Helford River to Falmouth
This area is bounded on the east by Falmouth Bay and on the south by the Helford River. Maenporth village, with its superb beach, overlooks the sea and through it runs the south-west coast path. This can be followed south around Rosemullian Head to the mouth of the Helford River.About one mile inland from here is the village of Mawnan Smith, its name probably deriving from the fact that it once had several smithies serving the surrounding farming community. A small artisan group continues...
Falmouth and Penryn
These two towns are almost merged into one settlement, the largest in Cornwall with a combined population of about 31,000. They both front the Fal estuary, known as Carrick Roads, the third largest natural harbour in the world. Falmouth also borders Falmouth Bay where its beaches are located, the largest of which is the south facing Gyllngvase Beach. An elevated promontory contains Pendennis Castle which is one of a pair (the other being in St Mawes) built by Henry VIII to guard against...
Truro
Truro is a cathedral city and the county town and administrative centre of Cornwall. It is not a large city with a population of about 24,000 but it is the main retail and cultural location in Cornwall. The Hall for Cornwall is a performing arts and entertainment venue, and the Royal Cornwall Museum covers Cornish history.The cathedral is relatively new being completed in 1910 on the site of and incorporating a former church. It is in the centre of the city and features 3 spires. Georgian...
Flushing, Mylor and Feock
These three villages are on the east side of Carrick Roads (Fal estuary). As might be expected they all have thriving sailing clubs: Flushing Sailing Club, Mylor Yacht Club and Restronguet (Feock) Sailing Club, but otherwise are different in character.Flushing is located a short ferry ride across the Penryn River from Falmouth. It was named thus by Dutch engineers who built its quays in the 17th century. It was a popular residential area for packet ship captains and crew, resulting in the...
St Agnes and Perranporth
These two settlements are about 3 miles apart on the north Cornish coast and are very different in character. St Agnes is a small town with its centre away from the sea, while Perranporth is very much a seaside resort.St Agnes was since prehistoric times a centre of the mining industry for copper and tin, but this ceased about 100 years ago. The whole area is protected with much industrial archaeology including Wheal Coates to the south of the town.The coastline is spectacular in both...
Newquay
With a population of about 24,000, Newquay is one of the larger towns in Cornwall. It is probably the largest resort in Cornwall, benefiting from a number of large beaches, and is a popular surfing centre (particularly Fistral Beach) due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. For centuries it was a small fishing settlement, and development of the harbour (new quay) initially began in a small way in the early 17th century.Fishing was the mainstay of Newquay for many tears and in particular...
Padstow and Wadebridge
Famous for its May Day celebrations featuring the Obby Oss, Padstow is also noted for its picturesque harbour and Rick Stein restaurants. It is located on the west bank of the River Camel about 2 miles in from Padstow Bay. It is one of few safe havens on the north Cornwall coast, but access from the sea can be treacherous due to a sand bar known as The Doom Bar, where there have been many wrecks.Padstow is an ancient place, being recorded in the Domesday Book. Its importance was due to its...
Rock and Polzeath
Formerly known as Black Rock, one of many in Cornwall, Rock is located on the east bank of the River Camel estuary opposite Padstow, to which there is a foot ferry. It is a long village spreading about 2 miles along Rock Road to the interestingly named Splatt and Pityme.Today Rock is well known as an up-market resort with few signs of its medieval fishing village origins. It has a range of well-known restaurants and pubs.Rock Sailing & Waterski Club is situated on the riverbank in an old...
Port Isaac
A small fishing village on the north Cornwall Atlantic coast, Port Isaac is well known in popular culture via the sea shanty group Fisherman's Friends and the Doc Martin TV series. A pier was built during the reign of Henry VIII and breakwaters later. It was a busy port for hundreds of years before the advent of the railways.Fishing was always an important part of its economy and continues in a reduced way today. Boats for local coastal goods and fishing were built in the village and there...
Roseland Peninsula
On the South Cornwall coast to the east of Falmouth lies the Roseland Peninsula, its name deriving from the Cornish word ros meaning promontory. In total it covers about 40 square miles and is bounded on the west by Carrick Roads (Fal Estuary) and on the east by Gerrans Bay and Veryan Bay. The shape of the peninsula and because it is bisected by the Percuil River at its southern end means that it has about 30 miles of waterfront.There are 5 main villages and over 20 small hamlets scattered...