MID CORNWALLA-Zof Mid <strong>Cornwall</strong>Bodmin Moor and theTamar Valley <strong>for</strong>m someof the most beautifullandscape in all <strong>Cornwall</strong>. It’s anarea full of fascinating towns,villages and important historicalsites waiting to be explored.AltarnunAltarnun is an attractive villagethat nestles in a sheltered valleyon the north-eastern edge ofBodmin Moor, just off of the A30.It has a picturesque “bridgeover stream” postcard look, andthe village is dominated by thetower of the 15th Century churchof St Nonna’s, which was known as‘The Cathedral of the Moor’.BlislandA favourite haunt of much-lovedPoet Laureate Sir John Betjeman,who first discovered it as a boywhen he regularly used to cyclehere from Daymer Bay.Bodmin TownBodmin is a <strong>for</strong>mer county townof <strong>Cornwall</strong> and is the onlyCornish town to be mentioned inthe Domesday Book. It dates backto the 6th Century when St Petrocfounded a monastic settlement onthe site.Bodmin’s rich history is on showwhen you visit the town today -from the interesting shop fronts inFore Street to St Petroc’s Church,there is plenty to give you a tasteof what Bodmin was like in thepast.To go a little deeper intoBodmin’s history take one ofthe “Town Trails” - the VisitorIn<strong>for</strong>mation Centre has a rangeof different ones available tobuy either in advance of yourvisit or from the In<strong>for</strong>mationCentre shop when you arrive. TheCentre also has some free trailslike the Bodmin Well Trail whichgives a fascinating tour around thetown taking in all the ancient holywells dotted around.Lanhydrock House,Bodmin Town34discover the extraordinary<strong>Cornwall</strong> Tourism Magazine in association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com
Fowey and the Fowey EstuaryThe Port of Fowey – knownthe world over as the spiritualhome of novelist Daphne DuMaurier - has been of greatmaritime importance <strong>for</strong>centuries.The town is situated at themouth of the River Fowey, witha large, deep-water harbourChina Clay Country ParkSet in 26 acres of woodland in the historic Ruddle Valley on the outskirts of St Austell, the China Clay CountryPark provides a fascinating day out <strong>for</strong> all the family.The Park, now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, is set in the grounds of two <strong>for</strong>mer workingchina clay pits and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into china clay - how it was mined, what is wasused <strong>for</strong> and what it meant <strong>for</strong> the families who lived in the area. Dogs on leads are welcome.Daphne Du MaurierThe celebrated author of suchclassic novels as Rebecca, JamaicaInn, Frenchman’s Creek and theHouse on the Strand was born inLondon but is <strong>for</strong>ever associatedwith the Cornish coastal town ofFowey.Her parents had a holidayhome (now called Ferryside) atBodinnick just outside Foweyand she wrote her first novel TheLoving Spirit there in 1931.She moved to Foweypermanently in 1943 with herhusband Major Tommy Browningand their three children, takingup the lease on a house calledMenabilly, which became theinspiration <strong>for</strong> the house ofManderley in Rebecca.providing safe anchorage <strong>for</strong>the large number of merchantships collecting china clay,timber and other exports.During the summer they’reby a mass of leisure boats andsailing yachts <strong>for</strong> the FoweyRegatta. It is held during Augustand is the highlight of theWhen the lease ran out in1969, Daphne – now a widow ofa four years – moved to anotherproperty about a mile fromMenabilly called Kilmarth.The homes are now the focusof pilgrimages by many DuMaurier fans and Fowey holdsan annual arts festival in herhonour.The Festival is held every yearin Fowey and St. Austell Bayduring May. A local initiativewith the full support of the DuMaurier family, it celebratesthe life and works of theinternationally renowned authorand the association of her workwith the County of <strong>Cornwall</strong> andFowey in particular.town’s year with events on andoff the water.Fowey offers loads <strong>for</strong> thevisitor to enjoy - charmingstreets with fascinating shops,river and coastal walks, sailing,river cruises - and a wideselection of cafes, pubs andrestaurants to suit all tastes.A ‘Festival Village’ in thegrounds of Fowey Hall providesthe focus of activity as well ashosting the main events in the600 seat Festival Marquee andthe smaller Du Maurier Theatre.This year the festival takesplace from May 9-20.MID CORNWALLCamel<strong>for</strong>dThe historic <strong>for</strong>mer market townof Camel<strong>for</strong>d makes an idealtouring centre - it is only a fewmiles from the surfing beachesof North <strong>Cornwall</strong> and thenatural beauty and ancient sitesof Bodmin Moor. The town isthe crossing point over the RiverCamel and in <strong>for</strong>mer days was animportant market town. Legendhas it that King Arthur fought abattle at nearby Slaughter Bridge.Camel<strong>for</strong>d is an integral part ofthe legend of King Arthur and theArthurian Centre tells that story.Set in 20 acres surrounding thealleged site of King Arthur’s Stone,this is the place where Arthur andMordred met <strong>for</strong> the first time.The massive exhibition roomtells the whole story in a series ofsuperb artefacts and displays.The Eden ProjectProbably the most famous set ofgreenhouses in the world, theEden Project has become one of<strong>Cornwall</strong>’s most iconic landmarksin a very short space of time.The Project is now over 10years old and is the brainchild ofTim Smit, the man behind therestoration of the Lost Gardens ofHeligan.The three main giant Biomes –each with its own ecosystem – aresited in a <strong>for</strong>mer china clay pit atBodelva, near St Austell, <strong>Cornwall</strong>.There’s the Outdoor Biome,the Rain<strong>for</strong>est Biome and theMediterranean Biome.You can get up close andpersonal now in the Rain<strong>for</strong>estBiome by taking a trip to the topof the rain<strong>for</strong>est canopy whereyou get an amazing bird’s eyeview of the whole Biome. Thisjungle canopy is that last highfrontier usually only seen by themost intrepid of explorers andscientists. Extra charges apply to goup to the Lookout and the moneyraised will go towards the EdenProject’s educational programmessupporting rain<strong>for</strong>ests.The Eden Project’s awardwinning£15 million educationcentre, The Core, was openedby the Queen in June 2006.Curious kids can find out wheretea, rubber and sugar comefrom, and travel the world to thesimulated environments of tropicaldestinations.<strong>Cornwall</strong> Tourism Magazine in association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com discover the extraordinary 35
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