The Cornwall Blog

We are having a lovely summer so far in Cornwall, and with 422 miles of coast to explore beaches are firmly on my mind! This month I thought I would pick out some of the best... Best for dogs In Cornwall a lot of the beaches have a ban in effect for dogs in the summer months, but they are still a few you can exercise your canine friend.  Harlan Bay near Padstow, Watergate Bay at Newquay and Mexico Towans to name a few. Best for little ones If we are talking amenities, easy access and safe waters then we love Gyllygvase in Falmouth. With the cafe on the beach, toilets and close parking, it's a no brainer.  East Looe beach is another great option. Safe swimming, that cool Banjo Pier and golden sand to build castles with, perfect.  We also like Bude's Summerleaze beach with its sea pool offering a little protection from the tides. Very close to the town centre too, and you could always rent a beach hut!  Best for surf I mean after all, that is what our beaches are prett...

Photo by John Hersey The start of March saw the newly renovated Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery open its doors. Located in the heart of Truro, Cornwall's oldest museum gallery has just undergone a £2.3 million refurbishment, adding a gallery with over 500 artworks. Founded in 1818 by the Royal Institution of Cornwall, the space exists to tell the many stories of our culture-rich county. Though it's not only Cornwall is on display, there are over a million artefacts from all over the world. The mineral exhibition has been a recent draw, but now The Nature Gallery too has had an update with interactive displays depicting landscapes and wildlife from all over Cornwall.  The new gallery will mean you will be able to see art in all kinds of styles, from German, Italian and Dutch renaissance to English landscapes and of course the famous Newlyn schools and the modernism that thrived in St Ives with it's world-famous light.  As well as the permeant collection there will be new ar...

The Beach below the Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick on the Roseland © Emma Julian If there is one part of Cornwall that feels like an escape, to me it's the Roseland. Even the name given to this peninsular feels romantic! About 40 minutes from me but a world away, life stands still and I feel I'm immersed in the beauty of Cornwall.  There is still plenty of nooks I am yet to explore, and I do tend to stick to my favourite haunts, but it truly feels like the sun always shines and cares are cast away. Of course the sun is no guarantee, especially as we breeze in to October, but I spent an idyllic afternoon walking round some coastal path with my friend recently. The sun on our face, the waves lapping and the bunnies leaping. Yes bunnies, as we took a short cut over the fields, treated by a panorama of ocean view.  Delicious Spanish inspired chicken with chorizo and a warming tomato sauce. I had a gluten free roll instead of couscous, lovely. © Emma Julian The menu changes daily and is ...

This mini heat wave has really shown Cornwall off at its best, I took the opportunity to spend a long weekend with my mum in St Ives and it didn't disappoint!  I had been to this tourist hot spot just last September and it was rather wonderful, so when my mum and I needed some R&R this was the place I booked.  True, the weather was rather spectacular, and it really isn't always the case in Cornwall, but St Ives just felt like a mini piece of paradise on our long weekend away.  We picked a self catering place about 15 mins up a steep hill (oops), but the house was light and airy with a garden and comfy beds, all we needed after our epic climb. The first night we dined in style, I treated mum to a meal at the famous Porthmeor Beach Cafe with a sea view and a delicious tapas menu. Everyone was so welcoming and flexible, it made for a great experience. Before our table was free we had just enough time to wander round the Tate art gallery and grab a coffee, still gazing at...

There is so much to see in Cornwall, I have lived here 20 years (so not a proper local!), and there are still many corners I haven't explored. Our county is vast, varied and stunning, so it really helps to have local knowledge if you really want to see the treasures of coast and moor. Barry Pengelly and his company, Cornwall Discovery Tours, are a brilliant way to tour Cornwall. He has the local experience, insight and historical knowledge that makes tours so memorable. You only have to take a look at his Tripadviser page to see that. His tours are favoured especially by our friends across the pond–American's can sometimes be stunned by our tiny twisting roads–but anyone from out of county can be overwhelmed when driving here! His bespoke guided tours of Cornwall can be tailored to your needs. Barry is even happy to collect you from the airport and take you to your accommodation, and he'll venture out of county if that's helpful too! Whether your interest is seeing Cor...

We are coming into Autumn, a season I truly love, and in which Cornwall shines - woodland walks to stunning sunsets, everything is aglow. From October through to December is also the best time to catch starling murmurations, the name given to the strange phenomena of flocks of starlings creating undulating shapes as they move through the sky. There is another reason why birds are on my mind, I have been working on our latest poster calendar at work as a graphic designer which has a bit of an ornithological theme. I have always found these strange clouds of black somewhat fascinating, experts are still not sure why the birds chose to do this. Is it to exchange information, to keep warm, to ward off predators - or perhaps just for the shear joy of it! Starlings are actually on the British birds at risk list, with numbers 80% down on what we had in the 1970s. In Cornwall though, we did see an increase last year, with areas such as Marazion Marsh seeing thousands of the birds returning....

Starting off July in style, the Sea Salts & Sail Festival  takes place in the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole. Running from the 1st of July to the 3rd this biannual event is a sight to behold.  From the Friday the horizon begins to fill with historic vessels, some the last examples of their kind. Crews skilfully navigate 'the gaps' fitting into the narrow 500 year old entrance.  Its a wonderful day out for all the family, with music, poetry, crafts, food and drink.  I love this little corner of Cornwall, though I don't make it down there as often as I would like, had my first taste of crab here! When the sun shines it really is quite breath-taking.  If you don't make it for the festival never fear, Mousehole is a great place to visit regardless, and they have a brilliant village hall packed full of year round events to tempt you!    

Robin Martin How wonderfully Cornish! You might have heard of this great fundraising project for Cornwall Hospice Care - Around Cornwall in 38 Churns .  Brian Busselle's Milk Churn  Deconstructed - Sam Hall's interpretation  Sue Dennett of Newquay came up with the idea to raise money for this brilliant charity, Rodda's Creamery kindly donated the churns and local artists of all styles are adorning - and transforming them - for auction.  Alex Moorse's minimal churn  Beautiful butterflies by Kurt Jackson Cornwall is famous for its artists which range wildly in style. Famed for the quality of light and of course stunning scenery, we have been a beacon for creatives for 100s of years.  Here are a few of the designs so far... Inspired by wildflower meadows, Lorna Wiles Highlighting the Cornish Chough, Dick Twinney Cornwall the tropical paradise! Artwork by Julie Moss  Tin mines captured by Tracey Hunter Folk artist Dorothy Oliver