Cornwall Journals

heligan's heroes....

A July 2003 trip to Cornwall by strixaluco

Quote: This was a week-long road trip around Cornwall, stopping at Tintagel Castle and Merlin's Cave, Perranporth Beach, The Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Newquay, Land's End, and several standing stones along the way . . .

heligan's heroes....

Overview

Quote:

Absolutely, without doubt, stick to the coast . . . there's nothing like the beach in Cornwall in the spring. Don't miss the Lost Gardens of Heligan either! (Although the Eden Project is spectacular, I really felt in Heligan that I had entered another world -- truly spellbinding!) Tintagel Castle is another must-see, although it’s not for the faint-hearted (lots of steps)! The views are stunning and there is such a sense of mystery about the place it'll set you to tingling! Merlin's cave is worth a look, but you have to catch it at high tide. Dodge the touristy shops selling cheap pewter Celtic jewelry and ceramic elves in jars, and you'll have a fantastic time.Quick Tips: For driving, s...Read More

Cheer!
Flag

Blue Anchor Inn

Hotel | "Blue Anchor Hotel"

Quote:

Beautiful accommodation on a cliff overlooking Blue Anchor Bay on the coastal road down to Perranporth. Friendly staff, lovely local food, and pleasant, warm rooms. The price includes an exquisite breakfast in a room full of works by local artists. But by far, the best thing about it was the pub garden overlooking the beach! Wrap up warm and enjoy the view!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 19, 2003

Blue Anchor Inn
Coastal Road, 50 Coinagehall Street, Helston
Cornwall, England TR13 8EL
(01326) 562821

Cheer!
Flag

Perranporth Youth Hostel

Hotel

Quote:

If you like hostelling, you can't get much better that this. The YHA hostel is a converted World War II outpost on a cliff overlooking the bay. The accommodation is clean, staff is very friendly, and the kitchen is large and well-equipped (you won't need to take ANY cooking utensils/plates with you).

A short walk down the cliff from the hostel is the beach. Perranporth Beach is stunning, with wide, flat expanses of sand and cliff outcrops jutting out of it, which become inaccessible at high tide. There is a bar on the beach called "The Watering Hole", which serves amazing seafood salads and has live music every Friday and Saturday. Honestly, you'll think you're in Australia!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 19, 2003

Perranporth Youth Hostel

Cornwall, England

Cheer!
Flag

Eden Project

Attraction

Quote:

Eden is a self-contained set of bio-domes collecting botanical species from around the world. I think that even someone who does not like plants can appreciate the architectural structure and the environmental management that goes in to such a place. The structure itself is situated in a large area of gardens, which are designed to grow with time. Naturally, I would say that for botanical reasons, the best time to go would be the heat of summer. Although, I went in the spring and still found it warm enough to picnic outside. Eating is expensive at Eden, though if you stick to the left hand side as you go in, you can get some really tasty sandwiches. (The other side is a pricey restaurant.) The ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 19, 2003

Eden Project
Bodelva, St. Austell
Cornwall, England
44 (0) 1726 811 911

Cheer!
Flag

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Attraction

Quote:

Heligan should be called the Eden Project because it’s absolute paradise. I actually wish that I had gone to them on separate days, but their proximity to each other makes it fairly irresistible. The problem is that in my opinion, Heligan absolutely blows the Eden Project out of the water! If I had seen Eden alone, it would have stunned me, but as I saw Heligan on the same day, it paled in comparison to Heligan's Lost Gardens . . . It’s hard to believe it lay undiscovered for so long! If you like botanical gardens, or woods, or nature, or walking, or natural sculptures . . . it is absolutely essential. Hope you're fit though!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 19, 2003

Lost Gardens of Heligan
St. Agnes
Cornwall, England