The Cornwall Blog

"Tall Ships and Small Ships" - by John Dyer, the Festival's "Artist in Residence" A picture is telling thousands of words as school children across the country knuckle down to interpreting an oil-based celebration of one of this year’s great world Maritime events – the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta. Artist in residence for the Regatta, John Dyer, has unveiled his fireworks and fiesta painting, based on memories of the last Falmouth Tall Ships Festival in 2008, which, with the help of story-tellers, performers, a playwright and a hip-hop poet, is getting youngsters deeply immersed in their own paint and salty tales. Damian Dibben, creator of the world famous “The History Keepers” time-travel series is part of the creative team for the BIG Art & Storytelling Tall Ships Project says, “This is a brilliant, original competition. John Dyer’s picture is bursting with character, life and colour – I can’t wait to see what stories it inspire...

The North Coast of Cornwall has so much to offer, and a real variety of accommodation too. When I think about holidays I think home from home, I want luxury but also privacy. A really lovely cluster of holiday cottages in the little village of Chaple Amble provides just that, Rooke Cottages. Nestled in the rolling hills of Duchy farmland these beautifully renovated cottages provide an ideal base to explore North Cornwall. Within easy reach are the popular destinations of Padstow, Port Isaac, and Wadebridge. You can cycle the camel trail, surf at Polzeath beach or sit with a glass of something cold in a lovely harbour side restaurant in Padstow.  The farm has seven cottages all with private gardens and one beautifully furnished apartment in Wadebridge. The farm cottages have wood burning stoves for cosying-up after a healthy dose of fresh air. They even provide a room to dry wetsuits and parking for your boat (or car)! Little ones are well catered for with a playground an...