Cornwall is the county that covers the south-west corner of England. It narrows as it moves west finishing with Land's End at its tip. Cornwall borders Devon but otherwise just has a coastal border.
The coast of Cornwall has some beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs and wonderful rugged scenery. Most of the areas and towns worth a visit, or an actual stay, are on the coast. Despite the often harsh winds Cornwall has one of the mildest climates in the UK and the plants and gardens are lush, plentiful and the grass very, very green. I first visited Cornwall for a one week holiday with three school friends, all at the ripe old age of 16, way back in 1968. The holiday was our first without adult supervision and we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast where the owner was known to my family. We stayed in Helston which was a relatively small village a short distance from the coast. The nearest coastal village was called Porthleven and we visited Porthleven on more than one occasion. It had a small harbour and was unspoilt but I imagine it has changed these days. There was no transport link to Porthleven and we had to walk up and then down a hill in order to access. However it is a place that still holds fond memories. Most of the places we visited back in the sixties will have changed considerably these days but when I visited in 2006 with my husband there were some constants. We stayed near St Ives on the opposite coast of Cornwall at a place called Carbis Bay. This tiny pretty area has a golden sandy beach that resembles the type that you find abroad in countries such as Spain. St Ives was a short walk, train or bus journey away. I preferred the lovely walk through the countryside along the coast to St Ives. St Ives is a bustling resort with many Art Galleries including a local Tate Gallery, quite a few beaches, shops, scenery and good local restaurants. We visited in late August and St Ives was busy no matter what day we visited from our base at Carbis Bay but it was still pleasant and not too overcrowded. Carbis Bay would be a good place to base yourself if you want to tour around Cornwall. Our visit was an organised five-day coach trip which included the hotel accommodation. However there are many camp sites and bed and breakfast establishments in Cornwall. Cornwall is not the cheapest place to visit though, especially St Ives. St Ives also has plenty of surfing and water sport enthusiasts who holiday there regularly to enjoy water based activities. We visited Land's End but for us it was nothing too special. Sure the scenery is rugged and the air fresh and bracing but it is very commercialised. Better to visit Lizard Point, which is the most southerly point of England, as the scenery is much better. Marazion is also worth a visit if only to look across the water to St Michael's Mount. At low tide it is possible to walk across an old roman road to the mount but be careful as the tide soon changes. At 16-years-old we started to walk across only to find that the tide almost overtook us and we came out looking like damp squibs. I was pleased to note in 2006 that Marazion and St Michael's Mount were much as I remembered them. You can take a small boat trip across to the mount which is not too pricey a ride. Also the village here has some nice local shops and good views. Nearby Penzance is more a coastal town where you can shop and visit the gardens as along its coast it is more a working town. Overall what you will find with Cornwall is:-
Cornwall is a great place to visit, it has so many attractions, things to do and great places to visit that having written about it, I cannot wait to visit again. Resources Visit Cornwall
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England is divided into counties. These have changed a little over the years, with successive governments. Sometimes it has been a change of name, as when part of the East Riding of Yorkshire became North Humberside, and other times it has been a change of boundary line.
Cornwall has stayed pretty much in tact. Cornwall is a county that sits at the far south west corner of England. As such, it has one of the best climates in the UK. Cornwall benefits from the Gulf Stream, which means it enjoys milder winters and hotter summers. Of course, it is still part of England, and so the weather will always be unpredictable. Cornwall has plenty in its favour though apart from just its weather. Countryside Due to its lovely climate Cornwall is green and lush. Its inner areas feature gently rolling hills and beautiful scenery. "Picture postcard" is the only way to describe Cornwall. Lizard Point on the south of Cornwall is the southern most tip of England. On a blustery day it is a wild place to visit, but one that is good for the soul. The coast The coast has resorts dotted around it. The north side of Cornwall is different to the south. Traditional harbours and coves are interspersed with bustling resorts on each side though. Penzance, on the south, is not for those who want a beach resort. It may be close to the sea, but it is more a market town. It's a great place to shop, have lunch and visit the gardens. Marazion, close by, has a perfect, long sandy beach. Across the water is St Michael's Mount. If you time your visit right, you can walk along the old Roman causeway to the Mount. Time it wrong, and you could be washed away. The tide rolls in, and the Mount is only accessible by boat. If you are planning a visit, check the tide times. In the same region is Falmouth, which is more of a fishing town. Fish and chips would make a great lunch here. Porthleven has a good harbour area, and you can walk to Helston easily. Helston is a pretty village, which has expanded over the years. To the north side of Cornwall discover St Ives, with its many beaches, a Tate Art Gallery, a local art community and so much more. Carbis Bay, a short distance from St Ives, offers peace and tranquility plus a stunning beach. There is little there except these simple attractions. However, it is a short walk into St Ives or you can take the train for a five-minute journey. Of course, there are lots of other resorts both large and small. Land's End Land's End could be a letdown for visitors depending what they are expecting from a visit. It is the furthest most tip of England. Like many other tourist attractions, it is over commercialised. There is a sign where you can have a photo taken, for a price. The sign can be personalised to show just how far you are from home. A tourist shop and a few attractions complete the visit. However, just go for the walk along the coast and enjoy the stunning views for the best visit. History As the supposed birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, Cornwall has plenty to fire the imagination. Tintagel Castle still exists; it is the previous occupier's existence that is questionable. Whether or not King Arthur existed you can still enjoy a visit and learn a little of the legend. Cornwall also has a wealth of museums, gardens and galleries to explore. Finally Cornwall has a multitude of attractions on offer. Research those available before you visit. Some may have seasonal opening hours. The best place to stay could be a B&B (Bed and Breakfast establishment). Small hotels will also be competitively priced. Choose to stay somewhere like the middle of St Ives and it will be pricey. A good option is to share a cottage. The rental is usually for the cottage, for say two weeks and, if there is a small group or family, it will work out good value. In high season, Cornwall can be very busy, but there are many small villages, caravan sites or camping sites where you could base yourself. That way, when you have had enough of other tourists, you can enjoy some peace and quiet. Visit Cornwall |
Where in the world do you want to go today? One Woman uses personal experiences to show you some of the best places to visit in the United Kingdom and beyond. Enjoy!
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