There is so much more to Cornwall than just fabulous scenery and beautiful beaches. The history of this county is rich and vivid, and never more so than when remnants of its past are stumbled upon during rambling walks through the countryside.
Towns and villages that date back hundreds of years, with stories of wreckers and legends of old are there to be imagined when walking through narrow winding streets down to the harbour. And to bring you bang up to date there are modern art galleries to discover plus fantastic shopping with high street stores and unique boutiques and craft shops cheek by jowl.
Fascinating facts about Cornwall
- Cornwall is Britainâs most south-westerly county â it is right on the tip
- Cornwall has over 300 beaches
- Some of Cornwallâs beaches have waves that can reach over 25ft â thatâs higher than a house!
- Cornwall has the longest coastline in Great Briton â it measures 697km
- Cornwall is almost an island as it is surrounded by sea on three sides
- 7,000,000,000,000,000 grains of sand lie on Perranporth Beach on the north coast in Cornwall
- Cornwall has its own language â it is not widely spoken but is taught in schools! Dydh da. That means âhelloâ in Cornish!
- Cornwall has its own flag which is called the St Piran. It is black with a white cross and represents white lines of tin between dark molten rocks (see above)
Interesting historical facts on Cornwall
- Richard Trevithick built the first ever steam engine â it first ran in Camborne on Christmas Eve 1801
- The Cornish Pasty was first made for Cornish miners. It was traditionally half savoury and half sweet and the miners held them on the crust, eating everything around it and them throwing the crust away â this wasnât because they didnât like the crust but to avoid eating the poisonous chemicals which were covered on their hands from mining.
- China clay was discovered in Cornwall by William Cookworthy in 1745. it is now Cornwallâs largest export (other than the pasty!).
- In the 1900s half of the worlds tin came from Cornwall
Things to see and do in Cornwall
Blue Reef Aquarium
Website
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Discover the excitement and romance of Steam Travel on the Bodmin 6.5 mile Branch Lines. Special events include Easter Fun Weekend, visit of `Thomas´. The Railway is typical of a branch line in the 1950´s. Great Western steam tank engines are the main locomotives to be seen here but diesel traction is also used, particularly on Saturdays. The engine sheds are here, as well as a souvenir shop and refreshment room in the restored station buildings.
General Station, Bodmin, PL31 1AQ
Website
The Colossal Cornish Market World
A huge array of stalls all under one roof. With all the usual market stalls you would expect to see plus lots more unusual ones. Spend a day perusing the goods on offer, you´ll be sure to find some bargains. Take advantage of the food and drinks stalls to revive before continuing your shopping experience.
Stadium Retail Park, Par, St Austell, PL25 3RP
Website
Cornwallâs Crealy Great Adventure Park
Website
Dairyland Farm World
Enjoy the fun of an all weather attraction providing entertainment for all ages – So much more for the whole family to enjoy… rain or shine.
DairyLand will be open from the 1st April until the 1st Nov 2009 10am to 5pm 7 days a week.
DairyLand Farm World, Nr Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5AA
Website
Eden Project
Eden is a gateway into the fascinating world of plants and people and a vibrant reminder of how we need each other for our mutual survival. Its home is a dramatic global garden the size of thirty football pitches, nestling like a lost world in a crater overlooking St Austell Bay. Outside in the landscaped grounds you will find tea and lavender, sunflowers and hemp. It is a place to tell a hundred plant stories from cocoa and coffee to bananas and rubber. From plants and medicine to plants in construction, from paper and wine and from perfume to brewing.
Bodelva, St Austell, PL24 2SG
Website
Flambards Experience-Victorian Village & Gardens
Explore over 50 life-size Victorian shops, homes and traders set in cobbled streets with carriages and fashions, or visit the Britain in the Blitz Exhibition and War Galleries showing Cornish involvement in WWII. Also enjoy adult and children´s rides from the gentle to the daring, live entertainment, shows and amusements all set in award-winning gardens.
Culdrose Manor, Helston, TR13 0QA
Website
Land´s End
Combine natural beauty and stunning scenery with 5 fantastic visitor attractions including the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition with many of the actual props costumes and monsters from the hit BBC programme; The Return to the Last Labyrinth multi-sensory theatre show; the Air Sea Rescue simulation show; Greeb farm; and the End to End Story. There is also the West Country Shopping Village that is full of quality clothing, jewellery, souvenirs and local produce. Plus there is the famous signpost, cafes and restaurants.
Lands End, Sennen, Penzance, TR19 7AA
Website
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Extensive Victorian pleasure grounds, a 22 acre sub-tropical Jungle valley brimming with exotic foliage, a pioneering wildlife conservation project, plus woodland, wetland and farm walks through beautiful and sustainably-managed Cornish countryside.
Pentewan, St Austell, PL26 6EN
Website
The Monkey Sanctuary
The Monkey Sanctuary Trust is a unique environmental charity dedicated to promoting the welfare, conservation and survival of primates.  The Trust is based at The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, UK. The Sanctuary is currently home to four species of monkey: woolly monkeys, ex-pet capuchins, patas monkeys and barbary macaques. The Trust provides advice and support for primate rescue centres around the world.
The Monkey Sanctuary Trust, The Monkey Sanctuary, St Martins, Looe, PL13 1NZ
Website
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Located on the edge of Falmouth´s stunning harbour, the Museum is a hands-on, 21st century, new generation of visitor attraction that will appeal to landlubbers and sailors alike. More than just a museum about boats, it´s all about the sea, boats and Cornwall. With breathtaking views from the 29m tower, the only natural underwater tidal zone in Europe, a stunning flying display of boats, hands-on activities, audio visual immersive experiences, talks, special exhibitions, sailing cruises, this Museum has something for everyone.
Discovery Quay, Falmouth, TR11 3QY
Website
Newquay Zoo
Explore a rainforest in the tropical house where you discover birds, sloths, reptiles and many other fascinating animals. Amongst exotic lakeside gardens live hundreds of animals. Look out for meerkats on sentry duty, penguins in their pool and glimpse endangered lemurs and fossa. Enjoy feeding time talks and animal encounters. Events are run throughout the year.
Trenance Gardens, Newquay, TR7 2LZ
Website
Paradise Park
Paradise Park was established in 1973 as a tropical bird garden, and since then otters, red pandas, native red squirrels and the rare Cornish Chough can all be seen here. The âFun Farmâ is a favourite with children, and daily events bring visitors closer to the wildlife. The Park is set around a Victorian walled garden, and features tropical plants which thrive in Cornwallâs mild climate.
16 Trelissick Road, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB
Website
Pendennis Castle
Website
Tate St Ives
The gallery is within walking distance of St Ives town centre and Portmeor Beach. Lots of fun for all the family.
Website
Tintagel Castle
Located on one of England´s most dramatic coastlines, the 13th century remains of the Castle are breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The stout walls, steep stone steps encircle the Great Hall, where Richard, Earl of Cornwall once feasted. Long before the castle was built, Tintagel was associated with the legend of King Arthur and today there are still so many unanswered questions and legends surrounding this historic site.
Tintagel, PL34 0DB
Website
Events in Cornwall in 2009
4 â 5 July – Saltash Regatta and Waterside Festival
Saltash
www.saltashregatta.co.uk
Fun on the water and on dry land â gig racing, craft fair, continental market, music and much, much more.
Various dates July – Eden Sessions
Eden Project, St Austell
www.edenproject.com
Set against the backdrop of the famous biomes Eden Sessions have attracted some famous names â the 2009 line-up includes Oasis, The Kooks, Razorlight and Kasabian.
13th July – Stithians Agricultural Show
17-19 July – Whiteford Music Festival
Stoke Climsland, Callington
www.whitefordfestival.co.uk
A stunning arched auditorium set within beautiful parkland provides the venue for the Whiteford Music Festival. Whatever your music tastes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
24-26 July – Boconnoc Steam Fair
Boconnoc Estate, Lostwithiel
www.lsvc.org
Traction engines, miniature steam engines, classic, vintage and veteran cars, on show, together with a craft and model trade stands and a vintage fairground.
24-26 July – Port Eliot Litfest
Port Eliot Estate, St Germans
www.porteliotlitfest.com
There are plenty of books and a great deal of soul at the Port Eliot Litfest. This is the 6th year of the festival and by now it has hit a groove that makes other literary festivals seem just a tiny bit dull by comparison. The Festival has something for everyone.
26th July â 7th August – St Endellion Summer Music Festival
29 July – RNAS Culdrose Air Day
Helston
www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show
Traction engines, miniature steam engines, classic, vintage and veteran cars, on show, together with a craft and model trade stands and a vintage fairground.
2 August – Classic Car Show and Fayre
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
www.fomecp.org.uk / www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk
With a wide selection of original classic vehicles the fayre offers a variety of entertainment for all the family.
8-15 August – Henri-Lloyd Falmouth Week
Falmouth
www.falmouthweek.co.uk
The largest sailing regatta in the South West with racing in the harbour, in the bay and loads of shoreside events.
14-16 August (TBC) – West of England Steam Rally
St Agnes
www.weses.co.uk
Annual steam rally bringing together a rare collection of vintage steam engines. Potters, Woodturners and a traditional fun fair.
16-22 August – Fowey Regatta & Carnival Week
Fowey
www.foweyroyalregatta.co.uk
Events on the Town Quay and midweek carnival processions, this is very much a family regatta. Includes a display by the Red Arrows with the week ending with a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour.
29 August -5 September – Bude Jazz Festival
Bude
www.budejazzfestival.co.uk
New Orleans comes to Cornwall! Bude is the small and unspoilt seaside town on Cornwallâs beautiful Atlantic Coast that hosts one of Britainâs leading jazz festivals
12-26 September – St Ives September Festival
St Ives
www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk
A festival of art and music featuring a wide and diverse range of events and activities including talks, films, poetry, jazz, classical, rock and folk music.
Monday 14 September – Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay
Surf meets turf in a reprise of one of the most spectacular beach events ever held.
14th â 18th October – Lowender Peran Celtic Festival
25-27 September (TBC) – Cornwall Food and Drink Festival
Truro
www.cornwallfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Food marquee and cookery demonstrations – celebrating the very best of Cornish food and drink â.
3-4 October – Boscastle Food, Arts and Crafts Festival
Boscastle
www.visitboscastle.co.uk
A Festival with lashings of fresh food, harbour fun and evening frolics.
5-9 October – Boscastle Walking Week
Boscastle
www.visitboscastle.co.uk
A âPick and Mixâ of walks and activities in the Boscastle area.
11-13 October (TBC) – Newquay Fish Festival
Newquay
www.newquayfishfestival.co.uk
Live bands and entertainers, cooking demonstrations from top Newquay chefs, Local fish and produce stalls.
15-18 October (TBC) – Falmouth Oyster Festival
Falmouth
www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk
Celebrates the start of the oyster season the Festival has a broad appeal and is a must for all oyster, seafood and marine heritage enthusiasts – come and enjoy lunch and savour the atmosphere!
7 Nov â 13 Dec (TBC) – Taste South East Cornwall
Looe and Polperro
www.taste-southeastcornwall.com
Looe is preparing to show its foodie colours with a month long celebration of the areaâs produce and cuisine. âTaste South East Cornwallâ, brings together local producers, restaurateurs and businesses for a gastro-extravaganza.
For more information on these and many, many more attractions, visit the following websites:
www.visitcornwall.com
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