Tag - cornwall

Why Should You Visit Cornwall?
31Mar

Why Should You Visit Cornwall?

Cornwall is a lucious and fantastic place to visit, especially with the amount of amazing photography there is on the internet. But besides the view, what else is there to do in Cornwall, and why should you visit?

Reasons To Visit Cornwall

There are many reasons why you NEED to visit Cornwall, even if it’s just for a day. We took our time to write this article on the biggest reasons why you should visit.

Beaches

The beaches are by far, by opinion, one of the main reasons to visit Cornwall. Being able to set yourself in a photography setting is very relaxing, especially with the Cornish sea washing up nearby and the wind hitting your face, it makes it the perfect holiday setting!

Food

Cornwall is quickly becoming known as a place for a food haven with many Michelin starred chefs scattered throughout the restaurants in Port Isaac and Padstow and further food festivals located in Padstow Rock, St. Ives and Porthleven. They showcase the finest food products within Cornwall and they happen throughout the year.

Sub-Tropical Gardens

Thanks to the luscious climate Cornwall and the Cornish sea has, Cornwall has many sub-tropical gardens that you can use as a conversation starter. There is plenty to discover within one of the largest global greenhouses known as ‘The Eden Project’. You can very easily get lost under the canopies of the ‘Lost Gardens Of Heligan’ or, if you wish, treat your eyes see Trebah and Glendurgan own secluded beaches.

Myths & Legends

Cornwall has such a rich history and many myths and legends. From mermaids to giants and saints to pesky piskies, there are more myths and legends dedicated to so. There are many attractions dedicated to these myths and legends, such as King Arthur’s tintagel, the museum of witchcraft and the magic boscastle. It’s endless, so if you’re into fantasy, you will love the legends of Cornwall.

Art & Culture

Cornwall has always been a home to creative arts and has been a natural home for creative people to get their inspiration or ideas. Since the very early 19th century, you will find no country that’s home to as many artists as Cornwall. Since this is the case, Cornwall has many art attractions you can visit, such as the Minack Theatre, Tate St Ives, and the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Castles

Cornish Ice Cream

On top of all this, you can visit everything above whilst holding a fresh and gorgeous cornish ice cream. Many parlours are scattered across Cornwall, but a few have the best and most fresh ice cream you can get. We wrote an article on ice cream parlours and the ones you should visit, you may find it helpful.

Watersports

Watersports has always had a place within Cornwall. Many watersport lovers come here to surf and in due time has created a huge surfing community. Since Cornwall is surrounded by ocean, it means there is a big and easy opportunity to sail, swim, surf or even take a boat trip whenever and wherever you’re based.   We hope this article suits you well and has given you many reasons why you need to visit Cornwall at some point in your life.
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Best Ice Cream Parlours In Cornwall
31Mar

Best Ice Cream Parlours In Cornwall

When travelling to the lovely setting of Cornwall, you have plenty of attractions, beaches and restaurants to visit, you can check out our other articles on them too. However, walking about Cornwall with a nice ice cream is very fitting for the scenery, which is why we have this article naming the best ice cream parlours.

The Top Parlours In Cornwall

Roskilly’s Organic Farm

Roskilly’s ice cream has earned a name for making ice cream with a cow to cone experience. Based within the Lizard Peninsula, the milk used in the ice cream makes the signature scrumptious cornish ice cream that is under Roskilly’s name. Since Roskilly’s is locally sourced, you can visit the Jersey cows to see exactly where it came from.   Furthermore, the luscious milk is used in other products too, such as their cream tea!

Moomaid Of Zennor

At the far west side of Cornwall, you can find an ambitious parlour full of ice cream and past stories. The milk comes fresh from the farm they own, full of friesian cows, and are able to deliver over 30 jaw dropping flavours. The perfect place to start when going on a cornwall adventure.

Callestick Farm

The great part about Cornwall is how fresh the milk used in the ice cream is as it’s just round the corner. A very small crowd of Fresian cows live on this small field of Callestick based at the north of Cornwall. The Parker family, who looks after this farm, are extremely friendly and caring towards these cows, so you can expect the most luscious ice cream ranging to 26 different flavours for you to try. 

Chapel Porth Beach

The national trust cafe is famous for running and serving many types of ice cream, but most notoriously the ‘hedgehog’ ice creams. No, it’s not made of hedgehog, rather a clever combination of Cornish ice cream drowned in clotted cream, further topped with hazelnuts, delicious!

Jelberts

Out of all of these ice cream parlours, one of the most pure parlours is Jelberts right at the seafront of Newlyn. There are lots of types of vanilla ice cream and it's by far the best vanilla around the entirety of Cornwall. Jelberts know their stuff, and they love to keep things simple just to simply treat themselves straight from the cows they own.

Treleavens

Known for the specialty, Treleavens is a Cornish ice cream parlour with it’s extra touch of finesse. It’s the ice cream served in the top restaurants across Cornwall, with many variants of flavours. Ever wondered what a vodka pink grapefruit flavour tastes like? Treleavens loves their strawberries and cream flavour, but have many others like toffee fudge, offering a new world of taste!

Mr B’s Ice Cream Parlour

If you liked the sound of Treleavens for its variety, you’re in for a treat. Travel to the centre of Hayle to see Mr B’s Ice Cream Parlour full of variety and flavour. From the early classic flavours to the jaw dropping flavours you never knew existed. Mr B has many flavours, including; pic-n-mix, gingerbread, marshmallow, pistacio and it goes on!   We hope you found this article interesting and helpful. If you ever travel to Cornwall (as we would recommend) definitely grab yourself a fresh and flavoured ice cream for your adventure.
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What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer?
10Mar

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer?

Found at the north coast, St Ives is one of the most loved and well received destinations not just within Cornwall, but across the UK. When you see the scenery, the reason becomes obvious with the built in town on the narrow peninsula, surrounded by many gorgeous sandy beaches.

St Ives & Why You Need To Go

In this article, we will dissect the reasons why you need to visit; the things you can do and the sights you can see within St Ives Cornwall, UK.

Things To Do In St Ives, Cornwall

To start, we will go into depth about the things you can do within St Ives, and then we will look into the jaw-dropping views.

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer? Tate St IvesTate St Ives

Tate is a recently built gallery within St Ives that opened its doors in 1993. During the construction stages, it was a talking point throughout Cornwall itself as many speculated this new arrival. The Tate gallery overlooks the Porthmeor beach, giving you the true Cornwall experience right at the iconic entrance of this building.   Tate provides an intriguing collection of art that you can freely roam around to see, including artists such as Alfred Wallis.

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer? SurfingSurfing

Surfing is not as uncommon as you think within Cornwall as many love to surf upon these luscious vibrant waves.   St. Ives provides the most popular surfing destination within Cornwall, mainly because of it’s shores. During the winter, Porthmeor offers one of the most ‘challenging’ waves for surfers wanting this challenge. However, surfing doesn't end at Porthmeor, you’d be surprised at the amount of hidden areas in St Ives that also produce fantastic waves.

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer? Seal IslandSeal Island

Cornwall is known for its wildlife and has many seal sanctuaries across the area. Seal island is just off the beaches at St Ives an d as the name suggests, the island is populated with grey seals.   You can get to this island by using the St Ives harbour that does trips on a daily basis. From this island, not only can you see the seals and their natural habitat, but you are able to soak the views of Porthmeor and surrounding beaches.

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer? The Beaches

Sights To See

We could be here all day explaining to you what makes St Ives a great tourist destination and what you can do, but what could you see in St Ives?

The Beaches

The main attraction to see at Cornwall has to be the sea views and the glorious geology of the beaches across the coast.   The beaches are quite easily the blessing in Cornwall with 4 main beaches along the coast. Porthmeor is the best known of these main beaches as it looks out to the Atlantic ocean. There are many other signature beaches like; Porthminster Beach, Harbour Beach and Porthgwidden Beach, but I’d recommend you read our other article going into depth of the best sea views within Cornwall.

What Does St Ives Cornwall (UK) Have To Offer? Barbara Hepworth Sculpture GardenBarbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden

There is no doubt that one of the places you need to see is the Barbara Hepworth garden full of artistic sculptures.   Barbara was most well known for her abstract sculptures she had created which were placed in a museum before she was tragically killed in 1975. Her workspaces and gardens are open to the public to visit after her death.   We hope you found this list interesting and wish you luck on your future endeavours to Cornwall, we would love to see you!
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Best Sea Views In Cornwall
10Mar

Best Sea Views In Cornwall

Further reading:    In today’s article, we break down the best potential sea views across Cornwall, this list was very difficult to choose from.

The Best Views For The Cornwall Sea

Best Sea Views In Cornwall St. Michaels Mount

St. Michaels Mount

To start our list we thought we would choose something impressive, and these words don't come from us, they come from the tourists that have visited St. Michaels Mount.   What is less impressive than a castle, sat high upon a steep hill and this hill is surrounded by the sea, making it one of the most beautiful sea views upon the cornish coast. From any possible angle, the mount is a jaw dropping few, its gorgeous scenery makes it a staple attraction, not only in Cornwall, but within the United Kingdom.   Off the coast of the Marazion, you can book to visit St. Michael’s Mount on your adventure to Cornwall.

Porthcurno Beach

Best Sea Views In Cornwall Porthcurno Beach

No matter what coastal path you take within Cornwall, it is difficult to find a place that isn’t beautiful.   Porthcurno is a sandy beach, with a gateway to the definition of gorgeous as you look out at the sea view. Most known for its luscious turquoise waters, Porthcurno beach is a place you cannot miss when travelling to Cornwall.   Anyone can visit the coast path of Porthcurno beach and is a very dog friendly place (only in july and august).

Portwrinkle Beach

Best Sea Views In Cornwall Portwrinkle Beach

Looe is one of the places to go when looking for the best views in Cornwall, but more specifically Portwrinkle beach is a great choice to visit.   Portwrinkle Beach is off the south of Cornwall, based in Looe. Originally, it was an old fishing village in the 17th century, making it a good tourist attraction choice if you can adventure without shops! It had a car park cafe, allowing you to relax and breath the Cornish air upon Portwrinkle beach.   Like Porthcurno beach, Portwrinkle beach has a seasonal ban in place for dogs (July & August are the only exceptions), but anyone can visit Portwrinkle beach at any time.

The Lizard Peninsula

At the south of Cornwall is where the Lizard Peninsula exists. It’s looks huge when stood upon the cliff tops, giving this area a place on the “best sea views in Cornwall” list.   What makes the Lizard Peninsula special is it’s extremely rare geology and scenery, making it a beautiful place for plants to grow. Surrounding the peninsula are restaurants that specialise in freshly caught seafood that you can snack on as the peninsula’s air hits your face, a true holiday resort.   With many things to do and many places to visit, the Peninsula is arguably the best place to visit in Cornwall and even the entirety of the UK.   Here at TwiceAsNice, we hope this article has helped you pick a place you would love to visit within while staying with us in Cornwall, UK.    We would love to hear about your experiences if you have been, thank you for reading.
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How Good Is Surfing In Cornwall UK?
25Jan

How Good Is Surfing In Cornwall UK?

How good is surfing in Cornwall?

Cornwall County has a variety of attractions that make it a popular destination throughout the year. The milder climate is an allure to all Britons. The ideal location bordering the Atlantic Ocean provides a long coastline suitable for maritime sports. Cornwall has close to two hundred beaches that complement the variety of sports and especially surfing.  Surfing is a sport whereby one rides on the top of a wave while standing or lying on a surfboard. There are numerous surfing spots. Certain spots satisfy the dream of a surfer. Surfers are travellers and are always in search of the ultimate wave. Beaches do not have the same wave quality. Surfers sit within proximity as they have identified the wave that brings the best thrill.  At Cornwall, several beaches are renowned around the world. Various factors determine a surfing spot. Firstly, there is a wide swell window. A swell is a subsequent series of mechanical waves that move along the interface between water and air. Reliable offshore winds facilitate this.  Secondly, there is to be a long-wave face. The wave face ought to break down steadily. An ideal surf spot should provide these waves throughout the year. The long stretch of beach and warm temperatures has made Cornwall the United Kingdom's surfing capital. It hosts several professional surfing competitions in Europe. The most visited surfing beach in Cornwall is the Fistral beach at Newquay. Fistral beach provides swells of up to eight feet. Many individuals rush here in the summer as it gets crowded. It is amongst the best-surfing destinations. High cliffs and dunes support the beach. It has held several surfing competitions such as the Famous Night Surf, Broad Masters championship, and National Surf championship. Gwithian beach has a long beach supported by dunes which makes it ideal for surfing. The constant swell throughout the year brings in many enthusiasts.  There are several shops and restaurants for enthusiasts. Many shops offer surfing gear for hire at affordable rates. Once at Cornwall, one cannot lack a surfing spot. This makes it the ideal surfing destination due to its numerous locations. Cornwall is a popular surfing destination as it also provides surfing training. There are several surfing schools for beginners. The Escape Surf School at Newquay has over fifteen years’ experience teaching surfing. Training involves how to hold the surfboard and get to feet to surf. Stabilising the surfboard is critical to enjoying the surf.  Fistral Beach Surf School is open throughout the year and enjoys the most surf training in the United Kingdom. General surfing safety tips are available. These include keeping a safe distance from other surfers and the board's position when a wave is coming.  There are plenty of other schools in Cornwall. These include Padstow to Bude and other areas. If one is seeking to surf in the UK, then Cornwall County provides the best surfing spots. Those with limited experience are welcome as there are several training facilities. The professionals are encouraged to sign up for one of the surfing competitions and display their skills amongst the best.
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What Are The Best Sanctuaries in Cornwall?
25Nov

What Are The Best Sanctuaries in Cornwall?

You’ve probably clicked on this article to look for sanctuaries located at the bottom of the United Kingdom in Cornwall. Well, you’ve come to the right place as we’re going to go through the best list of sanctuaries within Cornwall!

Sanctuaries In Cornwall

Cornish Seal Sanctuaryseal in seal sanctuary

One of the most highly rated sanctuaries in Cornwall is this adorable seal sanctuary titled: ‘The Sea Life Trust’ and is located near the very bottom of Cornwall. Opening in 1975, their long-term mission has always been to rescue as many seals as possible. They rehabilitate and treat injured seals including around 70 grey seal pups from around the Cornish Coastline every season! Here, you can see many variants of seals from cute grey seal pups, to the adult sea lion, otters and even some penguins. Just alone you would be on the website’s gallery scrolling through the adorable pictures of the sea animals, so what an experience it would be to go there and visit?!

Contact

Website (Can Be Booked Online) Email Telephone: 01326 221 361 Address: The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall, Gweek, TR12 6UG

Wingz Bird & Animal SanctuaryCockatoo at wingz bird and animal sanctuary

The ‘Wingz Bird & Animal Sanctuary’ is another great safe haven to venture off and see the beauty of the huge variety of animals. They care for many animals from cranes to meerkats, and marmosets to playful cockatoos here is a great attraction to see, and is highly recommended to visit this sanctuary!

Contact

Website (No Online Booking) Email Telephone: 01726 825222 Address: Moorlands Farm Treesmill, Cornwall, Par, PL24 2TX

Blue Reef Aquariumwalk in aquarium at blue reef aquarium

Going back to the Marine types of animals, the Blue Reef Aquarium offers a stunning tropical aquatic view of various sea life animals located on the Cornish Coastline of Cornwall. With over 40 breeds of aquatic life, it brings many of the five senses to help you become part of the environment. With regular feeding displays, it brings many forms of entertainment turning the day into a fascinating one.

Contact

Website (Can Be Booked Online) Email Telephone: 01637 878134 Address: Towan Promenade, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1DU

Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuarymonkeys at wild future's sanctuary

Formed in 1964, Wild Futures brings a wild experience to those who wish to visit such a sanctuary. Right at the south Cornish coast in Cornwall is where Wild Futures care for a range of different variants and species of rescued and retired monkeys. Come take a gentle stroll around the stunning gardens and allow your kids to burn off some steam with the kid’s wild play area!

Contact

Website (Can Be Booked Online) Email Telephone: 01503 262532 Address: Murrayton House St Martins, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1NZ

The National Lobster Hatcheryinside the national lobster hatchery

Head to The National Lobster Hatchery now to see what the lobsters are like at the different stages of their life! If you’re in or planning to visit Cornwall, then why not head to the Lobster Hatchery and observe the award-winning visitor centre. Based in Padstow and for a cheap entrance fee, you are given the opportunity to learn all about the lobsters and also surrounding marine life! This registered charity has the goal to help support the vulnerable lobster population and protect them from some fishers.

Contact

Website (No Online Booking) Email Telephone: 01841 533877 Address: National Lobster Hatchery, South Quay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BL

GoDolphin - National TrustGoDolphin garden example

GoDolphin is part of the national trust and has been open since 1909! With a lot of history behind its core, GoDolpin is known for its natural beauty. It’s worth heading here for a great day out to breathe it’s Lucious air and river and to travel back to the 16th-century gardens, the most important historic gardens actually. That’s not all, you can even immerse yourself within the untouched woodland and visit the houses that were considered ‘fashionable’ in the 17th century.

Contact

Website (No Online Booking) Email Telephone: 01736 763194 Address: GoDolphin Cross, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 9RE That’s our top list of sanctuary’s that we highly recommend visiting in Cornwall! We hope from this you can make an informed decision on which ones you would want to visit on your adventure’s.
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A Guide to Cornwall's Nature Reserves
04Nov

A Guide to Cornwall’s Nature Reserves

Cornwall Nature Reserves

The beautiful county of Cornwall on the southwestern tip of the UK is best known for its stunning coastline, natural environment and its rugged moors. Cornwall holiday beach chalets provide the ideal accommodation for you and your family to explore this jewel in the UK’s crown. Yet Cornwall is a wildlife haven too with many nature reserves to explore amid picturesque and tranquil settings.

Kemyel Crease

Located south of the village of Mousehole, in an area of outstanding natural beauty this conifer plantation slopes down to the sea offering pleasant shade. Read more

Caer Bran

An old iron age hill fort near St Just in West Cornwall, this reserve attracts various bird species, including hen harriers, short-eared owls and skylarks. Read more

Bakers Pit

An area of heathland between St Ives and Penzance, a flooded clay pit provides a unique habitat for visiting birdlife throughout the year. Read more

Bosvenning Common

A lowland heath in West Cornwall with spectacular views over the surrounding area, emblazoned in summer by pink and purple heather, plus yellow gorse. Read more

Bostraze

Enjoy the dawn chorus in this large wetland area where cuckoos are still regular visitors, the valley having once been known as ‘Cuckoo Valley’. Read more

Chun Downs

Located near Pendeen, Chun Downs is predominantly heathland crossed with bridlepaths for walkers, with stunning views across the surrounding landscape and down to the sea. Read more

St Erth Pits

Cornwall’s first geological reserve, woodland and wildlife have reclaimed this former China clay pit containing a rich fossil fauna, offering a circular trail to explore. Read more

Pendarves Wood

With 40 acres of woodland and a lake, this reserve provides a great habitat for a variety of wildlife, while in April the floor becomes carpeted in bluebells. Read more

Loggan's Moor

A meadow with some reedbed located outside Hayle, Loggan’s Moor is a haven for many species who thrive on the wildflowers which grow in abundance. Read more

Uptown Towans

Upton Towans is an area comprised of sand dunes crossed by paths, offering spectacular views across St Ives Bay, including across to Godrevy Island. Read more

Swanvale

A small woodland near Falmouth offering a sheltered wildlife habitat and close to Swanpool nature reserve and Swanpool beach. Read more

Kennal Vale

Gorgeous woodlands with open glades near Ponsanooth, packed with history, rushing streams and a water-filled quarry offering an abundance of birdlife plus pipistrelle bats. Read more

Devichoys Wood

A forty-acre ancient woodland which can be traced back to the 17th century, where great spotted woodpeckers are among the abundant wildlife to be seen. Read more

Bissoe Valley

A former mining site near Truro where heathland, woodland and ponds have been developed through conversation efforts and is home to the scarce blue-tailed damselfly. Read more

Halbullock Moor

Located near Truro, this ancient grazing ground is an important habitat for wildlife with willow warblers prominent in the breeding season, while Cornish Moneywort grows here too. Read more

Fox Corner

A quiet urban reserve near Truro, once a railway siding whose mix of grassland, scrub and ponds provide a habitat for local wildlife including foxes. Read more

Park Hoskyn (The Hayman Reserve)

Located in a steep-sided valley near Penwartha, a fast-flowing stream cuts through woodland which houses a variety of birdlife including treecreepers. Read more

Nansmellyn Marsh

A rare untouched reedbed near Perranporth with marked paths and boardwalks for visitors who will be treated to many bird varieties amid the Common Reed. Read more

Carn Moor

Heathland near Goonhavern, once a lead ore mining site with the engine house still visible but now home to the fragrant bog myrtle and more. Read more

Ventongimps Moor

Twenty acres of heath, bog and woodland near Zelah, known for its Dorset Heath and dragonflies, with a pond formed from the excavation of a WWII bomber. Read more

Chyverton

Flower-rich meadows and a woodland site near Truro supporting numerous species including Dorset Heath and the southern marsh orchid, plus habitat-rich ancient Cornish hedges. Read more

Fal-Ruan

Set within the Fal Estuary on the Roseland Peninsula, oaks run down to meet tidal waters to create a rich ecosystem, though the exposed mudflats should be avoided. Read more
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cornwall-beach
27Feb

What Makes Cornwall Unique Compared to the Rest of England?

If you have ever had the pleasure to visit Cornwall, you will have noticed that it is slightly different when compared to the rest of the UK. Not only are town names not English, but you will find that their culture and ideologies are different too. The main reason for this is that Cornwall isn’t actually English at all and was never formally annexed or taken over by England. In fact, many Cornish people believe that they should be a completely separate entity, such as Scotland or Wales, and there are even petitions for Cornwall to become independent. Arguments have raged on for years now as to whether Cornwall is just another county of England or stands on its own. Since 1889, Cornwall has been administered as if it were a county of England. In 1973, the Royal Commission on the Constitution highlighted that the legality of this move is doubtful and they even went as far as to recommend that Cornwall was not to be referred to as a county but rather as ‘The Royal Dukedom of Cornwall’. This means that Cornwall should be seen as its own separate country ruled by the current Duke or Duchess of the region which is known as a ‘Duchy’ for short. What makes this so strange is that Wales was actually formally annexed to England for centuries whereas Cornwall never was and there is no evidence of legal documents to show that it ever was. Wales now stands on its own but Cornwall is still considered by the majority of England as a county rather than a ‘Duchy’. The true constitutional status of Cornwall as of today, and for centuries in the past, is similar to that of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It is of Crown Dependency which means that the head of state for all three of these entities is the current reigning monarch of Great Britain. In the case of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, the Queen is represented by a Lieutenant-Governor and each dependency has its own parliament, government and prime minister to make all laws, except for those about defence and foreign affairs which are looked after by the British Government. This means that the British Government in London has no power over these entities unless their governments agree. The Channel Islands are the closest in equivalency to Cornwall and are not ruled by a monarch but rather by the Duke of Normandy (although Queen Elizabeth II has claimed this title). This is similar to Cornwall as it is ruled by the Duke of Cornwall, not the Queen of England.
establishing view of cornwall
establishing view of cornwall
For centuries, Cornwall was ruled by Earls who were appointed by the King and who made their income from the south-western area. The earliest of these earls were Count’s Brian and Alan who were carefully chosen from Celtic-speaking Bretons. The reason for this is because the language that the Bretons used was almost identical to that of the Cornish and so they were seen as the best fit to build bridges between the two peoples. From 1337 to the present day, the rulers of Cornwall have been Dukes, who also make their income from Cornwall and its surrounding areas. When there is no Duke, which can only be the eldest son of the current reigning monarch, the Duchy reverts to the Crown. The Crown then holds it in trust and rules in proxy to the Duke until the next Duke is born if there ever comes such a time. The Crown owns every single bit of land throughout the whole of Great Britain except that of Cornwall where the absolute owner is the Duke. Cornwall even has its own government which has a clear distinction from that of the British Parliament. It is known as the Duch Council and is currently completely unelected. The current laws that are in place also allow Cornwall to have its own elected Parliament, known as the Stannary, which has many legislative powers. They even have the right of veto over Laws, Acts and Statutes that are made by the Westminster Parliament. This power was granted to them by Henry VII all the way back in 1509.
cornwall view
cornwall view
By the time of 1549, these rights were abolished by Archbishop Cranmer’s Act of Uniformity which forcefully imposed the new Protestant English State Religion and set the State Language to English to Cornwall and many other regions of the UK. This is when Cornwall’s distinction from the rest of England was lost and this led to a war that lasted 2 months and saw over 10% of its population massacred. Despite the events that happened during this time, the rights and powers of the Stannary Parliament were confirmed to be still fully extant at law by the Attorney-General of Westminster’s Parliament, Lord Elwyn Jones. This happened as recently as 1977 and was in response to a question raised in the House by Plaid Cymru. As is tradition, the Stannary Parliament is convened by the Duke but no Duke of Cornwall has done so since 1752. The failure of successive Dukes to take up this responsibility can only be concluded as an arrangement with the Crown and Westminster. Currently, the Duke of Cornwall is constitutionally immune from prosecution which means that the unique situation of Cornwall cannot be resolved in the courts and this is why it is still a grey area for many. The Duchy Council still continues to ensure that it retains the rights to convene a Cornish Parliament at any time it sees fit to. They do this by always having a duly appointed Lord Warden of the Stannaries to fulfil this responsibility by that of the Duke’s instruction. So there you have it, Cornwall is in a truly unique position and it doesn’t look as though it is going to be fully resolved anytime soon. Tell us what you think below, should Cornwall remain part of Great Britain and be fully governed by The Crown? Or should it become independent once again and have the rights to govern itself without guidance or advice from Westminster?
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What Is Our Favourite Place In Cornwall?
27Feb

What Is Our Favourite Place In Cornwall?

 

You really should visit Cornwall!

There are many wonderful and amazing things to see in Cornwall. Because there are so many places and sights to see it can be hard to fit them all into one visit. Because of this, we have decided on our favourite place in Cornwall as well as a few runners up to give you a place to start on your first time or if you are returning for another holiday.

Runners Up

Sennen Cove

Just down the hill from the town of Sennen is a beautiful cove with views full of sea and sunshine. This is also one of the most popular surf hotspots as the cove is known for its large waves and beautiful waters. The beach is great for bathing and there are flagged areas which move frequently to follow tidal movements so that you know where it is safe at all times. If you are more inclined to see the incredible views this cove has to offer you can head to the Pedn-men-du, a promontory located at the southern end of the bay, and use the lookout point. You will see spectacularly blue waters and clear skies for miles around. The granite cliffs below are also a popular attraction for those that enjoy climbing.

Praa Sands

The first thing you’ll notice when visiting this beautiful beach is how white the sand is, it’s almost blinding! The reason the sand is so white is because it is made from seashells that have been pulverised by the waves over millions of years. Located between the Lizard and west Penwith, this mile-long beach is perfect for families with children to entertain. The sand is perfect for sand castles and the shoreline is great for splashing around in. An image showing a man surfing the waves. This is another great spot for surfing too as there are some surprisingly large waves that form further out. If this isn’t your scene there’s no need to worry as you could just grab a coffee and sit back on the beach soaking up the sun.

Roskilly’s Ice Cream

This quaint little farm is located in St. Keverne and is a great place to visit whether you have children or just love ice cream. You can visit the farm for free, that’s right free! You can walk around the meadows and relax by the ponds with a tub of fresh and organic ice cream that is made on site. You can even visit the cows that make the milk and see how it’s done yourself. A great place to let your children roam and explore while enjoying some of the best ice cream in Cornwall.

Minack Theatre

This is Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre which is carved right into the granite cliff of Porthcurno Bay. This stunning and incredible feat of ingenuity looks like something straight out of a movie and overlooks the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The Summer season runs from May to September and includes drama, musicals and opera so make sure to visit during this time so that you don’t miss out. If the theatre isn’t your thing, you can always visit the sub-tropical gardens that are another favourite attraction at this incredible location. They grow on the open cliffside and provide a beautiful dash of colour to the Minack all year round. Another thing to look out for is the Rowena Cade Visitor Centre which tells the incredible story of how a girl from Cheltenham in the Victorian era grew up to build the internationally famous theatre. There’s even a café where you can relax and soak in the amazing views that Minack has to offer.

Porthcurno Beach

Porthcurno, which is located in the far west of Cornwall, is described by many as being an absolute paradise. The area has won plenty of awards and if you visit this area it’s easy to see why. The sea turns a beautiful shade of turquoise in the sun and the sand is pearly white and soft to the touch. The incredible high cliffs on either side provide shelter to everyone enjoying the beach. The beach is very popular with families and has a stream that flows down one side where children can enjoy paddling while being safely watched over. Above on the cliffs is the amazing Minack Theatre, see above for more information, which gives an incredible view of Porthcurno and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is also dog friendly, unless you visit between the 1st of May and 30th of September when there is a seasonal ban, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for an adventure. An image of a dog having fun in the water Just a 30 minute walk away is the famous Logan Rock which is an 80 ton granite rocking stone. Also close by is the fascinating Porthcurno Telegraph Museum which tells the story of how Cornwall played an important role in the pioneering days of global communications.

Trebah Gardens

This beautiful sub-tropical ravine garden spans over 25 acres of wooded area and descends down to its own beach located on the Helford River. There is a natural spring at the top of the garden that drops into a Koi Pool surrounded by breathtaking colourful waterside plantings. A mixture of plants from the Mediterranean and southern hemisphere can be found here alongside Trebah’s grove which is full of huge Australian tree palms and ferns. There are also huge patches of bamboo and gunnera which give the garden a sense exotic wilderness. It has been rated as one of the best 80 gardens in the world! There is also an award winning Visitor Centre which houses a Mediterranean-style restaurant, terrace, plant and gift shop.

Porthleven

Porthleven is the most southerly working port in the entire United Kingdom. It has to offer some amazing views and an interesting granite harbour with plenty of buildings to explore and visit. The sea walls are huge and face south west into the prevailing wind making it a popular place for people to visit during the winter. Many come to watch the storms that cause huge waves which crash against the sea defences that are in place. This area has been inhabited for over a 1,000 years but the fishing village that is located here was started back in 1811 when the harbour first began construction. This place is very popular due to its location as it is close to many of Cornwall’s theme parks and attractions. The village is home to several restaurants, its world famous clock tower, a pier and a pretty little beach. It is always a great atmosphere and is a nod to the old world as it hasn’t been ruined by progress.

Gwithian Towans Beach

Gwithian Towans is always full of kites blowing in the wind and avid windsurfers riding their water blokarts. There are plenty of sand dunes with wild grass to lie on and relax while you watch all the commotion. When the tide is out, there is plenty of sand to play in and large rock pools and caves which are great for the little ones to explore.This beach is another popular surf spot as there is a constant flow of waves for people to catch and the ocean provides good all year round conditions. Seals are a regular sight near the beach as well as large colonies of seabirds due to the area being a breeding ground for guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and more. There is also a nice little café and bar, The Sunset Surf, which overlooks the beach and is open all year. They serve locally sourced and seasonal ingredients whenever it is possible for them to do so. Just a short walk away is the Jam Pot Café and Shop which is a former 19th century coastguard lookout. Here you can enjoy home cooked snacks and look out at the stunning natural views of St. Ives Bay.

Our Number One Favourite Spot

St. Michael’s Mount

Visit this fantastic island and you’ll see why we chose it for our number one spot. You can walk across the granite causeway and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and, as legend has it, the mythical giant. All you have to do is hop onto a boat and travel to this sub-tropical island where you will discover a historical sights such as a medieval castle, a fortress, priory, harbour and home. An image of St.Michael's Mount You can stray from the mainland on foot or by boat to get up close and personal to the castle-topped island that is standing tall in Mount’s Bay. Come with the family or take a tour of the castle and gardens by yourself, either way you will have a magical time exploring all the sights. You can climb the castle turrets, straight out of an old movie, for amazing views and listen to live music on the greenery of the village that is close by. If you fancy a bite to eat, travel to the Island Café or the Sail Loft Restaurant which both serve fresh local food. Visit the sub-tropical gardens which can be found clinging to the granite slopes, the terraced beds of the gardens travel all the way down to the edge of the ocean and boast many exotic plants from places such as the Canary Islands, South Africa and Mexico.  
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Pendennis Castle
27Jan

Planning For The Summer Holidays

Summer Holidays

Summer may seem a long way off and the weather outside is certainly not swimsuit grade yet. Nevertheless, it is never too early to start planning and what better to cheer you up than getting the holiday booked and out of the way? After all, you’ve been working hard and you deserve the perfect holiday for you and your family. Make sure that you get everything sorted and there are no hiccups! Here are a few tips that will help you plan for the best time to suit everyone.

Location

The first thing you’ll want to establish is exactly where you want to go and what you want to do. Focusing on the latter, your location should be based on what exactly you want to do on your holiday, giving your plans a structure. This avoids you just showing up and realising there is nothing there that interests you. For example, you wouldn’t go to Spain if you wanted to ski, so make sure that everyone is on board and the activities that you want to complete are going to be provided in the area. Another important aspect of choosing the location of your holiday is where you want to be staying there. You should look at hotels that are relatively close to everything you want to do while on holiday, so there is no unnecessarily long road trips or walks to waste your time instead of enjoying yourself. Sometimes you can’t have everything though, so make sure that you have travel plans and know the best routes and methods of getting to locations beforehand.

Reservations

What’s worse than travelling all the way to say, a nice restaurant and then being turned down because you didn’t make a reservation? That’s correct! Finding out that the hotel you had your heart set on has no more room because you didn’t plan ahead in time and reserve yourself a spot. If this does happen you’ll find that all your other plans may be affected as you might have to find somewhere further away or in an entirely different town. This can be a real shame and can bring on the holiday blues, so try to avoid this by simply giving yourself plenty of time not to worry and book your hotel as soon as possible. You should also consider any transport you might need to take, whether it’d be renting a car or travelling publicly via plane/coach/boat, and is well booked in advance. Nothing ruins a holiday faster than not being able to get there or do any of the activities. Don’t leave booking transport till last minute, as if you have paid for everything else not only do you not get to have your holiday, but you lose out on all the money you’ve spent.

Activities

Girl jumping on a beach As mentioned earlier, you should make sure that the area you are visiting includes the activities you want to complete, and it should be easy to organise it around your time. The activities you do should be more than one-sided. This is so that you are getting the most of the summer fun out of your holiday and enjoy more time with the family. For example, activities like bike riding are fun for the entire family, but they can be enjoyed along with going to the beach or can lead to the next activity. Activities should be enjoyable to both adults and children, especially during the school holidays within summer! You should consider flexibility when booking activities, alongside having backups in place just in case anything happens that could cause plans to change. Things like what the weather is going to be like and how bad the traffic is going to be are not always predictable. Problems can occur, so having plans in place that are flexible can help you to avoid being stuck doing nothing. Not all activities may be for you and your family as well. Consider looking into a various range of activities that everyone will enjoy.

Insurance

Family under insurance umbrella This is especially important if travelling abroad! Not all countries have the privilege of free national health. You don’t want to add a bunch of hospital fees to your souvenir list! Everyone is susceptible to getting ill, and this is especially true when on holiday as you may come across an illness your body is not used to. This alone can ruin the holiday let alone having no insurance and having to pay out of your own pocket. Also, if you don’t have insurance, the likelihood of you being seen as soon as possible is very slim and you may end up having to stay there for a while. This affects the whole family and can lead to problems at home. This can vary from work-related dates to missing other important plans. Make sure you have good travel insurance and read between the lines so you aren’t left in the dust! Travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver in some cases. There are some really nasty diseases out there and they are more likely to infect you, especially if it is your first time visiting a new location. If you don’t have good travel insurance, you may get stuck in a hospital which may have low standards, alongside not receiving the best medical treatment possible. This can further delay going home and can lead to your problem getting worse. This is a terrible cycle leaving you with massive bills and even in rare cases can lead to permanent health problems. This is the last thing you need, so do the sensible thing and get your whole family insured on a good plan!  
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