96 Hours in Cornwall

Tracie Cooke on 19 April 2021
96 Hours in Cornwall….

The prospect of a few days away after such a long period of being unable to travel certainly had us feeling very excited! Expectations were high, spirits were lifted and we set off in bright sunshine with a car jam packed for all weathers!

Cornwall has so much to offer; from it's pirate legacy to mining history; stunning beaches and quirky shops; there is something for everyone.

Our journey was un-hindered and we arrived in good time to enjoy some late afternoon sunshine and a walk around the beautifully manicured grounds of our home for the next four nights, Clowance Estate. We had booked our luxury lodge many months ago and were impressed with the quality of the accommodation. Furnished in contemporary style and with its own private hot tub and large outside terrace, it was a thing of beauty! Lodges on the site are quite spread out with plenty of personal space and there are a range of different sizes and styles to choose from, including a fabulous tree house! At the centre of the estate is a beautiful mansion house, which houses the main reception, gym, spa and restaurant. You’ll find tennis courts, outdoor chess and a range of activities that are available during the peak summer months. There are a number of walking trails, both woodland and lakeside within the grounds. Due to Covid restrictions, check in/check out was remote and worked seamlessly. The restaurant offered a delivery service via Golf Buggy direct to your lodge if you didn’t want to cook or dine on the restaurant terrace. Self Catering facilities are excellent; however, the nearest supermarket is around fifteen minutes drive away; hence better to arrive stocked up with what you need. There is a small convenience store in the village a mile away from the site. The hot tubs are spacious and ideal for relaxing after a busy day sightseeing. The estate is peaceful and perfect if you just want to unwind and escape for a few days.

Our first full day took us to the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno and Lands End. If you’ve never been to Minack, it is an absolute ‘must see’. You'll also discover the Telegraph Museum just behind the beach at Portcurno and where you'll be able to take a tour of the underground defence tunnels from WWII. From here (and fuelled by a Cornish Pasty) we walked the coastal path to Sennen Cove; there are some great views along the route including that of a ship wreck and of the Scilly Isles in the distance. Sennen is a great spot for body boarding and surfing with some quirky cafes too. After lunch we climbed the hill and walked back to Lands End. You can opt for the road route which is shorter but the cliff path is highly recommended. This landscape is dotted with the remains of old tin mines and you'll be able to visit Geevor, one of the largest preserved mine sites in the country.

Day two took us east to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. It isn’t very far but the journey takes about hour due to the very scenic route. We arrived early and were able to experience the stunning Jungle Gardens before it became busy. From here we took the forest pathway to the more traditional gardens. Allow a minimum of four hours for these two areas and longer if you wish to walk any of the more extensive trails. We took a picnic and made the most of the good weather. After lunch we headed for the pretty harbourside village of Mevagissey; you'll find plenty of places to eat and drink and some quirky shops if you require some retail therapy. Travelling back we took in the village of Coverack, made famous from the view of the Earths Crust, midway along the beach and the tiny hamlet of Mullion Cove. The coastline here is wild and rugged and lies within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. It is in stark contrast to the broad sandy beaches found elsewhere along the coastline.

On our third day we headed for St Ives; the jewel in the crown of South Cornwall. It’s a favourite spot and we’ve visited many times, including a stay at Tregenna Castle overlooking the town itself. There are some great beaches within walking distance of the centre; quirky shops, plenty of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets and the famous Tate Gallery. The headland walk here offers some fabulous views back across the town. If you have time, take the train from St Erth to St Ives instead of driving; it follows the coast and is a really pretty journey, taking about 15 mins. Parking in St Ives can be difficult and costly, the train runs at least twice an hour even in low season and goes directly to the harbour itself. Following our morning here, we headed for Marazion; home to a number of small artisan shops and art galleries and gateway to St Michaels Mount. At low tide you can walk across the causeway; at high tide, you’ll need to take the little boat that ferries people back and forth throughout the day. As Penzance is nearby, you may want to take a dip in the UK’s largest geothermal pool; you’ll find it directly on the seafront promenade. Our final stop was the beautiful sands at Godrevy and home to the National Trust. This was probably our favourite spot, where the real highlight is the seal colony that has made its home here; sit quietly and watch them basking on the beach and playing in the sea. You can literally walk for miles either along the cliff pathways or directly on the trio of beaches that link to make this one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted sand walkway on the coast. The walk from Godrevy to Hell’s Mouth is exhilarating!

Heading home we visited the ruins of Tintagel Castle; the ascent is steep and uneven but worth it for the views. We followed this with a final (essential) Cornish Pasty, delicious pastries and coffee al fresco!

If you think four nights isn’t enough, you’d be surprised what you can pack in. My advice is to have a plan and try and stick to it. For information; our tickets to Minack and the Lost Gardens of Heligan were booked prior to leaving home and our entry to Tintagel Castle was reserved during our stay. Due to Covid regulations, timed entry for most attractions must be pre-booked to guarantee admittance. Take plenty of change for car parks or download relevant parking apps before setting off. Most shops, takeaways, restaurants etc., were only accepting card payments. This did not detract from our enjoyment; it just requires a little thought and planning before you set off.

If you’d like to find out more or have any questions, please get in touch…