Cornwall
Cornwall is one of Britain's most popular holiday destinations. A rugged
peninsula that stretches out into warm waters of the Gulfstream, Cornwall
has a unique micro climate that distinguishes the county from the rest
of the UK. Cornwall has something for everyone, fantastic beaches, clear
blue seas, rugged cliffs, fantastic coastal walks and stunning moorlands.
You can experience great family holidays on the beaches at St Ives,
Newquay, Bude and Looe or marvel at the history and legends of Tintagel.
We have something for everyone in the County, whether you are a family
looking for a great holiday destination, or backpackers looking for
remote cliff top walks.
- Bude
Bude on Cornwall's north coast is the ultimate destination for those
looking for beach holidays. At low tide Summerleaze beach appears
to stretch as far as the eye can see, a vibrant mix of surfers, body
boarders and families simply paddling in the waves or simply sitting
on the beach enjoying the sunshine - all watched over by a dedicated
team of Cornish life Guards. The Bude Canal leads from the locks on
the beach, back into the arable land of North Cornwall. You can hire
a boat and explore this tranquil water way or simply sit in the café
on the canal bank and watch the world go by whilst enjoying a quiet
snack. The canal is a firm favourite with Anglers, who sit patiently
along the banks, pitting their skills against the carp. Bude is an
excellent holiday destination, with ample parking in the town, plenty
of shops, superb beaches and a location that gives easy access to
both North Cornwall and Devon.
- Tintagel
Tintagel is one of Cornwall's most well known destinations. Linked
to the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Tintagel
Castle is believed to be the location of Arthur's Camelot. The castle
is a fascinating place to explore - managed by English Heritage, it
is located on an island promontory, accessed via a small bridge. Tintagel
village has a range of shops and exhibits selling artefacts and trinkets
linked to the legend. Tintagel is a very popular tourist destination,
with ample parking and facilities. This is a great place to visit
and explore the coastal path, particularly the walk from Tintagel
to Trebarwith Strand, passing the old slate quarries which cut deeply
into the cliffs.
 Port
Isaac
Port Isaac on Cornwall's North Coast is the quintessential fishing
village. Tucked away into a small cove that protects it from the Atlantic
Swells, the village radiates out from the small harbour, up the sides
of a steep valley.
The main street winds its way down the eastern edge of the harbour,
lined with picturesque cottages and small shops. Around the harbour
there are cafes and two inns. There is ample Car parking at the top
of the village - but it is a long descent down to the harbour.
Port Isaac is well known as the village of Port Wenn in the
Doc Martin TV series and has appeared in several films
and documentaries. Port Isaac attracts thousands of visitors each
year through this connection - .
- Polzeath
Polzeath at the mouth of the Camel Estuary is a very popular family
beach and a surfer's paradise. The long gently shelving
beach with its westerly aspect is the ideal spot for Surfing and Body
boarding. The beach is also a great holiday destination for families,
with a vast expanse of clean sand. The cliffs that run along the sides
of the beach have many little sheltered coves, very popular with families.
There are shops, cafes and facilities at the end of the beach, and
ample parking above the beach on the cliff top. This is a large beach
so there is always space available for the holiday maker, what ever
the time of year. The beach is patrolled by Life Guards.
  Padstow
Padstow is one of Cornwall's premier destinations. The town is a maze
of narrow streets that emanate from the small picturesque harbour.
People love to come down to the quayside, stroll around the many shops
or simply enjoy the waterside ambience.
There are some great family beaches just outside of Padstow at Harbour
Cove or you can take the ferry across the river to the
beaches at Rock and Daymer Bay. Padstow is surrounded
by some of Cornwall's best beaches, at Harlyn, Trevone and Constantine
Bay.
Padstow is the start ( or End) of The Camel Trail, a cycleway created
on an unused railway line, that ends on the quayside at Padstow, you
can hire bikes and cycle along the trail, following the estuary to
Wadebridge and for the more energetic onto Bodmin Moor.
Rick Stein has a number of restaurants in the town, which are
very popular and generally need booking in advance. Padstow is the
home of the Lobster Hatchery, where you can see young lobster
being "grown on" prior to release in the waters around the
Cornish Coast.
 The
Camel Trail - Cycle Route
The Camel Trail is a very successful cycle trail created on a disused
railway that once ran from Bodmin Moor down to Wadebridge and then
along the western edge of the scenic Camel Estuary into the heart
of Padstow.
Exploring The Camel Trail, is a great day out for the family, with
cycle hire and ample parking available in both Wadebridge and Padstow.
The most popular section is the gentle gradient between Padstow and
Wadebridge. The trail runs along the scenic estuary, with plenty of
places to stop and admire the view along the way. Which ever route
you choose, there are plenty of facilities, cafes and shops at either
Wadebridge or Padstow. The more energetic can follow the route from
Wadebridge up into the hills around Bodmin. The "Borough Arms"
at Dunmere being an ideal refreshment stop on this section of the
Camel Trail
- Newquay
Newquay is a very popular holiday destination. Famous for its beaches
and night life, Newquay has a dual personality. Fistral Beach is Newquay's
most famous beach, popular with sun worshippers and surfers. There
are several beaches in Newquay, all ideal for swimming and surfing.
Newquay has a vibrant and eclectic collection of shops, cafes, bars,
restaurants and discos. Newquay is well known for its very active
nightlife with many nightclubs and discos. The town has an active
harbour and fishing boats still ply their trade for the town. The
"Run To The Sun Festival" is an annual event
that sees the lanes of Cornwall filled with VW camper vans all heading
towards Newquay.
Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium is a "must see" destination.
Set right of the beach, there are fascinating displays of marine life
and exhibits, including "walk through" tunnels that let
you experience the display from the fishes point of view.
Newquay Zoo is a small friendly zoo located on the outskirts on
the town. At newquay Zoo, you can see over 130 animal species from
African Lions to Penguins, all set in a stunning sub-tropical garden.
It is a firm favourite with families, with Children's play area, events,
cafes and restaurants & easy access. If you visit Cornwall with
children, then this is an attraction that you should definitely place
on your itinerary.
 Perranporth
Perranporth is the ideal destination for family beach Holidays
with two miles of golden sands to explore, which lead into an
extensive sand dune system as you move towards Penhale sands.
The beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the holiday season.
There is a natural tidal pool below the cliffs at Chapel Rock near
to the Perranporth Arch rock formation. Be sure to visit Perranporth's
Millennium Sundial (The Droskyn Sundial) located on the
cliffs above the beach.
There are facilities in the village, and conveniently close to the
beach there is the tented frontage of the "Watering Hole",
which serves food through out the day. There is car parking adjacent
to the Watering Hole. The Novel "Poldark" was wriiten
by Winston Graham whilst he lived in Perranporth.
- Hayle
Hayle is a small town on the Hayle Estuary, in its hey day it was
a very active industrial area, but now its has a supporting role,
providing shops and services (banks, post office) for the people who
come to enjoy the golden beaches of the estuary.
Hayle Sands is a vast beach that stretches for 3 miles from
the mouth of the Hayle Estuary, to Gwithian Sands and the National
Trust's Godrevy Point along the coast. This whole section of
coast is a sports enthusiasts dream, with people involved in surfing,
body boarding, kite surfing coasteering and swimming along the whole
stretch of the coast. The area is patrolled by Life guards in the
summer months.
  There
is ample parking at various points along the sand dune system from
Hayle to Gwithian and Godrevy, with Surf hire and café available
at both location.
This whole section of beach and sand dunes has stunning views from
Godreavy Lighthouse across to St Ives. Godrevy lighthouse used
as the inspiration in Virginia Woolf's novel 'To the Lighthouse'
-though the location was changed to Scotland.
Hayle Towans is a vast stretch of Sand Dunes that leads from the town
out towards Gwithian. The area around Hayle Towans is designated as
Place of Special Scientific Interest, as the Ecosytem System has a
very diverse range of fauna and flora.
- St Ives
St. Ives has long been established as the jewel in Cornwall's crown.
A cluster of narrow alleyways leading from a small harbour has blossomed
into one of the countries most popular destinations.
  There
is a quality in the light at St Ives that creates a Mediterranean
feel to life in the town. The quality of light in St Ives has attracted
many artists to the town over the years. St Ives has superb beaches
- warmed by the Gulf Stream, a picturesque harbour and quant street,
lined with shops and cafes selling all kinds of memorabilia and gifts.
Porthmeor Beach is a popular surfing location.
There is a large car park at the top of the town, with a short walk
down to the harbour. A shuttle service runs between the town and the
car park.
You can relax on the beach or in one of the many cafes or explore
the narrow streets around "Downalong". Small boats busily
take people from the harbour to view the seals or on longer fishing
trips.
Tate Gallery - St Ives
In recognition of the pivotal role that St Ives has played in
the art world, The Tate established a gallery in town - on the site
of the old gas works, over looking Porthmeor Beach.
The Gallery has displays that range from the primitive style encompassed
by the paintings of Alfred Wallis to the abstract art of Hepworth.
The Gallery is an internationally important collection of painting
and sculpture, that captures the energy and influences provided by
the light, land and sea of the Lands End Peninsula and St Ives. There
is a café in the gallery, with panoramic views across Porthmeor
Beach and the sea.
Barbara Hepworth Museum
- Lands End
Lands End Visitor Attraction
Sennen Cove
- Penzance
- St Michael's Mount
- The Lizard
Mullion Cove
Kynance Cove
Cadgwith
Coverack
- Falmouth
- Mevagissey
Charlestown
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
- The Eden Project
- Looe
- Polperro
Devon
- Lynton & Lynmouth
- Exmoor
- Ilfracombe
- Croyde
- Westward Ho!
- Clovelly
- Dartmoor National Park
- Plymouth
- Salcombe
- Slapton ley
- Dartmouth
- Brixham
  Torquay
Torquay is the heart of the English Riviera, famous for its beaches
and palms. This is the perfect holiday destination, mild climate,
fabulous attractions and plenty of things to keep a family occupied
throughout the whole season. Torquay is a great place for families
with 20 beaches located nearby.
Life in Torquay revolves around the main harbour - you can take trips
across the bay to Paignton and Brixham or simply watch the activity
on the water from one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants that
are located around the harbours edges.
   The
Living Coast - a coastal zoo with displays of birdlife and marine
life from around the world is a great place to visit. Located next
to Haldon Pier, The Living Coasts is a super family day out. Part
of Paignton Zoo, this is a superb holiday attraction, with both indoor
and outdoor exhibits.
You can stroll through the habitats; watch the Penguins, Auks and
other seabirds. A fantastic day out with amazing views across the
bay towards Paignton.
Torquay Harbour - a hive of activity with over 500 boats berthed
in the marina or inner harbour. This is a great place to watch the
water sports and day sailing craft being launched from Beacon Quay
or to take a trip on one of the many ferries that run between Paington
and Brixham and Dartmouth sailing from Haldon Pier. The ferries are
a great way to explore the coast, weather its a simple trip across
the bay to Brixham or Paignton, or a longer trip round Berryhead to
Dartmouth, Kingswear and the River Dart, you will always get a sense
of wonder and excitement.
- Paignton
Paignton Zoo
- Teignmouth
- Dawlish
- Exeter
- Sidmouth
- Beer
- Seaton
Dorset
- Weymouth
- Portland
- Lyme Regis
- Charmouth
- Bournemouth
- Poole
- Jurrasic Coast
Somerset
The "land of the Summer people". Somerset is
a scenic and varied landscape.
- Weston-super-Mare
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Minehead
- Wookey Hole
- Chedder Gorge
- Fleet Air Arm Museum
- Wells Cathedral
- West Somerset Railway
- The Roman Baths - Bath
- Bridgewater Carnival
-
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey holds a special place in English history,
linked to both Arthurian Legend and the story of Holy Grail. At
one time Glastonbury was one of the wealthiest Abbeys in Britain
owning land across the south west - including St Georges Island
near Looe, where they had chapel on the island and and the foreshore
at Hannafore. In the Holy Grail legend, Joseph of Arimathea, travelled
to England with the Holy Grail.
Landing at St Georges Island - Looe, he then travelled acros
the southwest to Glastonbury. At Wearyall Hill, (located by the
main A361 in Glastonbury), he rested, driving his staff into the
ground - by the following morning the staff had taken root growing
into the "Glastonbury Thorn". For safe keeping, he buried
the Grail below the nearby Glastonbury Tor. The search for the Holy
Grail became one of the corner stones of the Arthurian legend and
the Abbey claimed to have found the grave of Arthur whilst monks
were excavating in the cemetery, discovering an oak coffin containg
the bodies of a man and a woman - Arthur and Guinevere, with an
inscription reading "His iacet inclitus Arturius in insula
Avalonia" (" Here lies King Arthur, buried in Avalon")
on a stone tablet found, next to the casket.
With the links to Joseph of Arimathea and belief that he had established
earliest British Christian Community at the Abbey - along with the
link to Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Abbey became
very wealthy. This wealth and power enabled the monks from Glastonbury
Abbey to take drain the Somerset levels, creating the landscape
that we see today. Click
here for more details....
- Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor is one of the most striking landscape features
of the Somerset levels. Dominating the skyline, it is clearly visible
from all parts of the plain. originally a Hill Fort, the Tor has taken
on a mystical nature, with its links to the Grail legend and the proximity
to the "Chalice Well" in nearby Glastonbury. The early history
of the Tor is clearly visible- as earth work terraces, probably defensive
ramparts from the Tors days as a hill fort. The Tor is known to have
been an active iron Age settlement, though evidence of occupation
during the Neolithic have been unearthed. Later, two phases of contruction
were carried out at the summit, with the current tower surving from
the second 15thC construction of the church of St Michael.
For further details of Glastonbury Tor click here
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