The Cornwall Blog

Photo credit Bazil Arden via Wild Swimming Cornwall Have you been caught by the wild swimming bug? Yes I know it is December but for some the shock of the cold is part of the fun! I am relatively new to swimming in the sea to be honest, but walking to my favourite cove with just a couple of friends and only wildlife for company was sublime. The wetsuit helped, I loved bobbing around with the birds, the stillness, the peace and quiet and the exhilaration of it all.   Photo via Wild Swimming Cornwall If you are thinking of embracing winter wild swims in Cornwall, it's good to be informed, there are actually quite a few groups and clubs you can join to make sure your are being as safe as possible. Swim Wild Cornwall can give you training to build confidence and help you swim safely. The open sea can be challenging, especially in winter, luckily Cornwall we have lots of tidal pools, which offer more security and just happen to be beautiful to boot! A few favourites are the Song of the...

With the shorter days and darker evenings it can feel like the animals have it right, time to hibernate! There are some things worth venturing out for though, take The Lost Garden's of Heligan and their annual Night Garden event. Such a great idea, the famous Liverpool Lantern Company create these amazing displays throughout the garden taking you on a trail of 'oohs' and 'aahs'.  The lighting helps you appreciate this varied garden in a completely different way. The natural planting is transformed by striking projected images while owls, hares, butterflies, robins and foxgloves all play their part in capturing imaginations. It's brilliant for kids, wheelchair friendly and outdoors, so handy when it comes to reducing covid risk too. You can book a slot at their website, ensuring everyone can wander at their own pace.  

Surely the best thing about Autumn is the trees - woodland walks, that crunch under foot and the golden leaves highlighted by low October sun. I love this time of year, getting outdoors is a necessity!  But there is actually something helpful we can be doing whilst we tread through ancient woodland (where are your favourites? I love Cardinham and Respryn), get involved with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Autumn Seed Search .  The idea is to sign up, get informed and collect seeds that fall to the ground and help them grow into saplings, eventually to be planted. Normally wildlife does a pretty good job of this, birds especially spread seeds far and wide (I have a few trees in my garden that just appeared!) but in Cornwall we are short of trees so it's time to give nature a helping hand. Their website is informative, with videos showing you what seeds to collect each month and how to look after your seed and sapling. Signing up also helps them track what is growing where. This m...

Ok, so it may only be the start of September but already I am feeling quite autumnal. Kids are going back to school, the evenings are closing in and there is just that hint of cosiness, 'hygge' if you will. Cornwall has been very popular this summer, so it is quite nice to welcome the slower pace of life we are famed for down on the coast. If you are not quite ready to let go of summer, never fear because there is always an ice cream cone to grab, a wave to catch and plenty of oportunities for alfresco dining still to come. Welcoming autumn in Cornwall really has a lot to do with food, we do it well here, which I am sure you have heard! Just the other day I was sitting in the orchard garden at St Kew Farmshop and Cafe surrounded by apples ripe for the plucking, a great place full of atmosphere and tasty treats. You should have seen the size of my cinnamon bun!    There are some brilliant events to attend this month if you fancy it, St Ives Food and Drink festival is from the 1...

I thought this month I might focus in on one the areas of Cornwall I love. If you are  coming down here on holiday then I think people tend to head to the coast, and with good   reason, our coastline is world-class. However, I think if you head a little in land you can   get the best of both worlds. Take Camelford for example, it's ancient market town with a   real community feel. From here you are on the doorstep of the brooding Bodmin moor and  within easy reach of some of Cornwall's best beaches.  Ideal for walkers, you can ramble a plenty along the river Camel. The name having nothing to do with those desert-dwellers, 'Camelford' is believed to be derived from ‘cam’ meaning ‘crooked stream’ in Celtic, and ‘alan’ meaning ‘beautiful’ with ‘ford’. It lives up to its name, the river is beautiful cutting through the valley providing calming places to while away the day. Many believe that Camelford might be connected to legend's ...

There are few things better than taking to the sea on a stunning Cornish sunny day. It won't surprise you to hear that up and down the county we have a multitude of ways that you can enjoy the vast waters that wrap around Cornwall. From spotting dolphins to picnics at sea, or perhaps something for those who have a need for speed or for those who simply want to mess about on the river, catching fish. Let's start tranquil, what could be more beautiful then a picnic on the River Fowey . This area is my neck of the woods and it truly is lovely. You decide where you might like to go with 'Sunbeam', a 1930s 20 foot classic wooden motor boat. Bring your own picnic or they can provide one for you. An afternoon tea amongst the kingfishers - glorious.  So how about wildlife-spotting, here we really are spoilt for choice, at Padstow perhaps book Padstow Sea Safaris , an experienced team doing there very best to show you the likes of dolphins, puffins and seals.   In Looe harbour ...

I am writing this on a stunningly warm June day, the perfect backdrop to dream about long summer evenings and outdoor cocktails with fab entertainment. Of course, in reality, Cornwall can have truly cold and wet summers, but right now lets dream we can enjoy the outside lifestyle just as much as our European neighbours.  There are so many events opening up which is lovely to see, some restricted but well thought through, to cope with Covid. Outside really does seem to be the way to go, so here are 5 events up and down the county that look to bring those summer vibes we are all longing for after a trying year.  Sterts Theatre on Bodmin Moor have announced their summer season. My younger brother used to be involved with them when he was little and he loved it! Their open air auditorium provides shelter as well as ventilation to enjoy the family friendly entertainment. We have the likes of Shrek, The Wolf From the Door, Romeo and Juliette as well as Alice in Wonderland. Check ou...

There is so much we have missed this last year, but today as I write finally May is glorious, finally the sun is warm and finally this feels like a little slice of normal. One thing I love about our county is the abundance of creatives, wonderful art and talented artisans. So, as galleries open up and exhibitions commence, here are a few places to go and feed your soul. Wheal Martin are celebrating the heritage of our clay country with an exhibition from contemporary artist Kurt Jackson. His works are vibrant and loose but with a real affinity to this man-made but beautiful landscape. Running until the 5th of September, find out more .  Something a little different, ' Lights out for Darker Skies ' seeks to highlight the negative impact artificial light pollution can have on us and our environment. West Penwith have applied for International Dark Sky status and this exhibition involves stunning dark sky images, nocturnal wildlife footage and local artist collaborations.  Only r...

We are having a real spell of gorgeously Spring weather, barely any of those April showers which is pretty handy as its all about eating outdoors at the moment in England. All be it a little fresh out (bring those jumpers), it feels good to be a bit more social again.  Many have missed a good pint at their local so I thought it might be nice to highlight some of the best places in Cornwall to sit and take in the outdoor atmosphere.  I may be biased, as this one is near me! I just love watching the sun set at Polkerris beach enjoying some chips at the Rashleigh Inn (pictured above), not sure I should be promoting one of my happy places, so don't tell anyone ;)  The Pandora Inn was a favourite in my student days in Falmouth. Full of character, a thatched roof and wobbly walls, the inside is perfect escapism. Outside though you can sip a cold beer or glass of wine on the pontoon over looking Restronguet Creek. Perfect. If you want to get even closer to the beach, then The ...

It's Monday morning and as with each time I sit to write our monthly update, everything has changed again! From today in England we can meet in groups of six or two households outside. Such a welcome development as we move into Spring. My mind turns to alfresco dining, open fires and the good old barbecue. So I have taken a look around at some great Cornish inspired ways to commune outdoors this Spring. I've not yet had my first barbecue of the year yet, an oversight I am sure! Cornwall is positively bursting with brilliant suppliers, from The Cornish Food Box Company who have a fine selection of meats for all budgets to lovely local butcher James Kittows showcasing a truly carnivorous box packed to the brim. Fresh fish from The Cornish Fish Monger looks particularly good. For those who prefer something a little more elegant, how about an afternoon tea? We are spoilt for choice  in the county with our favourite venues diversifying brilliantly and sending delicious treats to ...