The Atlantic Coast Places to Visit Cornwall

Cornwall appears to have it all; coastlines, landscapes, history and myth. Based on the Gulf stream, the sea in Cornwall can be warmer than other parts of the country and attracts surfers from all over the world.

Errant Surf School is one of Europe's leading surf coaching and development centres. We cater for total beginner surfers with our half day and full day taster sessions. We also cater for improvers with our week long course and private surf coaching. For the more advanced surfers we offer longboard coaching weekends, BSA surf coach awards and the NARS Beach lifeguard award. We are perfectly located overlooking the surf at Great Western beach in the heart of Newquay. Click here to view Errant Surf Schools website

* Open all year
* Changing room, parking and private access to the beach
* Full range of surfboards (soft and hard) and wetsuits for all seasons
* Prices from £30 for a half day, £40 full day surf lesson, £69 for a weekend surf course and      private lessons from £35. Prices include all equipment, insurance (£5,000,000) and certificate.

 

 

 


Bodmin Gaol If you fancy a ‘day inside’ with a difference, then Bodmin Gaol could be the answer ! The granite jail, built by Napoleonic prisoners of war, dates back to around 1778. When Bodmin rose to be the county town of Cornwall in 1836, it became the County Prison . The jail was undoubtedly a gruesome place in those days, with cramped, cold and damp conditions, painful treatment at the stocks and a fair chance of becoming a latter day local attraction whilst being publicly hanged. In 1862 public hangings ceased but they carried on executing prisoners inside the jail until 1909. Apparently, the jail is haunted and appeared on Living TV's 'Most Haunted' series – one wonders why given that 55 prisoners were executed at the jail during it's 150 year history ! The prison closed in 1927 and today the jail is open to the public as a museum and aside from exhibits which recreate the lives of 18th century prisoners, there are modern touches such as a bar, a restaurant and gift shop.

British Cycling Museum The British Cycling Museum is a must for anyone interested in the history of cycling over the past 125 years. The museum is aptly located in an old Victorian railway station in Camelford. The museum opened in 1992, the passion of an enthusiast that had amassed a large collection of cycling equipment and memorabilia. With over 400 cycles, over 1000 cycling medals and badges and an old cycle repair workshop, it is no wonder that the museum attracts enthusiasts from all over the world.  There is also an extensive library of books, pictures, cycle lamps and other memorabilia. Normally open Sunday  - Thursday and at other times, The British Cycling Museum does not have it's own website but can be contacted on 01840 212811

Bude Canal Visit the Bude Canal website here

Docton Mill & Gardens Docton Mill Wild Flower Gardens are situated in North Devon (UK) in a stunning valley, 1000m from the coast. The Garden started in the 1930’s but fell into disrepair in the 1970’s. 1980 saw the Mill renovated and Garden cleared with extensive planting and the creation of a new Bog Garden and borders, vast numbers of trees were planted. The start of the new Millennium saw developments including a new Magnolia Garden with large Herbaceous borders, Woodland Garden and Greenhouse area enabling more extensive plant propagation.

Terice Manor Set in a beautiful secluded spot, the house contains fine fireplaces, plaster ceilings, oak and walnut furniture, interesting clocks, needlework and Stuart portraits. The highlight of the interior is the magnificent Great Chamber with its splendid barrel ceiling. The garden has some unusual plants and an orchard with old varieties of fruit trees. In the hayloft behind the Great Barn is an exhibition on the history of the lawnmower. Visitors are welcome to play 'Kayles' (Cornish skittles) on the parade ground. Terice Manor website.

Geevor Tin Mine Geevor Tin Mine opened as a Museum and Heritage Centre in 1993 and is the largest preserved tin mining site in Europe and one of the largest industrial heritage sites in Britain. Historically, Geevor Tim Mine was significant in the international development of tin mining and especially underseas. The facility is located near Pendeen between Land's End and St. Ives on the South West Coastal Path.

Jamaica Inn Known all around the world as the setting and insiration for Daphne du Maurier's fourth novel, "Jamaica Inn", this attraction is a must for anyone with an interest in the work of Daphne du Maurier. The storyline of the novel was hatched some years after Daphne and her friend Foy Quiller Couch went riding on Bodmin Moor whilst staying at the 18th century coaching house and got lost due to bad weather conditions. Sheltering for some time in a derelict cottage must have left interesting memories which later came to life on the pages of her famous novel. One doubts whether Jamaica Inn would be an attraction as such had it not been for Daphne du Maurer but for over 200 years it has  been a welcome resting place for travellers crossing Bodmin Moor between Launceston and Bodmin - and it is said, a hiding place for smuggled contraband, incuding rum from which it is thought the name of the pub derives. Jamaica Inn is one of the most extensive museums dedicated to Daphne du Maurier and to smuggling and worth a visit if you are interested in either subject. We are able to provide tours to Jamaica Inn as part of our Daphne du Maurier discovery tour which runs each week.

Padstow Museum This small but interesting museum is situated just 50 metres from the harbour side in the port of Padstow on the North Cornish Coast.

Initially set up in 1971 by an enthusiastic group of local residents headed by retired boat builder Bill Lindsey, it holds an interesting collection of artefacts giving an insight into the history of the Port of Padstow over the past two centuries. Padstow Museum website.

Prideaux Place The Prideaux family is an ancient Cornish clan whose origins go back to the 11th century and who descend from such diverse characters as William the Conqueror, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile. Jane Austen too was a close relation.

Fourteen generations of the family have lived at Prideaux Place since its completion in 1592. Of its 81 rooms, 46 are bedrooms and only 6 of these are habitable! The rest are as the American Army left them at the end of the Second World War, complete with such notices as 'Lance Sergeants' Mess'.

The National Lobster Hatchery Situated on the quay at Pastow, The National Lobster Hatchery is an important contributor to the management of coastal marine resources and in particular, to the restocking of lobsters. Local fishermen that have caught pregnant female lobsters bring them to the centre and the baby lobsters are born in captivity without predators that would decimate the new offspring. The young lobsters are then raised to a size where they can be released back into the sea. Open 7 days a week throughout the year, the work of the hatchery is on view for everyone coming to the visitor centre. 

Lane Theatre Newquay Dramatic Society was founded in May 1931 and has been presenting plays ever since. Lane Theatre was established in the Lane Village Hall in 1981 and as a result of 25 years of development and Lottery funding, granted in 1999, now boasts a superb 136 seat theatre with excellent facilities for disabled people.   There is free parking and a licensed bar. The theatre normally stages four shows a year with two plays during the Summer season and productions in the Spring and Autumn. For advance bookings and further information you can ring 01637 876945 or visit Lane Theatre website.


 
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