rickmav

This question is for annhig and janisj and anyone else who loves Cornwall. We will be spending a week at a self catering cottage in Porthleven in the third week of September. We've been to the area a number of times and have done all the tourist "must see" things. We really want to just wander and be inspired and appreciate nature's beauty and maybe do something really different - go out with a fisherman, attend a local play, go to service at small church in middle of nowhere ???? - those kinds of things. So any recommendations for things that will get us out of our tourist comfort zone, spots with great photo opportunities, and good pubs (beer, food, ambience, location) would be very much appreciated.

annhig

Hi rickmav,

well, you're starting in the right place as there is a terrific pub right on your doorstep in Porthleven, plus at least one great walk right on your doorstep. Though there are others in the village, the best one, IMO is the Ship : http://www.theshipinncornwall.co.uk/. There are also nice restaurants - probably enough to keep you going for the week, just about.

the walk takes you up out of the village along the main road for a short while, until you come to a parking place just where the Helston Road takes a large left-hand turn. THis is the beginning of a walk down through the woods past Looe Pool and out onto Looe Beach [which is very dangerous at high tide and where sadly someone was drowned in the terrible weather we had last winter]. You can then walk back into Porthleven along the coastal path. Of course you can do it the other way round, but I always think that it's nicer to get the worst bit of a walk over with first and to leave the best til last!

Further afield, there is the iconic St. Michael's Mount at Marazion [more nice pubs and restaurants] and going west Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole - all lovely in their own way, and don't forget the NT garden at Trengwainton near PZ.

You mention theatre, and going even further west, you will come to the open air Minack theatre, built more or less by hand by Rowena Cade. Here's the programme : http://www.minack.com/whatson.htm but even if you can't get tickets, it's well worth visiting during the day to see the garden and museum about how it was built. There's also the famous Telegraph Museum nearby which you might find interesting.

In Penzance you will also find the Acorn THeatre: http://theacornpenzance.com/whats-on/

I don't know anything about the acts that are on while you're in Cornwall but if you like music, either of the acts on Sept 18 or 19 might be interesting to hear. In addition to that, Miracle Theatre are doing The Tempest in St Ives on September 14,

http://www.miracletheatre.co.uk/tour-dates/ [they are usually pretty good] and Kneehigh will be giving us their unique take on the world at Heligan all through September:

https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/on...6-AC21A2035080

Across the other side of the peninsular you come to beautiful if somewhat crowded St. Ives and the wild and dangerous north coast, where there are terrific views from the coastal path, whichever way you walk.

I hope that that's enough to be going on with - keep the questions coming!

anicecupoftea

If you drive to Lands End, you can catch a flight to St Mary's and spend a day on the Scilly Isles, maybe hop a boat to Tresco or one of the other islands. You'd be pushed to find such perfect sandy beaches and clear blue seas anywhere else in the UK. We did it when the helicopter was still operational from Penzance to Tresco, but it should be feasible via St Mary's.

Porthleven is a great base, btw. We stayed twice in an apartment on the harbour and loved watching the fishing boats come and go.

annhig

If you drive to Lands End, you can catch a flight to St Mary's and spend a day on the Scilly Isles, maybe hop a boat to Tresco or one of the other islands. >>

i wanted to check this as a friend's mum lives on St Mary's and quite often she has to fly to and from Newquay, but it looks as if you ought to be OK in September:

http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.u...-isles-skybus/

anicecupoftea is right that the islands are gorgeous. it's a shame that you can't now get the helicopter straight to Tresco but for a day trip it still takes some beating: the gardens, a walk around the island, perhaps a swim, and a meal in the pub. you'd need to book an early flight out and a late flight back though to fit it all in.

rickmav

Thank you annhig for your wonderfully perfect suggestions. They are exactly what I was hoping for. I will check out all your links and I'm sure I'll have more questions.

anicecupoftea - Thank you for reminding me of the Scilly Isles. Some years ago we just missed the helicopter and never went back. My mom still periodically brings out a National Geographic article about the islands - it must be at least 25 years old - and sighs about never getting there. Maybe she can live vicariously through me.

ESW

The north coast is beautiful to walk along, especially between Cape Cornwall and Zennor. This takes you past the Geevor Tin Mine which has a cafe.

If you get to Fowey there is another lovely walk (Hall Walk). Catch the ferry to Boddinnick and then walk along the footpath around Pont Pill to Polruan and the ferry back to Fowey. Full details here:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/item379352/

annhig

I'm glad to have been of help, rickmav.

further to the links re concerts, if you like classical music, there are some outstanding chamber concerts happening almost on your doorstep:

http://www.i-m-s.org.uk/concerts/cornwall/

we were VERY lucky to be able to get my mum to Tresco last year just before they stopped the helicopters. We'd wanted to go the year before for her 80th but the flights that day were cancelled, so we went for her 81st instead. just to give you an idea of what is possible by way of distances and activities, on the day that we weren't able to go, Plan B was to drive to the Minack and look at the theatre, then we went to Cape Cornwall and walked a little way [DH and i would have gone further but mum isn't that keen any more] and then we went up the north coast to the Gurnard's head where you can do a nice walk out to the cliffs, but even more importantly there is an excellent pub of the same name.

Then we drove across the centre of the peninsular to Newlyn where we went to one of the special little shops where you ca buy freshly cooked crabs and lobsters [they come straight out of the huge vats where they boil them] and then went home for tea! All that took from about 11am to 5pm.

so sorry that your mum didn't get to the Scillies - they are a very special place.