Cornwall of England
Cornwall is located at the tip of the south-western peninsula of Great Britain. It is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the English Channel and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. The area now known as Cornwall was first inhabited by Neolithic and then Bronze Age peoples, and later by Celts. So, this county is many places for explore.
Exploring Cornwall
By Ian Eldred
There is so much to see and do in Cornwall it can be difficult trying to decide where to start. Having taken holidays in Cornwall and now having lived here for nearly 11 years we have gained a good deal of local knowledge and in this article set out some of the things to do as well as some of our favourite places and activities. Living in the middle of the Cornwall we are ideally situated to explore. With both the North and South coasts within half an hours drive and Devon just over the river Tamar again just over thirty minutes away, we are spoiled for choice and that’s without even mentioning the rest of Cornwall to the West.
Photo: plymouthcity.co.uk
With two young children, we have explored much of the great coastline of Cornwall and discovered some stunning beaches. Our favourites are the ones where you can do thing as well as chilling out in the sun. The North coast is best for surfing with some great waves traveling in from the Atlantic and Treyarnon is one of our all time favourites. There is a great big rock pool which fills up at high tide and then as the tide goes out warms up in the sun to provide a great swimming pool and gives a great opportunity for diving practice.
A fissure in the cliffs on the opposite side of the bay forms a causeway which the braver explorers can navigate into the next bay. The ragged shoreline of the North Coast offers a great opportunity for some exceptional views on the many cliff walks which are waiting to be explored. This is a good way to discover the quite, secluded bays which are off the beaten track. A trek down to the lizard peninsular is well worth the Journey. Kynance Cove is one of the National Trusts best natural treasures. When you descend the path from the car park to the secluded beach the view reveals a jagged island which would not be out of place in a James Bond film. The receding tide reveals a saddle-like stretch of sand which is the ideal spot for a picnic, and also allow access to the island and further around the cliffs, some deep pools where the brave hearted can leap from the rocks (while the tide is still high enough!).Whatever you want from the beach, sailing, surfing, swimming, kite surfing or just enjoying the sun and sand, Cornwall has the beach to suit you. Our Holiday cottage, situated right by our home, is full of useful guides and maps and will give you a perfect base for exploring. If beaches aren’t your thing, then Rose Cottage is perfectly positioned to access all that Cornwall has to offer. We are right in the heart of the Cornish Countryside, nestled below the slopes of Bodmin moor at the foot of Caradon Hill in the Hamlet of Golberdon.
The moors offer some great walks and stunning views over the countryside. The improbable cartoon like rock formations on the top of the moors have been formed by erosion over the years but instead of the Road Runner you’re more likely to spot some of the several ponies which roam free across the moor and horse riding and trekking across the moors is available from the numerous stables around. If horse riding isn’t for you then we have some great walks in countryside. Golitha Falls is a great day out. Our kids are always in the water and body boards and wet suits are always on the list of essentials when we have a day out by the river.
Photo: bodmincottages.co.uk
The ever growing network of cycle tracks provides another great way to explore. The camel trail is one of the best offering a safe, level track where you can cycle from Bodmin to Wadebridge and on to Padstow to enjoy lunch in one the pubs or even one of the world famous Rick Stein’s restaurants. Keeping with transport, the Bodmin and Wenford steam railway is another worthwhile outing whether or not you’re a steam fan. For days out you might want to travel further afield and travel down to the pointy end of the country and take in some culture at the Tate modern in St Ives. The home of water colour is packed with galleries, and you can see from the local scenery why so many artist chose this area to draw their inspiration. A little closer to home is the wonder of the Eden Project. This is a must see attraction for anybody visiting the area and a full day is need to explore the vast domes filled with trees, plant and animals from around the world. A short drive away across the River Tamar at Horsebridge and you’ll find the woodland around Scrubtor. There are some great walks here and also lots of new downhill mountain bike routes for the brave-hearted.
These weave through the woodland and over the old mine workings. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you could call in at the Royal at Horsebridge; an old “proper” pub with slate floors, real fire and real ales together with great food will reward your day’s efforts. As far as pubs and food are concerned, we are really lucky to have some great country pubs and restaurants locally; the Church House Inn is a family run pub and restaurant and is the nearest. Then there is the Manor House at Rilla Mill. Both these pubs provide a welcome stop for a number of local walks through the countryside. A bit further away is the Caradon Inn at Upton cross, this is a the foot of Caradon hill and is also worth a visit if pubs are your thing. So if swimming, cycling, walking, surfing, sun-bathing etc. don’t do it for you, perhaps the local golf courses may interest you; the local course at St Mellion is soon to be complete following a one million pound redevelopment project. Trethorne leisure farm is another local golf course which also offer tin pin bowling as well as inside and outside play areas for the kids, so has something to offer for the whole family. If golfing doesn’t interest you, then perhaps a spot of rock-climbing? The Barn Climbing centre at Milton Abbot has safe climbs for all ages and abilities, the instructors will help with all your needs and you can even hire climbing shoes and harnesses for the day (or until your fingers get tired). Perhaps a stroll in the garden is more your cup of tea, if so Devon and Cornwall boast some of the finest gardens in the country, many within easy distance of Rose Cottage.
The mild climate means plants bloom early, and Spring is an enchanting season amid the unrivalled magnolias and rhododendrons, camellias and daffodils. Nearby is the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a recreation of a working Victorian estate that was the first project of Eden founder Tim Smit (The Times called it “The garden restoration of the century”). Half an hour from Rose Cottage, across the Tamar and Tavy rivers, lies The Garden House, chosen by The Independent as one of the best 50 gardens in Europe and home to a stunning mingling of formal planting in the romantic terraced Walled Garden, created around the tumbling ruins of a medieval vicarage, and stunning modernism blending wild flowers with a recreated landscape in the Ten Trees garden beyond. Other garden attractions near us include the National Trust highlights of Saltram, Cotehele and Lanhydrock, talking of the National Trust, another short trip into Devon will take you past the spectacular Brentor Church perched on a hill top, to the village of Lydford. The National Trusts Lydford Gorge is a woodland walk through the gorge which contains some spectacular water falls and the boiling “Devils Cauldron”.
The very best of professional, big-scale, big-budget theatre is at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, while more intimate delights are on offer just minutes away at Sterts, an open-air theatre on the edge of Bodmin Moor which offers a mixture of amateur and professional music and drama, including popular family shows. Carnglaze Caverns is another unusual venue for music – again just half an hour away. Concerts are performed underground in the Rum Store – used by the Navy as a storehouse and so hidden away it was used to secure the Crown jewels during the Second World War! At nearby Siblyback Lake, there’s canoeing, windsurfing and angling. There are so many things to do here it is difficult to list them all, but our favourite is having the ability to head off in any direction and explore Cornwall’s hidden beauty in its countryside and wildlife. Walking is for me the only way to explore and gain access to the best that Cornwall has, if you’re a dog owner then Rose Cottage is an ideal base. What ever you are looking for Cornwall has a lot to offer. For more details please visit our site http://www.rosecottage.srv2.com.
Born in 1965, Ian Eldred is a mechanical design engineer who has lived in Cornwall since 1997 when he and his wife decided to move from Leeds. Since then they have explored Cornwall as a couple and as a family with their two daughters. Over the last few years they have renovated a pretty village cottage which they now let out to holiday-makers.
