where, what, how ?

[R2D2]

heading over to Cornwall end of the month,
just need a few suggestions as to nice places to visit, ( is Padstow worth a visit, Rick Stien and all )
nice places to eat at friendly prices, and is any unusual sites,
and finally whats the beer like, Guinness drinker myself so would need to be up to that high standard

 

[jhock]

Padstow is really nice, but it does get very busy and is a little over commercial.

Not sure what you are into but when we last went we visited the following:

Bodmin and Wensford preserved railway, really good fun, even my partner liked it!

Eden project, over hyped and over priced.

Lands End, see above but has to be done.

China Clay mines http://www.wheal-martyn.com/, take walk to the modern pit face, very impressive.

The national Seal Santury http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/corn1.html, very good, make sure you hang around for feeding time.

Visit a cider farm, very good, how much can you fit on a bike!

I really like Cornwall, just explore.

 

[R2D2]

thanks for the reply jhock hopefully the weather will favour us , bike serviced and ready to go.

 

[Annette]

Give Padstow a visit. It may be touristy but it's a beautiful place to go to. If you want somewhere to eat in Padstow go to the Ship Inn. The fish comes from the same boats as Rick Stein's does, you get more of it and it's a huge amount cheaper. They are very friendly too I have always stayed there when visiting on business - they don't keep normal put hours either . And they make the best Banofee Pie you have ever tasted in the whole world, served with lashings of Cornish clotted cream. You will probably be able to use their carpark too, which means you won't have to battle through the hordes of pedestrians to park as the entrance is at the top of Padstow.

King Arthur's Castle remains are also up that way on the North Coast.

St Ives is also a great place to go but quite touristy. If you're down on the South Coast St Anthony is great and quieter. They have a really old church which is only lit by candlelight.

Treyannan Bay is beautiful and unspoilt by tourists. If you feel adventurous enough for a dip there is a natural salt water pool halfway up the cliff.

If you're into houses and such like, Lahnhydrock is beautiful, as is Cothile House.

You also have to stop at every possible opportunity to avail yourself of cornish pasties and, even more importantly, real Cornish cream teas

Wherever you go, you'll have a great time, Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places on the earth.

Oh and if you're going with a lady, you have to go to Newquay - just to check out the surfers

Should you find yourselves in Devon, go to the Burgh Island Hotel. You have to walk/ride across the spit at low tide and should you be unlucky enough to get cut off by the tide - they have a fantastic pub to wile away the hourse until low tide again..............or they have a very tall traction engine to travel on

 

[R2D2]

thats excellent, really helpful, cant wait to get there now :cool
putting all the suggestions in as points of interest on the zumo.

 

[Nigel]

Cornwall visit

Loads of stuff to do and all previous recommendations endorsed. Also try a few of my favourites.
Best done over several days:
Starting from Hayle try a Phelps pasty (traditional steak please, no nouvelle quisine chiken tikka masalla BS)followed by a Mr B's ice cream.Certainly the best ice cream in Cornwall if not South of England. St Ives for winding streets and tourist tat, nice holiday atmosphere. (I like the Tate modern as a building and the Barbara Hepworth museum is included in the entry price) .Coast road from St Ives to St Just (great ridden in either direction) v narrow and the hedges are hard so don't overcook it but fantastic views. Tea stop in Zennor in the old chapel next to the mining museum. Kegan Teg cafe in St Just square for layed back lunch and a read of the papers. Stop at Cape Cornwall and look for General de Gaulle in the bath (I'll let you work that out) and walk out to the coast watch station.Ride over the top from Morvah or similar to Penzance and check out how the landscape changes North coast to south + stunning views of St Micheals Mount from the top.Chysauster ancient village well worth a look if you like your ancient monuments to be ancient.If you feel well healed take a helicopter trip to the Scillies from Penzance (Day trip). If not, walk across the causeway to St Micheals Mount. Head further west to Treen, Lamorna, Porthcurno/Minack theatre etc. Lot of galleries to check out if thats your thing. Heading east up the South coast, venture out on to the Lizard and hit the most southerly point in Britain (Another top cafe right out on the end by the old lifeboat station).If you are going to have another pasty,Anne's place in Lizard is as good as anywhere. Head back along the Eastern edge of the Lizard sticking to the coast (St Keverne) and dive off along the Helford river through Gweek and Constantine.If stopping in Helston check out the Blue Anchor pub and leaving the bike get outside some Spingo, brewed on the premises. Hit Falmouth (home) Beaches, Cafes,pubs etc.No probs getting a B and B and plenty of nightlife. Head towards Truro (worth a stop) and hang a right to Trellisick gardens.Pick up signs for the King Harry ferry across the river and off to St Mawes. Check out the castle. Follow coast through one of the most unspoilt bits of Cornwall up to Mevagissy. Fowey,Looe etc.

Thats just the coast. I'll bang on about inland another time.
Have a good one.
Nige

 

[R2D2]

thanks Nigel , off on Thurs, few great tips will definately be following your advice about the coast roads.

 

[richie]

Friend of mine has the longest zip wire in the UK in Cornwall, maybe worth a visit....