Weekend Break in the Southwest
Discussion
Mrs Sparky fancies a Long weekend away next week (Thursday to Sunday)
Given that me passports just run out, and it's too cold for Scotland, we're looking for somewhere else to go
Home is in Lancashire.
Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are all uncharted territory.
We toyed with the idea of visiting the Eden Project but are not yet committed. Anyone been in March?
Would welcome any other suggestions of places to visit or stay in these counties
Given that me passports just run out, and it's too cold for Scotland, we're looking for somewhere else to go
Home is in Lancashire.
Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are all uncharted territory.
We toyed with the idea of visiting the Eden Project but are not yet committed. Anyone been in March?
Would welcome any other suggestions of places to visit or stay in these counties
If your going to the Eden project, the Bugle inn is only a few miles up the road their number is 01726 850307. It's basic, but very friendly, and cheap ( I think it was about £42 a couple for B&B last time I went). The locals are a hoot when you've all had a bit of beer.
If you want to go further south. I can highly recommend giving Lamorna a visit. The pub there, "The Wink" 01736 731566 is run by Di, a no nonsense character. Opposite the wink, there is Lamorna lodge. It's B&B, but with a difference. They leave you the makings of a continental breakfast in a fridge in your room, so you can Have breakfast any time you want, and have a lie in.
If you're into megaliths, the lizard is the place to go, there are dozens of the bloody things everywhere.
At this time of year, there will be no queues for anything
Hope this helps, if you've not already set off?
Phil
Edited to add: just reread your post, and it's next weekend...doh!
>> Edited by philthy on Sunday 13th March 12:19
If you want to go further south. I can highly recommend giving Lamorna a visit. The pub there, "The Wink" 01736 731566 is run by Di, a no nonsense character. Opposite the wink, there is Lamorna lodge. It's B&B, but with a difference. They leave you the makings of a continental breakfast in a fridge in your room, so you can Have breakfast any time you want, and have a lie in.
If you're into megaliths, the lizard is the place to go, there are dozens of the bloody things everywhere.
At this time of year, there will be no queues for anything
Hope this helps, if you've not already set off?
Phil
Edited to add: just reread your post, and it's next weekend...doh!
>> Edited by philthy on Sunday 13th March 12:19
I would go to Trebarwith Strand, my favourite place in Cornwall, just go there and don't ask questions. Don't stay in the Port William. Basically it's a beach with fantastic rock platforms, giant caves, amazing ex quarry workings, beautiful cliffs, excellent walks/views and Tintagel is just a walk away if you go there make a point of finding Rocky Valley and Bossiney Beach. Failing that go to Hartland Quay as well. More caves, walks kick ass surf etc, etc. Hartland quay has some epic scenery in both directions, Hartland Quay itself has a Hotel/Pub which could be worth a look. Big waterfall at Spekes mill south and Hartland Point north which is legendary.
A bit further North the old home town of Lynton is gorgeous at this time of year, empty roads and fantastic scenery. You get to see it alone instead of sharing every viewpoint with 150 emmets.
Is quick to reach from motorway via taunton across the moors or on the north devon link road.
From there if you use the North cornwall road to get to the Eden it does not take long and covers the whole spectrum from wooded valleys to moorland via beaches and cliffs.
Still one of my favourite runs used to do it every couple of weeks when living in Penzance.
Is quick to reach from motorway via taunton across the moors or on the north devon link road.
From there if you use the North cornwall road to get to the Eden it does not take long and covers the whole spectrum from wooded valleys to moorland via beaches and cliffs.
Still one of my favourite runs used to do it every couple of weeks when living in Penzance.
I'd agree with Philthy on this one, I find the south west of the south west beautiful, a few names, kynance, mullion, lizard, mousehole, porthcurno, lamorna.... Eden would be lovely this time of year, summer is far too hot and crowded in those domes. You get a sweat within seconds of walking in there- may still even at this time of year. Having said that- Tavistock/Gunnislake aera & Dartmoor are extremely lovely as well. And an hour less travel than right down the bottom.
willmcc said:
A bit further North the old home town of Lynton is gorgeous at this time of year, empty roads and fantastic scenery. You get to see it alone instead of sharing every viewpoint with 150 emmets.
Is quick to reach from motorway via taunton across the moors or on the north devon link road.
From there if you use the North cornwall road to get to the Eden it does not take long and covers the whole spectrum from wooded valleys to moorland via beaches and cliffs.
Still one of my favourite runs used to do it every couple of weeks when living in Penzance.
That IS N Devon...Similarly though, if you take the A39 down to Cornwall you can go to Lynton & Lynmouth (famous flood land!) and I'd also recommend the Doone Valley, it's spectacular there and very lovely. If you wanted a proper drive on the moor then go to Exford (right on the middle of Exmoor) with Exmoor White Horse Inn, which does THE BEST Sunday Lunches without a doubt. They are truly wonderful!
I'd really suggest taking a look over that way if you're coming down. I think it's Junction 25 you can then cut across the Brendon Hills, through Minehead and across through Dunster etc. Then you should pick up the A39 which takes you along the coastal route through North Devon. Also, Woolacombe beach is worth a look, really lovely, as is Hartland Point.
Trying to rack my brains for other things on the North Coast
I suppose Newquay/Rock are worth a look, then you could cut down to Redruth/Eden Project.I have been to the Eden Project around this time of year. It is the best time to go IMHO.
Looe is good to visit - some nice quaint shops and a few good restaurants.
I fully recommend Lyme Regis though - especially if you like palaeontology....as I do. If you visit, I recommed the Tivoli Room at the Hotel Beuna Vista. It is a suite, with a four poster and is right at the top of the hotel. It has a loung and bedroom with windows on three side overlooking Lyme Bay. Beautiful.
Hope that helps.
>> Edited by alexkp on Sunday 13th March 17:03
Looe is good to visit - some nice quaint shops and a few good restaurants.
I fully recommend Lyme Regis though - especially if you like palaeontology....as I do. If you visit, I recommed the Tivoli Room at the Hotel Beuna Vista. It is a suite, with a four poster and is right at the top of the hotel. It has a loung and bedroom with windows on three side overlooking Lyme Bay. Beautiful.
Hope that helps.
>> Edited by alexkp on Sunday 13th March 17:03
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Sparky, If you do Looe, make sure you do Polperro too- its just along the coast, its quainter, quieter, etc.
Dont leave Cornwall without trying the ice cream, Roskillys or Langage. We also had ice cream at Eden, it was GORGEOUS, cant rememeber the name of it though
If you do St Michaels Mount and Marazion- you have to visit a little cafe on the main Marazion road its opposiet the Michael Praed gallery. I love it there- the perfect cream tea
mxdi said:
If you do St Michaels Mount and Marazion- you have to visit a little cafe on the main Marazion road its opposiet the Michael Praed gallery. I love it there- the perfect cream tea
For christs sake will you all bugger off, the place is already crawling with you bloody tourists already.
Rob.
mxdi said:
Without tourists Cornwall will not be as rich as it is. 
Rich as it is? A joke perhaps?
I can appreciate that tourism is all Cornwall has left as an industry, but it doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow or mean that emmets/tourists arn't a total pain either.
Cheers,
Rob.
mxdi said:
I am not going to bother
The original post was a tongue and cheek comment, not an attack at all. It just irritated me that your next post seemed to have a "All you have is us" attitude, which so many arrogant tourists display whilst often spoiling what is a beautiful part of the world - i'm sure you're not one of them.
Cheers,
Rob.
The North coast of Cornwall is beautiful. Not keen on Newquay myself, over commercialised.
Make sure you go to Chapel Porth - my favourite place ever. When the tide's in, it's just a little cove, but when it goes out, there's a large, secluded beach to walk across. The cliffs are beautiful, topped by the old Tin mines.
Perranporth is nice, if a little over-touristy. Quiet at this time of year, and you can catchgood sunsets across the sand out to sea from the Watering Hole - a pub on the beach. The only pub in the UK surrounded on all 4 sides by sand IIRC.
St. Agnes is nice as well. Another tiny little place on the north coast. You can drop down the Driftwood Spars, which is right down in the cove by the sea on the friday/saturday night, there's always good local bands playing there (played there myself many times) and it a good atmosphere, and a laugh.
Don't go to Lands End, it's rubbish IMO. Sennen Cove is lovely though, just round the corner, and the road from Sennen up around the coast to St. Ives is a nice little drive.
Truro's a nice little shopping town as well, not overly busy at this time of year, and there's a couple of pubs that do very nice food.
Also - one last thing... Go to the Pandora Inn, down on the river near Mylor Bridge (near Falmouth). The food is ace, and it's so peaceful, beautiful setting.
[edited to add] The Eden project is well worth a visit as well, again, it'll be nice and quiet at this time of year.
>> Edited by timbob on Sunday 13th March 17:27
Make sure you go to Chapel Porth - my favourite place ever. When the tide's in, it's just a little cove, but when it goes out, there's a large, secluded beach to walk across. The cliffs are beautiful, topped by the old Tin mines.
Perranporth is nice, if a little over-touristy. Quiet at this time of year, and you can catchgood sunsets across the sand out to sea from the Watering Hole - a pub on the beach. The only pub in the UK surrounded on all 4 sides by sand IIRC.
St. Agnes is nice as well. Another tiny little place on the north coast. You can drop down the Driftwood Spars, which is right down in the cove by the sea on the friday/saturday night, there's always good local bands playing there (played there myself many times) and it a good atmosphere, and a laugh.
Don't go to Lands End, it's rubbish IMO. Sennen Cove is lovely though, just round the corner, and the road from Sennen up around the coast to St. Ives is a nice little drive.
Truro's a nice little shopping town as well, not overly busy at this time of year, and there's a couple of pubs that do very nice food.
Also - one last thing... Go to the Pandora Inn, down on the river near Mylor Bridge (near Falmouth). The food is ace, and it's so peaceful, beautiful setting.
[edited to add] The Eden project is well worth a visit as well, again, it'll be nice and quiet at this time of year.
>> Edited by timbob on Sunday 13th March 17:27
I think you'll be fine mate - booked my Dad into Eden and Heligan for his 60th last year on a package with this place... www.wisterialodgehotel.co.uk
Him and mum are VERY picky but they said that it was one of the nicest hotels they'd ever been too. Really nice people, great food, lovely room with jacuzzi (the wife will love that!) and close to everything. Good for coastal walks too apparently if that floats yer boat.
HTH
Him and mum are VERY picky but they said that it was one of the nicest hotels they'd ever been too. Really nice people, great food, lovely room with jacuzzi (the wife will love that!) and close to everything. Good for coastal walks too apparently if that floats yer boat.
HTH
Rob_F said:
Redruth
Nobody deserves to go to Redruth, horrible place.
Cheers,
Rob.
Is the Eden Project not there?
That's the ONLY reason I said it, trust me! I'm not a massive fan of cornwall, per sé. I don't think it has a lot going for it and out of the two (although I live there so it's irrelevant) I'd rather go to Devon.
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