The Cornwall Blog

Well May has been filled so far with pageantry and picnics but the weather has been rather hit and miss! The bank holiday just gone was a bit of a wash out, not to be discouraged, I took my mum to Ethy House in Lerryn to explore just the most beautiful bluebell woods.  Rarely open to the public, Ethy House is on the road between Lostwithiel and Lerryn and has views (on a non-mizzely day) to the rolling hills and valley below. My mum and I donned boots and cagoules and popped Bren the border terrier on his lead and set off. The house is Georgian and has an Italian feel with a romantic balcony and lovely vistas.  We wound our way through a little maze and entered Ethy Woods. What a sight! Bluebells as far as the eye could see. The scent hang in the air accompanied by bird song.  Rhododendron trees displayed their vivid colour, magnolias too, such stillness and delight everywhere you looked. We quietly explored disappearing into the mist, other people there but it was like w...

Surely the best thing about Autumn is the trees - woodland walks, that crunch under foot and the golden leaves highlighted by low October sun. I love this time of year, getting outdoors is a necessity!  But there is actually something helpful we can be doing whilst we tread through ancient woodland (where are your favourites? I love Cardinham and Respryn), get involved with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Autumn Seed Search .  The idea is to sign up, get informed and collect seeds that fall to the ground and help them grow into saplings, eventually to be planted. Normally wildlife does a pretty good job of this, birds especially spread seeds far and wide (I have a few trees in my garden that just appeared!) but in Cornwall we are short of trees so it's time to give nature a helping hand. Their website is informative, with videos showing you what seeds to collect each month and how to look after your seed and sapling. Signing up also helps them track what is growing where. This m...

    Hello, it has been a little while since my last post so I thought I would show you some of beautiful things I've seen whilst on lockdown. Cornwall along with the rest of the country is respecting the stay at home advise because of COVID-19. We are being encouraged to stay home, and rightly so, which makes bringing you the beauty of this county far and wide not possible right now. Events, exhibitions and festivals may have been suspended but there is still plenty to revel in right on our doorsteps! Many businesses are still offering slightly tailored services or are available online so I would encourage you to support this beautiful place and its entrepreneurs where you can. I thought today I would share some pictures I've snapped on my daily exercise walks. I live in Lostwithiel and am blessed to have woodland right on my doorstep. Steep country lanes, farmland and forests, I have really enjoyed taking the time to explore what my corner of Cornwall...

That seems a fair exchange! On the edge of Cornwall, just a ferry ride away from Plymouth is a little known haven, the Antony Woodland Garden. This month the garden a running a fun scheme, collect a Monterey pine cone and swap it for one of their delicious homemade scones! Next to the National Trust property of Antony House, this woodland and garden is an unspoilt paradise. Known as a 'International Camellia Garden of Excellence', one of only four in the country. This time of year the autumn fiery colours are a sight to behold. Nearly 100 acres and thousands of different trees, plants and shrubs to enjoy. The tea room is lovely too! With a vintage feel and exquisite bakery treats, the perfect place to indulge after a bracing walk. Children are free and the Autumn ' Scone for a Cone ' offer is a bargain - just quote 'AUTUMN18' and you'll get a ticket for 2 adults for £10. See their website for more details.  

    That nip is in the air and its official, October is here and we are feeling decidedly autumnal. I just love seeing the seasons change and as soon as the golden leaves turn I just can't wait to get to the woods. There are plenty to choose from, but a place where I always find peace is Luxulyan Valley and in particular the industrial heritage that is the Treffry viaduct. You can follow a circular route with iWalk Cornwall, they even have an app. The path I often take follows the old water way, down past the remains of what was an impressive waterwheel and along some very giant boulders! The viaduct that spans the valley was built in 1844 by Joesph (Austen) Treffry who had big ideas on developing the area. It was the most advanced engineering project in the western peninsula and carried both water and rail across the valley. For such a peaceful spot its hard to imagine it as a bustling industrial site but the traces of man-made feats are still visible, albeit cl...

Godolphin's bluebell woods   One of the things I love about Cornwall is the fact that Spring comes here early and does so vibrantly. May is the best time to take a stroll through the bluebells and we have plenty of places you can enjoy the delicate blue haze of wild flowers. Lanhyrock House and Garden , owned by the National Trust has bluebells a plenty on their 1,000 acres of land. Formally Victorian gardens gives way to ancient woodland worthy of a wonder. Enys Gardens filled with bluebells Enys Gardens near Penryn are a popular spot to see floods of blue, the gardens include a meadow called Parc Lye which is a sight to behold. Heading Camborne way you will find Tehidy , 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of idyllic woodland and lakes. A café and picnic area make this an ideal spot to wile away some time. Another National Trust gem is Penrose Estate near Helston. Boasting the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, the grounds are beautiful and this time of year the bl...

Cardinham Woods capture that childhood magic. Just outside Bodmin you can find the beautiful tall trees of this Cornish woodland. There are four walking routes of varying challenges, ideal for taking the dogs or exhausting hyper children. Mountain bikers too flock here for the three clearly marked cycle trails of different difficulties, you can even hire bikes on site (though you do need to book in advance). The highlight for me is the Woods café, delicious home made food and tempting cakes are just what you need after being oh so healthy and tiring yourself out in the fresh air. If you would rather sort your own food then by the river you can find picnic areas and static BBQs, ideal for family or group gatherings. One of the trials, Lady Vale, is pushchair friendly and there is a little play area that kids will love too. You do need to pay for parking but we always find a day at the woods puts a smile on everyone's face! You can find out more about Cardinham Woods...