Calling all Trailblazers and lovers of the Path – join our Trailblazer Walk and help celebrate our 50th anniversary and 50 years of protecting, caring for and sharing the amazing South West Coast Path!

Join the South West Coast Path Association 50th Anniversary Trailblazer Walk  – an epic 630 mile relay hike which is open to anyone and everyone.  You can join just a morning or afternoon walk on your favourite stretch of the Path or take on a number of sections. The walk starts in Minehead on 12 May and South Haven Point on 27 May with a finish point at Royal William Yard, Plymouth on 15 June where the charity will celebrate its golden milestone.
It is FREE to take part but there are limited spaces per walk and booking is essential.
Grab your ticket on Eventbrite 

There is so much to see in Cornwall, the county is vast, varied and stunning, so it really helps to have local knowledge if you really want to see the treasures of coast and moor.

Barry Pengelly and his company, Cornwall Discovery Tours, are a brilliant way to tour Cornwall. He has the local experience, insight and historical knowledge that makes tours so memorable. You only have to take a look at his Tripadviser page to see that.  His tours are favoured especially by our friends across the pond–American’s can sometimes be stunned by our tiny twisting roads–but anyone from out of county can be overwhelmed when driving here!

His bespoke guided tours of Cornwall can be tailored to your needs. Barry is even happy to collect you from the airport and take you to your accommodation, and he’ll venture out of county if that’s helpful too!

 

Whether your interest is seeing Cornwall as a film set, at Doc Martin and the Fisherman’s Friends’ Port Isaac, or touring the county’s award winning breweries and vineyards, you can create a unique experience. The idea of being able to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip is really quite appealing to most people!

The real gem though of Cornwall Discovery Tours is Barry himself, such warm host, whose chatter is filled with anecdotes that make your trip so memorable. For instance, Tripadviser shows 109 reviews rated as ‘Excellent’ and just one at ‘Very Good’!  With comments like; “After spending several days with Barry, we understood why he gets rave reviews. Barry is Cornwall!”

Certainly something to consider if you are new to the county or want to really know the locals’ Cornwall.

Rosamunde Scott was born in 1924 in the small village of Lelant in Cornwall. She spent many happy times growing up on the cliffs and beaches, and the Cornish landscape had a profound influence on her. In 1946 she married her husband, Graham Hope Pilcher, and moved to the opposite end of the British Isles, to Dundee in Scotland.

She began publishing some of her writings in 1949, first under the pseudonym Jane Fraser, and then under her own name. Although living in Scotland, the landscape and scenery of her childhood in Cornwall provide the setting for many of Pilcher’s stories. Pilcher went on to sell more than 60 million books worldwide.
Pilcher’s books have been turned into television series and films. These programs are particularly popular in Germany, where over 160 television series based on Pilcher’s works have been produced. Sunday evenings are even affectionally known in Germany as ‘Rosamunde Pilcher Night’, and her shows attract a weekly audience of 7 million viewers.
Picher country is so popular that 350,000 German tourists visit Cornwall every year, and two-thirds of all foreign visitors who come to Cornwall are from either Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Below can be seen some of the scenic locations across Cornwall that serve as the backgrounds to the Rosamunde Pilcher films and television series.

Prideaux Place

If Rosamunde Picher fans were pilgrims then Prideaux Place would be the Holy Land. The Elizabethan country house has been used as a filming location in numerous Pilcher series

The house is situated near the fishing village of Padstow, and lies on the south bank of the Camel River. Built in 1592, and comprised of 81 rooms, the house sits in its own estate of 3,500 acres. The current owner of the Prideaux estate, Peter Prideaux-Brune, has featured in several of the series, his roles to date include: chauffeur, gin taster and coroner.

Prideaux Place, its grounds, the nearby town of Padstow have all been used as settings. If you are a fan and plan on visiting Cornwall then Prideaux Place is a must-see location.

More informationprideauxplace.co.uk

Padstow

Very close to Prideaux Place, on the banks of the Camel Estuary, lies the picturesque town of Padstow. This town grew as a fishing port and, while some fishing vessels still harbour here, it now accommodates more modern and luxurious yachts alongside the traditional fleet.  In addition to being a stop on the Pilcher tour Padstow is a tourist destination in its own right, known for its stunning views across the Camel Estuary and as the home of Rick Stein’s fish restaurants.

More informationpadstowlive.com
         

Bedruthan Steps

North of Newquay, on the North Coast, lies Bedruthan Steps. Also known as Pentire Steps, or its Cornish name of Carnewas, this is probably the most awe inspiring and dramatic setting on our list of locations. It consists of a series of geological stacks, which rise out of the sands across the bay. Each of the stacks has a name, such as: Queen BessSamaritan IslandRedcove IslandPendarves Island, and Carnewas Island.
The name ‘Bedruthan’ it has been said comes from a mythological giant, who used the stacks as steppingstones. The earliest records of this myth, however, indicate that it was most likely invented to entertain the Victorian tourists of the last 19th Century. The name itself is more likely to have originally been the name of one of the miners paths that lead up the cliff from the beach.
Steps leading to the beach were covered by a rock fall, and unfortunately there is currently no safe way down. However, the views from the top of the cliff are still astounding!
TO VIEW THE FULL ARTICLE AND SEE ALL OF THE FILMING LOCATIONS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
TO VIEW THE FULL ARTICLE IN GERMAN, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Congratulations to 3 of our Members who gained Awards at the Cornwall Tourism Awards ceremony on 3rd February 2022.

Old Barn Tregonetha won the Silver Award for Self-catering Accommodation of the Year.

Coswarth House won the Silver Award for B&B and Guest House of the Year.

The National Lobster Hatchery won the Silver Award for Wildlife Friendly Tourism Business.

The National Lobster Hatchery   

 

One of our members, Stephen Chidgey, has long been something of a role model for Cornish tourism, having been a regular winner in the Cornwall, Southwest and Visit England awards since 2014. His self catering cottage The Old Barn in Tregonetha, boasts a range of eco features that include a ground source heat pump, solar panels, rainwater harvesting and electric charging points.

As someone who believes wholeheartedly in a sustainable, ethical approach that provides customers with an outstanding value-for-money service, he has now gone one step further. Stephen has long been a supporter of Cornwall Air Ambulance – a vital community charity that helps visitors as well as residents when they get into difficulty. He has now introduced the opportunity for visitors to The Old Barn to make donations that will help this life-saving local charity. Not only that, Stephen has also pledged to match guest contributions from his own pocket!

To read more about the charity and Stephen’s support for it, click here https://bit.ly/30K4gwJ

TOWN TRAIL

Are you visiting Padstow for the first time and want to know all about it? Or maybe you’ve been before and have wandered around the town looking at the old buildings and wondered about their history? Find out more about Abbey House (the old property over looking the harbour) or discover how the town got its name!  Why not call into our office and find out more – our town trail is approximately 1.5 miles long and should take just over an hour. The printed guide is full of historical details and photos, a bargain at just £2.75!

Please call into our office if we can be of further help about the trail or other local walks. Find us in the Mariner’s Clock Building on South Quay-opposite The Harbour Office.

 

       

   

LITTLE PETHERICK CREEK

A delightful circular route (approximately 5 miles, taking 3 hours) with amazing views of the Camel Estuary, this walk can start from Padstow or Little Petherick.  Be aware that part of the walk is impassable when the tide is high and it can be muddy, but the stunning glimpses of the river make it worth the effort. When starting from Padstow you begin by following The Saints Way-continue along Dennis Lane to the end, where the footpath leads up to the top of Dinas Hill, near to the Queen Victoria Obelisk. From here you follow the footpath along the creek to Little Petherick. Crossing the bridge you will find another footpath on the other side of the creek, which leads you back to the Camel Trail, bringing you back into Padstow across the old iron railway bridge.

Please call into our office for further help. We have a selection of free maps and our town guide or you can buy a delightful printed guide which contains details of the route and historical information about the features you will pass on the walk. Find us in the Mariner’s Clock Building on South Quay-opposite The Harbour Office.

THE JOHN BETJEMAN WALK

If you’d like to explore the other side of the river, this delightful walk of about 3 miles (with alternative routes to extend or shorten your return) could be just right for you. Starting with a ride on the Black Tor Passenger Ferry, across to the other side of the Camel Estuary, this walk takes in St Enodoc Church where the Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman is buried. The mainly flat walk passes through sandy grassland, taking in the site of Bronze Age burial mounds and a Roman encampment.

Please be aware that the ferry departs from 2 different points depending on the state of the tide. Call into our office for further help or to buy our printed guide (75p) which contains details of the route and information about the features you will pass on the walk. You can find us in the Mariner’s Clock Building on South Quay-opposite The Harbour Office.

     

Photos courtesy of Kate Whis www.KateWhisPhotography.co.uk

PADSTOW CIRCULAR WALK-VIA STEPPER POINT

If you’re in the Padstow area and looking for a walk (about 7 miles, but can be shorter) this is not to be missed! Nowhere in Cornwall will you find a greater variety of scenery on a relatively short walk. The first part takes you along the side of the Camel Estuary with views across to Rock, Brea Hill, Daymer Bay and Pentire Point. Turning out of the estuary, the walk continues along the Coast Path along the craggy cliffs towards the village of Trevone before heading back across several fields, towards Padstow, passing the delightful Prideaux Place enroute. At all stages of the walk there are stunning views and glimpses of the estuary that you wouldn’t normally see. The route is clearly waymarked and is suitable for most people.

Please call into our office for further help or to buy our printed guide (£1.75) which contains details of the route and information about the features you will pass on the walk. You can find us in the Mariner’s Clock Building on South Quay-opposite The Harbour Office.

       

Photos courtesy of Kate Whis www.KateWhisPhotography.co.uk

You will be spoilt for choice on art galleries to visit whilst in Padstow, bursting with colour and eye catching works of art here are a few you must see….

Driftwood Contemporary is a small friendly gallery bringing you the finest artworks from some of the nation’s most-loved artists. For nearly two decades this family business in the southwest of the UK has been displaying stunning artwork, bronzes, glass and jewellery.

Quay Art offer a wide range of original art work and limited edition fine art prints from local, national and international published artists as well as their Artist in Residence, Susi Whittaker.  There are also innovative ceramics, stunning sculpture, beautiful glassware and unique gifts for discerning art lovers.

The Drang Gallery since 2010 has developed a ground-breaking reputation in Contemporary Art, working closely with leading contemporary artists, publishers and studios. The galleries present a fast-paced program of events and exhibitions, consistently maintaining a varied rotation of original and editioned work. Working from a diverse stable of artists the gallery aims to combine collectable and investment works by modern masters, combined with a roster of new emerging talent.

Circle Contemporary Is just a short 15 minute drive from Padstow and is situarted on the A39 at Hawksfield.  The Circle Contemporary gallery consists of cool and elegant space on two floors showcasing emerging and well known artists. Circle’s distinct style is shaped by the artists and artisans who’s creativity stems from their living landscape, be it the coast or the countryside.