The Cornwall Blog

I visited the wonderful Restormel Castle at the weekend. Just outside the ancient statuary town of Lostwithiel, this Medieval ruin is a lovely and peaceful spot to wile away a few hours. We started our day at the Duchy Nursery coffee shop, with some delicious cakes and puds. You can see the castle from the cafe and it is a charming walk through the fields up to it, though because of the limited walking ability of my mum we decided to drive and save our energy for exploring! Rarely busy, (and free for Lostwithiel and Lerryn residents with some photo ID), this English Heritage treasure can provide a place of solace on hot day. When everyone heads to the coast I often like to wonder inland. The castle is in remarkably good nick considering it is from the 13th Century. You can walk almost all the way around the top and work out which room use to house what. The views down the valley to Lostwithiel are beautiful and with plenty of benches this is an ideal place for a pi

In central Cornwall there are plenty of peaceful beauty spots a little less known, one I love is Helman Tor. So wonderfully quiet and on a clear day you can see for miles, both coasts if you are lucky! Finding it is always a bit of a mission, Visit Cornwall have directions you can check out. With massive slabs of granite, and a logan stones (teetering on the edge) it's a place ideal for clambering over with the kids, or to just relax and watch the sun set. At the foot of the tor there is a large wetland and with grazing animals gathering around bodies of water. The landscape comprises of heathland, acid grassland with willow and oak trees down below. You can see the weather rolling across the hills with birds of prey soaring in the sky above. The rocks seem to defy gravity and provide sheltered nooks to sit and admire an impressive view.

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.