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To be old and wise you must first be young and stupid. The request payment option is now back!
Member since:03.05.2007
Reviews:34
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With all the talk of air miles and saving energy I wonder why more folk don't consider staying in England for their holidays. Obviously the weather is the major concern but a beautiful summers day here can compare with anywhere in the world and if you can get a full week of good weather well there really is no need to travel abroad. Plus the added bonus of no language barrier, the water is safe to drink and you don't have to convert your money into the local currency!
One of my favourite places is Cornwall. With the diversity and beauty of the landscapes it is a true treasure right on our own doorstep and has something for everybody whether young or old.
Being surrounded on three sides by the sea Cornwall has some spectacular sea views and there are over 300 miles of coastal paths to follow. Last year a YouGov survey quizzed over 2500 people across England. asking four questions about happiness at home and work, life balance and stress. Compared with national averages, people in the South West reported some of the highest happiness and lowest stress levels in the country. Many people attribute this to being close to the ocean. It has been suggested that when waves break on the beach, large amounts of negative ions are generated into the air. These negative ions have a positive effect on the emotional wellbeing of anyone exposed to them.
Here is a small selection of places to visit but there are many, many more:
NORTH COAST
Newquay, the surfing capital of England. with more than ten beaches to choose from, zoo and Blue Reef Aqurium being just some of the attractions. Newquay is a hot spot for stag and hen parties so it can get a bit noisy at night.
Perranport was once a 19th century tin mining village
but is now a family resort with over three miles of golden sands, boating lake , golf course and caves to explore. Winston Graham wrote the first Poldark novel whilst living here.
St Agnes which was founded on tin mining and is now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. The distintive land and seascapes here have inspired both local and national artists and the village is a centre for arts and crafts.
Tintagel where you can test your head for heights by climbing the steep steps up to the castle ruins which were said to be the home of the legendary King Arthur.Looking down from the ruins, Merlins Cave can be seen on the beach below and you may also be able to spot his face etched into the cliff side.
Padstow where Rick Stein has a number of food outlets. His world famous fish restaurant, St Petroc's Bistro and Stein's fish and chips. He also has a deli, patisserie and a gift shop here. There is a working harbour in the centre of the village where you can sit and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a creamy Cornish icecream.
Port Isaac where Doc Martin was filmed and also the location used for the first Poldark television series. Narrow winding streets lined with old whitewashed cottages and traditional granite and slate fronted houses, many of which are listed as of architectural or historic importance. A stream runs through the village finding it's way out to sea over the harbour wall..
SOUTH COAST
The South coast is a world away from the pumping Atlantic surf of the north coast. Here the river estuaries of the Helford, the Fowey and the Fal can be explored along with unspoilt fishing villages and harbours of Looe, Polperro and Mevagissey.
Looe is split into two towns, East and West Looe. East Looe includes the fishing harbour, main shopping centre and sandiest beach. West Looe is quieter but also has shops, restaurants and hotels and leads to Hannaforce with fine views of Looe Island. The two towns are joined by a bridge across the river. Looe was used for some location shots in the recent television series Echo Beach.
Mevagissey was once the centre of the pilchard fishing industry and still boasts a working harbour where fishing trips can be booked. There is also a ferry to the nearby port of Fowey. In narrow streets there are many gift shops, craft workshops, galleries, cafes and pubs.
Polperro ,with it's narrow winding streets and alleys, cottages perched on steep slopes overlooking the tiny harbour, is everyones idea of a picturesque Cornish fishing village.
Falmouth ,where the National Maritime museum is situated, along with Fowey, are well worth a visit to see the brightly coloured fishing boats and yachts.
WEST COAST
West Cornwall is an area of full of character with the fishing villages of Newlyn, Cadgwith and Porthleven.
Lands End is situated here and the view from the cliff tops really makes you think you are standing on the edge of the world. There is a small shopping village where typical Cornish goods can be bought such as fudge, crafts ,cider, clothes and jewellery etc. You can have your photo taken beside the signpost which has the distances to various locations around the world or you can have your home town added to the post to make it more personal.
The Minack Theatre ,built into a gully above Minack Rock in Porthcurno, provides an outdoor stage for performances set into the rock face high above the beach below
But it is not only the seascapes of Cornwall that delight. The rural landscapes are just as diverse . Lush green countryside. huge craggy cliffs and wonderful gardens. Everyone wil have heard of the Eden Project and some may remember The Lost Gardens of Heligan from the BBC documentary made some years ago.
There is also the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden in St Ives which features her work set into the domestic Cornish context in which it was created. The Tate Gallery can also be found in St Ives so culture lovers are well catered for.
Then there is Trebar described as magical, intimate and at the same time breathtaking. You are immersed in a subtropical environment with new glimpses of beauty around every corner culminating in it's glorious private beach with extensive views over the Helford estuary.
Bodmin Moor which has been designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and provides a haven for lovers of birds and wildlife. It is a delightful place to walk and enjoy peace and quiet away from the stresses of modern life.
Cornwall has an abundance of interesting and breathtaking places to visit and has activities to suit all abilities and ages. A gentle stroll along the seashore, surfing, Kitesurfing, rock climbing or investigating old castles and ruins and much more can be done in Cornwall amidst beautiful and relaxed surroundings.
Accomodation is plentiful and varied with prices to suit all pockets. From your very basic bunk house where the surfers on a budget bed down to family guest houses to top class hotels and camping sites
GETTING THERE By Air Air Southwest flies to Newquay from London Gatwick, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Bristol, Cork and Dublin. Also to Plymouth from London Gatwick, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Bristol and Jersey. British Airways Flights to Newquay from London Gatwick Baby BMI. Flies to Newquay from Manchester Ryanair Between London Stansted and Newquay Flybe Flies to Newquay from Belfast City and Edinburgh
By Road The M4,M5 and M6 motorways have made travel to Cornwall simple and staightforward. While in in Cornwall itself, the two major holiday routes, the A30 and A38 continue to improve, with fast duel carriageways as far as Carland Cross, Mitchell and most of the way to Penzance. Follow the M5 to Exeter, after which you will take either the A30 or A38 into Cornwall depending on your final destination. Alternatively, if you enter Cornwall via North Devon, then there is the Atlantic Highway, the A39, which you can join at junction 27 on the M5.
The above information was taken from the travel guide and was correct at time of printing.
I first visited Cornwall just after my dad died and it is here where I found peace of mind after a very traumatic few months. The beauty, the slower pace of life and the friendliness of the local people all helped me to overcome my deep sadness and so Cornwall will always have a special place in my heart
I have given just a glimpse into the wonders of Cornwall there is so much to see it would be impossible to describe them all. So if you haven't been there yet I would advise you to pay a visit and see for yourselves what beauty we have on our own doorstep and it might make you think again about travelling abroad.
Excellent review. I have been to Newquay, Falmouth and St Ives - wonderful! My brother holidays in Penzance every year :)
wigglylittleworm 22.07.2009 02:52
nicely reviewed, I'd like to go there one day but as it is so far from Scotland it puts me off. I love being by the sea and always find watching and listening to the waves really relaxing
Gladiator007 12.07.2009 20:32
Absolutely brilliant review...very well written, informative and lovely photos...deserves an E in my humble opinion..thanks very much....=]
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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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