Cornwall – breathtaking landscapes and film locations

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Cornwall - Movies, Cycling and more Beaches...

So you have read about my adventures on the ocean, the remaining days of my trip to Cornwall were dedicated to authentic Cornish villages, locations for TV shows and films, some biking and … more stunning beaches!

Mother Ivey´s Bay Holiday Park

Just next to Martha`s Orchard, my lovely accommodation (will get back to it later), there is Mother Ivey`s Bay Holiday Park – another awesome bay with a private sandy beach, ideal for kids. Here you can stay in one of the many fully equipped caravans –a very nice holiday park and certainly good for families. Are you into camping or motorhomes? Then this is definitely the place to stay. I particularly liked the fact that the holiday park supports charities such as the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the local lifeboat crew. The owners also really do care about their staff and they are one of only two holiday parks in the UK that pay the Real Living Wage to all of their staff. Good stuff!

Surfer Hotspot in Cornwall

A short drive and you will get to Polzeath, a pretty edgy place which is also known as one of THE hotspots for surfers. Among the fans of Polzeath, there are – again – members of the Royal family, actress Helena Bonham Carter and former Prime Minister David Cameron (yes, he is a great bodyboarder). I did not surf or bodyboard(never really learned this well) but had a wonderful espresso, served from a truck right on the beach. Take a deep breath while sipping coffee!

Cornwall - Home of Rosamunde Pilcher

Have you ever heard of Rosamunde Pilcher? This famous British author has written tons of books („The Shell Seeker" is probably the most famous one) which served as a model for many films … or better say soap operas (sorry, Rosamunde). One of the filming locations is Prideaux Place, a wonderful Elizabethan manor close to Padstow. Famous actors such as Helena Bonham Carter (she must love Cornwall!), Joanna Lumley, Ben Kingsley and Peter O`Toole have been here for film shootings. Keira Knightley came to Prideaux Place for a photo shooting for VOGUE Italy. She looked very good in clothes designed by Vivienne Westwood, by the way.

Prideaux Place - a very popular manor

Completed in 1592, the same family has been living in this charming residence to the present day. Take a guided tour through Prideaux Place and maybe you will run into the owners Peter Prideaux-Brune and his wife Elisabeth - very lovely people and great storytellers. The rooms are full of art, books, history, and paintings. Prideaux Place was the first building in Cornwall with electricity! In the huge park, with breathtaking views over the valley, you can watch some deer. Great Britain at its best! Ah, don`t get irritated by coaches from Germany. Older people love to visit this place since they watch all the Pilcher soap operas. As my mom used to say „I only watch this for the stunning landscapes, not for the stupid stories." Nothing to add.

The famous House of Doc Martin in Cornwall

If you don`t know (shame on you ;-)) or dislike (that`s ok) Rosamunde Pilcher, how about Doc Martin? ThisTV series about a London-based surgeon who gives up his job (he is tired of seeing all that blood…) and moves to Portwenn (in reality, this place is called Port Isaac). You get the best view of his home from the other side of the bay. Make sure to stroll through the little alleys (cars are not allowed!) with its cafés, art galleries and houses of the 18th and 19th century. It cannot get more Cornish! I loved the shop name „May contain Nuts“ (British humour…) and could not stop taking photos of all those picturesque corners.

Although you can't actually go in, many people seek out the Doc Martin`s house and surgery on Roscarrock Hill in Port Isaac in order to take a picture outside. Any fans of Poldark? It’s filmed in many locations around this area. Something for me to explore on my next visit…

Wines from Cornwall

Award-winning British wines? Oh yes. Camel Valley, founded by former pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie in 1989, is now led by the second generation. Sam Lindo returned to the family farm where he had grownup. With his parents`help, he learned fast how to produce top red, white and sparkling wines. In 2007, he won the „UK Winemaker of the Year Award". More awards and trophies followed soon, such as the Gold Medal in the International Wine Challenge for Camel Valley Bacchus and the Gold Medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards for Camel Valley Sparkling ‘Cornwall' Pinot Noir, just to name a few. I had a look at the latest equipment in this winery and just sipped a little bit of the very tasty Pinot. Why only a bit? A cycling tour was waiting and I really don`t enjoy a bike ride while being drunk ;-).

The Camel Trail

Talking about CAMEL now does not have anything to do with those lovely animals in the desert. I rather mean a river of 48 km that flows into the eastern Celtic Sea. Apart from water sports, this area is perfect for cycling! What type of biker are you? Whatever the answer is, you will get your perfect bike at Camel Trail Cycle Hire. Mountainbikes, e-bikes, bikes with trailers for children, tandems, disability cycles. Ready to roll? We have cycled from the base in Wadebridge, a lovely little town (with great coffee shops!) all along the Camel Estuary up to Padstow (approx. 20 km). No cars, no hills, no noise – just nature, bikers, joggers, walkers and … you! And by the way, this area is birdwatcher`s paradise! If you are not patient enough to watch out for birdies, you will certainly hear them singing. From Wadebridge, you can also bike into the opposite direction to historic Bodmin, surrounded by bluebell woods and winding streams. You may stop at the Camel Valley Vineyard (here we go again…) or try some tea rooms (possibly the more appropriate drink when exercising ;-)). Fitness in splendid nature – what else can one ask for?

Relax at Martha`s Orchard

Again, what an awesome day! Jonathan takes me back to Martha`s Orchard and I am already looking forward to the hot tub! Before enjoying that, I have a look at all the awesome paintingsby Rob, the manager of this complex. Britain`s got talent! I love his interpretations of beautiful Cornwall. Robalso shows me the houses at Martha`s Orchard – ideal for families and/or groups of friends. Elegant (and fancy!) furniture and decor and everything you need for your self-catering vacations with that glimpse of luxury. Highly recommendable!

Spectacular Sunset in Constantine Bay

The last walk to Constantine Bay to watch a spectacular sunset … and here ends my first Cornwall adventure. Thanks so much to Jonathan Cooksley for showing me around. His maps are a wonderful help to plan your routes through this lovely part of Great Britain. And – I have only seen a small part of Cornwall, there is much more to explore. So how about coming back in September – deal? Deal!

11 good Reasons to visit Cornwall:

* Awesome nature

* Breathtaking bays and sandy beaches

* Water Sports and sea safaris

* Marine Wildlife

* Birdwatching

* Charming villages

* Great cycling and hiking

* Authenticity

* Friendly and relaxed locals

* Lovely cafés and restaurants

How to get to Cornwall

If you are not traveling by car or by train, you have a few airline options:

Flybe offers connections to Newquay from all major UK cities

Eurowings is serving Newquay from four German cities (summer only)

Air Lingus even connects New York (!) - via Dublin - with Newquay

Airport transfers can be arranged by Coastline Travel.