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...

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE HELP FOR HENRY WALK On the 6th November 2010 a group of family and friends completed a sponsored twenty mile walk from Helland to Padstow and then back to Wadebridge along the Camel Trail. Tweet 7.30AM IN WADEBRIDGE Starting at 8am in Helland, the thirteen walkers set off through the autumnal woods after having been given a pep talk by Henry's granddad, Norman, who had organised the event. BACON BAPS IN WADEBRIDGE There was a short break in Wadebridge for bacon baps, another for goodies in Padstow, and then a massive homemade curry waiting at home in Wadebridge. Henry's grandmother and aunty, along with his mum, made sure that the walkers were well looked after, and there was even champagne waiting at 2.30pm when everyone finished! HENRY'S MUM AND GRANDDAD, WALK ORGANISER, NORMAN Everyone was clearly noticeable thanks to T-shirts provided by Jim O'Gorman of JOG Safety, showing the logo designed by Emma of Pickle Design from Henry's mum's...

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...

There has been a boom in businesses offering cycle hire as more and more people look to healthy options for their holiday entertainment. Ski resorts push mountain biking as soon as the snow starts to trickle away in the swelling streams, and it is not just adrenaline sports fans that take the headlong trip any more. There is an ever increasing number of families looking for excitement in this way. There may not be mountains in the South West, but there are a great number of companies that provide bikes to travel over the largely untamed landscape. A lot of these are based on existing cycle trails such as Trail Bike Hire on the Camel Trail near Padstow, but some now delve into the moors with mountain bike leaders. Coupled with cycle hire, this is a very convenient way to edge out of our individual comfort zones. The very factor that puts many off cycling in South West, the hilly terrain, can be the most attractive reason to make the extra effort. Fitness is not the only concern, there ...