What to do and see in Cornwall
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myoarin
Jun 20, 2008, 7:00:57 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Hi all you nice people,
My wife and I are spending several days in SE England, starting in
Exeter and then with about a week before flying from Bristol. Exeter,
Dartmoor and Exmoor will be toured by the group before we are on our
own. We'll have a car.
Anyone have good suggestions about what to see and do?
We are not into long country walks, but the scenery, of course, and
are interested in history and culture (and rugs and textiles, for
those who know me, in case you weren't thinking of them).
A favorite hotel that can be recommended would also be appreciated
(No B&B my wife says).
Any good ideas?
Many thanks, Myo
My wife and I are spending several days in SE England, starting in
Exeter and then with about a week before flying from Bristol. Exeter,
Dartmoor and Exmoor will be toured by the group before we are on our
own. We'll have a car.
Anyone have good suggestions about what to see and do?
We are not into long country walks, but the scenery, of course, and
are interested in history and culture (and rugs and textiles, for
those who know me, in case you weren't thinking of them).
A favorite hotel that can be recommended would also be appreciated
(No B&B my wife says).
Any good ideas?
Many thanks, Myo
Probo
Jun 20, 2008, 7:38:00 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Hi Myo
As you addressed this to 'All you nice people', I doubt if it applies
to me but ....
One place I would love to visit is Withypool in Somerset because The
Royal Oak Inn was once managed by our old friend Maxwell Knight - the
MI5 officer who masterminded the sting in 'The Kent-Wolkoff Affair'
which a world famous author uncovered a while ago.
http://www.royaloakwithypool.co.uk/history.html
Please stay there and dig some more dirt if you can.
There's a river nearby where Max used to fish and just maybe you could
hire a kayak and do some oaring?
I have a pal who knows the South West very well and I'll now email him
for his advice.
Stay tuned!
Cheers
Bryan
As you addressed this to 'All you nice people', I doubt if it applies
to me but ....
One place I would love to visit is Withypool in Somerset because The
Royal Oak Inn was once managed by our old friend Maxwell Knight - the
MI5 officer who masterminded the sting in 'The Kent-Wolkoff Affair'
which a world famous author uncovered a while ago.
http://www.royaloakwithypool.co.uk/history.html
Please stay there and dig some more dirt if you can.
There's a river nearby where Max used to fish and just maybe you could
hire a kayak and do some oaring?
I have a pal who knows the South West very well and I'll now email him
for his advice.
Stay tuned!
Cheers
Bryan
Probo
Jun 20, 2008, 7:43:13 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Myo
I now see that you wrote 'SE England' ...
But either you are holding your compass upside-down or something ...
I would certainly get it serviced ...
Unless you are intending to drive backwards when maybe everything will
work out.
Worried of Hove
> > Many thanks, Myo- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I now see that you wrote 'SE England' ...
But either you are holding your compass upside-down or something ...
I would certainly get it serviced ...
Unless you are intending to drive backwards when maybe everything will
work out.
Worried of Hove
>
> - Show quoted text -
myoarin
Jun 20, 2008, 10:25:26 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Whoops!
Of course I meant Southwest England, Cornwall and all that, the
pirates of Penzance, the sacks and cats of St. Ives - isn't there a
Roman bridge there?
But thanks for the start, Bryan, and for contacting you friend in the
right area (left on the map).
Looking forward.
Myo
PS: did the US national archives discover that you are the sort of
reknowned digger for governmental misdeeds whom they wouldn't want
digging in their garbage?
Of course I meant Southwest England, Cornwall and all that, the
pirates of Penzance, the sacks and cats of St. Ives - isn't there a
Roman bridge there?
But thanks for the start, Bryan, and for contacting you friend in the
right area (left on the map).
Looking forward.
Myo
PS: did the US national archives discover that you are the sort of
reknowned digger for governmental misdeeds whom they wouldn't want
digging in their garbage?
eiffel
Jun 20, 2008, 10:55:46 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Assuming you have a southern hemisphere compass and that you really
meant "South West England", there's history by the bucketload in
Cornwall, but it's not always easily seen by car because there are
often high stone walls running alongside the rural roads.
You don't want long walks, but how long is long? If you can handle a
couple of hours' walk plus a couple of hundred metres descent along a
rough path, the undeveloped beaches just east of Porthcurno are in my
opinion the most attractive in the UK although they tend to disappear
at high tide (when the following satellite photo was taken):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=103.113397,69.609375&ie=UTF8&ll=50.041969,-5.643733&spn=0.011121,0.016823&t=h&z=16
Due to the remoteness, you may encounter (or participate in - who am I
to say?) skinnydipping. If you want waves, you'll want to visit the
west or north coast of Cornwall instead (Sennen Cove perhaps).
Just west of Porthcurno is the Minnack open-air theatre, set into a
dramatic cliffside by the ocean.
http://www.minack.com/minack/The Three Musketeers.jpg
There's an extensive program of performances:
http://www.minack.com/theatregoers/whatson.htm
Don't bother visiting Land's End - it's just a tourist trap. Normally
I'd say not to bother with St Ives, which is a bit snooty and
expensive, but it has more artists and craft shops than anywhere else
in Cornwall so maybe you'll find something ruggish there.
My experience of Cornwall is only from walking the long-distance path
around the Cornish coast staying at Youth Hostels, B&Bs etc, so I
don't have any hotel suggestions. If you want the likes of the Hilton
Hotel you probably won't find it outside of Penzance, but beyond that
there are plenty of small private hotels or pub-cum-hotels at places
like Sennen Cove, St Just, St Ives, and maybe even Porthcurno - I
can't remember.
To the west of Penzance is Mousehole, a delightful fishing village
squeezed into a tiny harbour with a mousehole-like entrance. To the
east of Penzance is Marazion, which may be Britain's oldest town and
is known for the historic St Mchael's Mount (an island castle just off
the beach which can be reached by causeway at low tide).
OK, that'll do. If I say any more, I'll be wanting to go on holiday.
Regards,
Roger
meant "South West England", there's history by the bucketload in
Cornwall, but it's not always easily seen by car because there are
often high stone walls running alongside the rural roads.
You don't want long walks, but how long is long? If you can handle a
couple of hours' walk plus a couple of hundred metres descent along a
rough path, the undeveloped beaches just east of Porthcurno are in my
opinion the most attractive in the UK although they tend to disappear
at high tide (when the following satellite photo was taken):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=103.113397,69.609375&ie=UTF8&ll=50.041969,-5.643733&spn=0.011121,0.016823&t=h&z=16
Due to the remoteness, you may encounter (or participate in - who am I
to say?) skinnydipping. If you want waves, you'll want to visit the
west or north coast of Cornwall instead (Sennen Cove perhaps).
Just west of Porthcurno is the Minnack open-air theatre, set into a
dramatic cliffside by the ocean.
http://www.minack.com/minack/The Three Musketeers.jpg
There's an extensive program of performances:
http://www.minack.com/theatregoers/whatson.htm
Don't bother visiting Land's End - it's just a tourist trap. Normally
I'd say not to bother with St Ives, which is a bit snooty and
expensive, but it has more artists and craft shops than anywhere else
in Cornwall so maybe you'll find something ruggish there.
My experience of Cornwall is only from walking the long-distance path
around the Cornish coast staying at Youth Hostels, B&Bs etc, so I
don't have any hotel suggestions. If you want the likes of the Hilton
Hotel you probably won't find it outside of Penzance, but beyond that
there are plenty of small private hotels or pub-cum-hotels at places
like Sennen Cove, St Just, St Ives, and maybe even Porthcurno - I
can't remember.
To the west of Penzance is Mousehole, a delightful fishing village
squeezed into a tiny harbour with a mousehole-like entrance. To the
east of Penzance is Marazion, which may be Britain's oldest town and
is known for the historic St Mchael's Mount (an island castle just off
the beach which can be reached by causeway at low tide).
OK, that'll do. If I say any more, I'll be wanting to go on holiday.
Regards,
Roger
Steph53
Jun 20, 2008, 10:57:32 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Hi Myo...
If you are travelling to England, I would suggest a side trip to
Hove.
Not only is Paul McCartney's home there, but another well-known
"celebrity" resides in that same area ;)
Steph
If you are travelling to England, I would suggest a side trip to
Hove.
Not only is Paul McCartney's home there, but another well-known
"celebrity" resides in that same area ;)
Steph
eiffel
Jun 20, 2008, 11:23:15 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
> If you are travelling to England, I would suggest a side trip to
> Hove.
Don't rely on your southern hemisphere compass or you'll end up here:
> Hove.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&ll=-35.008276,138.518114&spn=0.054413,0.067291&z=14
where Hove is strangely sandwiched between "North Brighton" and "South
Brighton".
And you won't find Paul or Heather there.
Regards,
Roger
Probo
Jun 20, 2008, 11:56:51 AM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Hi Again Myo
Here's what my pal has suggested:
St Michael's Mount (as suggested by Eiffel) is great.
Eiffel also mentioned Minack ...
Derek Tangye (one of Maxwell Knight's colleagues in MI5) called his
autobio 'The Way to Minack' - because he loved it and settled there. A
MUST!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Tangye
Tintagel is fascinating:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel
The Eden Project is sort of OK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project
The EP's Rain Forest is great (so I'm told) but can be oppressive.
Maybe more later.
As for me, the US National Archives have given me the Thumbs Up and
I'm now expecting a heavily censored CD shortly.
You are sure to LOVE Cornwall!
All the Best
Bryan
On Jun 20, 4:23 pm, eiffel <roger.bro...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > If you are travelling to England, I would suggest a side trip to
> > Hove.
>
> Don't rely on your southern hemisphere compass or you'll end up here:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&ll=-35.008276,...
Here's what my pal has suggested:
St Michael's Mount (as suggested by Eiffel) is great.
Eiffel also mentioned Minack ...
Derek Tangye (one of Maxwell Knight's colleagues in MI5) called his
autobio 'The Way to Minack' - because he loved it and settled there. A
MUST!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Tangye
Tintagel is fascinating:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel
The Eden Project is sort of OK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project
The EP's Rain Forest is great (so I'm told) but can be oppressive.
Maybe more later.
As for me, the US National Archives have given me the Thumbs Up and
I'm now expecting a heavily censored CD shortly.
You are sure to LOVE Cornwall!
All the Best
Bryan
On Jun 20, 4:23 pm, eiffel <roger.bro...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > If you are travelling to England, I would suggest a side trip to
> > Hove.
>
myoarin
Jun 20, 2008, 7:02:43 PM6/20/08
to GA Alumni Association
Hey, that's all great! Thanks.
We've been to Brighton, years ago, and probably drove through Hove
without noticing while looking for a place to stay - didn't know
Bryan back then.
And I thought the only St. Michael's Mount was in France.
Glad to hear that an Aussie has seen so much of the country, and for
the reminder of Minack, which I've seen on TV.
When the Missis is really desparate for distraction, we watch the next
version of a soapy story on German TV; all separated stories set in
Cornwall, but all so similar that the plot is evident when all the
characters have been introduced: estranged or divorced older
generation (maybe one killed in an accident), lovely daughter,
espoused but bland male, old chum or less bland gardner/forester/
marine biologist, wicked step mother who wants to sell the family
estate to be an hotel .... But the scenery is lovely, if no one falls
off a cliff. And there is usually a auto accident - those roads (got
to remember) - but only scratches - and none to the expensive
cars.
So keep the suggestions coming, and, of course, You are one of the
nice friends, Bryan, otherwise we couldn't spar - or should I say
"row"? (Hope you don't get an answer to your $35 question).
Recommendations from others will also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again and cheers, Myo
We've been to Brighton, years ago, and probably drove through Hove
without noticing while looking for a place to stay - didn't know
Bryan back then.
And I thought the only St. Michael's Mount was in France.
Glad to hear that an Aussie has seen so much of the country, and for
the reminder of Minack, which I've seen on TV.
When the Missis is really desparate for distraction, we watch the next
version of a soapy story on German TV; all separated stories set in
Cornwall, but all so similar that the plot is evident when all the
characters have been introduced: estranged or divorced older
generation (maybe one killed in an accident), lovely daughter,
espoused but bland male, old chum or less bland gardner/forester/
marine biologist, wicked step mother who wants to sell the family
estate to be an hotel .... But the scenery is lovely, if no one falls
off a cliff. And there is usually a auto accident - those roads (got
to remember) - but only scratches - and none to the expensive
cars.
So keep the suggestions coming, and, of course, You are one of the
nice friends, Bryan, otherwise we couldn't spar - or should I say
"row"? (Hope you don't get an answer to your $35 question).
Recommendations from others will also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again and cheers, Myo
Probo
Jun 21, 2008, 1:55:34 AM6/21/08
to GA Alumni Association
Myo,
Here's more from my pal ...
Without knowing where the group tour will go, some suggested tourist
spots for the South-West from Lands End eastwards in no particular
order are:
St Ives, Goonhilly Satellite earth station, The Lizard Coastline, St
Just-in-Roseland/St Mawes/Portscatho, The Lost Gardens of Heligan,
Mevagissey, The Eden Project, Princetown, Widecombe (Haytor/Hound
Tor), Kingsbridge Estuary, Padstow/Rock, Tintagel, Hartland Point/
Clovelly, ( A drive: Dunster Castle, Wheddon Cross, Exford,
Simonsbath, Watersmeet, Barbrook, Hunter's Inn,Valley of the Rocks,
Woody Bay, Lynton Toll Road, Lynmouth, Countisbury, Porlock Toll Road,
back to Dunster) Tarr Steps, Wells, Cheddar and Wookey Hole, Bath
(Pump Room, Roman Baths, Abbey, Royal Crescent, Circle), Berkeley
Castle, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Castle Combe,
Westonbirt Arboretum, (A drive: Cotswolds - Shipston on Stour,Chipping
Campden, Broadway, Snowshill, Ford, Temple Guiting, Bourton-on-the-
Water, Lower and Upper Slaughters, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-the-
Marsh and back to Shipston) Longleat, Stourhead, Lyme Regis/Marshwood
Vale, Montacute House, Abbotsbury/The Swannery/Chesil Beach/Hardy
Monument,The Giant Cerne Abbas, Lulworth Cove, Avebury Rings, Wilton
House/Salisbury Cathedral, Wales ignored but the Brecon Beacons in
the right weather are beautiful. Plenty more but there is probably
something for most people in this list.
These should fill in half a day nicely.
Bryan
> > > Roger- Hide quoted text -
Here's more from my pal ...
Without knowing where the group tour will go, some suggested tourist
spots for the South-West from Lands End eastwards in no particular
order are:
St Ives, Goonhilly Satellite earth station, The Lizard Coastline, St
Just-in-Roseland/St Mawes/Portscatho, The Lost Gardens of Heligan,
Mevagissey, The Eden Project, Princetown, Widecombe (Haytor/Hound
Tor), Kingsbridge Estuary, Padstow/Rock, Tintagel, Hartland Point/
Clovelly, ( A drive: Dunster Castle, Wheddon Cross, Exford,
Simonsbath, Watersmeet, Barbrook, Hunter's Inn,Valley of the Rocks,
Woody Bay, Lynton Toll Road, Lynmouth, Countisbury, Porlock Toll Road,
back to Dunster) Tarr Steps, Wells, Cheddar and Wookey Hole, Bath
(Pump Room, Roman Baths, Abbey, Royal Crescent, Circle), Berkeley
Castle, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Castle Combe,
Westonbirt Arboretum, (A drive: Cotswolds - Shipston on Stour,Chipping
Campden, Broadway, Snowshill, Ford, Temple Guiting, Bourton-on-the-
Water, Lower and Upper Slaughters, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-the-
Marsh and back to Shipston) Longleat, Stourhead, Lyme Regis/Marshwood
Vale, Montacute House, Abbotsbury/The Swannery/Chesil Beach/Hardy
Monument,The Giant Cerne Abbas, Lulworth Cove, Avebury Rings, Wilton
House/Salisbury Cathedral, Wales ignored but the Brecon Beacons in
the right weather are beautiful. Plenty more but there is probably
something for most people in this list.
These should fill in half a day nicely.
Bryan
myoarin
Jun 21, 2008, 5:06:52 AM6/21/08
to GA Alumni Association
HI Bryan,
Wow, thanks, and thanks to your pal, too, please.
And the sponsored link at the left picked up on my question with a
link to Rosamunde Pilcher, authress of the first of those stories I
mentioned (now her son hammers them out: "Stay in Cornwall, home to
Rosamunde Pilcher at an English Country Hotel". Have to check that
out.
Putting 35 and 35 together, I change my assumption about the US
National Archive's attitude towards you and assume that you are very
pleased with its response. (Hmmm, maybe I should take my ID card from
Kew with me to prove that I am a respectable guest in England.)
Cheers, Myo
Wow, thanks, and thanks to your pal, too, please.
And the sponsored link at the left picked up on my question with a
link to Rosamunde Pilcher, authress of the first of those stories I
mentioned (now her son hammers them out: "Stay in Cornwall, home to
Rosamunde Pilcher at an English Country Hotel". Have to check that
out.
Putting 35 and 35 together, I change my assumption about the US
National Archive's attitude towards you and assume that you are very
pleased with its response. (Hmmm, maybe I should take my ID card from
Kew with me to prove that I am a respectable guest in England.)
Cheers, Myo
myoarin
Jun 24, 2008, 5:42:06 PM6/24/08
to GA Alumni Association
This time I may have the last word without arousing Bryan's envy/
disgruntlement/...
Thanks to all for the great help - much more useful and exciting of
anticipation than my reading of the Cornwall tourism site.
We're off tomorrow and will be staying at a fine hotel after we (and
five others) enjoy the hospitality of a family in Exeter whose house
doesn't look as though it could contain us all so comfortably (been
there before).
So, with good luck I will be back on July 6th or 7th - and hope to
find new activity here and elsewhere.
Best to all, Myo
disgruntlement/...
Thanks to all for the great help - much more useful and exciting of
anticipation than my reading of the Cornwall tourism site.
We're off tomorrow and will be staying at a fine hotel after we (and
five others) enjoy the hospitality of a family in Exeter whose house
doesn't look as though it could contain us all so comfortably (been
there before).
So, with good luck I will be back on July 6th or 7th - and hope to
find new activity here and elsewhere.
Best to all, Myo
David
Jun 24, 2008, 6:07:42 PM6/24/08
to GA Alumni Association
Have a great trip Myo. We'll be here (of course) when you return.
David
> > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
David
myoarin
Jul 6, 2008, 7:00:41 PM7/6/08
to GA Alumni Association
Why didn't anyone tell me it rains in Cornwall? (It never does in
those films, unless to force the ingenue to share shelter with the
right man.)
Well, only the last couple of days, but then monsoon with storm
winds. At least those stone walls with hedges deflected the wind from
those so picturesque narrow and curvy roads that keep the passenger
shuffling his or her feet.
Actually, it was very delightful. If we didn't see all the beauty
spots, we saw enough of them. Confused a German couple in our hotel:
I heard her saying something about my "perfectes Englisch" (proof that
she was German, since no English person would have said that).
Learned that Tantigel is pronounced with a soft G, found the Tate
Gallery at St. Ives (despite my wife's thinking we were on the wrong
road) and enjoyed it and the views, as well as the Barbara Hepworth
museum and garden - and glad we weren't there on the weekend, when
the tourists would have been even more numerous. Even saw a couple
of sea lions at St. Agnes.
So, it was a very successful outing, thanks to all!
Myo
those films, unless to force the ingenue to share shelter with the
right man.)
Well, only the last couple of days, but then monsoon with storm
winds. At least those stone walls with hedges deflected the wind from
those so picturesque narrow and curvy roads that keep the passenger
shuffling his or her feet.
Actually, it was very delightful. If we didn't see all the beauty
spots, we saw enough of them. Confused a German couple in our hotel:
I heard her saying something about my "perfectes Englisch" (proof that
she was German, since no English person would have said that).
Learned that Tantigel is pronounced with a soft G, found the Tate
Gallery at St. Ives (despite my wife's thinking we were on the wrong
road) and enjoyed it and the views, as well as the Barbara Hepworth
museum and garden - and glad we weren't there on the weekend, when
the tourists would have been even more numerous. Even saw a couple
of sea lions at St. Agnes.
So, it was a very successful outing, thanks to all!
Myo
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