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What to do & where to go in Cornwall

Holiday Cottage Cornwall

Animals

Gweek Seal Sanctuary. The National Seal Sanctuary, set in the picturesque Helford Estuary.

Monkey Sanctuary Looe. The sanctuary has been the home to a colony of woolly monkeys since 1964. It has worldwide recognition as the first place where this beautiful primate has survived and bred successfully in captivity.

Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital. This famous hospital on the Cornish Cliffs was founded in 1928 by the Misses Dorothy and Phyllis Yglesias. Free admission.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Founded in 1962 the trust is concerned solely with Cornwall and dealing with all aspects of conserving the county's wildlife and habitats.

Art

The Tate Gallery St Ives. Modern British art in a spectacular coastal setting. This is a unique introduction to modern art, where many works can be viewed in the surroundings and atmosphere which inspired them.

Falmouth Art Gallery (6 miles) Free admission to contemporary art and to Falmouth Town's historic collection.

Penlee House Gallery and Museum Enjoy the area's unique heritage in a modern gallery and museum set within a gracious Victorian house surrounded by an attractive park.

Newlyn Art Gallery Contemporary art in a wonderful setting.

Mid Cornwall Galleries Par. The largest gallery of contemporary arts and crafts in Cornwall, featuring the work of artists and makers living in the UK. You can buy online.

The Saffron Gallery St. Agnes. Specialising in traditional Cornish paintings by well known Cornish artists. Coffee and clotted cream teas.

Badcocks Gallery Newlyn. A wide range of contemporary work by local artists and craftspeople.

Beside The Wave Falmouth. (6 miles) An art gallery and publishing company located in the main street of Falmouth housed in a regency building overlooking the sea.

Mullion Gallery In the village of Mullion on the Lizard Peninsula with the work of over 80 artists and craftspeople living and working on the Lizard.

Belgrave Gallery St Ives. Twentieth Century British Artists, post-war abstract - especially artists associated with the St Ives Modern Movement, and Contemporary Artists.

St Ives Ceramics A permanent exhibition at a gallery purpose built to specialise in ceramics. St Ives was the workplace of Bernard Leach.

St Ives Society of Artists The society at present has forty-nine full and associate members. Membership is by election only. They exhibit in two gallery spaces in the town.

The New Millennium Gallery St Ives. Opposite the Guildhall /Tourist Information Centre, the focus is on highly abstract and innovative contemporary art work.

Beaches and swimming

Beaches in West Cornwall. around the shores from Prussia Cove to Godrevy.

Surfing A British Surfing Association approved surfing school based in West Cornwall.

The Jubilee Pool Lido Penzance This Art Deco pool built in 1935 is near the promenade and the main sights of the town. There's a cafe and a range of inflatables are available. Consult a local tide table for swimming times, but beware the water is very cold. Tel: 01736 369224.

BBC Cornwall surfing guide Respected surfing journalist Simon Alexander gives the benefit of his experience for those wanting to experience the Cornish waves.

Nudist Beaches Yes, we have those as well!

Eating and drinking

Cornwall has lots of wonderful places to eat, these are a few of our favorites, all child friendly. There are more cards for restaurants and pubs in the cottage, and do let us know if you find somewhere exceptional!

The Golden Lion, Menherion
Only 15 minutes walk from Charis Cottage, Cornwall Tourist board 2006 Silver medal winner . Lakeside pub, beautiful garden, extensive bar and restaurant menu.

The Fox and Hounds, Comford
5 minutes drive from Charis Cottage , good reasonably priced food, also a nice place for just a pint and a game of pool. Cornwall Tourist Board 2006 Bronze medal winner.

The Cove, Maenporth
Terrace overlooking the beach, great food, and great value at lunchtime, pricier but very good in the evening.

Blue, Porthtowan
Another glorious beachside location, with live music in the evening. Nice lively atmosphere and good food.

Trengilly Wartha, Constantine
Lovely rural setting near the Helford, very child friendly.

Mount Haven Hotel, Marazion
Open to non residents, good food and a terrace with a great view of St Micheal's Mount.

Gardens

The Eden Project Two giant conservatories constructed to nurture plants from the steamy rainforests and from the warm temperate regions of the world.

Trebah Gardens One of the 'Great Gardens of Cornwall' it is rated among the 80 most beautiful gardens in the world. 26 acres of sub tropical beauty. A wild ravine paradise winds through huge plantations of 100 year old giant tree ferns, rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, palms and 2 acres of massed hydrangeas to a private beach on the Helford River.

The lost Gardens of Heligan The award winning garden extends to some eighty acres of superb pleasure grounds together with a magnificent complex of walled gardens and a huge, productive vegetable garden.

Burncoose Nurseries & Garden (3 miles) Woodland garden adjoining large working nursery of 30 acres offering over 3000 varieties of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Trevarno Helston Magnificent gardens and grounds.

Glendurgan Garden Mawnan Smith A valley garden of great beauty.

Trelissick Gardens At the head of Fal estuary, the estate commands panoramic views over the water.

The Godolphin Estate The Lizard Gardens, plant sales, wagon museum and teas.

Penjerrick Garden Nr Falmouth (6 miles) Rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, magnificent trees all grow in this sub tropical valley. Ponds, bamboos, gunnera and immense tree ferns abound.

Trengwainton, Penzance Tender species flourish in the unusually mild climate. There is a new pond and summerhouse with fine views to St Michaels Mount.

Nature reserves Cornwall has a wide variety of important habitats.

Historic Houses

Pendennis Castle Falmouth (6 miles) The Cornish end of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII.

St Michaels Mount Marazion A dramatic castle on top of a rocky island that dates from the 12th century.

Lounging around

You don't have to leave Charis Cottage. If you need a relaxing holiday, take time to enjoy the views of the unspoiled valley, woods and farmland. There is a wood burning stove (wood supplied), mini wide screen TV with DVD player, CD/radio, comfy sofas, board games, cards and a small library of holiday books. To top it all there is a very efficient gas central heating É plus a fish and chip shop in Stithians, what more could you want!

Marine related

The Irene Jack Traditional Sailing. Instruction - Charter. Traditional Seamanship. Rallies - Cruising.

Cornish Diving An active dive centre for over 20 years and is a PADI 5 Star IDC - providing PADI courses from beginner to Instructor.

Deep sea angling trips Charter and individual trips from the Helford River on board a fast Cygnus Cyclone.

Lizard Diver They offer an introduction to diving session for new comers to the sport.

Try Sail In Falmouth, for sailing or motor cruising, courses that encourage a responsible attitude to seamanship, conducted in a friendly holiday atmosphere.

Marine Heritage

Poldark Mine and Heritage Complex An authentic working mine. Preserved since 1820 - open to the public. Actually believed to be the oldest complete mine workings in Europe.

Carn Brea Mining Society Formed in 1974 with the aims of encouraging interests in all aspects of mining, geology, and mineralogy in the South West of Britain.

Geevor Tin Mine The last working mine in West Penwith, provides you with a unique opportunity to experience the history of this traditional Cornish industry.

The Levant Steam Engine In its tiny engine house perched on the cliff edge, the famous engine is steaming again after sixty idle years.

Museums

National Maritime Museum Falmouth (6 miles) Destined to become one of Cornwall's premier attractions. Designed for broad appeal, with a wide range of 'hands-on' displays and an unrivalled collection of boats - including many in active use on the water, the museum is set in an inspirational new building on the waterfront.

Cornwall Geological Museum Penzance.

The Hypatia Trust A unique collection of books and archives by and about women.

Helston Folk Museum Extensive collection of domestic items and examples of equipment pertaining to cottage industries.

Museum of Submarine Telegraphy Porthcurno The history of telegraph communications.

Royal Cornwall Museum Truro Permanent display on the history of Cornwall from the Stone Age to the present day.

Theater, Music and Nightlife

Hall for Cornwall Truro Music and shows.

Minack Theatre Cornwall's world famous theatre right on the edge of the cliff and open to the stars.

Falmouth Arts Centre (6 miles) Music and plays.

The Acorn theatre Penzance Music, dance, theatre, comedy, film, spoken word, kid's activities and community events.

Tourist Attractions

Flambards Village Victorian Village, the Blitz exhibit, rides and events, undercover areas, family shows, live entertainment, glorious gardens.

Goonhilly Earth Station The largest Satellite Earth Station in the World.

Lands End The First and Last House. Exhibitions. Land of Greeb Farm. Craft and gifts shops. State House restaurant É but the spectacular sunsets are free!

Tourist Attractions

Cornwall Coast Your guide to walking from north to south along the whole coast path.

Birdwatching The KernowBirds website is the site for all bird-related news for the county of Cornwall. Charis Cottage is very close to Stithians Reservoir, a known birdwatching area.

Riding Stables Wheal Buller. Very near the cottage. Specialising in novice and nervous riders. Lessons, hacks and beach riding.

Golf Radnor Golf and Ski Centre (4 miles): Purpose built 9-hole, Par 3 links course and Tehidy Park Golf Club (5 miles): 18-hole Parkland Course, 6241 yds, SSS 71, Par 71. Also: Dry ski slope (4 miles) Tel (01209) 211059.

Ships & Castles Leisure Pool (6 miles) Falmouth. 70 metre flume ride. Wave machine. Rapid river ride. Jacuzzis. Swimming lesson program. Fitness suite. Sunbeds.