East Cornwall.
The two main ways of getting into Cornwall are via the A 30 to the North or via Plymouth/Saltash to the South.
The northern gateway will bring you close to Tintagel, the legendary castle of King Arthur . The small village affords some parking notably opposite the post office. Further on is Port Isaac, which has attracted a good many filmakers ( Poldark, Saving Grace and Doc Martin among others ).
Continuing down the coast brings you to Rock, Padstow and the Camel Estuary. Miles of golden sand, the busy fishing harbour of Padstow made famous by Rick Stein . Even David Cameron holidays across the Estuary at Rock. Also home to Sharps brewery. Don't forget to cycle along the Camel trail passing Wadebridge on the way.
Continuing down the coast brings you to Rock, Padstow and the Camel Estuary. Miles of golden sand, the busy fishing harbour of Padstow made famous by Rick Stein . Even David Cameron holidays across the Estuary at Rock. Also home to Sharps brewery. Don't forget to cycle along the Camel trail passing Wadebridge on the way.
The southern gateway will naturally lead you to Looe and Polperro, the two pearls of the South Coast.
Looe animated, colourful, brimming with life local and visiting, Polperro delightfully quaint, pocket size, whitewashed and timeless. The coast path joining the two makes an ideal day out. Looe is renown for shark fishing, Polperro made a name until recently in smuggling.
Bodmin Moor occupies the middle ground, dramatically beautiful, windswept cheese-ringed summits, hidden valley and dark lakes. Stone rings, holy wells, miles of walking, don't forget the picnic.
Mid Cornwall.
Coming from the North you will pass the ancient stannary town of Loswithiel. well worth a stopover, with two historic houses nearby: Restormel Castle (medieval English Heritage) and Lanhydrock ( 18th rebuilt in the 19th, National Trust ). It lies at the head of the Fowey river which reaches the sea at Fowey ( coming from the South you would cross there on the ferry ). Fowey is at the heart of Daphnée du Maurier country.
On the north side there is Newquay, for those of you who have come for the surf there lies the capital, both in atmosphere and in waves, in and out of the water.
On the side, its a lot quieter, with the fishing village of Mevagissey, not as quaint as Polperro some will argue, but it has it's staunch supporters and not far distant are the Lost Gardens of Heligan
The gem is in the middle, occupying a number of abandoned china clay mining pits is the Eden Project, you have all heard about it, so don't miss your chance to visit it .
West Cornwall.
Truro is the capital, and it deserves to be . Here the sea meets the land, miners and traders met their bankers, the city meets the countryside, the country folk come shopping. From its quays the tide flows out to Falmouth, a river trip well worth taking.
Just South of Falmouth lies the entrance of the most spectacular river in Cornwall, The Helford, lined with country houses and tropical gardens.Standing guard at the entrance stands Pendennis Castle largely built by Henry VIII to keep Spain at bay. They went for Mousehole instead !
Round the coast again, and its the Lizard, the mythical entry point to the English Channel, The southern most point of the Isles, the last repose of many wrecked sailors.
From there on, water is everywhere, only a handful of miles separate North, West and South coast. Creeks coves, beaches everywhere. Engine houses perilously perched on cliff hedges, this was once upon a time the heartland of tin and copper mining. Helston and Porthleven in the South, Penzance in the West, St Ives to the north, the motorhomer is spoilt for choice. Granite outcrops and merry maiden stone circles dot the landscape. The coat past ( 286 miles of it ) goes right round all this in a spectacular succession of landscapes.notable spots include Mousehole, Porthcurno and the Minack Theater, Land's End, and Zennor.
Just South of Falmouth lies the entrance of the most spectacular river in Cornwall, The Helford, lined with country houses and tropical gardens.Standing guard at the entrance stands Pendennis Castle largely built by Henry VIII to keep Spain at bay. They went for Mousehole instead !
Round the coast again, and its the Lizard, the mythical entry point to the English Channel, The southern most point of the Isles, the last repose of many wrecked sailors.
From there on, water is everywhere, only a handful of miles separate North, West and South coast. Creeks coves, beaches everywhere. Engine houses perilously perched on cliff hedges, this was once upon a time the heartland of tin and copper mining. Helston and Porthleven in the South, Penzance in the West, St Ives to the north, the motorhomer is spoilt for choice. Granite outcrops and merry maiden stone circles dot the landscape. The coat past ( 286 miles of it ) goes right round all this in a spectacular succession of landscapes.notable spots include Mousehole, Porthcurno and the Minack Theater, Land's End, and Zennor.
