Cornwall

I am going on holiday in Cornwall, from next weekend.  I have no idea what to do, as I haven't had too much time to do loads of research.

I am staying near Lostwithiel and would love any suggestions of things to do.




PS I know about the Eden Project.

Surprised youve not had more responses. Cornwall has so may great beaches and bays that to be honest i'd just drive along the coast roads and stop everywhere that looks nice. Porthtowan is a nice place to watch the sunsets with a glass of wine.

I am not sure where you're going.  I went to St. Ives a year ago and LOVED it.  It is great for beaches and/or great for a rainy day if you want to wander around the quaint shops/go to the Tate.

Have fun!

Porthtowan is a nice place to watch the sunsets with a glass of wine.

I've not been back to Cornwall for over 20 years, but I lived in a village between Truro and Redruth in the 1980s, and Porthtowan was definitely a favorite seaside trip.  Going to the opposite coast, you'll find some lovely drives and places to stop on the way down to Falmouth or the Roseland peninsula (toward St. Mawes).   Getting slightly further away from Lostwithiel, but the hilly area around the Helford River is quite scenic and well worth a visit too.

Cornwall was famous for its tin mines, so if you're interested in that side of the county's history the old Poldark Mine at Wendron (near Helston) is open for visitors with tours available:

http://www.poldark-mine.co.uk/

If you're more interested in modern technology, the BT Satellite Earth Station at Goonhilly  (I used to work there) now has a permanent visitor center with exhibits, and you can take a tour around the original dish building, which was built for the Telstar project in 1962 and carried the first ever trans-Atlantic satellite TV broadcasts:

http://www.goonhilly.bt.com/


Edited for typo.

Any ideas for the Lizard Peninsula?  We're going there for a long weekend in September (10th anniversary).  Thanks for the thread, Sara!

Goonhilly is on your way to the Lizard...there's also Kynance Cove, which is so beautiful.  I also think there may be a seal sanctuary in the area...it's been a while since I've been down that way.

Nearer to Penzance, there's the Minacke (sp? never sure if it should have that 'e' at the end) Theatre and Porthcurno Beach.  If I remember correctly, Porthcurno is where the first undersea cable entered the British Isles (or something like that!). 

There's also Cape Cornwall.  There's nothing there but the beauty of the place...much better than Land's End which has got to be WAY too touristy for my taste.

If you're into gardens, there are loads in Cornwall, but I can recommend the Lost Gardens of Heligan, not too far from Mevagissey, my own personal favourite seaside village. 

These gardens are stunning too, and aren't quite as well known as the Lost Gardens of Heligan: http://www.trebah-garden.co.uk/.

Goonhilly is on your way to the Lizard

Don't follow the main A route to The Lizard for Goonhilly though.  You need to turn off on the B route for Coverack if approaching from Helston, and you can't miss the site on the right side of the road as you head south, with the two oldest, and very large, dishes from the 1960s located immediately behind the perimeter fence.

I also think there may be a seal sanctuary in the area...

Yes, it's at Gweek on the Helford River:

http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/corn1.html

Driving around Gweek and the surrounding roads is very pretty - If I wasn't in a hurry to get home after work I'd often take those back lanes instead of the main road just for a change and to enjoy the scenery.

Nearer to Penzance, there's the Minacke (sp? never sure if it should have that 'e' at the end) Theatre

Minack - No "e" 

http://www.minack.com/

If I remember correctly, Porthcurno is where the first undersea cable entered the British Isles (or something like that!). 

Porthcurno (derived from the Cornish for "Port of Cornwall") is famous as an undersea cable station, the first submarine telegraph cable going into service there around 1870.   It seems that there is a museum on the site now:

http://www.porthcurno.org.uk/

Just a few miles away, Poldhu is another place famous in the history of communications, as the location from which Guglielmo Marconi made his first trans-Atlantic radio transmission to Newfoundland in 1901.

much better than Land's End which has got to be WAY too touristy for my taste.

It's a pity, and I've heard a lot of people complain that it's been rather spoiled.  The last time I was at Land's End there really was very little there except the inn and the famous sign, which - if I recall correctly - informs you that you're 3147 miles from New York.

Thanks guys.  I found a great website and have been able to make some plans.  I am staying in Lostwithiel, which Paul mentioned.  The idea is to use it as a hub and branch out every day to visit someplace new.

So far I have:
Eden Project
the Lost Gardens
Truro
Roseland Penisula/Falmouth
Padstow
along the coast at Fowey and Looe

We are even taking a hot air balloon ride near Liskeard -- our splurge item.

Am very excited!!

These gardens are stunning too, and aren't quite as well known as the Lost Gardens of Heligan: http://www.trebah-garden.co.uk/.

EXCELLENT recommendation! We love Trebah. Heligan is great, too.

Drop me a PM if you have any other questions! Or if you want to meet up! We live in St. Ives! 

Thanks guys.  I found a great website and have been able to make some plans. 

Can you include which site you used?  Thanks ~

Sure thing.

http://www.thingstodoincornwall.co.uk/

Sure thing.

http://www.thingstodoincornwall.co.uk/

Thank you!

MARIZION......the castle out in the water........its such a small village with the most romantic views.........great little thrift store there too........u ride the boat out or in when the tide is in ........when the tide is out there is an awesome brick road to walk on.....i only know this because on my first visit to the uk my bf took me all over cornwall........the sea is beautiful.......food is fantastic......i cant wait to go back......have fun!!!!!!!

MARIZION......the castle out in the water........

St. Michael's Mount:
http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/

when the tide is out there is an awesome brick road to walk on.....

If you are walking back as the tide is coming in though, it can start to be covered by the water quite quickly.  I remember walking back one day and ending up taking off my shoes and socks for the last part.