Author: Kingfisher Cottage

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Falmouth

Maenporth Beach

Walking distance from Kingfisher Cottage

A 20-minute level walk along a bridle path and lane or enjoy a 40 minute leisurely walk through scenic woods and undulating farmland from Kingfisher Cottage, Pendra Loweth – particularly good for exercising your dog.

Sandy beaches and fantastic swimming

Swim from the gently shelving sandy beach, relax on the sand, bring a barbecue, visit the cafe for a fresh crab sandwich, enjoy lunch at The Cove, a beachside restaurant with fabulous views or explore the South West Coast Path.

Maenporth beach sits at the head of a small, sheltered bay with lovely views south. The coastline to the east and west offers protection from the wind and waves making Maenporth a great place to paddle, swim and enjoy the water safely.

When the tide is out you can see the wreck of the Ben Asdale, a trawler that sank on 30th December 1979 – see https://www.submerged.co.uk/the-wreck-of-the-ben-asdale/

Kayaks and Stand-up Paddle Boards can be hired throughout the summer.

Food and drink can be purchased at the café: https://lifesabeachcafe.co.uk

Public Toilets are available.

Car Parking is free during November to March. Otherwise it’s £2 to £4 per day, mid to high season.

Dogs are welcome on this beach but, like most beaches in Cornwall, not between July 1st and 31st August (10am-6pm). Nearby Sunny Cove, positioned halfway between Swanpool and Maenporth beaches, allows dogs all year round – as well as naturists.

Categories
Marazion

St Michaels Mount

National Trust property

Recently featured on the Channel 4 Devon and Cornwall TV series and currently being used for the filming of House of Dragon (the Game of Thrones prequel), a 50-minute car journey from Kingfisher Cottage gets you to this unique island. We often visit as entry is free to National Trust members.

Immerse yourself in history

It is still home to the St Aubyn family, as well as a small community. This iconic rocky island is crowned by a medieval church and castle – with the oldest buildings dating from the 12th century.

Immerse yourself in history, wonder at the architecture and discover the legend of Jack the Giant Killer.

Looking down on the subtropical terraced garden you can enjoy the breath-taking views of spectacular Mount’s Bay.

If the weather is favourable, take a short ferry-boat trip to the island, or at low tide, enjoy the walk across the causeway.

Occasionally St Michael’s Mount closes due to inclement weather. To check tide times and for further information, visit www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, TR17 OHS

Categories
St Austell

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Only 25 miles from Kingfisher Cottage

Lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1, this Sleeping Beauty was re-awakened in 1990 to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today Heligan’s 200 acres are a paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant-lover and garden romantic. We have visited many times and on the last occasion were lucky enough to see a grass snake slithering across the lake.

History and Restoration

At the end of the nineteenth century Heligan’s thousand acres were at their zenith, but only a few years later bramble and ivy were already drawing a green veil over this “Sleeping Beauty”. The outbreak of WW1 was the start of the estate’s demise as its workforce went off to fight in the trenches; many sadly never to return.

Twenty-five years ago, The Lost Gardens of Heligan were rediscovered from the brambles of time. Today it remains one of the most loved and romantic gardens in the UK, appreciated as much for its beauty and mystery as for the ground breaking restoration project.

Victorian Productive Gardens and Pleasure Grounds beckon, along winding paths laid out over two centuries ago. The Jungle takes you on a sub-tropical journey through bamboo tunnels and under majestic tree ferns, giant rhubarb and bananas whilst the estate reveals a lost world of traditional and rare breeds, wildlife and ancient woodlands.

Heligan is a garden for all seasons, so whether you plan to visit in the hazy buzz of mid-summer, or the tranquillity of winter, you are guaranteed a unique experience.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a member of The Great Gardens of Cornwall, a group of the finest Cornwall gardens on offer. Should you be planning to visit more than one Great Garden, make sure you pick up a Great Gardens leaflet to take advantage of the discounted entry offer. 

For further information and prices visit https://www.heligan.com

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St.Austell, PL26 6EN

Categories
St Blazey

The Eden Project

Gardeners Paradise..

A perfect day out whatever the weather. The Eden Project is a true gardeners paradise. Fun for all the family, explore the huge biomes, and marvel at the plethora of plant life and exotic animals.

An hour’s drive from Kingfisher Cottage brings you to The Eden Project, which is an educational charity, connecting us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.

This visitor destination in Cornwall is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to the striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events. You can even hold your wedding here!

Although most of Eden’s garden displays are outdoors, you can also visit the Core – a fantastic building full of interactive displays and exhibits and of course the two Biomes (greenhouses). 

Winner of the Inclusive Tourism Award by Visit England in 2017, the Eden Project is accessible by wheelchair, pushchairs, or people with limited mobility.

There’s plenty there for children, including play areas, giant garden sculptures, shortcuts and hideaways, stepping-stones and sandpits. And dogs are allowed in the Outdoor Gardens.

You can bring your own picnic or sample their own freshly prepared food at the food and drink section.

There is free WiFi available throughout the site, free parking and a staggering 245 toilets so you won’t go short!

Money raised supports their transformational projects and learning programmes.

For more information visit https://www.edenproject.com

Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG

Categories
Porthcurro

The Minack Theatre

Stunning Views

An hour by car from Kingfisher Cottage takes you to The Minack, a unique theatre built on a granite cliffside, sloping steeply down to the sea, and looking out over Porthcurno Bay towards craggy headlands and the Lizard peninsula on the horizon. Well worth the drive, the theatre faces South East across the mouth of the English Channel, an area rich with wildlife and a wonderful place to experience the wild beauty of the Cornish coast.

Explore..

When there is no show on, you can explore the open-air theatre itself, stand on the stage, investigate the backstage paths and gaze down into the watery depths of the narrow ‘zawn’ almost under your feet. Enjoy beautiful sub-tropical gardens and admire the extraordinary carvings around the theatre, all etched by Rowena Cade using only a rusty screwdriver.

Raise your eyes from the theatre and look out to sea, where the waves surge around the Logan Rock and the gannets dive from heady heights into the foam. You may be lucky enough to spot a seal bobbing around the rocks, or a school of dolphins making their way down channel. Sometimes you might catch a workshop or a rehearsal in progress and you are always welcome to watch. We’ve been lucky to catch a performance of The Pirates of Penzance – you couldn’t imagine a better venue for it!

https://www.minack.com

Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Penzance, TR19 6JU