
BOSCASTLE
Delightfully
pretty little fishing village full of character, with
a narrow harbour entrance straddled by imposing cliffs.
The typically Cornish cottages huddle around the harbour
which is sheltered from the storms by massive breakwaters.
There are also lovely walks through the Valency Valley.
Boscastle is owned by the National Trust and should
be on everyone's "must visit" itinerary.
TINTAGEL
The
legendary birthplace of St Arthur and the Arthurian
Legend and one of the best known places in Cornwall.
The dramatic 12th/13th century castle ruins, built
by the Earls of Cornwall, sit perched high above the
sea with wonderful views over the coastline which
has been designated by Europe as a Special Area of
Conservation. In recent years the discovery of a 1400
year old inscribed slate tablet, the Arthnou stone,
has rekindled interest and speculation about Tintagel's
mysterious past. The famous Old Post Office and King
Arthurs Halls are well worth a visit too.
ST
NECTANS GLEN
Sited
nearby Tintagel is this beautiful hidden valley which
is only accessible on foot. The unique 60ft waterfall
at the head of the idyllic wooded valley has been
described as amongst the ten most important spiritual
sites in the country. The Kieve has been a place of
reverence, worship and healing since pre-Christian
times. People of many faiths have walked the ancient
route to the waterfall to bathe in its mysterious
and therapeutic atmosphere and powers.
DELABOLE
The
village boasts the largest man-made hole in the country,
the Delabole Slate Quarry, which has been producing
quality slate for over 600 years. More recently the
site of the Gaia Energy Centre where you can discover
the past, present and future of renewable energy,
which is built on what was the very first commercial
wind farm in the country.
COOMBE
VALLEY
A
delightful wooded spot four miles north of Bude. There
was once a busy village here based around the wood
and corn mill. The Coombe Valley Nature Trails commence
at the picnic site and car park. There are a number
of paths, some of which provide easy walking for young
children, prams and adults of all ages.
CLOVELLY
The
totally delightful village of Clovelly is privately
owned, the cobbled streets are closed to traffic and
tumble down towards the 4th century harbour. There
is a large car park, but pedestrians
can walk down "Hobby Drive", which meanders
through beautiful woods which are a riot of wild flowers
in the early spring and summer. There are dramatic
views of the sea and coastline and of the village
and harbour. A small charge is made to assist in the
maintenance of the village and for the provision of
all facilities which include an audio visual theatre.
Especially worth a visit are the Fisherman's Cottage
and Kingsley Exhibition.
visit
their site www.clovelly.co.uk
LUNDY
ISLAND
Lundy
is a remote, tranquil island 3 miles long and half
a mile wide lying some 11 miles of the north Devon
coast. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty
with skies full of birds, seas teaming with friendly
grey seals, basking sharks and a wealth or marine
flora and fauna.
It was the country's first Marine Nature Reserve and
the whole island is an activity centre for climbing,
diving, fishing, birdwatching and walking. The island
only really became acceptable a couple of centuries
ago even gaining a church, but it has a rich history
of pirates, smugglers and convicts. Lundy even has
its own beer and stamps. All year round sailings of
the MS Oldenburg make this wonderful island accessible
and tickets can be purchased from Bude Visitor Centre
for sailings from Bideford. On clear days Lundy Island
is visible from many places along the coast including
Widemouth Bay.
visit
their site www.lundyisland.co.uk
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