Explore CORNWALL CALLING Rugged coastlines with beaches punctuated by dramatic cliffs. Charming villages with castles, moors and ruins, and of course, sweet tea with warm scones and clotted cream. These are a few of our favourite things about Cornwall—England’s southernmost Celtic regional wonder. Text Girija Duggal Image copyright Visit Britain and Adam Burton Visit Britain and Image copyright p As the name suggests, Land’s End is where mainland England ends—culminating in rugged cliffs that flank the dramatic Celtic Sea. 50 JetWings International June 2014 JetWings International June 2014 51 Image courtesy Adam Gibbard Image courtesy s you cross the river Tamar and enter England’s southernmost county, the landscape changes dramatically, the accent develops a definite lilt, and the rhythm The majestic landscape and Aof life noticeably slows down. With a heady mix of friendly locals, a seemingly magical light of southwest endless coastline, stunning landscape, a rich history dating to the Stone Age, a distinct Celtic culture and even its own flag, Cornwall stands proudly apart from the rest of the Cornwall have drawn country. It comes as no surprise then that Britain’s favourite vacation spot was recently voted the world’s most family-friendly destination, beating Orlando, Florida to top spot. artists to seaside towns Here are 10 reasons to head to the land of beaches, pasties and cream teas this summer. such as Newlyn, St Ives and Penzance since the 19th century and spawned major schools of art. Land’s End: The westernmost point of mainland England draws hordes of visitors for its unique location and stunning views of the Atlantic. On a clear day, you can see the waves crashing at Longships Lighthouse and see the Isles of Scilly in the distance. Take a walk along the coastal path, have your picture taken at the famous signpost and buy souvenirs at the shopping centre. If you’d rather avoid the crowds and the touristy paraphernalia, p Above: Barely six kilometres away from Land’s End is Porthcurno, a seaside village whose cliffs and coastline are designated ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. It is one of the villages one comes across on the famous South West Coast Path. Left: The sign post at Land’s End. The lettering can be altered to a message or a person’s name, the place s/he comes from and the distance. Image copyright Visit Britain and Adam Burton Visit Britain and Image copyright 52 JetWings International June 2014 Image copyright Visit Britain and Britain on View Visit Britain and on Image copyright p Clockwise from above: To appreciate theatre, one cannot find a more dramatic venue than Minack Theatre which faces the azure waters of the Celtic Sea; The real Jamaica Inn that inspired the haunting novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier; ‘Ferryside’—Du Maurier’s home in Bodinnick on Fowey where she wrote many novels before moving to Menabily. head instead to the neighbouring fishing village of Sennen, from where it’s a scenic (A handy guide is available at www. coastal walk to Land’s End or Cape Cornwall. encounterwalkingholidays.com/walking_ daphne_du_maurier) Encounter Walking Minack Theatre: With the sea to one side and an open sky above, Minack Theatre Holidays and Lynn Goold (info@fowey. offers the world’s most spectacular setting for a play. It was built by Rowena Cade in a co.uk) also offer guided tours. cliff side at Porthcurno in 1932. The Tempest, Pygmalion and Monty Python’s Spamalot are some of the plays lined up this season, which runs through September, alongside South West Coast Path: One of the music gigs, storytelling and family shows. Book show tickets in advance. Daytime visits are best ways to see Cornwall’s beautiful available throughout the year (Adults £4.50, Children - £0.50-£2.50) scenery, wildlife and heritage is to take a walk along the South West Coast Path, a Daphne du Maurier trail: The celebrated author of books like Rebecca, Jamaica 630-mile marked trail that runs through Inn and My Cousin Rachel resided all her adult life in Fowey (pronounced Foy), whose Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Devon. coves, villages and scenery inspired major settings in her books. Take a self-guided walk Along the way you’ll pass beautiful in and around Fowey to discover places that du Maurier lived in and mentioned in her beaches, small fishing villages, abandoned books, such as the secluded Menabilly house that was the basis for Rebecca’s Manderley. tin mines, and may even spot seals and Ken Gillham/Robert Harding Picture Library/Dinodia Library/Dinodia Picture Gillham/Robert Harding Ken Image courtesy Emily Whitfield-Wicks Image courtesy 54 JetWings International June 2014 Image copyright Visit Britain and David Clapp Image copyright Girija Duggal Image copyright Visit England_Phil Nicholls Image copyright Foodfolio/Food And Drink Photos/Dinodia And Drink Photos/Dinodia Foodfolio/Food p Clockwise from above: Eden’s biomes are made Eden project: The world’s largest (Hayle, Camborne and Marazion); Malcolm up of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal thermoplastic cells and UV-transparent film which rainforest in captivity, complete with Barnecutt (in seven locations), Horse & acts as a thermal blanket to the structure; Cornish tea waterfalls and a canopy walkway, grows Jockey in Helston and Porthleven, and with scones, jam and clotted cream and pasties are Ann’s Pasties at Helston and The Lizard. the reason people keep coming back to Cornwall; St inside one of the two huge artificial Biomes Michael’s Mount closely resembles Mont Saint-Michel here. There are three climactic zones in Follow it with a traditional Cornish cream Image copyright Visit Britain Britain on View Visit Britain on Image copyright in Normandy. all, featuring over a million plants from tea—a pot of tea served alongside hot around the world. The place is buzzing scones, fruit jam and clotted cream. A word studios, museums and galleries. Must-visit with concerts, workshops and exhibitions of caution: the jam should be slathered addresses include the Tate St Ives, the throughout the year. Take the train to on the scone first, followed by a healthy Barbara Hepworth Museum, and the Leach St Austell and hop on to a bus that takes dollop of clotted cream. Do it the other Pottery studio and museum, all in St Ives, you directly to the venue, or get off at Par way round and you may be the subject of and the Penlee House and Newlyn art and hire a cab. Adults £23.50, children disapproving frowns! galleries in Penzance. £13.50 (discounts on offer if you purchase tickets online or arrive by public transport). p Clockwise from above: It is not difficult to visualise tales from the Arthurian legends when one visits the St Michael’s Mount: This small island in wind-swept Tintagel castle; Weather permitting, one It comes as no surprise then that Britain’s favourite vacation Marazion is home to a medieval castle and Fact file should not miss out on a day of boating in Cornwall; monastery. Relics of the past are carefully Porthmeor Beach which houses the famous Tate St Ives Getting there art gallery—one of England’s most popular. spot was recently voted the world’s most family-friendly preserved in the castle, which has been Jet Airways has daily direct flights to destination, beating Orlando, Florida to top spot. home to the St Aubyn family since the London from Mumbai and Delhi. The easiest way to get to Cornwall from dolphins. Some sections can be challenging mid-17th century. After a visit to the castle and the 14th-century priory church, take London is to take a one-hour flight from for inexperienced walkers, so plan a route weekends between November and mid- sports like sailing, kite surfing, surfing and in the exotic plant display in the terraced Gatwick airport to Newquay. You can accordingly (www.southwestcoastpath. February. Adults £6.10, children £3.70. kayaking, check out outfits like Cornwall outdoor sub-tropical garden. When the also opt for a train from Paddington, com). Make sure you pack a pair of sturdy Surf Academy (www.cornwallsurfacademy. tide is low, you can walk up to the Mount which stops at major stations in walking boots, a warm, waterproof jacket, Beaches and watersports: With its com), Elemental UK (www.elementaluk. the county (www.firstgreatwestern. across a causeway. Free village and and snacks for the journey. 422-mile coastline, it is hardly surprising com), and Surf’s Up! Surf School (www. co.uk). The rail company also offers an harbour-side tours are on offer Tuesdays that Cornwall has a host of beautiful surfsupsurfschool.com). overnight sleeper express. Tintagel castle: Situated on a site beaches and coves ideal for walking, and Fridays, 11 am and 2 pm. inhabited since the Roman period, lazing or indulging in water sports. St Artistic heritage: The majestic Accommodation Pasties and Cream Tea: A trip to this 800-year-old castle is said to be Agnes, Bude, Newquay, Perranporth, landscape and magical light of southwest One of England’s most visited regions is Cornwall is incomplete without having the the birthplace of King Arthur. Explore Porthtowan, Sennan Cove and Church Cornwall have drawn artists to seaside not lacking in options to stay. There are humble oggy, or pasty—a baked D-shaped the 12th-century ruins and take in the Cove are among the popular beachside towns such as Newlyn, St Ives and hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, pastry neatly crimped on the side and dramatic views of the sea. From July 29-31 destinations, while Kynance Cove on the Penzance since the 19th century and inns, hostels, cottages, camping sites stuffed with a savoury or sweet filling this year, you can even watch knights re- Lizard Peninsula, with its unique green spawned major schools of art.