The Cornwall Blog

We have just had a beautiful October half term with warm sun and golden leaves. Sadly this can't always be guaranteed in Cornwall! There is still plenty to see and do in November. I think the real benefit to living in somewhere as picturesque as Cornwall isn't just those balmy summer days, but the rogue and surprising sunny moments gifted to us out of season. Walking on the beach as the sun dips behind the gently bobby horizon is truly special. Or exploring the ancient woodlands and wild moorland with those slightly hilarious long-haired cows, not a soul in sight.  As well as Cornwall's natural benefits, the cultivated ones are a treat in November too. True, many of our gardens are at their finest in spring or early summer, but Pinetum gardens in St Austell was actually designed as a winter garden and well worth a visit. With leaves a blaze with autumnal colour, bright berries, stunning bark, colourful foliage and sweet smelling

If you find the ocean fascinating, above or below the sea line, this is the event for you. Touring round the UK, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour comes to Cornwall in October, the 9th to the 11th 2019 at the Regal Theatre in Redruth. Ideal for these more chilly autumn nights, the festival showcases a diverse collection of short films featuring amazing footage of the ocean with fascinating stories to tell. See A Peace Within , a 6 minute short about 'extreme artist' Philip Gray who paints under the surface of the sea, below where the ancient Mayans lived. Surfer Dan follows Dan Schetter as he surfs his local landlocked Michigan - on Lake Superior. Be that in ice, with deadly currents or on actual waves. To find out the other films showing and to get your tickets head to the Ocean Film Festival website.  

There is still loads of events on for September, the schools may go back but holidays are still in full swing down here. From the St Ives September festival to the Perranporth World Belly Board Championships , but this month I wanted to focus on the Tin Mine Clay exhibition at Geevor Mine. An interesting place to visit, Geevor Mine unlocks an important part of Cornwall's not so distant history. The exhibition was created by Dominique Fuglistaller, a Penzance sculptor and Alison Cooke, a London ceramist. Running from the 18th July to October 2019, you can see the artworks they created to mark the centennial of two tragic events - the sinking of Victory shaft at Geevor Mine and the Levant mining disaster that claimed 31 lives. These artists have produced a series of ceramics made from the clay found within the mines. A variety of different clays were uncovered, none easy to work with! Prone to collapsing, cracking and melting it posed quite a challenge. T

Watching movies is quintessential holiday fun, and come rain or shine you can enjoy the latest releases or some great classics this summer in Cornwall. When the weather is balmy then it can be hard to drag yourself from the beach, there is no need this August with open air cinema. At Falmouth's Pendennis Castle you can watch Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl on the 8th, A Knight’s Tale on the15th and Shrek on the 22nd August 2019. Or head to Porthminster Beach for Finding Nemo on the 18th, Disney's Moana on the 25th August and Les Miserables on the 1st September 2019. Plenty of opportunity to watch some real family favourites in fabulous locations! Find out more at the website, open air cinema Cornwall .

Wadebridge Wines are bringing another great festival to the North of Cornwall with their inaugural Rum & Tequila Festival. Last month, in June, the space around their centrally located shop became filled with stalls, music and drinks for their first Beer and Cider Fest. On the back of this success (and the previously run Gin Festival) they are bringing something a little different. The North Cornwall Rum and Tequila Festival is sure to be a great event, expect great suppliers selling their wares. Cocktails galore and delicious food with toe-tapping music. The much loved wine merchant is always a great place to visit and you know the team will have picked only the very best! The festival runs from noon till 7pm on the 20th July.

To celebrate the anniversary of the Moon Landings, Goonhilly, near Helston, is holding a rather special day. On the 20th of July 1969 the world watched, glued to their TV screens, as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the moon. These images were being transmitted by the Goonhilly satellite. To mark 50 years since this iconic event Goonhilly are presenting Apollo 50 , a family friendly day of education, science, tech, art and music. In fact you can see band Public Service Broadcasting perform songs from their album The Race for Space and Orbital will also be performing a DJ set. You can find more info at the website and get tickets.

I love the Lost Gardens of Heligan ! I need to plan another trip, it has been too long. I would normally travel by car but recently I realised there is another way. If you are a keen cyclist then there is a cycle route from St Austell or Mevagissey, and if you call in at the beautiful coastal village of Pentewan then you can hire a bike. What caught my eye recently is that they now offer electric bikes, and considering the hilly climb to these majestic gardens, that is a real temptation! For Cornwall bike hire Pentewan is pretty perfect, the friendly new owners have made a few changes, such as the addition of a great coffee machine. With ice-creams too, whether the weather is hot or cold the hire hut is welcoming and has a lovely picnic area by the river. There are a few different trails in Cornwall, the famous Camel Trail which although beautiful can be a bit busy. Further south you can travel around the old tram ways and see a more industrial but equally interesting