Eden Project

The Eden Project in Cornwall is home to the world's largest greenhouse. The artificial biomes house plants from across the globe. The Eden Project is approximately 3 miles from St Austell.

The biomes are joined together to house groups of plants from continents around the world. The hexagonal plastic cells are supported by steel frames and the controlled atmospheres reflect various environments and the plant life that they are designed to support.

This is one of the main visitor attractions in Cornwall. The Eden Project employs around 650 members of staff and contributes substantially to the local economy. The project has received over £56 million in funding through The Millenium Commission and additional funds from the EU and the Regional Development Agency.

For more photographs of the Eden Project click here

St Michaels Mount

St Michael's Mount was originally a Benedictine Priory from the 12th century. It has a very historic and interesting past. From 1660 it has been the home of the St Aubyn family who still live in the castle but donated the castle and its grounds to National Trust in 1954.

Looking out at St Michael's Mount from the mainland the castle almost has a magical feel about it. Its island mystery seems to draw you to it and tempt you to pay a visit.

For more photos of St Michael's Mount click here or view on You Tube 

St Ives

St Ives is full of history and tradition and is a very popular tourist resort in Cornwall. It has world class beaches nearby and is well known for its preserved cobbled streets and old fishermen's cottages.

It's easy to see why people fall in love with St Ives. The harbour is a treat to walk round. The town has regularly won the "Britain in Bloom" competition and this is evident as you observe the amount of effort that the town has put into its wonderful floral displays.

St Ives has long been associated with good artists and it now has its own Tate Gallery which is part of the Tate Gallery in London but displays and promotes Cornish Art.

There are boating and fishing trips and good surfing to be had at Porthmoor Beach. St Ives Museum has exhibitions covering St Ives history and its assocation with fishing and tin mining. In the evening the town comes alive again with a vibrant atmosphere and a definate holiday mood is experienced. The shops, restaurants, cafes and bars are a treat to walk round and relax in. To sum it up - You can't say you have been to Cornwall until you have been to St Ives.

For more photos of St Ives click here or view on You Tube

Sennen Cove

Sennen Cove is very close to Land's End, just a mile up the road to be precise.

Sennen Cove is only a small place, a fishing village with its own little harbour and a pebble beach. If you are looking for a place with a lot going on then this is not it. What it does offer is tranquility, good walking footpaths, fishing and bird watching.

For more photos of Sennen Cove click here or view on You Tube

Penzance

Penzance is an ancient market town and is only ten miles from Land's End. The name Penzance comes from the Cornish language and means "Holy Headland".

Both a market town and fishing town Penzance is a popular tourist destination. The sea front and harbour attract visitors and the town has a long promenade and busy shopping area. This is Cornwall's largest westerly town.

Penzance has a long history of smugglers and wreckers. Gilbert & Sullivan named their production "The Pirates of Penzance" after the town.

For more photos of Penzance click here or view on You Tube

Padstow

Padstow is an old established settlement in Cornwall. Records go back to around the 6th century. During medieval times Padstow was granted the right of sanctuary by King Athelstan. Walter Raleigh is known to have lived in Padstow.

Padstow was a busy fishing and trading port in the 17th century. These days fishing and pleasure trips ensure that Padstow is still seen as a busy harbour, attracting large numbers of tourists to its small side streets and picturesque surroundings.

Rick Stein the well known award winning chef has his restaurants in Padstow. There are several of them ranging from a seafood restaurant to a patisserie. Within a short walking distance of the harbour there are some very good beaches and the views are spectacular.

Padstow is a delightful place to spend a day, even a week, or as long as you can.

For photos of Padstow click here or view on You Tube

 

Newquay

Welcome to Britain's most exciting surfing resort. This is one of Europe's top surfing destinations. Newquay is to Brits what Bondi Beach is to Australians. The whole town and culture in Newquay exists around the surfing.

Newquay is the most visited holiday destination in Cornwall. It is a great place for a family holiday, regardless of whether or not you are interested in surfing. The beaches are good, there is plenty to do, and its a fun place!

Newquay has a whole host of entertainment venues, good pubs, tea rooms, clubs, shopping, cafes and a range of hotels for every budget. The Blue Reef Aquarium with its sea life collection and Waterworld the all round family fun and entertainment centre are just two examples of what is available locally. Come rain or shine you shouldn't have chance to get bored in Newquay.

Newquay used to be a fishing village called Towan Blystra and known for its pilchard catches, a far cry from today's vibrant and bustling crowds of holidaymakers and surfers. There are seven miles of golden sands here with eleven beaches. It is one of the warmest places in Britain.

For photos of Newquay click here or view the photos on You Tube

 

Looe

Looe is a pretty town with a river and a harbour. This is a popular destination for tourists. The beach and shopping areas can get very crowded. The best place to park is just outside town where there are adequate pay and display car parks.

There is actually a Looe Island which is privately owned and allows visitors during the summer months. A landing fee is charged to help with the conservation work. Other boat trips and fishing expeditions are displayed at the harbourside and prove very popular with the tourists.

For more photos of Looe click here

The Lizard

The Lizard is the most southerly tip of mainland Britain. A small village at Lizard provides refreshments and free parking for visitors to take the walk to Lizard Point or drive to the large National Trust car park at the most southerly point. Magnificent views await the hiker and the cliff walks are highly recommended.

For more photos of  The Lizard Peninsula click here or view on You Tube

 

Land's End

Land's End is a well visited attraction. It boasts stunning scenery and adds a touch of magical flavour to its history as a place with ancient fables and mysticism. In truth, this is a business and Land's End is owned by the O'Groats Trading Company who are doing very nicely thank you out of this most westerley tip of British Rock.

There are of course much nicer places with much more spectacular scenery than at Land's End. Land's End is a bit spartan and bleak but nevertheless, it is the most southerly tip of the UK and the complex that now stands on this spot offers good services and entertainment. You wouldn't spend a week here but its still worth a visit and there are some interesting places nearby that are well worth the trip.

The attractions at Land's End include various exhibitions and multimedia presentations about Air Sea Rescue, Land's End to John O'Groats stories and Return to the Last Labyrinth - a whole new journey into wonder. An enthralling world brought to life with images, sound and stunning special effects. Other attractions include shops and various maritime pieces including a full size lifeboat and fishing trawler.

When you ask people what is their most memorable feature of Land's End they almost always tell you that it is having their photo taken by the sign that shows the distance to your home town and a host of other places. This novelty and enterprising money spinner has been going since the 1960's and is a well known feature of Land's End.

You wont spend long here unless you decide to visit the attractions or stop for a bite to eat but you just can't miss Land's End. I mean, who would?. It just has to be visited doesn't it?. You have to be able to say that you have been there!

For more photos of Lands End click here Or you can view the photos on You Tube

 

Falmouth

Falmouth is a picturesque and very beautiful holiday resort. The winding streets and holiday atmosphere with its pleasant natural harbour and sandy beaches nearby certainly make this one of the premier Cornish places to stay and visit.

Pendennis Castle has stood over Falmouth for some 450 years. This castle was part of the fortifications set up by Henry VIII. In the English Civil War in 1646 the castle came under siege and held out for 6 months before surrendering to the Parlementarians. The veiws from the castle are magnificent. Old gun placements can also be seen and there is a walkway around the castle.

Falmouth still continues to have a busy harbour and boats and ferries can be taken across the estuary. Yachts are also chartered from here. Fishing also still takes place and Falmouth has a large dry dock which handles tankers and other vessels.

 There are some good beaches to be found in Falmouth. The town is a great all rounder and popular with families. Plenty of things to do and see and with an excellent array of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Considering the town was established by the Killigrew family who were pirates and smugglers, it has certainly developed into a thriving and bustling community, effectively engaging tourism, whilst continuing to support its traditional industries.

For photographs of Falmouth click here or view the photos on You Tube

 

Bude

 Bude is blessed with good sandy beaches and is popular with surfers and bathers alike. Particular care should be taken however when the water is at low tide.

Bude is a popular tourist destination. There is plenty to see and do and the area is served with excellent shops, restaurants and bars. The unique sea lock and canal provides a pleasurable walking experience and Bude Museum is most definately worth a visit. The museum is situated by Bude's canal and houses collections of photographs, salvaged objects from many wrecks and a detailed history of Bude's martime past.

Bude Canal was originally built to carry sea sand to inland soil which was of poor quality. The Bude Harbour and Canal Company was formed in 1819 and the Bude Sea Lock was repaired in 2000.

For photographs of Bude click here or view the photos on You Tube

Bedruthan Steps

This is one of the most popular destinations on the Cornish Coast. The National Trust have a visitor centre, car park and shop. This is an impressive coastline and the spectacular clifftop views and massive rock formations along Bedruthan Beach are what people come to see.

The walks along the cliffs provide a variety of panoramic views of the dramatic coastline. The National Trust has rebuilt the cliff staircase which leads down to the beach. They also warn you that it is not safe to bathe here and that there is a risk of being cut off by the tide. Stick to the footpaths and you should be safe enough.

For photographs of Bedruthan click here or view the photos on You Tube