Cornwall, South West England

Cornwall means many different things to many different people. Golden beaches, exotic gardens, ancient ruins, industrial innovation, breathtaking scenery, excellent food and drink, a chance to get away from it all.

The landscapes change dramatically over relatively short distances. The Tamar Valley, where our B&B is situated on the Cornwall / Devon border, is a very quiet, overlooked area, full of small villages and hamlets that support still-thriving communities. Nestled between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, its character is dominated by the rivers that lie at its heart; the Tamar, Tavy and Inny.

Beyond the steep sided valleys and the open moors, the north coast offers great beaches, high slate cliffs beaten into ragged shapes by the Atlantic Ocean, and small fishing villages that catch fantastically fresh crab and lobster.

Moving further west, you encounter a land shaped by mining and quarrying. Miniature mountains around the St Austell area, created from the spoils of a rich china clay industry, now home to the world famous Eden Project. Hundreds of derelict tin mine engine houses lurk in hidden valleys, stand proud on windswept hilltops, and cling to ravaged cliffs around the Redruth, Pool, Cambourne area, where granite dominates.

The south coast, Truro, Roseland Peninsula, Falmouth, Helford River, has a slightly more gentrified air, where wealthy merchants and mine owners built large houses and invested in expeditions to collect fantastic plants and flowers from around the world. These expeditions furnished us with a high concentration of some of the most exotic gardens in the country.

Travelling beyond Falmouth, the light takes on a noticeably different character. The very tip of Cornwall pushes out into the edge of the Gulf Stream, and this generates a slightly milder climate. The waters around the Lizard Peninsula on the south coast and West Penwith to the north have a startling turquoise colour, and the clarity and brightness of light make it obvious why groups of artists congregate around the St Ives, Newlyn and Penzance areas.

Cornwall has something for everyone. Whatever your reasons for visiting, our centrally located bed and breakfast offers a peaceful, relaxing base from which to explore.