The Cornwall Blog

Despite the rather undulating nature of Cornwall, discovering our county by bike is a really great way to explore. Whether you fancy mountain biking through the forest trails at Cardinham Woods or a gentler pace, stopping 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 is true that you need to pick your days because the weather is not 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 are calmer, and you do not have to contend with the intense heat that summer can bring. Lanhydrock and Cardinham Woods The Lanhydrock estate, just outside Bodmin, has some lovely trails specifically reserved for bikes. They are suitable for different abilities and can be great for all the family. You can find current information about outdoor activities a...

Tate St. Ives by nerosunero I had to share the top ten Cornwall highlights that Rooke Cottages have added to their blog! Really well thought out with interesting selections such as choice beaches and cycle trails. Each of their selections has a powerful image to let you get a feel for the entry into the top ten and they range from family entertainment to fine dining. To give you an idea of what to expect I have added a couple of the photos here but you should definitely head over to see for yourself! The Camel Estuary by Leon Oldman My personal favourite is The Camel Estuary (above), a region in North Cornwall that has so much to offer from golden sand at the mouth to rare waterfowl and woodland walks. The Eden Project by Paul Fenton

If you are fortunate enough to live near the Camel Trail in Cornwall, no doubt you have had a stroll or bike ride somewhere between Padstow and Bodmin, maybe even ventured the full length. Whatever the case I am sure you would have delighted in the bird life found all along this trail. I wrote previously regarding bird watching on the Camel Estuary, and recently I took the plunge and purchased a scope to enhance my birding. It took me hours of research, visits to optic demonstrations in the field, and advice from other users before I finally made up my mind on which scope to go for. My decision?…Swarovski ATS 80HD with a 20 - 60 Zoom lens (pictured above). No, it was not cheap, but I had been saving for some time and reasoned that I only want to buy once, and so in my research decided to get one of the best on the market. It hasn't let me down. In my opinion the optimum Zoom for clarity is around 35 - 40 times. I am not a Swarovski salesman, nor am I suggesting you go out and buy o...

Visitors from far and wide winter in and around the estuary that stretches from Wadebridge to Padstow. They can be seen all along the well known Camel Trail, and if you want a close, clear, colourful view of these valued visitors, the best time is at low tide with the mid-afternoon sun at your back. They of course are waders, wildfowl, gulls and an array of other exotic species that we are privileged to have an acquaintance with at this time of year. Above you can see a shot of a Little Egret that I took on a journey to the waterside last Winter. My last visit was rewarded with a spectacular view of a kingfisher. It flew diagonally across the estuary, straight towards me and my wife, and suddenly stopped mid-air and hovered, like a Kestrel at the side of a motorway. We've often seen this little wonder but usually as it flashed by. This time with the sun behind us and in a hovering position he/she lit up like a rainbow. What a wonderful moment! There are many rewarding moments along...