The Cornwall Blog

If you are considering a visit to North Cornwall this week, you cannot fail to notice that the County show - The Royal Cornwall - is in full swing. Based on the outskirts of Wadebridge, the show draws in the biggest businesses in Cornwall, showing their wares on stalls and in marquees. In addition, there are numerous livestock competitions, craft exhibitions, games, rides, bars and cafes. The show runs for three days, on June the 11th, 12th and 13th. However, as is often the case, the main event obscures many smaller, more interesting stories. If you prefer to avoid the show crowds and venture down a few country lanes, you will find that Cornwall will give up its secrets to the discerning traveller. The region has always been steeped in myth and legend, which has inspired much of the creativity that has always thrived here. For example, Menabilly, a fifteenth Century manor on the South Coast, just outside St.Austell, provided the inspiration for Manderley in Daphne Du Maurier...

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s RNAS Culdrose Air Day which will be held on Wednesday 28th July 2010. The event, which has become a firm favourite in the Cornish Events Calendar, enables the general public to experience the sights, sounds and smells of one of Europe’s largest helicopter bases. Every day life for Royal Navy Pilots could include hunting for enemy submarines or aircraft in state-of-the art helicopters, flying fast jets armed with air-to-air weapons, transporting troops of Royal Marines Commandos and their equipment or rescuing casualties from sunken vessels. Air Day enables budding fighter pilots and those who once dreamt of flying, to learn about this exciting ‘world of Culdrose’ and see what happens behind the security gates. The organisers of this year’s event are working hard to make it a day to remember. As fast jets, helicopters and military aircraft zoom across the skies, visitors will be able to meet Aircrew who have served on frontline Squadrons all over ...

I just want to draw your attention to a website that acts as the online presence of The Tourist Handbook. You may have seen their brochures in many hotels, B&Bs, self catering accommodation and pubs in Cornwall and Devon, providing an illustrated guide to local tourist attractions. They now have a website with an excellent database of information, ready for anyone to access, as well as opportunity for people organising events and providing accommodation to advertise. It aims specifically to provide a valuable resource for those planning holidays in Devon and Cornwall, but with its event calendar, many local residents use it in equal measure. You can also follow The Tourist Handbook on Facebook and Twitter, keeping up to date with the latest happenings. This is a good tool, complete with area maps and informative descriptions of places in Cornwall and Devon. You can search by place name and see what is available in the area that is of interest to you. Emma Julian

When you are in need of a peaceful haven and a tranquil escape, consider Brookfields Bed and Breakfast. Situated in the peaceful country side within easy access of Port Isaac, Padstow, Wadebridge and Rock they provide modern B&B accommodation with Wi-Fi internet connection and have a 4 star rating. The house itself is set in a generous acre of grounds and lawns, with panoramic views for the guest to enjoy. With grass paddocks, geese and ducks splashing around in their pond, Brookfields is a world away from hectic everyday life. There is plenty of car parking and even room for vans, boats and trailers. The rooms themselves are clean fresh and bright, furnished with quality fabrics and furniture, and are well equipped with everything you might need on a short break. The breakfast room capitalises on those amazing views, and the full range of breakfast suits any appetite. So I just thought I would bring you attention to a hidden space which has the best of both worlds, private ...

Webcam of Fowey River at Twowatersfoot The cameras currently refresh at 1 frame every 10 seconds. Farson Digital hope to be getting a sponsorship deal with a major broadband supplier sorted out shortly, in order to allow the cameras to stream live. The cameras Farson Digital use last 10 years and are made by a German company. They are used in the Arctic and have no moving parts and never freeze (-30° to +60°C ) and being German, they just work. The Environment Agency also use them in the UK. It’s a great solid state, all weather, 3 mega pixel camera that just plugs into a broadband connection and will stream live images at 25fps (pal), which is currently way too much for most of the broadband packages we are hooked up to. Farson Digital have just signed a sponsorship deal with the West Country Rivers Trust, as they are very keen to promote West Country Fishing Tourism and see this as a great vehicle to do so. The Angling Trust, Salmon & Trout Association, Fishing Associations a...

Opening tonight (Friday 19th March 2010) on Discovery Quay, Falmouth – opposite the National Maritime Museum, Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips opens its doors at 5pm. Rick Stein and his ex-wife Jill have spent over thirty-five years building up their business in Padstow, which includes four restaurants, a deli, patisserie, gift shop, cookery school and 40 guest bedrooms, as well as a pub in the nearby village of St. Merryn, but Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips in Falmouth will be their first venture away from the Padstow area. “It’s great to be finally opening in Falmouth. Outside Padstow it’s my favourite seaside town in Cornwall. “Jill and I have looked around Cornwall for a long time for a place to expand beyond Padstow. Our inspiration for The Seafood Restaurant originally came from a restaurant in Falmouth that we frequented during the 1970’s, so it seemed only natural to finally open our own restaurant here. It’s a place we both know well. “I've always been fascinated by Falmo...

I want to draw you attention to a true find. Steppes Farm is a 14th Century farmhouse offering 3 self catering barn conversions. The standard of the accommodation is high, a true home from home. With views that wrap around, a spa including sauna and hot tub and even the opportunity to go horse riding. Steppes Farm creates an idyllic getaway, I personally love the idea of being on a farm - all that country charm; geese, lambs, chicks and ponies! Set in a truly romantic situation, on the edge of Bodmin Moor and close to the dramatic, captivating North Coast, Steppes Farm is ideally situated. The accommodation comprises of three cottages, Dove, Owl and Goose all comfortably furnished with log burners for those chilly Winter evenings. There are private gardens, a barbecue area and endless walks around the 20 acres of farm land. Of course in our recent snow this turreted retreat is picture post card material! Emma Julian