The Cornwall Blog

It is hard to miss the history of Cornwall, from tall ships and smugglers to tin mines and satellites - its all here. Every little town it seems has a museum to boast, perfect for a rainy day or for the generally curious. In my home town of Lostwithiel we have history in spades. Our ruin of Restormel Castle, the Duchy Palace once home of the Black Prince and even our tranquil river, a very long time ago, was the scene of tall ships and bustling commerce making Lostwithiel an important place, in fact the capitol of Cornwall!  The two roomed museum in the heart of town does a wonderful job of exploring the many layers of this little town and it got me thinking about what might be the best museums in Cornwall to see.  Let's go big first, well put together and interactive, the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth has plenty to captivate and inform, a great place for all the ages. Currently focusing on a pirate theme, kids will love diving into the history of Cornwall's checkered...

Our island nation is a rich hotch-potch of culture, history and heritage. There is so much to explore, especially in Cornwall. This September why not visit one of the county's Heritage Open Days , they are all free and there's lots of opportunity to get involved, running from the 9th - 18th September. Just a few of the places open to you this month are: Gribbin Daymark : This is an instantly recognisable landmark is in my neck of the woods that I love to spot on coastal walks or at the beaches along the south coast. Built in 1832, the views are worth the climb! The historic tower is open Sunday the 11th September, 11am - 5pm.  Godolphin : This house and gardens near Helston will be holding some specialist guided tours looking at Godolphin's mining history. The garden will also be free to enter between the 9th - 18th September.  Cypres Well : Up in Launceston you can visit the home of Cornish poet Charles Causley CBE, normally closed to the public but used for writers as a r...

Ok, so it may only be the start of September but already I am feeling quite autumnal. Kids are going back to school, the evenings are closing in and there is just that hint of cosiness, 'hygge' if you will. Cornwall has been very popular this summer, so it is quite nice to welcome the slower pace of life we are famed for down on the coast. If you are not quite ready to let go of summer, never fear because there is always an ice cream cone to grab, a wave to catch and plenty of oportunities for alfresco dining still to come. Welcoming autumn in Cornwall really has a lot to do with food, we do it well here, which I am sure you have heard! Just the other day I was sitting in the orchard garden at St Kew Farmshop and Cafe surrounded by apples ripe for the plucking, a great place full of atmosphere and tasty treats. You should have seen the size of my cinnamon bun!    There are some brilliant events to attend this month if you fancy it, St Ives Food and Drink festival is from the 1...

September is here and its your last chance to make the most of a visit to  Pencarrow House and Gardens . This stunning Cornish Georgian house is open for tours until the 27th of September 2018, the gardens are a little longer, until the end of October. If you haven't visited Pencarrow yet you are in for a treat. It was only recently I took the guided house tour and it really is worth it. This is an ancient family home, still lived in and maintained by the  Molesworth-St Aubyns family and it is full of quirky objects and interesting tales. The guides are great, packing lots of history into a fresh and funny tour. You get to find out about where the Monkey Puzzle tree got its name, scout out secrets doors and see the oil paintings that watch you back! The house has been used for film locations as well over the years, and you can understand why. Every room feels rich with life and layered with stories. Of course Pencarrow is not only about the hou...