The Cornwall Blog

Autumn is all about golden leaves, woodland walks and making the most of the fleeting daylight. There is something about the shorter days makes me want to squeeze all I can out of the golden light and (very) fresh air. But rather than the coast, this month I am taking you inland, to Cardinham Woods .  One of Forestry England's gems, this tranquil place is just outside of Bodmin and has multiple trails for all kinds of walks. My friends who are more limited in their ability, or those with children and pushchairs, love the largely flat Lady Vale walk. You can cut across the river making the shortest route just 0.9 miles (1.45km) or 1.7 miles (2.75km) if you take the whole flat route. It's great for kids with the Gruffalo characters along the trail and activities little ones will love. This season they also have a 'Forest Walkies' with Wallace and Gromit which looks great fun. You download an app and complete challenges with your dog, the £5 pack gets you a bandanna for y...

Despite the rather undulating nature of Cornwall, discovering our county by bike is a really great way to explore. Whether you are thinking mountain biking through forest trails at Cardinham Woods or a more gentile pace stoping off to enjoy the estuary views towards Padstow on the Camel Trail - there is something for everyone. Here are a few of our favourites... In November, it's true, you do need to pick your days, the weather isn't always on our side. However, on a cold crisp morning with golden light streaming through rust-coloured leaves, this can be the perfect time of year to cycle. Popular routes will be calmer and you don't have to contend with the intense heat summer can bring.  Lanhydrock House and Gardens, just outside Bodmin, have some lovely trails. Specifically reserved for bikes only, they can be great for all the family. In fact this year, Sunday 19th of November, Lanhydrock are hosting their first Mountain Bike Cycle Race !  The estate also has a cafe and p...

Oh I love this time of year, the colour, the crunch under foot, the invigorating air. As long as I am armed with plenty of layers, and the promise of a hot chocolate, there is no place better to explore in October than Cornwall.  As it is a tad warmer down here, the sea having had a summer of sun is ripe for a dip. From sea-swimming to surfing, October is a great time to be on or in the water (especially if you have a decent wetsuit!) Head to Fistral beach 7th-8th of October and you can watch the Korev Surfing Championships . If you prefer your water a little more calm, there are plenty of places where you can hire a kayak or take up SUP. Try the Camel Ski School at Rock or perhaps Encounter Cornwall at Golant near Fowey, such a peaceful spot. More beaches welcome dogs this time of year and that just opens up so many walking opportunities for our fury friends. I love walking the coastal path from Par to Polkerris and finishing with a drink at the Rashleigh Inn , watching the sun ...

Autumn walks are what this season is all about! I recently with my mum, popped down the road to Lerryn as the last light was just fading. Such a calm and peaceful place, and one I always enjoy visiting. We just managed to grab an ice cream before the post office and shop closed (yes, I know, weird in winter but that's just how we roll!) We sat by the river watching the water sparkle in the golden light. We didn't have much time so we just wandered a little way by the bank of the river, pausing to watch the swans and to admire the boats.  Lerryn is the kind of place that feels like you are stepping into a story book, understandably though, as it is said to have inspired The Wind in the Willows stories as Kenneth Grahame holidayed here.  There are woodland walks on both sides of the river, and at low tide you can cross by the stepping stones. There is a small free carpark just by the green, a charming village school and a friendly pub. With a well kept public toilet and a beauti...

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...

October has definitely brought the cold! Our Indian summer is sadly over but this time of year holds it's own romance. With Covid restrictions still in place there's no reason why we can't still enjoy the great outdoors. If there is one thing 2020 has taught me then that's to be resourceful, and to make the most of what we have.  The fresh air provides an extra layer of safety when we are out with friends, keeping that 2 metre distance of course with those not in your household. I have to say woodland walks are some of my favourite.  Where I live we have lovely patches of woodland to explore but sometimes I like to go a little further afield. The likes of Bodmin's Cardinham Woods is always a favourite. You do need to pay for parking but the cafe serves warming drinks and tasty cakes, ideal after a bracing stroll. I still haven't explored all this wood has to offer yet but the views as you climb higher over the treetops are truly rewarding. Also in mid Cornwall...

After a lovely sunny bank holiday here in Cornwall, today, although filled with golden light, has Autumn's familiar chill. The first of September marks a change. Most children will be heading back to school soon which helps at least give this part of 2020 some familiar structure.  My family and I managed to successfully find some quieter corners of Cornwall to explore over the weekend and it is really lovely seeing more of our favourite places opening up. The world has changed, how we socialise, how we holiday, how we unwind. It just takes more planning, more consideration but wonderful memories can still be made. So what can you do in Cornwall in September? Plenty! My little town of Lostwithiel never really felt that empty over lock down, I think people stayed local and small which has benefitted many of our independent businesses. Plus business owners have been quick to adapt in rather brilliant ways. So all those little quirky towns and villages are still there, still fabulous p...