal for those lazy days by the sea. The sand is fine and golden, ideal sandcastle material. Harlyn Bay Harlyn Bay is an excellent beach for all manor of seaside activities. The bay is excellent for surfing, swimming and sunbathing, with some fine walks along the headlands in either direction.
Constantine Bay and Boobie’s Bay Constantine Bay and Boobie’s Bay are two stunning beaches, both crescents of soft golden sand that form one long beach at low tide. Treyarnon Bay Treyarnon Bay is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a clean beach which, at low tide, reveals a large area of golden sand. The renowned “natural” swimming pool, at the bottom of the low cliffs near the Youth Hostel, was a hollow in the rocks which has been dammed at one end. It is flushed out by the incoming tide and is easily accessible at low tide. Porthcothan Bay Porthcothan is a lovely sandy bay with a small stream, running across a fine golden
sandy beach, that is sheltered by sand dunes and craggy headlands.
GOLF Trevose Golf and Country Club St Merryn is also lucky to have this UK Top 100 Golf Course within the parish which welcomes visitors year round. The Trevose course was established in 1925 and was designed by Harry Colt, one of the greatest golf architects of his time. Trevose offers three great courses so is able to cater for all levels as well as a superb restaurant, comfortable bar, outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis and seven sandy bays. The views are spectacular and all visitors are welcome. For more info, visit the website: www.trevose-gc.co.uk or e-mail: info@trevose-gc.co.uk
THE CAMEL TRAIL
The Camel Trail is arguably the most successful recreational trail in the UK, providing access to the beautiful Cornish countryside along a disused railway line between Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. As the final leg of the Atlantic Coast Express journey from Waterloo, winding alongside the spectacular Camel Estuary, the line was immortalised in ‘Betjeman’s Cornwall’ as “the most 14 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
beautiful train journey I know”. The Camel Trail is a 18 mile largely traffic free, smoothsurfaced and virtually level cycle way which passes through some of the most spectacular countryside in the south west. Following the disused railway line once used by the London and South West Railway, cyclists hug the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Wadebridge before joining the
route through the deeply incised and beautifully wooded Camel Valley to Bodmin. At Bodmin yet another line, one of the most historic in the country, winds its way inland to the foot of Bodmin Moor where it comes to an end near Blisland, an extraordinarily pretty moorland village. Landscape and wildlife designations abound, contrasts in scenery are striking and access
to country and seaside towns provides opportunities to use local shops, pubs and visit attractions. Visitors can easily hire bikes in Padstow, Wadebridge or Bodmin, if they don’t have their own. The trail provides access in to the heart of North Cornwall; experienced cyclists can make off, away from the trail exploring the many villages and country lanes which lie close to the trail. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
THE NORTH COAST
Newquay keeps it in the family TOWN RE-ESTABLISHED AS THE NUMBER ONE SPOT FOR ALL AGES www.cornwalltouristpass.com
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THE NORTH COAST SURFING
NEWQUAY NEWQUAY is a town reborn. The surfing capital of the UK is fast restoring its reputation as a major family holiday centre – a reputation built on surperb hotels and accommodation, great facilities, world-famous beaches and a host of fun attractions to keep visitors of all ages happy. After all, it was voted Best Family Holiday Destination by readers of Coast magazine and last year came in as the sixth favourite seaside resort in the whole UK in a Which? holiday report. Its success lies in the fact that there’s so much to do – as well as surfing, there’s a host of walking and cycling trails in the town and the surrounding countryside, plus opportunities for horse-riding and fishing as well as more extreme activities such as power-kiting, coasteering and abseiling. The town has certainly come a long way since its early days as a fishing village more famous for pilchards than surf shacks! Its fishing heritage is still evident in the town. You can still visit the Huer’s Hut high above the harbour, a little round building where a man would keep watch and shout “Hevva!” when pilchards were sighted so the boats could go out and haul them in. The hut now just acts as a fantastic vantage point to see the myriad of pleasure
BEACHES Crantock Beach A beautiful expanse of golden beach with good surf, ideal for all abilities which is popular with families because of its sheltered bathing. Fistral Beach Newquay’s iconic beach, quite simply one of the most consistent and best surfing beaches in the UK and Europe. Home to the Ripcurl Boardmasters, Europe’s largest surf, skate and music festival, its wild waters perfect for a variety of water based sports. Tolcarne Beach One of a quartet of town centre beaches, the others being Great Western, Harbour and Towan. Situated at the Northern end of the bay and flanked by high cliffs, it is another ideal family beach. Great Western Beach A sheltered beach with the high cliffs popular with novice surfers. Harbour Beach Situated within the harbour walls, the smallest of the town beaches is a sheltered, calm beach with no surf, ideal for parents with young children. Towan Beach Situated adjacent to the quay, this sheltered beach is another perfect family 16 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
crafts in the harbour. The harbour itself is the venue for one of the most spectacular events in Newquay’s calendar - the Pilot Gig racing Festival in September. Pilot gigs are 20-foot rowing boats made of Cornish elm with a six-man crew. They were built to take the “pilot” out to the sailing ships waiting off the many harbours around Cornwall. The speeds they can reach are quite scary – centuries ago, the gigs were used for smuggling and as lifeboats due to their speed and seaworthiness. Now they are just raced in competitions right round the coast. Back in the centre of town, the Newquay Discovery Trail is a great way to spend a day getting to know the town and its chequered history. The trail consists of 14 Cornish slate discs, each over three feet in diameter, sunk into the ground at strategic points around the town. Each disc carries a series of ‘conundrum’ words carved by sculptor Peter Martin. People following the trail can pick up a free guide and learn about the town’s past. The trail starts at the Killacourt.
spot. A cafe with outside seating and public toilets is situated at the Blue Reef Aquarium. Whipsiderry Beach A sheltered cove next to the Porth headland, with a steep climb back to the top. The beach has a number of large caves exposed at low tide but beware – it’s completely submerged at high tide.
PLACES OF INTEREST Newquay Zoo Situated in the fabulous 26-acre Trenance Gardens, this is Cornwall’s only zoo. It is home to over 130 species from penguins relaxing in their pool to insects,
Newquay is, of course, most famous for its surf. It was established as the premier location for the sport in the 1960s when the sport suddenly took off worldwide. The British Surfing Association was formed at Newquay in 1966. At the centre of Newquay’s surfing status is the legendary Fistral Beach which has a reputation as one of the best beach breaks in Cornwall. Fistral is capable of producing powerful, hollow waves and holding a good sized swell. Newquay is also home to the reef known as the Cribbar. Breaking at up to 20 feet, the Cribbar was until recently rarely surfed as it requires no wind and huge swell to break. It was first attempted in 1967 by early surfers Jack Lydgate, Bob Head and Rod Sumpter. One for the professionals. For the rest of us, there are numerous surf schools and hire shops where you can get kitted out and take your first steps learning to surf. Or maybe you’re an accomplished surfer who wants to go to the next level. All abilities are catered for.
giant snakes and big cats. The African Savanna exhibit has Black Wildebeest, Nyala antelope, waterbuck, ostrich and strikingly beautiful zebra. Raised viewing platforms give you a birds-eye view of the enclosures. Blue Reef Aquarium The aquarium on Towan Beach gives families the chance to come face to face with everything from giant crabs and lobsters to seahorses and tropical sharks and find out more about these creatures’ amazing lives in over 40 naturally recreated displays. At the Aquarium’s heart is a giant ocean tank where an underwater walkthrough tunnel offers incredibly close-up views of a beautiful Crantock Beach
tropical coral reef – home to hundreds of colourful fish. Open all year round. Lappa Valley Steam Railway This miniature railway was opened in the 1970s and offers a quaint way to travel through some beautiful woodland and lush countryside. The mile-long journey from Benny Halt runs to a small leisure park at East Wheal Rose. Two other miniature railways run from here: the 10¼ inch gauge climbs around half a mile further up the valley, and the 7¼ inch gauge follows travels a circuit of about 350 yards. There are canoes and pedaloes on the lovely boating lake in the leisure area, in addition to crazy golf, nature walks and various other amusements for children. Dairyland Farm World Dairyland in Summercourt, Newquay, is a great day out for the family which gives children the chance to meet lots of beautiful animals, including lambs, kids, rabbits, donkeys, piglets and Lawrence the Llama. There are also Chinchillas, chipmunks and storks. The Cornish Heritage Centre shows how local people used to live and earn a crust and kids will love the Bull Pen, a 12,000sq ft undercover play area with slides, ball pools, climbing nets and a fireman’s pole. The attraction is open until November 1 but the Bull pen is open all year round. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
COA STAL & COUNTRY SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION IN PADSTOW AND THE NORTH CORNISH COA ST
Come and visit us… • Taste our sumptuous range of ice creams • Sample our seasonal menu of local foods • Take home crafts and food gifts • See the animals close up • Watch a video of our dairy farm Find us off the A3075 Redruth to Newquay Road e: info@callestickfarm.co.uk • t: 01872 573126
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THE NORTH COAST
Walks on the wild side THE coastal walks along the shoreline from just below Padstow Bay to Hayle in the Land’s End peninsula are some of the most stunning of anywhere in the UK. The paths, operated by local highway authorities, AONB services, the National Trust and voluntary organisations such as the County Wildlife Trusts, are open throughout the year and on some stretches Guided Tours are available on many sections – check at any local tourist information centre when you arrive and start planning that walk of a lifetime! The South West Coastal Paths have broken down suggested walks into manageable chunks. Of course, you can divide these up into smaller, shorter walks if you’re feeling less energetic.
WALK 1: (10 miles)NEWQUAY PORTHCOTHAN TO FROM Portcothan Bay just south of Padstow Bay, this walk encompasses some of the most rugged coast and wild seas in all Cornwall. The coastal path leads you in and out of little coves and headlands and offers fairly easy gradients (there are one or two steepish moments, but nothing too gruelling). Bedruthan Steps This is one of the most popular destinations on the Cornish coast with spectacular clifftop views across Bedruthan beach. The Bedruthan Steps, owned by the National Trust, are pillars of rock which rise from the beach. Legend has it the giant Bedruthan used them as stepping stones to cross the bay. One of the stacks is named The Samaritan after the cargo ship of the same name which was wrecked here in 1846, providing the locals with barrels of food and silks.
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The Trust has rebuilt the steep cliff staircase to the beach, but visitors need to be aware of the risk of being cut off by the tide and it is unsafe to bathe at any time. Watergate Bay Watergate Bay is a beautiful beach near the villages of Tregurrian and is home to jamie Oliver’s celebrated restaurant Fifteen Cornwall. At low tide the beach at Watergate Bay becomes a vast expanse of unbroken golden sand backed by high cliffs. The beach is set between Trevlegue Head to the south and Stem Point in the north and provides some good waves for surfers. Mawgan Porth It’s worth having a breather at Mawgan Porth’s magnificent 13th Century church, which has many interesting features such as a beautifully carved 15th century Bedruthan Steps
rood screen, eight bells in the belfry, including one original medieval bell, and the wreck of a rowing boat in the churchyard which was broken up in a terrible tragedy off the coast in 1846 with the loss of 10 lives. Porth This village nestling between Watergate Bay and Newquay has three main claims to fame: 1) it has a lovely secluded beach – a large expanse of golden sand offering safe bathing and therefore ideal for families; 2) it is home to the annual Run to the Sun VW Music Festival, the largest custom car/VW campervan/ dance festival fusion mix in the whole of Europe (May 27-30 this year – visit www.runtothesun.co.uk for more details) and 3: laid-back singer songwriter James Morrison has a home here. Lusty Glaze This hidden gem is a lot more than just a beach. Lusty Glaze is a privately-run beach open to the public which has a unique leisure and training centre to enhance your seaside experience. Surrounded by high cliffs, this sheltered little suntrap has a good expanse of golden sand and is safe for bathing and good for surfing. Then it’s on into Newquay. As the town is so busy in contrast to the earlier cliff walking you may be tempted to walk further and find somewhere quieter to stay around Pentire or Holywell. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
THE NORTH COAST s) WALK 2: (10 mileRR ANPORTH PE TO AY QU W NE THE walk heading south from the centre of Newquay takes you past Fistral Beach and on to the West Pentire headland which gives breathtaking views. At the foot of the headland is Crantock Beach, a large expanse of golden sand formed where the River Gannel meets the sea. This is a fantastic area for seabird colonies, including thousands of kittiwakes which nest on the cliff faces, but you can also spot ringed plover, greenshank, dunlin, curlew and teal. Porth Joke (or Polly Joke) Porth Joke Beach (known locally as Polly Joke) lies between the headlands of Kelsey Head and Pentire Point West. It is rather unspoilt as it is largely only known to locals and coastal footpath walkers or holidaymakers renting nearby cottages. Holywell Bay The clifftops above Holywell Bay are the perfect place to see massive colonies of seabirds just offshore on two giant outcrops of granite called Carter’s Rocks. The large sandy beach, thought by many to be the best in Cornwall, is ideal for families and offers great views across Perran Bay to Perranporth in the distance. If
PLACES OF INTEREST Newquay Harbour you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins which live in the area. Perranporth Like many towns in this part of the world, Perranporth built its reputation in tin mining. Like everywhere else with such a heritage, that old industry was replaced by tourism during the Victorian age and it has prospered as a result. There are miles of golden sand and the coastal walk path above the village is home to many unusual species of birds and wildflowers. The village itself is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, based as it is at the hub of some of Cornwall’s best beaches and with practically all
of its hotels and guest houses offering fantastic elevated views of the sea. The village boasts a boating lake, tennis courts, bowling and putting greens as well as a children’s recreation area. Perranporth’s most striking feature is its three-mile stretch of golden sand, ideal for swimmers and watersports enthusiasts. To the south of the village the cliffs provide some of the most dramatic scenery in Cornwall, whilst to the north, a vast stretch of sand dunes reach to the site of St Piran’s Oratory – the lost church of St Piran in the sands. St Piran is one of the most famous Cornish saints, the patron saint of tinners who is credited with having taught them the art of smelting.
Perranzabuloe Folk Museum Situated in the 100 year-old Oddfellows Hall in Ponsmere Road, the museum offers an insight into the social and industrial past of Perranporth and the surrounding villages. Displays include mining, farming, the railway and Cornish costume, and there is a replica of a Cornish kitchen. Nansmellyn Marsh Nature Reserve Nansmellyn Marsh is a Cornwall Wildlife Trust reserve east of Perranporth, and is said to be one of the few remaining untouched areas of reedbed in Cornwall, home to otters and warblers. Piran Round East of the village is this Iron Age hill camp, which in the Middle Ages was turned into an open air thetare-inthe-round where various plays were performed. The Millennium Sundial The Millennium sundial located on the point of the Droskyn mine overlooking Perren Bay. But be careful not to set your watch by it - the dial shows ‘Cornish times’ which are 20 minutes behind GMT.
Perranporth www.cornwalltouristpass.com
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THE NORTH COAST
WALK 3: (12 miles)PORTREATH PERRANPORTH TO THE first stretch of the Coastal Path beyond Perranporth is a real haven for wildlife. The old mining shafts, some dating back to ancient times, in this area are home to huge colonies of the rare Greater Horseshoe bats. Seals can be spotted offshore at Newdowns Head. St Agnes St Agnes is an unspoilt, pretty village just south of Perranporth with a beautiful beach at Trevaunance Cove. As you approach over the clifftops, you’ll see razorbills, guillemots and kitwakes nesting in their thousands at St Agnes Head, a headland popular with hanggliders. Once you’ve walked the coastal footpath, it’s worth taking time out to walk to Chapel Porth and visit the ruins of the Wheal Coates Mine. Another secluded cove at
Portreath Trevellas Porth is also just a short distance away. Chapel Porth The beach at Chapel Porth is renowned for its great surf. At low tide the white sands stretch on to the next beach at Porthtowan. Porthtowan Just over a mile west of St Agnes is Porthtowan, a small village with
an excellent white sandy beach ideal for families and which is popular with swimmers and surfers alike. Overlooking Porthtowan are the remains of Wheal Towan, one of Cornwall’s most celebrated 18th century copper mines. Surfing in Porthtowan has long been a favourite pastime amongst locals and visitors alike. The large winter swells attract experienced surfers whilst the more gentle summer surf usually keeps sunseekers, surfers and bodyboarders happy from sunrise till sunset. Portreath Portreath is a small fishing village with secluded sandy beaches and
a stream running to the sea on one side. It is ideal for swimming, surfing and windsailing. There are breathtaking views from the spectacular cliffs that surround it. Illogan Woods is adjacent to Portreath with lovely streams and a circular walk leading to the 14th century church tower of Illogan. Also worth a visit is Tehidy Country Park just outside of Portreath with its adjoining golfcourse. It is a beautiful country park comprised of 250 acres of woodland, lakes, bridleways, cycling and nature trails. There are several ponds and a lake with swans and various kinds of waterfowl.
CORNWALL’S GOLDEN FAMILY ATTRACTION TREASURE PARK, one of Cornwall’s leading free attractions, offers the best combination of unique shopping experiences and hands-on activities to entertain the young and the young at heart! Take a stroll around the park and enjoy the beautiful gardens or dine with the stars in the fabulous Oscars Restaurant. Keep the kids entertained with interactive fun, create your own unique furry friend at Cornwall’s only Bear Works or paint your own pottery at ‘Create & Paint’. Cornish Goldsmiths boasts an extensive collection of gold jewellery available to buy and 20 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
is a fantastic opportunity to see goldsmiths at work, and even to commission a piece of your own. Treasure Park also boasts the largest and most exclusive range of silver jewellery in the Westcountry, and you can’t miss a visit to Gem Scoop, or to Cornwall Pearl, home to Pearl of Lao Tze, believed to be the largest ever found. Or why not find your own? Select an oyster and watch it be opened to reveal a genuine cultured pearl! Thrill seekers head for the Tolgus Tin 4D ride, or marvel at one million pounds of gold bullion guarded by ‘Goldie’, a real tarantula. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
MID CORNWALL
A sense of adventure LAND OF GREAT HISTORICAL FIGURES... AND A VERY BIG CAT The border area of north-east Cornwall is a blend of fabulous inland countryside and sweeping coastal bays packed with inlets, coves and stretches of golden beaches. Every part of Cornwall has its own tale to tell and here you rub shoulders with great literary figures of the past such as Daphne du Maurier and Sir John Betjeman as well as cut-throat gangs of smugglers and even a fearsome beast said to roam the atmospheric granite outcrops of the tors of Bodmin Moor like some modern day Baskerville hound. It’s an adventure back through the ages that’s well worth taking.
Bodmin Moor is an area of granite moorland steeped in myths and legends, great granite tors breaking through the landscape like stone age monuments. It is also home to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful little villages and towns. It is protected on four corners
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by the larger communities of Launceston to the east, once Cornwall’s capital, Liskeard and Bodmin to the south and Camelford to the north. The Beast of Bodmin is said to roam these parts – a giant panther-like creature glimpsed about as often as the Loch Ness Monster and causing just as
much division between those that believe and those that don’t. Most don’t. But there are plenty of romantic theories bandied about by those that do. Exotic animals were outlawed as pets in the early 70s and some locals say it might have been one such pet which was released into the wilds
by its owners. Others say it might have descended from an circus animal which escaped while on tour down here decades before. And there are those who insist it’s the result of some Baskervilletype curse from centuries ago. Bodmin Moor, like those theories, is a place full of imagination and wonder.
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© Lavinia Rose
BODMIN MOOR
MID CORNWALL LAUNCESTON Launceston, just off the main A30 at the eastern end of Cornwall, is quintessentially Cornish, with its Georgian houses, intricately carved church, narrow streets and market square. It is a town known as the Gateway to Cornwall – a place steeped in history, surrounded by rolling countryside, ideally situated to explore North Cornwall, its dramatic coastline and fascinating heritage.
PLACES OF INTEREST
BODMIN TOWN
Lanhydrock House
Bodmin is a former county town of Cornwall and is the only Cornish town to be mentioned in the Domesday Book. It dates back to the 6th Century when St Petroc founded a monastic settlement on the site. Bodmin’s rich history is on show when you visit the town today - from the interesting shop fronts in Fore Street to St Petroc’s Church, there is plenty to give you a taste of what Bodmin was like in the past. To go a little deeper into Bodmin’s history take one of the “Town Trails” - the Visitor Information Centre has a range of different ones available to buy either in advance of your visit or from the Information Centre shop when you arrive. The Centre also has some free trails like the Bodmin Well Trail which gives a fascinating tour around the town taking in all the ancient holy wells dotted around.
PLACES OF INTEREST Pencarrow Pencarrow estate has been the home of the Molesworth family and their descendants since Elizabethan times. A guided tour around the 50-room Georgian mansion does much more than display a superb collection of antique furniture, paintings and porcelain; it makes the family’s history come alive whilst having that warmth which reminds you it is still the privately owned and cherished home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family. Pencarrow is approached by a magnificent mile-long carriage drive through an Iron Age hill fort. Around the Palladian mansion are stunning formal gardens. Dogs are welcome and visitors
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can also pick their own soft fruit when it’s in season. Guided tours round the house run from March 23 to October 19. Lanhydrock House Lanhydrock is the perfect country house and estate, the family home for centuries of the Robartes family. The highlight is the 17th-century Long Gallery with its rare book collection on show. After a devastating fire in 1881 the house was refurbished in the high-Victorian style, and the servants’ quarters offer a glimpse into life ‘below stairs’. Bodmin Town Museum The museum tells the story of the town from the earliest times until the end of World War II through photographs, objects, text panels, uniforms and posters.
Launceston Castle The Castle dates from the early years of the Norman Conquest and is unusual in that it is round. Towering over the town, it is a reminder of the power of the Dukes of Cornwall. Built by William the Conqueror’s half brother Robert Mortain, the then Earl of Cornwall, the castle was extensively re-modelled in the mid-13th Century. The tower top is now reached via a dark internal staircase but it’s worth the climb as from the top you can see right across Bodmin Moor to Roughtor and Brown Willy tors and back across the Devon border towards Exmoor. A display traces 1,000 years of history, with finds from site excavations. It is open daily until the end of October. The Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre Situated in North Petherwin, Launceston, this centre is a haven for British and Asian short clawed otters. You can also see a selection of owl, waterfowl and wallabies. A woodland walk cuts through the 20-acre site and after you’ve worked up a bit of a thirst, there’s a visit to the tearoom which serves food freshly prepared using local produce. Launceston Steam Railway The L.S.R. runs from Launceston through several miles of countryside to the hamlet of New Mills. Trains run throughout the summer, hauled by authentic old steam locomotives built in the late 1800s. On site at Launceston station are a cafe, museum, workshop, well stocked shop and bookshop, and at New Mills is a popular farm park. Tickets allow you unlimited travel on the day of your visit, so you can ride up and down as many times as you wish, or break your journey for a riverside picnic at New Mills. There are also remains of an Augustinian Priory which you can view at Launceston station.
LISKEARD Liskeard is a bustling market town dating back to the Norman Conquest. The town lies above the valley of the River Looe, 14 miles west of the Tamar river. Visitors can get a real feel for the town and its history by taking one of the many town trails organised from the Tourist Information Centre. A new heritage trail has recently been introduced and there is also a “Henry Rice Trail” highlighting more than 100 buildings in Liskeard designed by the prominent architect. Visitors will enjoy browsing the narrow streets and traffic-free lanes of the town centre. There is a good range of restaurants, cafes and pubs in the town and the surrounding villages, and a wide range of quality accommodation is also available in the locality. Leisure facilities are available at Lux Park, providing a swimming pool and indoor sports and fitness centre as well as an allweather floodlit football and hockey pitch.
PLACES OF INTEREST Liskeard & District Museum The Museum is situated in Foresters Hall. It provides visitors with a fascinating look back at the history of the town and the lives of its people. Four rooms – each named after a local historical figure – house fascinating collections of artefacts and antiques, pictures and maps that date back many hundreds of years. Siblyback Lake Siblyback Lake in Common Moor, Liskeard, is surrounded by the striking Bodmin Moor and offers a wide range of facilities and activities. With watersports, including rowing boat hire, you can have an excellent day on the water. The popular Angling and Watersports Centre has facilities for sailing, windsurfing and canoeing and is a premier trout fishery. Watersports courses for beginners and improvers are readily available, as is self launch for the more experienced. Those wanting to spend a weekend on the water can make full use of the small but friendly campsite on the water’s edge. Permits for rainbow trout angling are available from the centre, and boats can also be booked.
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MID CORNWALL
VILLAGES KEY BODMIN MOOR Altarnun Altarnun is an attractive village that nestles in a sheltered valley on the north-eastern edge of Bodmin Moor, just off of the A30. It has a picturesque “bridge over stream” postcard look, and the village is dominated by the tower of the 15th Century church of St Nonna’s, which was known as ‘The Cathedral of the Moor’. Blisland A favourite haunt of much-loved Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, who first discovered it as a boy when he regularly used to cycle here from Daymer Bay. Minions This is the place to go to for the farthest views in Cornwall. It’s the county’s highest village standing at nearly 1,000 feet above sea level and gives you fantastic 360 degree views of the county. The village pub, The Cheesewring is named after the rock formation at the top of the hill above the village. A bronze age set of stone circles nearby is referred to as the Hurlers and one of the engine houses of the South Phoenix
Golitha Falls
Mine has been converted into The Minions Heritage Centre. St Breward St Breward Parish Church is situated at the northern end of the village and is dedicated to St Branwalader (or Brueredus). It is a substantial building of the Norman period to which a south aisle and western tower were added in the 15th century (these additions are of granite). It was restored in the 19th century, and only parts of the Norman north arcade remain. The village is also home to the two highest tors of Bodmin – Roughtor, which is actually an extinct volcano, and Brown Willy. Stone from St Breward’s De lank Quarry has been used for some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks – the Eddystone and Beachy Head lighthouses and Tower Bridge across the Thames by the Tower. One of the start points for the western cycleway on the Camel Trail but offering plenty of other outdoor acticities including pony trekking and fishing.
The historic former market town of Camelford makes an ideal touring centre - it is only a few miles from the surfing beaches of North Cornwall and the natural beauty and ancient sites of Bodmin Moor. The town is the crossing point over the River Camel and in former days was an important market town. Legend has it that King Arthur fought a battle at nearby Slaughter Bridge.
CAMELFORD
PLACES OF INTEREST Crowdy Reservoir This is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a great place to spend a few hours in the hide, or walking round the lake and having a picnic. Fishing is also popular. Environment Agency rod licence holders may fish for free on this 115 acres water by spinning, fly or bait from March – October. Relive the days of Arthur The Arthurian Centre, at Slaughterbridge, near Camelford, is an integral part of the story of King Arthur and this Centre explains the legend and history of this amazing character. Set in 20 acres surrounding www.cornwalltouristpass.com
the legendary site of Camlann, King Arthur’s last battle against his son Mordred, the Centre contains many features that help bring the Dark Ages and Medieval times to life, including the 1500-year-old National Monument – the nine-foot memorial ‘King Arthur’s Stone’. There is an exhibition room containing historic artwork, archaeological finds, early photography and an explanatory DVD. New for 2011 is a display of props from the film Excalibur released 30 years ago this year! The Centre is run in collaboration with the notfor-profit organisation North Cornwall Heritage and The Arthurian Heritage Trust.
The Cheesewring St Neot Access the southern part of the moor via one of the area’s prettiest villages, allowing time to stop and look at the amazing stained glass windows of the 15th century church on the way. There’s plenty to see - visit the village pottery and Carnglaze Caverns nearby and have a leisurely stroll through the Northwood Water Gardens. Colliford Lake Park St Neot is also the site of Colliford Lake Park, set in 58 acres. Visitors can wander through mazes into protected wetlands, with over 120 species of birds spotted last year, and families can picnic in the woods next to the old Cornish long house. The park has loads of attractions to keep you busy all day – including zip slides, electric cars, pedaloes, a large ball pool, assault course, interactive games and various bird aviaries and rare breeds.
Golitha Falls Golitha Nature Reserve is a famous beauty spot on the southern edge of the Moor, an area of woodland occupying a steepsided valley gorge, with the River Fowey flowing through it in a series of spectacular cascades. To view the wildflowers of the area, it is best to visit the site between April and July, however the River Fowey and the waterfalls can be enjoyed at any time of year. Some 30 species of breeding birds have been recorded at the site including buzzard, dipper, nuthatch and treecreeper and is also renowned as a Mecca for moth fans. There are 83 moth species supported on the site as well as several rare species of butterfly. The reserve is three miles north west of Liskeard, a mile and a bit west of the village of St Cleer. Cornwall Tourism Magazine 23
MID CORNWALL
A novel experience ER FESTIVAL DAPHNE DU MAURI FOWEY, MAY 12-21 THE area known as the Cornish Riviera is home to some of the most picturesque resort towns and villages – and some of the finest beaches in the county. It is also Daphne Du Maurier Country. The celebrated author of such classic novels as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman’s Creek and the House on the Strand was born in London but is forever associated with the Cornish coastal town of Fowey. Her parents had a holiday home (now called Ferryside) at Bodinnick just outside Fowey and she wrote her first novel The Loving Spirit there in 1931. She moved to Fowey permanently in 1943 with her husband Major Tommy Browning and their three children, taking up the lease on a house called Menabilly, which became the inspiration for the house of Manderley in Rebecca. When the lease ran out in 1969, Daphne – now a widow of a four years – moved to another property about a mile from Menabilly called Kilmarth. The homes are now the focus of pilgrimages by many Du Maurier fans and Fowey holds an annual arts festival in her honour. The Festival is held every year in Fowey and St. Austell Bay during May. A local initiative with the full support of the Du Maurier family, it celebrates the life and works of the internationally renowned author and the association of her work with the County of Cornwall and Fowey in particular. A ‘Festival Village’ in the grounds of Fowey Hall provides the focus of activity as well as hosting the main events in the 600 seat Festival Marquee and the smaller Du Maurier Theatre. This year the festival takes place from May 12-21, and a host of famous showbiz and literary names will be appearing. First held in 1997, the Festival has attracted a marvellous gathering of authors, scholars, entertainers and personalities and is complemented by many other events which harness local enthusiasm, energy and talent. The Festival offers the opportunity to experience the Du Maurier countryside and spectacular coastline and landscape of the County of Cornwall with a programme of guided walks, garden open days and boat trips. 24 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR 2011 Thursday May 12 Ann Widdecombe - former politician, novelist, broadcaster and ballroom dancer. Friday May 13 “Cowardy Custard” - Noel Coward’s revue, performed by Kit and the Widow and Dillie Keane & Liza Pulman, from Fascinating Aida. Saturday May 14 The Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Sunday May 15 Dame Evelyn Glennie - an intimate evening of chat, anecdotes and music form the world’s leading solo percussionist. Monday May 16 Greg Davies - stand-up up comedy from the star of Channel 4’s The Inbetweeners”, “Ask Rhod Gilbert” and “Live From The Apollo”. Tuesday May 17 Alistair Campbell, “Diaries”, the former Communications Director for Tony Blair, talking about his bestselling diaries. Wednesday May 18 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - internationally known allukulele touring chamber ensemble. Music and comedy of the highest order.
FOWEY AND THE FOWEY ESTUARY The Port of Fowey – known the world over as the spiritual home of novelist Daphne Du Maurier - has been of great maritime importance for centuries. The town is situated at the mouth of the River Fowey, with a large, deep-water harbour providing safe anchorage for the large number of merchant ships collecting china clay, timber and other exports. During the summer they’re by a mass of leisure boats and sailing yachts for the Fowey Regatta. It is held during August and is the highlight of the town’s year with events on and off the water. Fowey offers loads for the visitor to enjoy - charming streets with fascinating shops, river and coastal walks, sailing, river cruises - and a wide selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes.
Thursday May 19 Cara Dillon and her band: Irish folk singer and multiple BBC Folk Music award winner. Friday May 20 Jenny Eclair: Comedienne and professional “Grumpy Old Woman”, most recently seen on “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”. Saturday May 21 Shakin Stevens and his band: The Welsh Rock ‘n’ Roller, whose hits include “Green Door”, “Oh, Julie”, “Marie, Marie” & “Merrry Christmas, Everyone”
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MID CORNWALL
Fowey
BEACHES Polkerris Beach A sheltered harbour beach in the small village of Polkerris, ideal for families. It’s a short walk from the nearest car park with facilities right by the beach. Watersport equipment can be hired and tuition is available. Dogs are banned during the summer. Polridmouth Cove Small attractive sandy south facing cove mostly covered at high tide and reached via an unmade track about 10 minutes from the nearest car park. Dogs are welcome all year round. Readymoney Cove Lovely southeast-facing sandy cove overlooking the
Fowey Estuary. Dogs are banned during the summer.
PLACES OF INTEREST St Catherine’s Castle A small 16th Century fort situated at the harbour entrance built by Henry VIII to defend Fowey harbour. It is accessible on foot from Readymoney Cove and entry is free. A two-gun battery was added below it in 1855 at the time of the Crimean War, and as late as the Second World War the fort was modified again to form part of a more extensive battery. The area was still important strategically during the last war. Fowey
ST AUSTELL St. Austell is a bustling market town often referred to as the capital of the Cornish Alps. The ethereal white mini-mountains, the spoil heaps of the china-clay industry lend an eerie atmosphere to the landscape. William Cookworthy discovered the clay in 1755, and with the opening of the pits to mine the clay St. Austell’s population and prosperity soon began to grow. Kaolin, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of porcelain, had previously only been found in northern China. Today Cornwall still
BEACHES Porthpean Beach This is a popular family beach because of its safe bathing. Dogs are banned during the summer. Porthluney Cove Beach A privately run, secluded family beach with a large expanse of golden sand. South-facing, right in front of Caerhays Castle, which provides a striking backdrop. Plenty of room for beach games. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads.
PLACES OF INTEREST China Clay Country Park Set in 26 acres of woodland in the historic Ruddle Valley on the outskirts of St Austell, the China Clay Country Park provides a fascinating day out for all the family. The Park, now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, is set in the grounds of two former working china clay
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exports clay, which is also used to produce paint, paper and in some medicines. St Austell is about a mile from the south coast at Charlestown. This Georgian harbour village was created by Sir Charles Rashleigh, whose descendants rented the homes of Menabilly and Kilmarth to Daphne Du Maurier. At the historic core of the town is the fine Holy Trinity Parish Church and opposite, the Italian-style facade of the Market House.
pits and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into china clay - how it was mined, what is was used for and what it meant for the families who lived in the area. Dogs on leads are welcome. St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre Cornwall’s oldest independent family brewery, established for over 150 years. Tours allow visitors to see the brewing process from raw ingredients through to sampling the traditional ales. It is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.30pm but guided tours need to be booked in advance. For details visit www. staustellbrewery.co.uk Tregrehan Gardens Tregrehan has been home to the Carlyon family since 1565. The gardens reflect Jovey Carlyon’s passion for trees during the late 19th Century with many towering examples dominating the gardens. The 20-acre garden with its magnificent Victorian
glasshouse is at its best in late spring.
GOLF Lostwiethel Golf and Country Club Set in richly wooded hills above banks of the river Fowey. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, 18-hole parkland golf course, driving range, two tennis courts and gym. Carylon Bay Carlyon Bay is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde course with the out nine a challenging cliff-top stretch and the back nine winding through parkland. There are stunning views across St. Austell Bay from this par 71, Championship length course. After your round, you can relax taking in the great views with a dram in your hand at the superb clubhouse. If you make a weekend of it and stay in the hotel on the grounds, you are allowed use of the course for free.
Cornwall Tourism Magazine 25
MID CORNWALL PENTEWAN
Mevagissey Harbour
MEVAGISSEY Mevagissey’s narrow streets and steep valley sides lead to the harbour at the centre of the village. The distinctive, twin harbour provides a safe haven for the many fishing boats bringing back their catch of skate, lobster, plaice, mackerel and sole.
PLACES OF INTEREST The Mevagissey Museum The fascinating history of the village can be seen in the Mevagissey Museum on the harbourside. Packed with memorablia and local artefacts, the Museum brings the history of the village to life. Also on the harbourside is the local Aquarium, recently restored and renovated, with a superb collection of fish from the local waters. The Lost Gardens of Heligan The Victorians were passionate about their gardening, especially so in the mild climate of Cornwall, and created many fine gardens with exotic plants newly discovered and brought back from Southeast Asia. None more so than at Heligan. During the early and mid-20th Century, the gardens at Heligan were gradually abandoned and fell into disarray. In 1990, they were famously rediscovered and brought back to life, recreating the Victorian splendour, enhancing the wildlife and the Home Farm. They offer magnificent views across Mevagissey Bay and beyond.
PORTLOE The small picturesque fishing village of Portloe consists of a cluster of cottages set in terraces on the hillside above a tiny harbour, which is much favoured by artists and photographers, and although a few new dwellings have been built in recent years, is completely unspoilt. Although it is a small village, Portloe has a pub and a hotel. For the energetic, there are superb cliff walks leading to and from the village, and safe bathing from the nearby beaches of Carne, Pendower and Portholland. 26 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
VERYAN One of the most attractive villages on the Roseland Peninsula, Veryan has a number of thatched cottages, and a particular feature are the five white round-houses, circular cottages with gothic windows and thatched roofs surmounted by a cross, built in the early 19th century by the vicar, Jeremiah Trist. It is said that the houses were built in a circular fashion to eliminate any corners where the devil might hide. The coastline south east of Veryan from Portholland to Nare Head forms the western half of the sweep of Veryan Bay. Nare Head rises in places to a height of 300 feet, and forms a natural division between Veryan and Gerrrans Bay. It is owned by the National Trust.
BEACHES Carne and Pendower At high tide there’s not much of a beach at Carne, but at low tide there is plenty of sand and shingle with rocks at either end. It is south-facing with good views. Pendower is a popular family beach, south-facing, about a mile long and sandy. It connects to Carne beach at low tide. Dogs are welcome if kept on leads.
PLACES OF INTEREST The Ringarounds and Carne Beacon Near the road leading to Carne Beach are two ancient earthworks, the Ringarounds, a fortified encampment of the Iron Age, and Carne Beacon, a Bronze Age burial mound, which is one of the largest in the country. The Ringarounds is believed by some archaeologists to be the site of a timber castle known locally as Veryan Castle.
Gorran Haven
GORRAN HAVEN This picturesque village has a lovely sandy beach, with the spectacular, 400-foot high Dodman Point as its backdrop. Always a favourite destination for families, Gorran Haven is surrounded by acres of land cared for by the National Trust - ensuring its conservation for future generations. From Gorran Haven, there’s easy access to the cliff and coastal path leading around to Vault Beach - a long strip of sand, secluded and rarely busy - and on to Porthluney or Caerhays Beach. The gateway to the Roseland
Peninsula, Tregony, is a short distance inland but, for many coast path walkers, it’s Gorran Haven that signals the start of the Roseland as they enjoy the creeks, coves and beaches on their way down to St Mawes.
PLACES OF INTEREST Caerhays Castle The gardens and home at Caerhays Castle were designed by John Nash at the start of the 19th century, and are famous for their magnificent camellias and rhododendrons. The National Magnolia Collection is also housed here.
Pentewan Harbour is no longer in use – it was silted up at the end of the First World War. It has been separated fromthe sea by the beach and is now filled with fresh water. Heading inland from the village, many walkers and hikers like to experience the three-mile Pentewan Valley Walk to the 18th Century village with the odd name of London Apprentice. The route – through stunning areas of woodland – roughly follows the track of an old narrow gauge railway line which was used to transport china clay from the inland mines to the coast.
THE EDEN PROJECT Probably the most famous set of greenhouses in the world, the Eden Project has become one of Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks in a very short space of time. The Project is 10 years old this year and is the brainchild of Tim Smit, the man behind the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Eden opened its doors in March 2001 and since when it has had more than eight million visitors. The three main giant Biomes – each with its own ecosystem – are sited in a former china clay pit at Bodelva, near St Austell, Cornwall. There’s the Outdoor Biome, the Rainforest Biome and the Mediterranean Biome. You can get up close and personal now in the Rainforest Biome by taking a trip to the top of the rainforest canopy where you get an amazing bird’s eye view of the whole Biome. The Eden Project’s awardwinning £15 million education centre, The Core, was opened by the Queen in June 2006. Curious kids can find out where tea, rubber and sugar come from, and travel the world to the simulated environments of tropical destinations. There are themed events according to the seasons, workshops for adults and children, activity days, music concerts and much more besides. Visit www.edenproject.com for more details. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
MID CORNWALL
ST MELLION The jewel in the crown for the many people who visit Cornwall for its golf. There are two courses at St Mellion – the Old Course and the later Jack Nicklaus-designed course, added in 1988. It is home to the English Open and used to host the Benson & Hedges International in the 1990s. The resort is set in 450 acres of the most breathtaking scenery and the lodges and hotel accommodation provide a luxurious base from which to explore the whole county.
Relive the age of steam with the Bodmin & Wenford Railway DISCOVER the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Cornwall’s only full size railway still operated by steam locomotives. Relax in style and enjoy a leisurely 13-mile round trip through beautiful countryside, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age, as the era of a Cornish branch line in the 1950s reveals itself during the course of your journey.
St Melanus Church and Pentillie St Mellion itself is a picturesque hamlet near Saltash. Its parish church – St Melanus – dates back to the 14th Century and it also has its own castle – the 17th Century Pentillie. The grounds were substantially redesigned in the 19th Century by the legendary landscaper Humphry Repton.
Trains operate from Bodmin General, the principal station where free coach and car parking is available, to both Bodmin Parkway station – where connections can be made directly with main line railway services – and Boscarne Junction, which is situated directly adjacent to the Camel Trail recreational footpath and cycle way. Passenger train services operate throughout the year, and daily from late May to early October. A varied and interesting programme
of special events and special trains are also an important part of the Railway’s calendar. The Bodmin & Wenford Railway looks forward to welcoming you. Come and discover Cornwall’s railway heritage at its very best – a great family at-track-tion! For more information contact Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1AQ Tel: 0845 125 9 678 www.bodminandwenfordrailway. co.uk
you surf, we shop!
Quality Cornish Produce plus all the essentials delivered to your holiday accommodation
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Tredinnick Farmshop, Widegates, Looe Tel: 01503 240992 Also apartment at Royal Seacrest, Paphos, Cyprus for Holiday rental see website on
www.royal-seacrest-paphos.co.uk Cornwall Tourism Magazine 27
MID CORNWALL WHITSAND BAY Whitsand Bay runs from Rame Head in the east to Portwinkle in the west. It is characterised by sheer, high cliffs, dramatic scenery and long stretches of sandy beaches. The South West Coast Path runs the length of the bay. Rame Head is a conical hill with the ruins of a 14th-century chapel dedicated to St Michael on top and it overlooks the bay. It is a popular haunt of birdwatchers with many species of warbler and bunting to be seen as well as Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Firecrest.
BEACHES Polhawn Cove Polhawn Cove is a rough beach, consisting of sharp rocks, shingle and an area of open sand ideal for birders with species such as Ring Ouzel, Dartford Warbler, Yellowhammer, Peregrine, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk regularly spotted. West of Captain Blake’s Point, long stretches of sand are interspersed with rocky headlands and small bays, many inaccessible at high tide. Freathy and Tregantle Excellent, clean sandy beaches stretching six miles along the bay. The holiday settlements of Freathy and Tregonhawke are built on the side of the cliff faces. Freathy’s skyline is dominated by the shape of Rame Head to the east. Due to its south facing aspect the beaches here can be quite a suntrap in summer. Swimming is not advised at Tregantle as there are hidden rip currents offshore. Seaton Seaton along with most other beaches of South East Cornwall has a beach consisting of quite coarse grey sand. There is a large car park situated just behind the beach and it has all the usual facilities. There are excellent coastal walks west passing the Amazonian Woolly Monkey Sanctuary towards Looe and east to Whitsand Bay via Portwrinkle. There is a dog ban here.
PLACES OF INTEREST Lugger’s Cave Sharrow Point is the site of a small cave excavated by hand in 1874 by a hermit called Lugger, who inscribed verses on the ceiling to relieve his boredom. Lugger’s Cave is sadly fenced off to the public but you can still peer in and get a feel for the place.
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LOOE The historic twin towns of East and West Looe on either side of the River Looe provide all you could ask of a holiday in Cornwall - safe beaches, quality accommodation, a wide choice of restaurants, excellent walking routes, fishing trips and a whole variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. The two towns are joined by a bridge across the river built in 1853. It is more than a century ago now that people first started to discover the charms of East and West Looe, then just small fishing communities hidden away in the picturesque river valley. The harbour is still a thriving fishing port and an essential part of any visit is to get down to the harbour and watch the fleet bring its catches in. At low tide a rocky reef is
Looe Harbour uncovered called Looe Island or St. George’s Island by locals. Boat trips leave from Looe to explore the caves and birdlife of the island. For a couple of days a year when
BEACHES Wallace and Hannafore There are two coarse sand and shingle beach lying below Marine Drive, Hannafore at Looe. The western beach is known as Wallace Beach. About half a mile east and closer to Looe lies Hannafore Beach. At low tide a rocky reef is uncovered and offshore lies St. George’s Island. From here it is a pleasant half hour walk east to Looe. Samphire Beach Samphire Beach, Portnadler Bay is a little known but quite pretty little beach about 1 mile southwest of Looe. It is first encountered while walking the coastpath
the tide is especially low it can be reached on foot but you need an expert guide to take you across to avoid getting into trouble when the tide comes back in. from west to east between Talland and Looe.
PLACES OF INTEREST The Old Guildhall, East Looe East Looe’s 15th Century old town hall now houses the museum after the local council moved to the Victorian Guildhall in Fore Street in the 19th Century. The museum has fascinating displays of Looe’s history, including fishing, boat building and of course smuggling. The building itself is a marvellous exhibit as it retains many of the of its 550-year-old original features, with ancient cells and the very old raised magistrates bench complete with the Royal Coat of Arms.
GLYNN VALLEY
POLPERRO In Polperro it is easy to step back in time in what is a largely unspoilt fishing village, clinging to steep hillsides around a small harbour. Like its neighbour Looe, it offers plenty of places to eat and relax and has a good selection of hotels and B&Bs. The museum tells the story of fishing and smuggling whilst the model village and land of legend takes you into another world. Polperro is also a haunt of artists and there are several galleries dotted around the village. It has its own arts and music festival in June, which includes the crowning of the mock mayor and parades through the narrow streets. Boat trips are available from the
Polperro Harbour harbour and there are excellent coastal walks west along Chapel Cliff or up the eastern side of valley through Brent towards Talland Bay.
BEACHES Polperro Polperro beach is a mixture of sand and shingle and is located just outside the harbour walls on the western side. It is only accessible at low tide. Boat trips are available from the harbour and there are excellent coastal walks west along Chapel Cliff or up the eastern side of valley through Brent towards Talland Bay. Lansallos Cove Lansallos Cove is also known as West Combe Beach and it lies midway
The section of the Fowey Valley between Liskeard and Bodmin is an area of great beauty, taking in the villages of Doublebois, Two Waters Foot and Dobwalls along the south side of the St Neot Downs. The valley is the route of both the A38 trunk road and the railway line built in 1859. A highlight of the valley are the on eight stone viaducts along the stretch of railway line. between Polruan and Polperro. It is almost a perfect semi-circular shingle cove of slate and quartz-rich rounded shingle. The beach is reached through a rock cut track and is watered by a small waterfall on its western side. The Reed Water as the waterfall is known, used to feed a small watermill above the cove, but little or no trace of the buildings remain now. The cove provides a welcome picnic stop for coastpath walkers as it lies along a stretch of undulating coast with strenuous climbs and descents.
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Take to the water
A FAMILY ADVENTURE – IF YOU LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND FALMOUTH Falmouth is everything the first-time visitor imagines Cornwall should be – dramatic landscapes, breathtaking coastline, narrow, ancient streets lined with colourful shops and houses, a bustling harbour and picture postcard beautiful. The town also has a fierce streak of independence – a well-known Cornish trait - and a sense of grandeur and power which stems from its former life as one of our most important and strategic seafaring centres. Packet Ships left in the 18th and 19th Centuries with mail destined for all parts of the globe. It was the most important port of its age – Darwin landed back here after his epic voyages of discovery on HMS Beagle. News of Nelson’s death at Trafalgar first arrived by messenger at Falmouth en route to London. And it’s been the heart of oyster fishing for 30 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
centuries. But its biggest success was to be as a place of leisure. The arrival of the railways in 1863 opened up Falmouth as a tourist destination and its reputation as a holiday hotspot grew quickly. Falmouth’s bustling town centre is a delight to walk around, favouring the pedestrian over the car. And that’s an essential part of Falmouth – it’s much better if you don’t have a car. Most places are accessible by boat from the various piers in the town centre. Certainly as far as many of the major landmarks and attractions in the Fal Estuary and up Carrick Roads to Truro are concerned, the only way to travel is by ferry or boat taxi. Travelling on the water is a real treat. Falmouth is also famous for its university and art heritage and with so many students in town, the place obviously has to have a thriving music scene. You’ll find stylish contemporary bars and lots of characteristic old folk laying on live music nights and there are several top
nightclubs here. For the energetic among you, there are lots of opportunities to have a day’s sailing yourself, or perhaps joining a crew for the day as they head off round the harbour in one of the larger yachts in the quayside. The adventurous paddler can even go kayaking and canoeing in the harbour and along the coast accompanied and supervised by an accredited instructor. Always book these activities with organisations recommended, recognised and approved by the local tourist office. Falmouth and its surrounding area also boasts plenty of coastal walks and cycle paths along the dramatic clifftops. Falmouth is linked to St Mawes by passenger ferry which runs all year round. And during the summer months you also get over to Place from St Mawes via a short boat trip. Place is on the remote St Anthony headland, enabling visitors to see the small church behind Place Manor and the St Anthony Lighthouse. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
EAST CORNWALL COAST
Seafaring history... on ice! AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, DISCOVERY QUAY, FALMOUTH CALLING all adventurers, wannabe adventurers and young polar recruits. Just when you thought you knew what the National Maritime Museum Cornwall was all about, it throws a ‘snowball’ and puts on a new exhibition . . . on ice! No, there isn’t literally an exhibition ‘on ice’ but the Maritime Museum is venturing further than it has ever done before, into the freezing extremes of the Arctic and Antarctic, with a brand new exhibition opening on April 8 called On Thin Ice: Pioneers
of Polar Exploration. A thirst for knowledge has driven individuals to endure some of the world’s greatest extremes and this new six month exhibition uses photography, objects and personal ephemera to honour the historic and modern-day achievements of polar adventurers, including some of the greatest icons in the history of exploration - Scott and Shackleton. The exhibition runs until October 9. Dipping a toe in the sea, on the edge of Falmouth harbour, this
multi-award winning Museum celebrates the sea, boats and Cornwall. With 15 stunning galleries beautifully illustrating the past, present and future of this island nation it offers activities for all with talks, lectures, workshops, rotating events and exhibitions. And, there’s more than one must-see exhibition. There is also Lighthouses: Life on the Rocks which beautifully shines a light on lighthouses and their keepers. With hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, discover the power of the oceans, explore feats
of daring and learn how these beacons of light have saved lives and touched lives. So, when was the last time you visited? Have you ever visited? If not, then this year is the time to go and with the brilliant pay once get in free for a year offer, you can come and go as often as you like for a full year and experience all it has to offer – which is so much more than you might expect. The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm, seven days a week. For further information call 01326 313388, or visit www.nmmc.co.uk
© SPRI
Falmouth & District Hotels Association supports the Spring Festival. For all your accommodation needs throughout the year, go to nce, Pay o FREE n get i a year r fo
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www.nmmc.co.uk Discovery Quay, Falmouth T 01326 313388
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Cornwall Tourism Magazine 31
EAST CORNWALL COAST FALMOUTH MAJOR EVENTS IN 2011 FAL RIVER FESTIVAL The Greenbank Fal River Festival, which this year runs from May 27 to June 5, is all about celebrating life on the river Fal in Cornwall. This fantastic 10-day festival is a non-profit making community festival which encompasses over 150 events varying from music and drama to fashion shows, the arts and heritage – even activities such as swimming and walking are included with the Castle to Castle Swim – which anyone can enter and the Fal River Walk.
Jubile Wharf Falmouth
breakfast,lunchordinner 364daysayearatthis awardwinningfamily runrestaurant.
whether its breakfast with friends, a family lunch or a romantic meal at a beautiful beach location, gylly beach café has it all.
With its diverse mix of events taking place at dozens of locations around the river Fal, the festival offers something for everyone and is a real chance to engage with life on the river and discover some of its fascinating history. SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL The Sea Shanty Festival was founded and is organised by Falmouth Shout, one of the celebrated local harmony groups in the town. The events raises money for the RNLI and aims to promote the maritime heritage of Falmouth and Cornwall. This year will see five overseas groups and some fantastic new venues including on board the The Matthew, the famous John Cabot ship, Trelissick Garden and National Maritime Museum. HENRI LLOYD FALMOUTH WEEK This has developed into the largest regatta in the South West, rivalled only by Cowes. It provides a racing schedule to challenge the most competitive sailors, yet retains a ‘fun and friendly’ feel which also attracts families and the less experienced. Falmouth Week – which this year runs from August 7-15 comprises competitive racing for keelboats, traditional craft and dinghies in the waters of Falmouth
BEACHES Gyllyngvase Beach Falmouth’s largest beach is a fine crescent of sand popular with families. There is disabled access and dogs are banned during the summer. At low tide, you can go rock pooling in the shallow pools where you will find winkles and shrimps, while the deeper points on the reef edge are full of squat lobsters and crabs. Meanporth Beach An attractive east-facing beach of sand, set between small headlands, which give good shelter. The beach gently slopes and has shallow water which is great for children.
on gyllyngvase beach • falmouth • tr11 4pa 01326 312884 • www.gyllybeach.com
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Gyllyngvase Beach
Bay, the Carrick Roads and the Harbour, with a Champagne Day on Wednesday. Activity on the water is matched by a lively shoreside programme of daytime and evening entertainment, culminating in a magnificent firework display over the harbour. FALMOUTH OYSTER FESTIVAL Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the season in October and has become acknowledged as a must travel to event by many visitors and holiday makers from all over the country. The festival celebrates the quality of Cornish seafood and one of the last remaining oyster fisheries still dredging under sail and oar. As well as the evening highlights, a programme of music will run throughout the fourday festival at Events Square in Falmouth, ranging from Celtic harmonies and Cornish folk bands to jazz and shanty singing with Falmouth Shout, now a regular Parking is right on the beach. There is disabled access and dogs are banned during the summer. Swanpool Beach A great beach which has quite a reputation for watersports. You can hire kit and get tuition for a range of activities including sailing, surfing, coasteering, windsurfing and kayaking. There is also an 18-hole Crazy Golf course. Visit Swanpool nature reserve and feed the ducks and the swans. Dogs are OK on a lead. Castle Beach A small shingle beach at high tide but plenty of interesting rock pools to be found at low tide. Parking on the main road, with sloping
feature of Falmouth Oyster Festival. For over a century, Cornish families have derived their livelihood from oyster dredging in the Carrick Roads and surrounding rivers. Many of the oyster boats were built at boatyards around the Fal, with some of the oldest boats in the Oyster Fishery dating back as far as 1860. During the summer months, the oyster boats may be seen racing in the Carrick Roads, and at many regattas in the county. Native oysters from the Truro Oyster Fishery are prized throughout the UK, and are sold to customers across the South West, and throughout the country, with top London restaurants and hotels being supplied from our local waters. Pacific oysters, which are larger than the natives, are also reared in the Fal - you can try both at the Festival. For full details of the festival programme please visit www. falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk flat access path plus a few steps down to the beach. A marvellous cafe (www. castlebeachcafe.co.uk) allows you to sample excellent local food while taking in the views. Dogs are banned during the summer.
PLACES OF INTEREST Pendennis Castle Major developments at the castle have revealed the full history of this superb fortress. 450 years of history can now be traced from its origins as one of Henry VIII’s coastal strongholds to its last military role as a secret Second World War base. A Discovery Centre packed with handson activities allows visitors of all ages to really get to grips with history. There is visitor access to the restored underground Victorian and WWII defences and everyday life of the garrison at Pendennis is brought to life in the War Shelter. The early 20th century Barrack Block has undergone renovations to provide a new interactive exhibition and enhance the www.cornwalltouristpass.com
SWEETPEA & BETTY - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR WITH the wonderful range furniture on sale at Sweetpea & Betty full of timeless class and style, you are sure to draw inspiration and want to create wonderful pieces like these for yourself. Well, you can! Sweetpea & Betty not only sell furniture and items that evoke memories of a chic
and stylish age of design, they also give you the skills to make your own unique pieces. With all the hustle and bustle of modern life, a half-day spent at a Sweetpea & Betty up-cycling (that’s recycling by improving) and furniture-painting workshop is sure to bring out your creative side. This innovative workshop shows you the basic technique to rejuvenate the tired
visitor facilities. The 16th Century keep and its lofty battlements offer the best views of Falmouth and the Fal Estuary with water on three sides. A great day out for the family.
own beach on the beautiful Helford River at Mawnan Smith. Mediterranean and southern hemisphere plants intermingle with Trebah’s groves of huge Australian tree ferns and palms. It has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world. The award-winning Visitor Centre houses a distinctive restaurant with a Mediterranean-style terrace, plant and gift shops. Open every day of the year.
Fox Rosehill Gardens Fox Rosehill Gardens are located off Melvill Road. It reflects the fact that many varied species from Australia, New Zealand and South America have been successfully introduced to the mild Cornish climate over the years by trade ship skippers bringing back specimens, including lemon, banana and eucalyptus trees, bamboos, agaves and a wide variety of palms. The gardens are open all year round and entry is free. A Family Open Day is held at the beginning of June with a plant sale, rustic craft demonstrations and children’s entertainment provided. Trebah Gardens Trebah is a uniquely beautiful, wooded 25-acre sub-tropical ravine garden with its www.cornwalltouristpass.com
Ships & Castles Leisure Centre There’s lots to do all year round at Ships & Castles, the spectacular glass-roofed building up on Pendennis Headland. With a leisure pool, a fully equipped fitness suite and fitness studio it’s the place to go if the weather’s a bit iffy outside. The pool has a wave machine, a thrilling 70-metre flume, spa pools, geysers, bubble mats and a large shallow area for the little ones. The pool is also open for flat water public sessions for those that prefer a more traditional swim. www.carrickleisureservices.org.uk
furniture in your home and give it that chic designer look which won’t break the bank or your back. Up-cycling means taking something bound for the skip and turning it into a chic new item with much added value. There’s no need to bring your furniture with you – just all your ideas and plans! The workshops are suitable for beginners, including teenagers with an interest in art,
interior design and painting. The workshops are small and intimate so you can be assured of individual attention to help bring out the best of your creative side. So if you fancy turning your trash into treasure or finding the perfect feature piece for your home give Mary and Tricia at Sweetpea & Betty a visit, or call on 01326 211246.
MYLOR One of the most enchanting villages on the creeks of the River Fal, it’s hard to believe now that 200 years ago this quaint little place was a crucuial shipyard, the most westerly Naval Dockyard in the UK, and home to some of the nation’s great warships down the ages. The village still has sailing at its heart, but these days it’s a
lot more leisurely and much less aggressive. Mylor Yacht Harbour is at the junction of Mylor Creek, the River Fal and Carrick Roads and has a marina with 400 berths. It is home to the last remaining fleet of oyster fishermen in Cornwall and every March they celebrate the final weekend of the oyster harvest season with a three-day festival and fete. Cornwall Tourism Magazine 33
EAST CORNWALL COAST CARRICK ROADS Falmouth’s status as having the third largest natural harbour in the world came about as a result of massive climate at the end of the last Ice Age. As global warming melted the world’s ice, the sea level rose dramatically and created the huge inlet. The Carrick Roads were also formed at the same time, a massive waterway created when the ice melt flooded a huge river valley. The result is a deep, wide water channel which is navigable all the way up to Truro. This natural phenomenon has led to Carrick Roads becoming one of the UK’s most important wildlife sites, particularly for wintering seabirds. All along its length, there are secret little nooks and crannies on the water’s edge, inlets and mini-waterways where you’ll discover beautiful little villages and hamlets tucked and plenty of waterside “watering holes” to
cool the traveller’s thirst! There are lots of ferry services and boat taxis serving these little communities and cruises are available all the way up to
Truro. Full details are available at Falmouth’s Tourist Information Centre in the Market Strand on the Prince of Wales Pier in the town centre.
MULLION The largest village on the Lizard with shops, inns, cafes and restaurants, craft shops and art galleries. Mullion Cove is protected by the National Trust and has a pretty working harbour, protected from the winter gales that rage across Mount’s Bay by two stout sea walls.
BEACHES Poldhu Cove Beach This sandy west-facing cove of sand has easy access from the car park situated behind the beach. Dogs are banned during the summer.
ROSELAND ST MAWES AND THE St Mawes, at the southern end of the Roseland Peninsula, was an important port in medieval times and is now a picturesque harbour with a small fishing fleet. It is protected by the best preserved of Henry VIII’s coastal St Anthony Lighthouse
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fortresses in this area, St Mawes Castle. The village remains a centre for a range of watersports activities and offers two fine sandy beaches. In St Mawes you will find a range of pubs, cafes and restaurants, and some interesting shops and galleries. The town is linked to Falmouth by the St Mawes Ferry which runs year round across the harbour. During the summer, a small passenger ferryboat links St Mawes to Place on the remote St Anthony headland, enabling visitors to visit the small church behind Place Manor and the St Anthony Lighthouse and St Anthony Battery. It is an easy two-mile coastal walk from St Mawes Castle to St Just in Roseland Church, described
by Sir John Betjeman as having “the most beautiful churchyard on earth.” The Roseland Peninsula has been designated as part of Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the quality of its landscape and unrivalled coastal scenery which includes secluded coves, delightful creeks, wooded countryside, pretty fishing and rural villages and tranquil beaches. The mild climate sustains some unusual flora and fauna and Gull Rock, off Nare Head, is home to one of the largest seabird breeding colonies on the South Coast of England. Throughout the Roseland there is a wide range of places to eat and drink, with flower covered pubs and cream tea cottages.
Polurrian Cove Beach The main beach which holidaymakers tend to use and which is popular with surfers. A sandy cove is accessed via a pleasant walk over the cliffs but it’s a bit steep in parts and is not really suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Dogs are banned during the summer season.
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EAST CORNWALL COAST
Cadgwith Cove
HELSTON Fans of Sir Terry Wogan’s 1980s chart hit The Floral Dance must include a visit to Helston on their Cornish wishlist as this is the song’s spiritual home. Every year at the beginning of May the Flora Day Carnival takes place in the town and thousands flock to the many attractions laid on as the Helston Town Band tours the streets playing the famous song.
PLACES OF INTEREST The Monument At the end of Coinagehall Street is the Monument, a magnificent, imposing structure built to honour a local financier Humphry Grylls who fought for years to keep the local tin mine open and therefore preserve 1200 jobs in the town. Helston Folk Museum Built on the old Butter Market site, it was established in 1949 and houses a collection of mainly Victorian items of local interest, covering all aspects of life on the Lizard Peninsula. It also tells the story of Bob Fitzsimmons, a local lad who went on to become the first man to win world boxing titles in three different weight divisions – middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. The cottage in which Bob was born is in nearby Wendron Street.
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GWEEK THE NATIONAL SEAL SANCTUARY This little village, about three miles from Helston, is home to one of three National Seal Sanctuaries (the other two are in Scotland and Norfolk). The Gweek Sanctuary was founded in 1958, when Ken Jones found a baby seal washed up on the beach near his home in St Agnes. For many years Ken ran the rescue centre from his home where he built a small pool to help in the rehabilitation of seals and oiled birds. Over the years he became more renowned for his work and he was soon dealing with more and more sick and injured seals every year. So in 1975 the Seal Sanctuary moved to bigger premises at Gweek where Ken slowly built up the sanctuary to what it is today. The Sanctuary now has wonderful facilities including nursery pools, convalescence and resident pools as well as a specially designed hospital with isolation pools and treatment areas. In addition to the Grey and Common Seals, the sanctuary is home to Fur Seals and Californian and Patagonian Sea Lions. It also provides a much-needed haven for a variety of other animals, such as otters, penguins, sheep, ponies and goats. Occasionally their facilities and expertise are called upon to aid in the rescue of other marine creatures such as Dolphins and Turtles. The sanctuary is open all year round from 10am. Closing times vary throughout the summer so check the website www. sealsanctuary.co.uk
ULA THE LIZARD PENINS Lizard Point is the most southerly tip of Britain. The area as a whole is renowned for craggy cliff scenery, wooded vales and windswept downs, unspoilt fishing villages and beaches. Running from Gweek in the east to Loe Bar and the Penrose Estate in the west, almost half of it is out of bounds as it belongs to the Culdrose Royal Naval Air Station. The area is home of the most
BEACHES Kynance Cove A very popular and scenic cove revealing lovely golden sand at low tide. One of the most beautiful coves in Cornwall, possibly owing to the combination of isolation, strange rock formations and clear, turquoise water. Dogs are banned during the summer. Church Cove Beach A small but popular beach reached via a long country lane leading off the A3083 from the centre of Lizard town. Narrow rocky cove set between cliffs with a slipway for launching boats. The beach is great for rock pools and gullies and the cove is excellent for snorkelers and divers. Cadgwith Cove A small shingle beach set in the heart
spectacular scenery and geology of Cornwall. Serpentine stone – a marble-like rock used locally to make ornaments – is unique to this part of Cornwall and is actually part of the earth’s mantle, forced up to the surface when continents collided millions of years ago. Lizard Town itself is a great base from which to explore the peninsula – Lizard Point is an easy walk away. of a quaint village with a small fleet of crabbing boats still operating from the harbour. Housel Bay Beach Ten minutes walk from the Lizard is this popular beach. Access is via a steep cliff path so it’s not suitable for families. The Housel Bay Hotel is the ideal place to take in the fabulous views while having lunch or dinner in its renowned conservatory restaurant. Polpoer Cove A tiny beach just to the west side of Lizard Point. The cove is dominated by the Old Lizard Lifeboat Station. Accessed by walking down from the ruins of the old lighthouse at Lizard Point. The beach is unsuitable for swimming but the views are stunning.
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TRURO
PLACES OF INTEREST
Tru romance
Truro Cathedral
STEP BACK INTO AN AGE OF ELEGANCE IN CORNWALL’S ONLY CITY TRURO is a beautiful city – shaped and forged by the wealth created in Cornwall’s tin mines and still thriving today. The port is still the heart of its modern day-to-day business - more goods are handled here than any other in the county. But it’s tourism that dominates the local economy. Truro stands at the top of the Fal Estuary, linked to Falmouth by ferry services along the Carrick Roads waterway. It became fashionable during the 1800s and was quickly established as the hub of county society. It’s a city of great elegance and charm, its style harking back to the days when people liked to show off their wealth by building grander and more aesthetic houses than anyone else. As a result the town’s Georgian terraces with their 36 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
ornate craftsmanship are the equal of anything similar cities such as Bath has to offer. The best examples are to be found in Lemon Street built in the 1790s, and Walsingham Place, erected 20 years later. The name Truro is believed to have come from Tri-veru, meaning three rivers, after the Kenwyn, the Allen and the Tinney. Together these form the Truro River which flows into the Carrick Roads and the River Fal. It is the only city in Cornwall, having been granted its charter by Queen Victoria in 1877. There has been a settlement at Truro for centuries. It is thought it began life as a Celtic village, and then became a Norman settlement in the 12th century when a castle was built high on the hill where the Crown Courts now stand. Truro has always been a
bustling port. Vessels would moor up at Lemon Quay, but nowadays this is has been developed as a fully-covered multi-use public space. It houses the city’s indoor market, plenty of big name stores and is the venue for a wide variety of arts events. The King Harry Ferry The King Harry Ferry is an iconic part of Cornwall’s history. Established in 1888, it connects Truro, St Mawes and Falmouth. One of only five chain ferries in England, it departs every 20 minutes from each side, seven days a week and the ferry is a key transport link for visitors and locals alike. The King Harry Ferry offers its passengers the chance to take the scenic shortcut from Deveron across to the Roseland Peninsula on one of Cornwall’s deepest and most beautiful rivers – the River Fal. There has been a ferry operating here for more than 500 years since it was established by charter. The ferry bridge crosses King Harry’s Reach which is part of the Pilgrims’ Way to St Michael’s Mount and is named after King Henry VI, the Lancastrian King.
Truro Cathedral This stunning Gothic revival cathedral in the heart of the city with its three soaring spires dominating the skyline beckons visitors for miles around. It was completed in 1910 having taken over 30 years, but was consecrated in 1889. Later it was added to and modiefied – the Chapter House was completed only in 1967 to give it its present appearance. Individual features of the cathedral include the heavily carved Bishop’s throne; the choir stalls; the large font and the windows which were designed in sequence - starting at the west end and finishing with the great east window. The Cathedral Shop has a full range of gifts and souvenirs and the Cathedral Restaurant serves delicious freshly cooked snacks and meals with views over the Cathedral Green. Friday Lunchtime Organ Recitals take place at 1.10pm from March through to October with some of the best organists in the country playing the famous Father Willis Organ. Royal Cornwall Museum The museum’s varied collection covers all aspects of Cornwall’s history, culture and environment. Treasures include a 5000-year-old jade axe and a 2500-year-old Egyptian Mummy, the internationally famous Rashleigh mineral collection with over 1200 beautiful specimens on display and a fine art gallery offering something for everyone. It is open Tuesday-Saturday. For a full programme of lectures, exhibitions and family activities visit www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk Assembly Rooms This attractive building at High Cross was once Truro’s major entertainment centre, built in life 1787. Now it is famous for its Wedgwood plaques on the building’s facade commemorating playwrights Shakespeare, Garrick and Thalia. Boscawen Park Boscawen Park, by the side of the Truro River next to Truro Cricket Club, is the city’s main open space with tennis courts, cricket, and football pitches. Here children can play in safety and adults can laze the afternoon away in idyllic surroundings. Opposite the park is the lovely Duck Pond where you can take a relaxing stroll. Hendra Park Hendra Park is a small recreational area for children, which includes swings, slides, jungle gym, sandpit and hard playground used for sports such as football and basketball. The park is a 10 minute walk from City Centre. Throughout August there is entertainment laid on. Victoria Gardens Beside the River Kenwyn, Victoria Gardens, originally created to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, is filled with exotic trees, shrubs and flowers. There is also a bandstand and during the summer, concerts are held on Sunday afternoons. It’s next to a magnificent granite railway viaduct, the original of which was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859. It was replaced with the present structure in 1904, and now carries the main line from Paddington to Penzance. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
SOUTH CORNWALL COAST
Close to the edge
GO TO THE EXTREMES AND DISCOVER THE MAJESTY OF CORNWALL’S WESTERN REACH St Michael’s Mount
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Welcome to the edge of the world – well, the edge of Cornwall’s world, anyway! Cornwall’s most extreme mainland destinations for holidaymakers – Land’s End and Lizard Point – stare at each other across a huge expanse of bay, the land between then forming an arc of rugged coves and sandy beaches that stretch for miles. This particular section of Cornish coastline is dominated by St Michael’s Mount, the former island monastery accessible by land only at low tide along the Giant’s Causeway. And beyond, far out to sea, you can, on a good day, catch a glimpse of the Scilly isles on the horizon – the whole scale of the view from the clifftops give you a sense of the real majesty of the landscape. And give you memories that will live with you forever.
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SOUTH CORNWALL COAST LAND’S END Mainland Britain’s most westerly point where 200-foot high granite cliffs gaze out across the Atlantic Ocean to the distant horizon. In the foreground there’s the Longships Lighthouse, the Isles of Scilly 28 miles in the distance and beyond that – America. Though you’d need a really good telescope to see that. Land’s End itself has a hotel, exhibition halls, play areas, Greeb farm, speciality shops, craftsmen and an exhibition dedicated to all those ‘end to enders’ who cover the distance between here and John O’Groats in an often bizarre
and always exhausting fashion. Meeting at Land’s End are the Northern and Southern sections of Cornish Coastal Footpath, the centrepiece of the longest continuous footpath in Britain covering the coast from Poole Harbour and Dorset to Somerset and the Bristol Channel - over 500 miles in all! Some of the most dramatic and spectacular sections of this walking challenge are to be found near to Land’s End. But care must be taken as certain sections take you right to the edge to get the full impact of the scenery. Land’s End
PLACES OF INTEREST Heritage and Visitor Centre The Land’s End Centre is a tourist complex which features the history and heritage of Cornwall and Land’s End, with particular emphasis on ships and the sea, and the hazards which they have always faced. The centrepiece of these attractions is the virtual extravaganza of The Last Labyrinth, extending from the legends of King Arthur and the Lost Land of Lyonesse to the modern day and the work of the local air-sea rescue helicopter service. Longships Lighthouse Immortalised by the great artist Turner in one of his famous seascapes, Longships
Lighthouse was originally built in 1795 and was replaced in 1873 by a taller tower when the first tower was deemed too short to throw its light out effectively to shipping. It has been unmanned and automated since 1988. Greeb Farm This child-friendly attraction is home to a lovable collection of small animals – sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, miniature ponies and even ferrets. Greeb is a 200-year-old farmstead which has been perfectly restored to provide a glimpse of what farming life was like centuries ago. The old barn has been converted to craft workshops.
RNWALL ST JUST AND CAPE CO St Just is the nearest town to Land’s End and was once a thriving centre for tin mining but like other towns in the area, the loss of that industry hit hard. However, St Just survives by being a great location for birdwatching and golf, two activities which draw visitors in their thousands all year round. BIRDWATCHING IN ST JUST’S VALLEYS The three valleys of Nanquidno,
Cot Valley and Kenidjack surround St Just and are famous among birdwatchers for throwing up rare species – especially in the spring and autmn during key migration periods. Nanquidno is a beautifully secluded and unspoilt location, with a wooded upper valley giving way to a rocky cove among rugged cliffs. Cot Valley is a lush, sub-tropical valley while Kenidjack on the other side of Cape Cornwall is
SENNEN COVE A short walk over the cliffs northwards from Land’s End brings you to Sennen Cove, a milelong bay of golden sand, with plenty of rock pools at low tide on either side of beach. Its position on the coast just two miles from Land’s End means Sennen Cove picks up several conflicting swells which make it 38 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
an ideal place for surfing, especially at the northern end of the beach. At a higher tide this can provide a good shorebreak. There are usually a couple of good peaks in the middle of the beach off the valley but these are very much dependent on the state of the banks. For the more experienced and adventurous
there is a reef about 100 metres off shore called the Cowloes but surfing here can be quite hazardous and is best left to the experts. The beach does, as a result, get busy in the summer. Dogs are banned from easter to October. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
SOUTH CORNWALL COAST
another wooded upper valley that gives way to a rugged cove revealing former mine workings. All the valleys have turned up rarities in the past, including Yellow-Browed Warbler, RedBreasted Flycatcher, Wryneck and Snow Bunting, as well as the occasional American and Siberian vagrants such as Dusky Warbler, Red-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Throated Vireo, Black Poll Warbler and American Redstart. CAPE CORNWALL Cape Cornwall is a small headland near the town of St Just jutting out into the Atlantic and topped off by a 140-year-old chimney stack at one of the many local tin mines that have fallen into disuse. It offers great views out to sea and across the Brisons, a series of underwater reefs lying offshore which have been undoing of passing ships for centuries.
GOLF St Just and Cape Cornwall Cape Cornwall Golf & Leisure Resort Cape Cornwall Golf & Leisure Porth Nanven Resort provides a stunning setting in A local treasure nestling in Cot Valley is an which to play golf – and of course has the idyllic spot to get away from it all. At low distinction of being Britain’s farthest-flung tide a sandy, secluded cove is exposed. 18-hole course. The clubhouse has an PLACES OF INTEREST excellent menu and offers breathtaking views out to sea while you tuck in. Nancherrow Studio Gallery
An art studio and gallery in Nancherrow Terrrace with many fine pieces by local artists. A spacious gallery on two floors open to the public and showing paintings by June Miles, sculptures and paintings by Paul Mount, and finely crafted ceramics by Christine Feiler. Open from May to October.
BEACHES Priest’s Cove Priest’s Cove is to the west of Cape Cornwall. It is a tiny fishing cove dominated by cliffs. The Cape and cove were donated to the National Trust by the Heinz food company in the 1980s. Progo A small, pretty much unknown beach with interesting rock arch, close to the end of the Cot Valley. Rocky, sandy beach suitable for sunbathing.
This superb village on the coast road between Land’s End and St Ives is built on the backs of local tin miners who lived here in the 19th Century until the tin industry disappeared. Its main attraction is the marble white lighthouse at Pendeen Watch which sits above the village.
PENDEEN
BEACHES
PLACES OF INTEREST
Portheras Cove Portheras is located on one of the wildest stretches of Cornish coast between Pendeen and Morvah and is an ideal spot for some seal-watching as well as bathing. The beach itself is a lovely sandy cove located at the end of a shallow valley.
Geevor Tin Mining Museum This old tin mine is now a museum depicting the often harsh existence of Cornish tin miners. The highlight is an underground tour into Wheal Mexico, where Cornish miners toiled more than 200 years ago. It is the largest mining history site in Britain and is open Sun-Fri from 9am (10am in winter). Visit www. geevor.com for more details.
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Cornwall Tourism Magazine 39
SOUTH CORNWALL COAST PENZANCE Penzance – which gets its name from the Cornish for “holy headland” – dates back to early Christian settlers 1200 years ago and is the unofficial capital of the Land’s End peninsula. Today St Mary’s Church still dominates the harbour on the same site as the early chapels. The town is famous as a centre for yachting and the Penzance Sailing Club is known the world over in sailing circles. Many people associate Penzance with pirates thanks to Gilbert and Sullivan but the title of the operetta was meant to be ironic – at the time they wrote it, strait-laced and sedate Penzance was chosen as a kind of Victorian joke because it was the unlikeliest place to have any cutthroat scoundrels! But Penzance has its fair share of turbulent history – it was ransacked by Parliamentary militia after the Civil War as a The Golowan Festival The Golowan Festival – to be held this year from June 18-26 - brings the past and present together in Penzance’s community celebration of the traditional Feast of St. John, featuring a host of events including the Golowan Band and the Quay Fair. www.golowan.org
BEACHES Battery Rock Beach The beaches that appear at low tide near the area of the Promenade are known by several names, depending in which part you are on. Battery Rock is right by the art deco open air swimming pool, which is open to the public for a small charge. Heading towards Newlyn you then get to Promenade Beach, then on to Wherrytown (also known as Tolcarne) beach. Dogs are not allowed on any of them during the summer.
PLACES OF INTEREST Penlee Gallery and Museum The museum in Penlee House, a magnificent converted 19th Century Victorian home in the centre of Penzance, was founded in 1839 and its collections cover 6,000 years of history in west Cornwall, from Penwith’s awe-inspiring archaeological sites to more recent social history. The recently refurbished social history gallery houses a wealth of artefacts covering the area’s fascinating and often quirky heritage. The museum also boasts an impressive local art 40 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
punishment for backing the King. In the 19th Century the arrival of the railways led to a boom time for Penzance industry, which was principally tin-mining. But as its reputation as a holiday resort grew, its dependence on tin declined. Hundreds of thousands flock to the town every year for their holiday, either staying in Penzance or visiting on their way to the Isles of Scilly – the harbour is the departure point for the Isles of Scilly ferry Scillonian III. The area around the town is rich in ancient archaeological sites of great importance dating back to the Bronze Age and Iron Age. There are numerous examples of ancient standing stones – particularly Pipers Stones, the massive Beersheba Menhir and the Tresvennack Longstone. At Tresvennack, Bronze Age urns containing the bones of human fingers were found in the 19th Century. These can now be seen at Penzance’s Penlee Museum. collection, focusing on the Newlyn School which includes famous artists such as Stanhope Forbes. National Lighthouse Museum Established in 1990, the museum in Wharf Road has an elaborate collection of lighthouse equipment that helps to tell the story of how an organization, Trinity House, has built and maintained lights around the coast of England and Wales for over 400 years. There are exhibits from a number of famous lighthouses such as the Eddystone, Longships and Lizard Point and a chance to try out operating a lighthouse yourself. Morrab Gardens Between the town centre and sea front lie the Morrab Gardens - three acres of renowned sub-tropical gardens which are home to a surprising variety of plants, shrubs and trees which thrive in the mild climate. Some of the plants grown for over a century here include magnolias, camellias, tree ferns, palm trees, and banana plants. Madron and Trengwainton Gardens Two miles north and near to the village of Madron are Trengwainton Gardens - owned and managed by the National Trust. Here there are spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants from the Far East, New Zealand and North America all in the grounds of a large mansion.
ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT Standing majestically in Penzance harbour is the stunning former island monastery of St Michael’s Mount. It is only accessible by land at low tide after the Great Flood 5,000 years ago – at all other times visitors have to use the many boat ferries that cross the bay to and fro daily. The medieval church and castle – the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century – make for a fascinating day out. You can discover the legend of King Arthur’s encounter with a giant which lived on the Mount, view the subtropical terraced garden clinging to the side of the castle or simply enjoy the breathtaking views of spectacular Mount’s Bay. It also has shops and a restaurant, “The Sail Loft”. A unique visitor experience. References to a place of worship standing on this outcrop of granite go back to the early Latin poets who mention it. After various sieges, captures and pillages, the history of the island calmed down a bit in the 19th Century when the arrival of the railways to Penzance reduced its importance as an independent community. In 1811 there were 221 people
living on the island, which had three schools, three pubs and a Wesleyan chapel. But as Penzance grew, people drifted back to work over there and the population dwindled. It’s still home to a small community, mostly staff. The island was bought by the St Aubyn family and they still live there and run it in partnership with the National Trust.
Newlyn is home of the second largest fishing fleet in the country and is a great example of a modern, thriving Cornish port that grafts as hard today to earn its crust as it ever did. From huge ocean-going beam trawlers, long liners and crabbers, to small open boats in the Old Harbour used for handlining for mackerel in the bay, Newlyn works its socks off to bring home the sea harvest in many shapes and sizes.
NEWLYN
Newlyn Fish Festival August Bank Holiday Monday sees the annual Cornish celebration of the sea, fishing and seafood at the Newlyn Fish Festival. Rick Stein is a big supporter and Cooking the fish in the Seafood Hall will be a trio of top local chefs: Kier Meikle from the Navy Inn, Sanjay from the Greenbank Hotel and Andy Appleton from the Jamie Oliver-inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall.
PLACES OF INTEREST Newlyn Art Gallery Showcasing the very best of national and international work, including a majority of works produced in the region. Highlights for 2011 include an exhibition of work by Roger Hilton, one of the most significant British painters working in the third quarter of the 20th century, and an artist with a close connection to Newlyn Art Gallery. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
SOUTH CORNWALL COAST
PORTHLEVEN
A working Cornish fishing harbour, which in years gone by often provided muchneeded refuge for ships in distress along this stretch of coast. Midway between Porthleven and Gunwalloe is the Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall. The Loe was originally the estuary of the River Cober which flowed through Helston, two miles to the north, and down into the sea near Porthleven. But the Loe Bar barrier was created during the 12th Century when violent storms created a huge shingle bank which cut the river off from the sea. Legend has it that Loe Pool is the lake into which Sir Bedivere threw King Arthur’s sword Excalibur only for the Lady of the Lake to rise up and return it to the king. There is something of a beach on the ocean-side of Loe Bar although strong undercurrents make swimming too dangerous.
MOUSEHOLE
Mousehole’s walled harbour is one of the most attractive in Cornwall. Along with Marazion, Mousehole was one of the main ports of St Mount’s Bay in the 16th Century before it was destroyed in a Spanish raid in 1595 and had to be rebuilt. Today it retains much of its historic charm, with narrow streets crammed with small shops, restaurants and pubs. Offshore is St Clement’s Isle, a set of rocky outrcrops in the bay which is said to have been home to a hermit many years ago. Mousehole has a good family beach and further up the coast is the cave in the cliff face which legend says gave the village its name.
PLACES OF INTEREST Mousehole Bird Hospital This famous hospital on the Cornish Cliffs at Reginnis Hill was founded in 1928 by the Misses Dorothy and Phyllis Yglesias. Over the years the Sanctuary has become famous, especially so, during the Torrey Canyon disaster in the 1960s, when over 8,000 oiled sea birds passed through the Hospital. It is open to the public and admission is free, although donations are always welcome. www.cornwalltouristpass.com
LAMORNA A sheltered cove at the head of a wooded valley, just along the coast from Mousehole, Lamorna is a lot more peaceful now than when it was the centre of granite production at a nearby quarry. Now it’s just a quiet harbour hamlet, ideal for a relaxing holiday. Nearby is the Neolithic Merry Maidens stone circle.
Porthleven Food and Music Festival The festival takes place this year on Saturday April. The very best local food producers (Cornish and only Cornish this year) tempt visitors with over 80 stalls packed with foodie treats. Attractions include a circus Big Top on the playing fields with tuition in circus skills, a Hog Roast, Beef Barbecue, local history exhibitions – all in all, a fantastic free family day out.
MARAZION This quaint village can claim to be the oldest town in Britain, called Ictis by the Romans and is the nearest harbour to St Michael’s Mount. Ferry and boat services depart fro Marazion frequently to the island and back each day. It has an excellent beach with the Mount as the towering backdrop, and the natural conditions make it perfect for sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. West of the village is the RSPB reserve of Marazion Marsh, home to a wide variety of birds, animals and plants and scene of the famous displays by clouds of starlings at sunset.
BEACHES Porthleven Beach Three miles of sand and shingle fall away sharply very quickly so causing unpredictable and strong undercurrents which make swimming in the sea in advisable. The beach is split into two and dog-lovers will be relieved to know their dogs are welcomed all year round on the East beach. The West are not so pet-friendly, banning dogs throughout the summer.
PRAA SANDS Located in the South West of Cornwall between Helston and Penzance, Praa Sands boasts one of the finest beaches in the UK and is popular with families, surfers and bathers alike. The Sand Bar on the Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the amazing views – and there’s always plenty going on with a lively entertainments programme. The nearby village’s castle is reputed to be haunted – indeed, it’s been twice visited by Yvette Fielding and medium Derek Acorah for the eerie TV series Most Haunted.
Cornwall Tourism Magazine 41
SOUTH CORNWALL COAST
Porthminster Beach
ST IVES Perhaps Cornwall’s most wellknown resort, once a busy fishing port, now a relaxed and picturesque haven for holidaymakers wanting that extra bit of luxury on holiday. Everywhere is beautifully kept and presented, and there’s a real Med feel to the place. Why not lose yourself in a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways bursting with galleries, craft and funky clothes shops, cafes and artists’ studios. The harbour is ringed with fine restaurants serving the best of seafood fresh from the sea. The harbour is sheltered, creating a fabulous micro-climate of warm breezes and sub-tropical plant life.
BEACHES Porthgwidden Beach Porthgwidden Beach is the smallest beach in the town of St. Ives. It lies just to the east of the ‘island’ and is a favourite with families. The sand is light golden and very fine and has been used recently to create sand sculptures at the back of the beach. Porthmeor Popular surfing and bodyboarding beach, with a surf school located on the beach, which is north facing and overlooked by the Tate Gallery. It has a wide stretch of soft golden sand which is perfect for all ages. Dogs are banned during the summer. Harbour Beach Located in the centre of the town the beach is popular with families. It’s at its best at low tide when a large expanse of sand is exposed. From the harbour it is possible to hire out self drive boats which are fun for the whole family or go on various trips around the nearby coastline. 42 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
Porthminster Beach The beach is the longest in St Ives at half a mile. There is a lifeguard service in operation during the summer months and the sea is generally calm and a good place to take the kids for a swim.
PLACES OF INTEREST The Tate Gallery The Tate Gallery building, overlooking Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, was opened in 1993 on the site of a former gasworks. It provides great light and perspective for its various displays of paintings, sculptures and ceramics. There are five separate gallery spaces over three floors. Most of the changing exhibitions feature 20th century art from the St Ives School, offering a unique introduction to modern art. Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden This attraction offers a unique insight into the work of one of our most important 20th century artists. There are sculptures in bronze, stone and wood on display, both in the museum and in the sub-tropical garden, along with paintings, drawings and other archive material. Hepworth was born in Wakefield in 1903 and studied at the Leeds School of Art. In 1939, she settled in St Ives, she built her studio. Trewyn Studios, which are now the
Hepworth Museum, are where the artist lived and worked from 1949 until her tragic
death in a fire in 1975.
On the opposite side of St Ives Bay is Hayle, a village famed for its magnificent stretch of beaches – a full three miles of sandy shores stretch from the mouth of the estuary to Godrevy Point and lighthouse. This is a point of pilgrimage for many birdwatchers with many species of sea and inland birds nesting here, including wading birds, avocets and ospreys.
HAYLE
BEACHES Hayle Towans This expanse of beach is what makes up most of the three miles. At low tide all the Hayle beaches join up to provide an impressive stretch of sand popular with sand yachts and kite buggies. Gwithian This section of beach is an excellent place to come for the day with the family although it is very exposed. During the summer it is worth noting that care must be taken when swimming as there could be rip currents. Godrevy The Hayles beaches end at Godrevy Point, with the view out to sea dominated by the Godrevy lighthouse which was the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s novel To
The Lighthouse. Because of its exposed position, the beach takes the brunt of the Atlantic and is therefore popular with surfers.
PLACES OF INTEREST Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary A must-see for bird lovers – and in particular parrot fans. The sanctuary was established in the 1970s and it soon it became the country’s leading centre for the promotion of parrot welfare in the wild and in captivity. The World Parrot Trust, a charity raising funds and awareness, is based here. Children can feed and pet friendly animals in the Fun Farm, including donkeys, goats and pot-bellied pigs. There is also a guinea pig village, rabbits and chipmunks. It is open all year round from 10am every day.
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ISLES OF SCILLY
Fantasy islands A WORLD AWAY – IN JUST 15 MINUTES
FANCY a spot of island-hopping while you’re on your Cornwall holiday? That’s easy – the famous Isles of Scilly are only 15 minutes away by air. Such a short trip means you can pop over and back in a day or stay longer to get the most out of these idyllic little islands, just 28 miles off the Cornish coast and Land’s End. The main island is St Mary’s and it is shielded from the Atlantic by the satellite islands of St Martin’s, Tresco, Bryher and St Agnes. The unspoilt natural habitat is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty providing stunning white sand beaches, azure waters and a wonderful climate where subtropical plants thrive in a truly unique environment. The five inhabited islands have a population of about 2,000, www.cornwalltouristpass.com
but there are many smaller uninhabited islands and rocky islets scattered around. The Scillies have been inhabited since Stone Age times with residents living off the sea and the land - fishing and farming are still part of the islands economy but the locals now warmly welcome visitors to their shores. You might well have admired the fantastic scenery shown in the BBC programme ‘An Island Parish’ and are looking forward to meeting some of the characters who so enjoy life here! Activities for the visitor include sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, horse riding by the sea, painting, wildlife tours, archaeology walks, sea fishing, photography, coastal walking, cycling, diving with seals and boat trips to uninhabited islands. The islands’ maritime
microclimate makes it a haven for unusual flora and fauna. Frost and snow rarely occur, which enables gardeners to import exotic species from all over the globe, making the average walk in the islands a voyage of discovery past plants from the Canaries, South Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand. The range of plant species contributes to the diet of some unusual airborne visitors, as migrant birds from East and West alight on these tiny specks of granite in the northern Atlantic. To many, the Isles of Scilly is
one big garden, the temperate climate allows sub-tropical plants, to be found all over the islands in hedgerows, in sheltered areas on the downs and in many private gardens. The seas around the Scillies offer a home to a wonderfully diverse range of creatures including seals, dolphins, basking sharks, starfish and more exotic visitors like whales, sunfish and leatherback turtles. Whether you are looking to pitch a tent or stay at a luxurious hotel, the islands have a wide range of accommodation to offer. Cornwall Tourism Magazine 45
ISLES OF SCILLY
HOW TO GET THERE
PLACES OF INTEREST ST. MARY’S The Garrison An outstanding coastal fortification built in the late 16th century when a star-shaped castle was constructed on a pronounced promontory. The Star Castle is now a hotel – surely the only star-shaped one in the UK! Bant’s Carn Burial Chamber and Halangy Down Ancient Village The remains of an ancient Iron Age village. On the hill above stands a Bronze Age burial mound with entrance passage and inner chamber. Harry’s Walls An unfinished artillery fort, built above St Mary’s Pool Harbour in the mid-16th Century. Carreg Dhu Community Garden A sub-tropical garden covering one and a half acres, formed, on several levels, from an old quarry. First started in 1986, the garden sits in a quiet, sheltered spot and boasts a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and trees, Old Town Church The church graveyard is fascinating; dominated by a memorial to Augustus Smith, founder of Tresco Abbey Garden, and of interest to many as the final resting place of former British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, who used to holiday here every year in the 60s and 70s. TRESCO Cromwell’s Castle Standing on a rocky promontory guarding the anchorage between Bryher and Tresco, this round tower is one of the few surviving Cromwellian fortifications in Britain, built after the conquest of the Royalist Isles of Scilly in 1651. 46 Cornwall Tourism Magazine
King Charles’ Castle The ruins of a mid 16th-century coastal artillery fort, later garrisoned - hence the name - by Civil War Royalists. Reached from New Grimsby by footpath. ST. AGNES The Maze Known by some as the ‘Game of Troy’, a circular maze of rounded beach stones on the west side of Castella Down. It is said to have been made by a lighthouse keeper centuries ago and was relaid in 1988.
BEACHES There are dozens of fabulous beaches on the Isles of Scilly. Here is a selection of the best: ST MARY’S Pelistry Pelistry Bay is loved by locals because it’s almost always deserted, the Eastern Isles hover in the distance, and an excellent café is only a five-minute walk away. Porthcressa Porthcressa is a safe cove for sailing, windsurfing, swimming, paddling and rockpooling. Town Beach Just under the lifeboat slip in the far corner of St Mary’s Harbour is a great beach where children can mess around in the shallows and enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of boats in the harbour. TRESCO Rushy Porth Rushy Porth is framed by the amazing 16th Blockhouse and Lizard Point. The shoreline shelves into dunes supporting tufty marram grass. Panoramic views take in St. Helens and Tean. Appletree Bay Appletree Bay is one of the prettiest
Cornwall’s longest-serving airlin e Skybus is run by Isles of Scilly Travel and has been operating for over 25 years. When you fly with Skybus you will get bird’s eye views of the South West, and as you approach the islands your first dramatic glimpse of the isles will take your breath away. Flights only take 15 minutes and you can fly from Newquay or Land’s End. If you don’t fancy flying take the ferry from Penzance. The Scillonian III departs daily during the summer season and although
beaches on Scilly, soft fine sand and a beautiful view out to sea. It’s also great for windsurfing. The famous Abbey Garden is also close by, should you fancy exploring inland. Pentle Bay Pentle is a safe beach for swimming and the views are only interrupted by the Eastern Isles. The beach is three quarters of a mile long and shelves gently up into dunes protecting the lush sub-tropical landscape and Tresco Great Pool. BRYHER Green Bay An idyllic spot favoured by kayakers and caneoists. Rushy Bay Bryher is an island of contrasts – with the raw energy of Hell Bay in the north and the welcoming, tranquil Rushy Bay in the south. It’s a lovely beach and is also used as an ideal spot for low water dinghy landings on Bryher. Well worth an afternoon’s visit. ST MARTIN’S Lawrence’s Bay This sheltered beach is a family haven. There are rock pools at low tide towards Old Quay, gently shelving sand that gives way to tepid shallows over St. Martin’s
it takes two hours 40 minutes, it’s a great way to travel – there’s plenty to do on board and it’s a great way to see the Cornish coast from out at sea as you leave. You might also be lucky enough to catch sight of some dolphins or seals on your journey. Don’t forget Cornwall Pass holders receive 10% discount off travel to the Isles of Scilly with Isles of Scilly Travel! A daily helicopter service to St Mary’s and Tresco operates Monday to Saturday from Penzance (20 mins).
Flats. The beach stretches from Lower Town all the way to Higher Town. Par Beach A great family white sandy beach with safe swimming, fabulous views and gentle walks. Great Bay Nestled on the north side of St. Martin’s, this beach is part of an attractive bay - a vast expanse of creamy sand once voted Best Beach in the UK. ST AGNES The Bar This beach separates St. Agnes from the Island of Gugh. Both sides are sheltered. The Cove and Porth Conger offer splendid clear shallows, perfect for messing around in a dinghy. Covean Covean is a secret gem at the end of a tiny green path. The tiny cove is perfect for snorkelling, as it is hemmed by rocky outcrops teaming with marine life. Periglis A lovely setting with Bishop Rock lighthouse standing proudly as the last beacon of the UK. Periglis is framed by the old lifeboat slip and Ginamoney Carn, a shell collector’s paradise.
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