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Showing posts with the label holidays in cornwall

Cornwall Tours

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There is so much to see in Cornwall, I have lived here 20 years (so not a proper local!), and there are still many corners I haven't explored. Our county is vast, varied and stunning, so it really helps to have local knowledge if you really want to see the treasures of coast and moor. Barry Pengelly and his company, Cornwall Discovery Tours, are a brilliant way to tour Cornwall. He has the local experience, insight and historical knowledge that makes tours so memorable. You only have to take a look at his Tripadviser page to see that. His tours are favoured especially by our friends across the pond–American's can sometimes be stunned by our tiny twisting roads–but anyone from out of county can be overwhelmed when driving here! His bespoke guided tours of Cornwall can be tailored to your needs. Barry is even happy to collect you from the airport and take you to your accommodation, and he'll venture out of county if that's helpful too! Whether your interest is seeing Cor

Vintage Camper Van Holidays in Cornwall

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Ok this might not be the most seasonal of blog posts, but just in case the dreary cold has got you hoping for sunny times, here is a really wonderful way to see Cornwall. Picture this; the allure of the open road, the vintage camper, breath-taking beaches and quality family time - sounds rather perfect to me! Wild and Free Cornish Campers are a little company based in Wadebridge, North Cornwall, who offer the chance to do just that, borrow Pip the beautifully restored T2 WW camper and take off! This stunning retro classic is not just for surfers. 'Pip' is a 1974 VW Westfalia and sleeps 4, the company provide pretty much everything you might need (even a bluetooth radio and sat nav!) for a lovely, movable, holiday in Cornwall.    I do love these camper vans, a friend had one when I was at art college in Plymouth and we would all pile in for an adventure. Pip has been thoughtfully and beautifully restored and the family-run company seem to have thought of everything, you can tel

The Best of Both Worlds

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Why do I love the north coast of Cornwall? Could it be that it is the best of both worlds. Its a stunningly varied coast with the buzz of surfer's beaches and quiet coves as well as that much sort after rural idyll. Take Chapel Amble for example, a tiny village nestled in from the sea where you can find hidden gems like Rooke Cottages, ancient Duchy farm buildings converted into luxury self-catering cottages. A perfectly peaceful situation with rolling green hills and the odd baa from the sheep. Just down the road you have some of our best beaches - Daymer Bay, Polzeath, and the likes of foodie havens such as Padstow, Rock and 'film stars' like Port Isaac. What more could you ask! Rooke Cottages is a perfect example of the kind of accommodation on offer in this corner of Cornwall. Cottages just made for two right up to The Courtyard which sleeps eight. With a children's play area, owl cam to watch the barn owls from the comfort of your cottage, option of a pri

The Stunning Lizard Peninsula

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Travelling to the Lizard is like experiencing the old Cornwall, you feel your troubles melt away and the beauty of this coast really hits you. A favourite beach of mine, and many others, is Kynance Cove. There's stacks of stones and silky sand, with a hidden beach revealed at low tide -  and a tasty cafe all making this a must visit. The walk down from the carpark (National Trust) allows you to really appreciate the ancient coastline. Such a dramatic vista, it is stunning whatever the season. Of course this stretch of Cornwall is more than just one beach. Hidden coves frequented by smugglers and pirates are a plenty, and quaint fishing villages too. Coverack is just such a place, so steeped in history. If you are looking for perfectly restored Cornish cottages to while away some vacation time then Lizard Holiday Cottages are a real gem. In Coverack they have four self-catering cottages all with sea views and right in the heart of the village. It's just what you

A Place to Stay in Padstow

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If you mention places in Cornwall Padstow definitely comes to mind. This little harbour town attracts many visitors every year and has no shortage of things to do. Helping to put Padstow on the map is of course Rick Stein and his culinary prowess. Turn pretty much any corner and you will find a Stein's patisserie, seafood restaurant, fish and chips or cooking school! Definitely worth sampling on your Cornish holiday. The harbour is the place to be, watch the wildlife across the estuary as the fishing boats bob up and down. With a real variety of independent and high street shops, cosy pubs and delicious restaurants, Padstow doesn't disappoint. If you are needing a place to stay and are looking for a bed and breakfast full of character and style, look no further than Armsyde Bed and Breakfast. This handsome home is just a stone's throw from the harbour and is finished to a high standard. The 18th century former sea merchant's house has been converted into

Holidays in Devon and Cornwall

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I just want to draw your attention to a website that acts as the online presence of The Tourist Handbook. You may have seen their brochures in many hotels, B&Bs, self catering accommodation and pubs in Cornwall and Devon, providing an illustrated guide to local tourist attractions. They now have a website with an excellent database of information, ready for anyone to access, as well as opportunity for people organising events and providing accommodation to advertise. It aims specifically to provide a valuable resource for those planning holidays in Devon and Cornwall, but with its event calendar, many local residents use it in equal measure. You can also follow The Tourist Handbook on Facebook and Twitter, keeping up to date with the latest happenings. This is a good tool, complete with area maps and informative descriptions of places in Cornwall and Devon. You can search by place name and see what is available in the area that is of interest to you. Emma Julian

GMTV Travel News

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Breakfast news has yet again highlighted the benefits of holidaying in the UK this year. This time focusing on Bournemouth, but the point still applies to Cornwall. Take a look at the video clip to see what they had to say, for anyone interested in taking a holiday in Cornwall, or providing accommodation, it is interesting viewing. See the clip ... So, we are going to see even more visitors to the South West this season, the question is, will we as a county take advantage of the influx or be unprepared? There will be a marked rise in foreign and UK based tourists, so now is the time to make plans to ensure they enjoy themselves, come back again, and do not just view us as a cut price alternative!

Holidays in Cornwall

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We are very much in the main season here in Cornwall, the beaches are packed and the streets are full of slow moving tourists looking at the view - murder when you are trying to get to work in the morning! My wife gets very angry when it is so busy, as do many locals, but considering the tourist industry is the largest source of income in the South West, I have a more ambivalent view. There are many plus points to such an influx of visitors to a relatively small area, the sudden boost to the local economy not being the least important, but the season has become progressively forced into a tight time period year on year. One factor contributing to this has been the new policy for schools to penalise children that take holidays during term time. This has meant that parents will only go away during the six weeks school break, and are not able to take advantage of, perhaps, a short heat wave. The effect of this reduced season also means ridiculously expensive prices for the two months of h