Most people who visit Cornwall on their holidays are looking for a bit of sun and some lovely scenery, but there is no doubting that Cornwall has more to offer than that. It is a county that is rich in its history and culture, and mining plays a large part in Cornwall’s past. When you are visiting Cornwall it is always great to be able to indulge in the local culture, and we are very fortunate to have a number of Tin mines that are now open to the public.

Perhaps one of the most famous is Poldark Mine. Poldark has been transformed in recent years to become one of the most talked about tourist attractions in Cornwall, and you can now visit the mine and go on an exciting tour of the mine, gaining a fascinating insight into the way the miners used to work back in the 18th century. The people who run the mine tours claim to offer the most atmospheric tours in Britain, and it is certainly true to say that the mine enjoys a rich history that is well worth learning about. Remarkably, many aspects of the mine are still in operation. It is now the only mine in Britain which has a fully working Cornish Beam Pumping engine, and it is still pumping water from the mine all these years on. The mine is still virtually complete in its original workings, so when you visit you really do get a sense of what it must have been like to work the mines.

You will also find a fascinating museum at Poldark which gives you yet more information about the mine and also about mining in general in Cornwall. You can learn all about early tin production in Cornwall as a whole, and also find out more about the archaeology of the mine.
Of course, Poldark is by no means the only mine in Cornwall that is worth visiting, and if you do a little bit of research you will soon discover that there are many more throughout the county. Amazingly at one point, there were hundreds of mines in the county, which is absolutely incredible.
If you are really interested in the mining industry in Cornwall, then a great thing to do is to visit the mineral Tramways that run between Portreath and Devoran. This is the site of the old tramway that serviced several mines and took their findings to what was the port of Devoran, which then shipped the tin all over the world. This tramway is now open to the public, and makes for a beautiful flat walk or bike ride, with many pointers to a forgotten era along the way.

Cornwall’s mining history is rich and diverse, and finding lout a little more about it whilst on holiday can be a deeply rewarding experience.

If you are looking for a nice quiet romantic break this year then look no further than Cornwall. Renowned for being a great place for a romantic break, Cornwall is especially suitable for such a holiday in the autumn and winter months. You will find that the relative quiet of Cornwall in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the place in the summer months adds a lovely quality to the place that is perfectly experienced by couples.

St Ives is one of the best places to visit out of season if you are looking for romantic breaks in Cornwall. During the summer months, it can feel just a little too busy to really enjoy an intimate break, but in the autumn things slow down a little, and you will find plenty of romantic restaurants that are not packed to the rafters, meaning you have more of a feeling of being there on your own.

Another great reason to visit Cornwall if you are looking for a romantic break is the sunsets. The towns of St Ives and Newlyn are famous for the quality of light, and whilst this is intrinsically what has appealed to all of the artists in both areas, it also makes for the most beautiful sunsets, and they look even better at this time of year when they are complimented by the changing colours of the plants and trees all around you.
St Ives has to be one of the best places in Cornwall to visit for a romantic break. As mentioned the light is wonderful in the town at this time of year, and you will also find that there is a little more going on in St Ives in comparison with some of the other resorts in Cornwall. It is not so busy as to be off putting, but you will find that a great atmosphere survives from the summer months.

Another great place to visit if you are looking for a great romantic spot is Kynance Cove. This is a fantastic beach that is only accessible via a fairly long walk from a National Trust car park. It is well worth the walk though, as it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the south west. It makes for a lovely romantic stroll, and once you reach it, there is a lovely cliff top grassy walk to take or a bracing stroll on the beach followed by a nice cup of teas in the cosy cafe on the side of the beach.

Wherever you choose the stay and whatever you choose to do, there is no doubting that Cornwall is one of the best destinations in the UK when it comes to romantic breaks. There is something in the air which makes it a magical place for couples, and the beauty of the local scenery is so much better when shared.

If you are planning on taking advantage of the quieter part of the year in Cornwall then you are in for a treat. Cornwall in the autumn and winter time is a wonderful place to be. For a lot of people you only experience Cornwall properly at this time of year. Once the leaves start top turn, and the roads quieten a little bit, Cornwall develops a wonderful calm that is hard to explain but simply wonderful to experience. It is hard to understand just how breathtaking it can be to take a walk along one of Cornwall’s coastal paths at this time of year, your only company the roaring seas below and the birds above.

Of course, there will always be people who are unsure of what to do when visiting the county at this time of year, but there are many wonderful things you can do to fill up your days if you fancy a holiday in Cornwall over this period of the year. If you don’t want to venture too far from your base then there are many great places to visit at this time of year that will leave you breathless and needn’t break the bank.

One of the best places to visit at this time of year is the Lizard Peninsula. It is one of the most spectacular locations in Cornwall, and no matter what the weather conditions, it is an incredible place to be. If the sun is shining, then you can see for miles, and the coastal views are something to behold. If the heavens open and the wind picks up, then it is truly spectacular. Look on in awe as the Atlantic waves crash against the cliff sides. It has to be said that the whole network of footpaths that stretch all around the Cornish coast without exception are well worth exploring if you are staying in Cornwall for a week or two. During the autumn and winter months you have a great chance of solitude whilst out on foot, which makes it all the easier to take in the natural beauty of this wonderful place.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Cornwall is all the better in the winter months. If you choose to visit the Eden Project out of season you will obviously benefit from a reduced number of visitors, but you will find that the attraction is every bit as exciting as it is to visit at other times of the year. The Eden Project has a great project through the autumn and winter months, with Ice Skating a must for those who are in Cornwall at Christmas time. Perhaps the best benefit of visiting the Eden Project at this time of year is that if you get a particularly cold day, you can always warm up in the biomes!

If you come to Cornwall out of the summer months then you really do give yourself a great chance of seeing the place properly. Cornwall in the autumn and winter is a different experience from the summertime visits you may have had before, and one of the best things you can do if you head down at this time of year is visit some of the fabulous National Trust buildings that are open to the public. Cornwall has more than its fair share of great national Trust sites, and many of them are set up for autumn and winter as well as they are for summer, with gardens planted with these seasons in mind.

Certain to be top of anyone’s list who is interested in fantastic period properties would be Trerice Manor. Trerice is perhaps not on such a scale as many other National Trust properties, but what it lacks in sheer size, it more than makes up for in terms of style and grandeur. It is a stunningly beautiful Elizabethan Manor house that is well known for being a wonderful place for peace and tranquillity. The gardens and grounds are out of this world and can captivate for hours, and with the opportunity to experience the fun old fashioned games of Kayling and Slapcock on the Green, you get a chance to see how this magnificent home may have once been enjoyed. When you visit Trerice Manor you will be able to make brass rubbings, and handle replica artefacts from the home, as well as being able to explore the well known Cornish orchard.

If you are looking for somewhere a little more spectacular then Lanhydrock might be the best pace for you. Originally owned by the Robartes family, who were famous landowners across the county, Lanhydrock House is without doubt enormous and incredible to view, but it also feels down to earth, which is one of the reasons why visitor come back to the house time and time again. Take pleasure in walking the Long gallery as people have done for centuries before you. You will come across a wonderful collection of rare and collectible books and stunning ornate plasterwork on the ceilings. The house was ravaged by fire in 1881, but the renovations that took place are to a large degree what makes the house today. Beautiful Victorian stylings abound, which is of course a rarity in a home of this era, and is yet another reason why it is such a special place to visit.

Last but certainly not least is Cotehele Mill. This is a great chance to visit a fully working Mill. Originally Cotehele was used to produce corn for the local community, and it is wonderful to see such a thing preserved. These days, the Mill is used by many different people, and you will come across a traditional furniture maker and potter whilst you look around the beautiful site.
Cornwall is full of historic interest, and the autumn and winter are great tomes of the year to fully discover what this wonderful county has to offer.

Cornwall is just full of fantastic places to visit whilst you are on holiday in the county, and whether you have the kids in tow, or you are an animal and nature lover, then the Seal Sanctuary is a fantastic venue.

The National Seal Sanctuary in Gweek is somewhat of an institution in Cornwall, and although it is now a fantastic visitor centre, it had humble beginnings. Back in 1958, a gentleman named Ken Jones discovered a seal puppy, just hours old, washed up on a beach in St Agnes. He brought it back to his garden at home and nursed it back to health. From this point onwards, Ken Jones nursed many seals back to condition with just one pool at his St Agnes base. As the project developed he needed more space, which leads to the relocation to Gweek, on the Helford. Over fifty years later, the Seal Sanctuary has nursery pools, a convalescence area, resident pools and a specially designed hospital for unwell seals. Continue reading →

When you visit Cornwall on holiday, there is more to see than sandy beaches and pasty shops! Despite many people’s presumptions, Cornwall is a large county, and it can take you a good two hours to travel from one end of the county to the other by car, but if you are based in the west of the county for your holiday, then there is a huge amount you can see in your near vicinity. For anyone who has decided to go for a self catering holiday in St Ives for their holiday, you will find some fascinating places to visit nearby, and none will impress you more than the Minack Theatre. Continue reading →

If you are planning on a holiday in St Ives, then you will be visiting one of the most beautiful towns in the country, but this doesn’t mean that you have to segregate yourself from the rest of the county. Cornwall has so much to offer, and whilst St Ives and its surrounds may be the perfect place for a base when holidaying in Cornwall, any holiday would be all the better for seeing some of Cornwall’s more impressive sites. Continue reading →

When you come to St Ives for a holiday, it is not just the immediate vicinity that is going to appeal to you. Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone England, so when you are here you really have to make the most of it and see everything you can. Even if you have managed to book a fantastic luxury apartment in St Ives, you still have to drag yourself away from it once in a while to make sure you see the best of what Cornwall has to offer.

Lands’ End is one such spot, and if you are based in St Ives then you are only a twenty minute drive away. It is a great place to visit if you are enjoying a self catering holiday in St Ives, as there are plenty of options for you in terms of eating when you are down there. Continue reading →