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...

Originally published in April 2019, when Stable Art was running a programme of art and craft classes from its premises near Bodmin. Back in 2019, Stable Art began offering a varied programme of creative workshops from its converted chapel just outside Bodmin. We had previously followed the conversion of the former chapel into Stable Art’s new premises . Set in a peaceful location near Cardinham Woods, the site brought together picture framing, art materials, workshop space and a café. Creative workshops near Bodmin The classes covered a broad range of interests and abilities. The April 2019 programme included lampshade making, portraiture, watercolour painting, botanical tiles, weaving, felting and lino printing. It was an interesting use of the new premises, creating a place where people could try something unfamiliar, develop an existing skill or simply spend a few hours being creative. The café provided somewhere fo...

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...

Originally published in April 2018. This article records plans for Stable Art’s move from Bodmin town centre at that time. In 2018, Stable Art announced plans to leave its premises in the centre of Bodmin and move into a former chapel just outside the town. The building was undergoing a substantial renovation, creating new premises for the business’s bespoke picture framing and expanding collection of art materials. Stable Art had become known locally for framing pieces of many different shapes and sizes, alongside a wide selection of ready-made frames and artists’ supplies. The plans for the new premises also included exhibition space and room for art and craft workshops. The chapel’s peaceful setting and distinctive arched windows promised a very different home from the original town-centre shop.

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 "...

Originally published in April 2013. This article reflects Stable Art and its Bodmin premises as they were at that time. I had not realised that framing a picture was an art form in its own right, but one look at a badly framed photograph or painting soon shows how much difference it can make. At the time, Stable Art provided a bespoke picture-framing service from its premises behind the Shire Hall in Bodmin. We had used the service for several prints and pieces of artwork, including work produced by my husband’s graphic design studio, and had been very pleased with the results. Picture framing was only part of the business. The shop also stocked a large selection of art materials, including pencils, pastels, graphite, charcoal and drawing pads from a range of familiar brands. An extension had allowed the shop to increase its range of art materials and introduce mirrors and gifts alongside its framing service. The old sta...

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