The Cornwall Blog

It totally feels like summer is here! Something I love doing in the summer months is enjoying one of the outdoor events available across the county. We have amphitheatres and beaches offering outdoor theatre and cinema, as well as county houses and gardens serving up fab live entertainment in the most beautiful surrounds.  I really like the events Pencarrow House and Garden host, between Bodmin and Wadebridge their events calendar is always immense fun, and in the most tranquil of surroundings. This summer there is plenty to see, the Summer Craft Fair 20th - 21st July is shaping up to be a really beautiful selection of stalls and sellers.  With the backdrop of the Italian gardens you can also enjoy Beauty and the Beast (31st July), The Upbeat Beatles (8th August) and Live Queen Experience (9th August) followed by From Penzance to Broadway on the 21st Aug.  These events are always great enjoyable - with something for everyone. You can bring your own picnic and dr...

This glorious sunshine shows no signs of leaving, and I am loving it! Cornwall is spoiling us with long sunny days finished with epic sunsets. I imagine this must be good news for all our award winning food and drink, like Camel Valley which often graces the menu of the Palace! Camel Valley Wines, just outside Bodmin are producing delicious beverages fit for the Queen. Wining awards left right and centre, last year their wines were served to the Spanish King and Queen at a State Banquet. You can also enjoy a glass of Camel Valley Brut on British Airways First Class, and the Pinot Noir Rosé Brut won The World's Finest Glass of Bubbly awards - in the category of Summer Days. If you are down our way you can visit the vineyard itself and enjoy the wines in their idyllic location. This is not a snobbish vineyard, just run by people who love the county and are passionate about their wine. There is just so much to commend Cornwall in the summer - clotted cream teas, ever...

A much loved business in the heart of Cornwall, Stable Art, are on the move. Currently residing in Bodmin town, the bespoke picture framers are renovating a derelict chapel just on the outskirts. Speak to artists up and down this county and they all talk highly of Stable Art. They have a 1,000 strong beautiful selection of off the peg frames and can frame your slightly weird sized or wonky art pieces too. The art supplies collection keeps on growing, everything you didn't know you needed. The new premises will include an exhibition space and house art and craft workshops. Such a peaceful location and one I am sure their many customers will be happy to visit.

Cardinham Woods capture that childhood magic. Just outside Bodmin you can find the beautiful tall trees of this Cornish woodland. There are four walking routes of varying challenges, ideal for taking the dogs or exhausting hyper children. Mountain bikers too flock here for the three clearly marked cycle trails of different difficulties, you can even hire bikes on site (though you do need to book in advance). The highlight for me is the Woods café, delicious home made food and tempting cakes are just what you need after being oh so healthy and tiring yourself out in the fresh air. If you would rather sort your own food then by the river you can find picnic areas and static BBQs, ideal for family or group gatherings. One of the trials, Lady Vale, is pushchair friendly and there is a little play area that kids will love too. You do need to pay for parking but we always find a day at the woods puts a smile on everyone's face! You can find out more about Cardinham Woods...

Cornwall is such a diverse county from the wild North Coast to the hidden coves of the South. Today I want to draw your attention to the very centre, Lanivet. This little village has a great community with a pub, local store, fish and chips (essential!), a church and school and is very close to the legendary Bodmin Moor. Nestled in this Cornish village is Lanneves Cottage Holidays, a lovely self-catering holiday home where the owners have really thought of everything. The cottage is two hundred years old and boasts light and airy rooms with a double and twin bedroom. From homemade jam to welcome you on your stay and the chickens and help-yourself veg patch, it really is a home from home. Lanneves is a family friendly high quality cottage holiday with those modern comforts that make a holiday special. You can also follow the blog on their website for happenings in a Cornish home. Happy holiday makers say "Everything about the cottage was above expectations" and "...

I was not aware that framing a picture is an artform all of its own, but take a look at any badly framed photo or painting, and you will see what I mean...  Stable Art in Bodmin, Cornwall, provides an excellent framing service which I can recommend from experience, they have framed some beautiful prints for me with the end result looking very professional and chic. They have also framed some artwork that my husbands graphic design studio produced which really compliments the piece and is now proudly displayed on their walls. Stable Art are not just picture framing, they also have an extensive range of art supplies. The shot above shows a corner of their stock which includes Unison, Daler Rowney, Conte, Derwent and Voltaire along with pencils, pastels, graphite, charcoals and drawing pads... The list really could go on! When you visit Stable Art you will see their beautiful extension which has enabled them to expand their art material selection, above you can see some of thei...

Art Inspired of Southern Africa & George Adamson Wildlife Conservation Kenya. On exhibition will be some wildlife paintings, and some of the proceeds will be donated to the Wildlife Foundation as above, as they can only survive through contributions from public. The Lion Painting will be the centre of the exhibition, dedicated to a lion called Christian, whom was bought from Harrods in London in 1960s and then eventually made his way to Kenya, where George took care of him. A percentage of the proceeds of the Large Lion Painting will go to the George Adamson Wildlife Conservation Kenya. Georges's work was made famous by Film & Book "Born Free" and others. Exhibition at Shire Hall, Bodmin 1st to 30th November 2010 Mon to Sat, 10am to 5pm Free admission www.africanvista.info