My passion for Cornwall - Free2Read

MID CORNWALLWhitsand BayWhitsand Bay runs from RameHead in the east to Portwinkle in thewest. It is characterised by sheer, highcliffs, dramatic scenery and long stretches of sandybeaches. The South West Coast Path runs the length of the bay.Rame Head is a conical hill with the ruins of a 14th-century chapeldedicated to St Michael on top and it overlooks the bay. It is a popularhaunt of birdwatchers with many species of warbler and bunting to beseen as well as Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Firecrest.St Austell St BrewardSt. Austell is a bustling markettown often referred to as thecapital of the Cornish Alps. Theethereal white mini-mountains,the spoil heaps of the china-clayindustry lend an eerie atmosphereto the landscape.William Cookworthy discoveredthe clay in 1755, and with theopening of the pits to mine theclay St. Austell’s population andprosperity soon began to grow.Kaolin, an essential ingredientin the manufacture of porcelain,had previously only been found innorthern China. Today Cornwallstill exports clay, which is also usedto produce paint, paper and insome medicines.At the historic core of the townis the fine Holy Trinity ParishChurch and opposite, the Italianstylefacade of the Market House.St NeotAccess the southern part ofthe moor via one of the area’sprettiest villages, allowing timeto stop and look at the amazingstained glass windows of the 15thcentury church on the way. There’splenty to see - visit the villagepottery and Carnglaze Cavernsnearby and have a leisurely strollthrough the Northwood WaterGardens.St Breward Parish Church issituated at the northern end ofthe village and is dedicated toSt Branwalader (or Brueredus).It is a substantial building of theNorman period to which a southaisle and western tower wereadded in the 15th century (theseadditions are of granite). It wasrestored in the 19th century, andonly parts of the Norman northarcade remain.The village is also home tothe two highest tors of Bodmin– Roughtor, which is actually anextinct volcano, and Brown Willy.Stone from St Breward’s De lankQuarry has been used for some ofthe nation’s most iconic landmarks– the Eddystone and Beachy Headlighthouses and Tower Bridgeacross the Thames by the Tower.One of the start points for thewestern cycleway on the CamelTrail but offering plenty of otheroutdoor activities including ponytrekking and fishing.TregrehanGardensTregrehan has been home to theCarlyon family since 1565. Thegardens reflect Jovey Carlyon’spassion for trees during the late19th Century with many toweringexamples dominating the gardens.The 20-acre garden with itsmagnificent Victorian glasshouseis at its best in late spring.VeryanOne of the most attractive villageson the Roseland Peninsula,Veryan has a number of thatchedcottages, and a particular featureare the five white round-houses,circular cottages with gothicwindows and thatched roofssurmounted by a cross, built in theearly 19th century by the vicar,Jeremiah Trist. It is said that thehouses were built in a circularfashion to eliminate any cornerswhere the devil might hide.The coastline south east ofPolperroIn Polperro it is easy to stepback in time in what is a largelyunspoilt fishing village, clingingto steep hillsides around a smallharbour. Like its neighbourLooe, it offers plenty of placesto eat and relax and has a goodselection of hotels and B&Bs.The museum tells the story offishing and smuggling whilst themodel village and land of legendtakes you into another world.Polperro is also a haunt of artistsVeryan from Portholland to NareHead forms the western half ofthe sweep of Veryan Bay. NareHead rises in places to a heightof 300 feet, and forms a naturaldivision between Veryan andGerrrans Bay. It is owned by theNational Trust. Half a mile off shorelies Gull Rock, the scene of past shipwrecks, which rises to well over 200feet above the sea. The spectacularcliffs of this coast include such rockypoints as the Jacka, Manare Pointand Blouth Point.and there are several galleriesdotted around the village. It hasits own arts and music festivalin June, which includes thecrowning of the mock mayorand parades through the narrowstreets.Boat trips are available fromthe harbour and there areexcellent coastal walks westalong Chapel Cliff or up theeastern side of valley throughBrent towards Talland Bay.38discover the extraordinaryCornwall Tourism Magazine in association with www.cornwalltouristpass.com