Cornwall is the southwestern archipelago of Britain.
A Celtic country or an English county?
Somewhere in between lies the answer. Cornwall has its own language, still has its own parliament and has more connections with the western geographical cultures of Europe than it has with those ‘over the Tamar’ and beyond. Cornish, Breton and Welsh are very similar languages as an example. Unmistakeably, the Cornish landscape is spectacular. I love walking and I love showing people the best of Cornwall. We walk at a leisurely pace, we talk, we laugh, and we are amazed.
Aquamarine seas, undulating paths over cliffs, bays, headlands, heath, woodland and estuary. We will witness the many moods of the sea and the interaction between humanity and the landscape. I have chosen the best views and the best walks Cornwall has to offer.
The Love of Walking the Cornish Landscape
walkitcornwall’s walking guests are encouraged to discover and understand the unique DNA of each area of Cornwall through the many layers that make up the stories of Cornwall.
These layers define this unique part of the UK through its unparalleled natural history, culture, industrial and nautical heritage and the layers are brought alive through physically exploring a variety of mainly coastal sites and habitats on both circular and linear walks. The layers also include Cornwall’s history of fishing, farming and mining, Methodism, myths and legends, archaeology, art and literature and the stories and symbols of Celticism.
Cornish Stories
There is not one story of Cornwall but many stories and many Cornwall’s. Without its physical detachment from Britain there would be no independent cultural identity. Without its unique geology and biodiversity there would be no sparse settlements and symbiotic human relationship with the land and sea. Without the myths and legends or indeed ancient physical remnants there would be no romanticism and mystery that has bought thousands of artists and writers to this periphery of a Celtic kingdom. Without the independent, tough and inventive people there would not have been the industrial know how and heritage spread throughout the four corners of the globe.
For you and me and indeed each individual there is a certain, specific and special Cornwall. It is each walking guests’ idea of what Cornwall is that is important to me, here as the facilitator at walkitcornwall.
Let us explore these ideas of what Cornwall is, together.
The Walks: Where we go
From Falmouth, where we stay, one hour east is the vast open moor of Bodmin Moor. The Moor is central to the coastal towns of Padstow in the north and Fowey in the south all linked by the long distance path of the Saints Way. One hour west is the Celtic stronghold of Penwith where stone circles, quoits and dolmen stones tell an ancient historical story and myths and legends abound in every craggy headland. The north coast is a stark contrast to the more gentle south coast and is anything from half an hour away stretching up to an hours drive to Port Isaac and Padstow down to Zennor and St Ives. We also cross the Fal river to the Roseland Peninsula, an enclave of narrow winding roads, quiet coves with magnificent beaches. Time stands still as we slowly walk the coast path, estuaries and fields of the Roseland. We spend five days going to five different places in Cornwall returning to Falmouth each evening.
Falmouth: Where we stay.
The maritime town of Falmouth has the 3rd deepest water terminal in the world after Sydney and Rio de Janeiro. It was also home to the Falmouth Packets, the forerunner of the Post Office that delivered packages all around the world.
This is the expanse of water that includes the Fal and Percuil rivers, the former leads up to Truro, the latter being the maritime entrance to the Roseland peninsula. Opposite is St Mawes and if one follows the coast south there is 42kms of shoreline of the exquisite Helford River, the gateway to the Lizard peninsula. Pendennis and St Mawes castles guard the entrance to the Carrick Roads with the town of Penryn and the city of Truro up river.
There is a choice of at least fifty restaurants and I give you a list of most of them when you book so that you can look forward to the gastronomic variety Falmouth offers spending some time deciding where and what you want to eat.
The award winning Maritime museum in Falmouth is definately worth a visit at one end of the ribbon development that is the main shopping area. There are an excellent variety of independent shops, galleries and coffee houses to watch the world go by or for just gazing at the harbour and coastline. There are numerous banks for international visitors and Falmouth is a major stop off for cruise liners. There are music and drama productions, gallery shows and films to be seen and heard every day of the week, all year round which is why I base you, my guests, here for our walking holidays and vacations.