Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CORNWALL
by Rebecca Ford
With its distinctive blend of dramatic cliffs,
soft sandy beaches and picturesque fishing
villages, Cornwall's stunning coastline attracts
thrill-seeking surfers as well as families and couples seeking
a romantic hideaway.
Add to that its mild climate, its rich history—this was once a separate
Celtic nation—and its celebrated attractions, like the eco-friendly Eden
Project and Tate St. Ives, and it's easy to see why this is England's top
holiday playground. It's no wonder that writers such as Daphne du Mau-
rier and artists like Barbara Hepworth found it so inspiring.
SIGHTSEEING
You can walk through a tropical rainforest when you
step inside one of the
Eden Project's
futuristic biomes, or go deep
underground on a tour of a
tin mine
—Cornwall's unique mining land-
scapes have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stately
homes such as
Lanhydrock House
offer the whole family a fascinating
glimpse into the past, while the
National Maritime Museum
in
Fal-
mouth
gives visitors a chance to learn about the realities of life at sea.
EATING & DRINKING
Cornwall is noted for the quality of its sea-
food, with visitors flocking to celebrity-chef Rick Stein's restaurant in
Padstow
—or just enjoying fish and chips eaten beside the sea. The
county is also known for its eponymous pasties (a traditional Cornish
meat pie)—locals all have their favorite pasty shops—rich clotted cream
(delicious eaten for tea with jam and scones), and strong cider.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Cornwall's extensive coastline and inland
waters offer endless opportunities for
sailing, surfing,
and
canoeing,
while many of its disused railway lines have been turned into safe
cycle
routes, like the popular
Camel Trail
that runs for 18 miles along the
tranquil Camel estuary.
Walkers
have a maze of quiet footpaths, historic
trails, and exhilarating cliff walks to choose from.
RELAXATION
The Cornish love the sea, so you'll be in good company
if you want to spend your holiday relaxing on one of the county's glorious
beaches,
such as Porthminster at St. Ives or Porthcressa on the Isles of
Scilly. The mild south coast is studded with glorious
gardens,
including
Trengwainton where lush banana plants and giant tree ferns mingle with
fragrant flowers.
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