Got married on 10th May - happy at last!! Taking BA Hons Degree in Eng Lit & creative writing in Sep...
Got married on 10th May - happy at last!! Taking BA Hons Degree in Eng Lit & creative writing in Sept so expect practice! x
Member since:03.11.2001
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As some of you may know, I live in one of the loveliest places in the UK: Cornwall. The following is an attempt to tempt you all into this fair and fertile land and though it's pretty long, I hope you'll still find it interesting! As I live in the west of Cornwall, it really is mostly about the area surrounding me.
~~~~~~~~~West Cornwall~~~~~~~~~~
The area of Penwith, situated in the West of Cornwall, is an area rich in history, spectacular landscapes, and golden beaches. Add to this the abundance of attractions, stunning coastal scenery, walks and historical locations and you have an area that really does have something for everyone.
The town of Penzance ('Pen Sans', meaning holy headland) is a bustling, seaside market town with a range of interesting and historical sites dotted throughout. The town itself has the largest population in the Penwith area and contains a diversity of shops within its centre, as well as a number of restaurants providing food to suit a variety of tastes & pockets.
The town is becoming increasingly famous for it's annual Golowan festival - a 12-day celebration of the feast of St John. This features music, dance, film and street entertainment and takes place in late June. Mazey Day is the most prominent event in the celebrations; the main streets of the town are closed off and a variety of colourful and lively processions wind their way through Penzance centre. Golowan was celebrated in the town for hundreds of years before the event was banned in 1877 under the pretext that the festival was 'dangerous entertainment'. In those days, public houses were granted a 24 hour license and the entertainment took the form of the ancient serpent dance proceeding through the town accompanied by rolled, burning tar barrels. Arguably, perhaps, the ban was justified?
In addition, one of Penzance's most famous sons is Sir Humphry Davy, inventor of the miner's safety lamp and a nationally acclaimed chemist. Born in Penzance in 1778, Davy was knighted in 1812 and was thought to be Britain's leading scientist of the time. There is a statue of Davy in the heart of Penzance where Davy overlooks the bustling Market Jew Street.
Historic Chapel Street, just off the town centre, features many famous buildings including The Union Hotel, where the news of Nelson's victory at Trafalgar is thought to have been announced before anywhere else in the UK. The Union was originally The Ship & Castle and in the late eighteenth century was the centre for special social gatherings and public events. The hotel featured lodging rooms, parlours, a cockfighting pit and stabling for horses & carriages along with a theatre added in 1786.
Opposite The Union Hotel is the unusual architecture of Egyptian House. Built in 1836 by John Lavin, the building was originally a geological museum and its unusual façade is designed to give the illusion of height using Egyptian designs and perspective. Egyptian House is now owned by the Landmark Trust and is open to visitors.
Further down Chapel Street is the Turk's Head, which is believed to be the oldest pub in Penzance and on whose site there has reputedly been a public house for 800 years. Also to be found on Chapel Street is the Admiral Benbow pub & restaurant & the house where the Bronte family lived
before their move to Yorkshire.
Situated between the town centre and the promenade, Sub-tropical Morrab Gardens is a treat for the eyes, featuring landscaped gardens with sub-tropical plants not found anywhere else in Britain and a bandstand where music and local theatre productions can often be enjoyed in the summer.
Penzance also boasts the only seashore promenade in Cornwall which features The Jubilee Bathing Pool (a 1930s, Arc Deco, outdoor, salt-water swimming pool) the only remaining lido in the South West. The promenade extends for approximately a mile culminating at the port of Newlyn, a busy fishing port famous for the work of some outstanding artists in the late 19th century such as Stanhope Forbes, Elizabeth Forbes and Frank Bramley. The work of the 'Newlyn School' of artists can be viewed at Newlyn Art Gallery, Penlee House in Penzance and the Tate Gallery in St Ives. The famous Newlyn Copper Industry was instigated around 1888 by John D Mackenzie; the designs of the copper had much in common with the Newlyn School of artists, with Mackenzie associating his designs with the nature of the village.
Also to be found at Newlyn is the Pilchard Works, an excellent example of a working museum, which has won awards for outstanding presentation of British Heritage. The factory itself is the only example of a fully working Cornish salt pilchard factory; it has been in operation since 1905. In 1926, screw presses were installed and can still be seen in operation today. Also, the annual fish festival is held each August bank holiday in Newlyn to promote the port and fishing in general. Fishing displays of all kinds can be seen as well as displays and stalls featuring the work of local craftsmen.
The picturesque village of Mousehole, a good example of a typical Cornish fishing village, lies beyond Newlyn. Nestled within Mouseholes's narrow, terraced streets are a variety of craft, gift shops & art galleries. In 1595, two hundred Spaniards landed in Mousehole, burning most of the village, then moving on to torch Paul, Newlyn & Penzance before one hundred local men drove them back on the outskirts of Marazion. The Spaniards left few casualties: Keigwin, the home of one of the few Mousehole fatalities, can still be seen in the village today. The Ship Inn is a good example of 'olde worlde' pubs as it still retains much of it's original character today; the pub was often frequented by Dylan Thomas, who resided in the village in the 1930's and described it as "really the loveliest village in England."
Christmas is a good time to visit Mousehole, as its display of lights around the harbour is a wonderful sight. The lights can also be viewed from the air via the Scillys sky-bus; special twenty-minute flights over the village are carried out in the evenings. On 23rd December, the village celebrates the memory of Tom Bawcock, who saved the inhabitants of Mousehole from starvation by braving stormy seas and landing enough fish to make a Starry Gazy pie large enough to feed the entire village.
~~~~~~~~~~Marazion~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marazion is another pretty seaside village overlooking Mounts Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the country. The famous St Michaels Mount, known as 'The Jewel In Cornwall's Crown', is situated in the bay and access to the island can be gained via ferry or by negotiating the 500-yard granite causeway at low tide. The Mount itself is dedicated to the Archangel St Michael who, according to legend, appeared to some fishermen in the year 495. The castle, which sits atop the Mount, was originally the site of a Benedictine Monastery; two hundred years later, the St Aubyn family took up residence and their descendants still live there today.
The village of Marazion itself is a distinctive former market town that offers a beach popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. Indeed, the world windsurfing championships are held here every year. A charming village, Marazion is popular with visitors not just because of St Michaels Mount but also for it's quaint character and it's RSPB nature reserve, Marazion Marshes. The reserve attracts many species of birds rarely seen in Britain and subsequently draws bird-lovers to the village in search of an elusive picture of rare birds.
~~~~~~~~~~St Ives~~~~~~~~~~
The winding, cobbled streets of St Ives have attracted artists for over one hundred years, remaining popular because of the quality of the light. Today, the town is now recognized internationally as a centre for fine art. As a reflection of this, The Tate Gallery built their St Ives outpost in 1993. A white, circular structure overlooking Porthmeor Beach, The Tate has surpassed all expectations with the number of visitors attracted to its exhibitions since Prince Charles performed the opening ceremony. The Tate is far from being the only gallery in St Ives - the town is literally peppered with them. In particular, The Barbara Hepworth Museum features gardens with sculptures crafted by the late artist & other relevant history pertaining to Barbara Hepworth and other artists of the era.
Once a busy fishing port, the heart of the town is still the harbour where the fishing industry continues to add to the local economy. An abundance of restaurants, gift shops & galleries have much to offer visitors, as do the famously clean beaches, which attract families and surfers alike to their golden expanses. Porthmeor Beach offers lifeguard cover, café, restaurant & surf facilities throughout the summer months. The family-orientated Porthminster Beach is sheltered and very safe for swimmers with its calm sea conditions.
Close to St Ives, the Cheney Farm Park offers a treat for children, here they can get up close to farm animals, feed them and pet them, a must for any family. The branch line from St Erth offers pretty views of the St Ives area.
~~~~~~~~~Hayle~~~~~~~~~
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hayle was a busy industrial port with a busy, iron-based foundry supplying pumping engines for the mining industry, chains for suspension bridges and much more. In the dunes of Hayle, gunpowder and dynamite were produced for the mines & cordite for the 1914-1918 war, ending when wartime was over. As the mining industry began to decline by the early 1900s, so did Hayle's economy and the town was forced to look to other methods to earn a living. The Hayle railway viaduct, situated on the entrance to the town, is one of the only railway bridges in the country where the road underneath passes through it in both directions. The viaduct was originally a wooden structure built in the 1850's and was replaced by stone in the 20th Century.
Today, Hayle relies mostly on tourism to boost the local economy and attracts many visitors to its famed '3 miles of golden sand'. Hayle and the surrounded area are a popular destination for families as it contains a variety of chalet and caravan parks ideal for families on budget. Of the attractions the town has to offer, Paradise Park is the most popular. It includes:
Pictures of Cornwall (England)
Sennen Cove
a wildlife sanctuary home to hundreds of rare birds; otters, red pandas, red squirrels, penguins and a variety of farm animals. Great for small children, there's so much to see at the park that visitors could happily spend the entire day there. As well as the animal attractions, there's a park and picnic area where families can take a break before resuming exploration.
~~~~~~~~~Land's End~~~~~~~~~
Land's End is the most westerly point on mainland Britain and has long attracted visitors for this reason alone. Since it's purchase in the late eighties, Land's End has been improved considerably and now offers many attractions, shops, an hotel and restaurants, which attract plenty of visitors in the summer months. Certainly from the hotel, which sits overlooking the Atlantic, spectacular views can be enjoyed including Bishop Rock and Wolf Rock lighthouses. On a clear day, the Isles Of Scilly can often be seen and the evening sunsets are impressive.
A trip to the Isles of Scilly is a must for any visitor to the area; the cluster of islands offer sea bird and seal colonies and Tresco is home to dramatic tropical gardens. The islands can be visited by ferry from Penzance or by helicopter twice daily from Penzance Heliport.
Legend has it that once the Isles of Scilly joined the mainland, extending out towards St Michaels Mount, which was also joined. This tract of land contained a city named Lyons, many villages and woodlands. Folklore tells us that the land was swallowed up by a gigantic wave which rolled in from the Atlantic and the land was flooded, it's inhabitants killed and the land of 'Lyonesse' was lost beneath the sea forever. Many writers have given mention to the legend in their work, including a poem by Thomas Hardy and Tennyson making reference to 'the lost land of Lyonesse'. Certainly, it's an enchanting tale, adding to the mystery and myth which surrounds so much of Cornwall.
The recently improved Cornish Way cycle path ends at Lands End, running some 180 miles throughout Cornwall from Bude and offering stunning views of the Cornish coastline.
The area surrounding Land's End is littered with the remnants of the mining era and ancient Celtic places of worship. Men-An-Tol is one of the better-known standing stones. It's circular structure, noted for its round hole has been said to cure a number of ailments; originally rickets in children. It is now visited for numerous health reasons, as well as for it's historic value; some have claimed that passing through the hole in the centre of the stone has cured them of infertility.
Interestingly, The Merry Maidens at Lamorna are a collection of 19 stones arranged in a circle over 70 feet in diameter. Legend has it that the maidens were turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday. Many other standing stones, holy wells, Celtic Crosses and burial chambers are to be found in the area.
Closer to Penzance, near Gulval, Chysauster ancient village is a fascinating example of a late Iron Age settlement. A non-fortified village believed to have been inhabited from around 100bc until about the third century, Chysauster features the remains of eight houses within the village itself. Contained within the houses are the remains of the stone hearths and the terraced gardens. The village also boasts a 'fogou' (Cornish for cave), though this is not in as fine condition as the rest of the settlement.
Geevor Museums & Mining Heritage Centre at the small village of Pendeen is an interesting place to visit in order to understand the working of the tin industry. The industry, which has now completely died out in Cornwall, is still such an important part of the county's heritage. Until 1990, Geevor was a fully functional, working mine employing up to 400 local men. Now visitors to the mine can look around the museum and take a guided, underground tour to experience working conditions faced by miners from the earliest times. Pendeen also features The Pendeen Lighthouse, which is open to visitors from July through to September. Many of the men who mined at Geevor were inhabitants of the larger neighboring town of St Just, which also has sights to offer in the shape of Cape Cornwall, the only Cape in England and plenty of historical remnants in the shape of burial chambers, mine shafts, and engine houses. In the tradition of St Ives and Newlyn, St Just also boasts its own colony of working artists with open studios.
A little further along the coast is Sennen Cove, a seaside village with a large, sandy beach renowned for its cleanliness. The beach is ideal for surfers and bathers alike and can be accessed from the village or by walking down through the steep dunes that surround it.
Zennor is another famous village in the area. Postcard-pretty, Zennor has many literary allusions connected with it. These include some fleeting appearances in the writings of D H Lawrence who lived here with his German wife during the Great War, before being ejected from the village under suspicion of spying. Inhabited since the early Bronze Age, the village boasts a fifteenth century church where the Mermaid of Zennor is depicted on a bench end. In local folklore, the Mermaid was believed to have lured local chorister Matthew Trewhella to his premature death in Pendour Cove with her beauty and sweet-voiced singing.
~~~~~~~~The Minack Theatre~~~~~~~~
The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre built in the style of an ancient Roman Amphitheatre; carved into the top of the cliffs, the theatre overlooks the sheltered and attractive Porthcurno bay. Built in 1929 by Rowena Cade, the Minack is now internationally renowned for its seventeen-week summer season, in which a variety of plays and musical events can be enjoyed. During the day, whilst no plays are being performed, the theatre can be explored and it's history learnt in the visitors centre. After enjoying the sights and views the theatre has to offer, a walk down the cliff path to Porthcurno beach reveals a sight worthy of the Caribbean. With it's soft, white sand and azure water, surrounded by wind-sheltering cliffs, Porthcurno is a sun-worshippers paradise; though the sea can be dangerous for bathers as it harbours a strong undertow and the bed slopes suddenly.
Porthcurno museum tells the tale of how the village became home to the world's largest cable station. During World War Two, tunnels were blasted out of the granite hillside to move the stations underground and there it remained until its closure in 1970 after one hundred years. Guided tours can be taken around the museum the whole year round.
For those of you who may have been considering visiting the lovely area where I live, I hope his has swayed you in the right direction! Cornwall is a lovely place to live, despite it's shortcomings in the area of shopping, the lack of work, the poor wages, the high cost of liveing etc. This is compensated by the lovely place it is and the low crime etc. Due to the degenergration of mining, fishing and farming in the area, we need tourism more than ever! Promise you it's worth it if you favour more than amusements and nightclubs.... but we have a bit of that too... oh! and piskies! ;-)
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Advantages: Buses are more frequent than they used to be and new routes have been introduced. Disadvantages: They often break down and aren't waterproof in the rain!
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