The Cornwall Blog

The much loved Stable Art just outside Bodmin are now running art classes, and they are proving pretty popular! We featured the conversion of a ruined chapel into the new  Stable Art  premises last year. In their new peaceful location, just down the road from the ever popular Cardinham Woods, the picture framers and art suppliers have expanded with a beautiful new cafe.  The art workshops now in full swing, and there is something for everyone. The choice is varied and accommodates all sorts of creative styles, ages and abilities. For April you can make lampshades, learn portraiture, hone your watercolour skills, create botanical tiles, weave, felt and lino print!!! 

This was a favourite book with both Carl and I at Pickle Design ! It was my go-to read at school, I just loved the illustrations and how the story unfolded before my eyes. This weekend, 16th-17th March 2019, at Eden they are celebrating Eric Carle's classic with crafty workshops, a trail around the domes and a re-telling brought alive by Eden's excellent storytellers. From making butterfly wings to string puppets this well-loved tale provides plenty of inspiration for family fun. To find out more head to the Eden Project website.

I just love looking at old photographs, it makes history feel real and tangible. If you are travelling down west to Penzance this year, from the 12th Jan to the 16th of March you can see a new exhibition at Penlee House. This creative hub will showcase around 100 images in their Luminaries exhibition , revealing how west Cornwall looked in the Victorian era. The collection contains some of the Gibson & Sons archive which Penlee acquired in 2016, plus professional and amateur photographers from the time. These include Robert Preston, William Colenso and John Branwell who was the first owner of Penlee House. A fascinating glimpse into the social history in this beautiful part of Cornwall, and a chance to see what has changed, if anything, in the last 100 hundred years.

Celebrating 25 years this year we have a great Cornish business, Bromleighs . When you think 'made in Cornwall' I confess I often imagine tasty food and drink or perhaps art and crafts, but there are so many other businesses tucked away in our fair county that have been thriving for years and deserve the spotlight. With a perfect mix of great product and bespoke commissions, Bromleighs create handmade lighting including pendants, wall and table lights. Although their range is wide I love the industrial style of the wrought metal switches and fixtures. That heritage feel has meant you can see their wares in historic homes up and down the country, often favoured by the National Trust. They take a raw material, such a locally sourced copper, pewter or brass and turn it into beautifully finished switches and sockets. These little details are what makes a house feel complete, considered even. They speak of quality and for a historic home, won't jar with the surrounds.

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 cloaked

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 house, t