The Cornwall Blog

If I’m honest, this is far more sun than I’m used to! I was actually grateful for the smattering of rain that crept in the other night. It got me thinking about the best ways to enjoy this heatwave or, at the very least, survive it. First, the sensible things: avoid the midday heat, slather yourself in sun cream, drink plenty of water and stay safe around the coast. Did you know there are even some Cornish sun cream brands? The RNLI also has some excellent water-safety advice. The Sea Let’s start with the obvious: the sea! We are surrounded by 422 miles of coastline, giving us more than 300 beaches. At this time of year, the sea is about as welcoming as it gets. Sea swimming can, of course, be a little risky, so the best bet is to seek out a lifeguarded beach or opt for a sea pool. You can also discover Cornwall’s tidal pools and lidos dotted around the coast. Water Parks and Attractions If you prefer your water thrown in your fa...

I don’t think we quite realise how many there are in Cornwall. Up and down the county, our wild and rugged scenery, as well as our elegant old houses and gardens, have played an important role in entertaining us for decades. The unsung supporting cast to A-listers, costume dramas and more than a few National Treasures. Where to start? How about the quintessential ‘if walls could talk’ setting of Charlestown. Charlestown Famed for its tall ship harbour, Charlestown near St Austell has long been a favourite with both the small and big screen. The popular series Poldark filmed many scenes here, as did the BAFTA-winning Cornish film Bait (2019). If you cast your mind back a little further, then Doctor Who , The Three Musketeers , Hornblower and The Eagle Has Landed have all made use of this wonderfully atmospheric location too. It is one of those places that barely seems to need a set designer. Bodmin Moor Head up onto the moors and the mood turns a little darker and more mysterious. O...

I so love May in Cornwall. It’s like a taste of summer before the madness descends! Though this year, the weather has kept us guessing. I have been both sunburnt and blue with cold! Half term is starting soon, and we have our second bank holiday of the month, so I thought I would share some of the shenanigans going on around Cornwall that are worth rocking up to. Starting with food... Falmouth Food Festival Falmouth Food Festival is a delicious affair. I found it by chance a few years ago while having a long weekend away, and we were really spoilt for choice. Local favourites shine, and good music brings those festival vibes. It runs from 22 to 25 May. The Great Estate For something to take you through the looking glass, Scorrier House hosts The Great Estate , known as ‘the most rambunctious garden fête’. It’s a ticketed festival full of music, art, theatre and comedy, with some big headliners too. It runs from 29 to 31 May. Wild W...

The unbelievable joy of seeing spring blooms after a rather grey winter is almost indescribable! Here in Cornwall, we have always been a little bit smug that spring seems to arrive first. Our budding gardens are a triumph, so this month I thought I would share six of my favourites for a full array of colourful blooms. 1. Caerhays Castle Gardens I mean, it’s a castle, so it’s exciting already. Caerhays Castle Gardens is a spring favourite, with more than 140 acres of woodland garden and an enviable position by the sea. Its impressive magnolia collection includes around 90 species and more than 500 hybrids! You’ll find it near St Austell, and it is a real treasure at this time of year. 2. Trelissick Perched above the Fal estuary, Trelissick is a riot of colour come spring. Magnolias, daffodils and rhododendrons all proudly put on their fine displays, with some beautiful maritime views thrown in too. 3. Trebah Garden Trebah Garden i...

I am almost too scared to say it, but the sun is actually out, and it’s half term. Of course, it might be short-lived. We’ve had rain and wind and mizzle and fog galore of late. In little Cardinham, it’s rained every day since the start of the year! But come rain or shine, there is always something to enjoy in Cornwall this half term. Here are just five... Screech Owl Sanctuary Opens Just for this half term week, the sanctuary welcomes visitors to see these majestic birds in flight. And it’s not just birds. They are passionate about other wildlife too, and their resident fox is a beauty. It’s a lovely day out, just outside Indian Queens. The Tide Climbing Centre If the rain does persist, this is a great option. Near Wadebridge and Padstow, the centre has more than 100 bouldering problems to try, suitable for beginners and experienced climbers. Eden Project: Hangloose I’ve mentioned Eden a few times on here, but never t...

I always seem to find myself in Mevagissey in winter, and I never mind. At this time of year, it is quiet and peaceful, with the most wonderful light falling across the harbour. It is just along the coast from another favourite place, Pentewan , and close to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. This was an impromptu visit with lovely friends, a chance to find a little comfort and beauty during a difficult time. The sea did not disappoint. A quiet wander around the harbour I always leave wanting to linger longer and explore a little more. This time, we browsed a few shops filled with enticing treasures, including gloves in every colour, before stopping for fish and chips at Ben’s Plaice . It had a lovely atmosphere, and I was very happy to find gluten-free options on the menu. Really, the pleasure is simply dipping a toe into Mevagissey’s atmosphere. Fishermen get on with their work, boats bob safely within the harbour walls and seagulls sit quite contentedly in puddles. T...

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 beaches have a dog ban in effect during the summer months, but there are still a few where you can exercise your canine friend. Harlyn Bay near Padstow, Watergate Bay at Newquay and Mexico Towans are just a few. Best for little ones If we are talking amenities, easy access and safe waters, then we love Gyllyngvase in Falmouth. With a café 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 for building castles. Perfect. We also like Bude’s Summerleaze Beach, with its sea pool offering a little protection from the tides. It is very close to the town centre too, and you could always rent a beach hut! Best for surf I m...

For this month's blog story I wanted to share some of the great places in Cornwall where you can meet animals. From sanctuaries and farms to wildlife parks, they all have education and conservation at their heart. These are just a few of the places we love to visit in Cornwall... Paradise Park, Hayle Located in Hayle in West Cornwall, Paradise Park is a firm family favourite. It's great for kids, with a little train, soft play and a lovely array of colourful birds and small animals to see. All in all, a fun family day out. Newquay Zoo This little zoo has a real passion for conservation and you can really see how much the team love their animals. Zebras, sloths, penguins, red pandas and brown hyenas are just a few of the animals you can see. Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek A firm favourite, the seals are such characters! It's best for a dry day as most of the sanctuary is outside, and it's more than just s...